Upper School Students Attend Latin Fall Forum

On Saturday, October 21, more than 20 ACA students ranging from grades 7-12 participated in the Georgia Junior Classical League Fall Forum for the first time since 2019. This annual event brings together Latin students from across the state to learn, compete, and have fun. This year, the Fall Forum was hosted by Walton High School in Marietta. Students attended workshops to learn about Roman desserts and ancient board games, find out how to make mosaics and signet rings, and lots more. Some students also took exams about Latin, mythology, and ancient history to test their knowledge against that of fellow students from across Georgia. Four seventh grade boys formed a team for Certamen: team Jeopardy with questions drawn from Latin class. Several students submitted artistic creations. Seventh grader Jay Starr depicted this year’s theme (“Many things which are naturally difficult are solved with ingenuity”) with a painting of Alexander the Great displaying resourcefulness by undoing the Gordian Knot, thought to be so complicated that it could never be untied, by cutting it apart with his sword. To demonstrate this theme on a banner for our school, several ACA students worked together prior to the event on an image of Hannibal crossing the Alps with an army (including war elephants), thus taking the Romans by surprise. Judging from the number of awards that ACA students took home in all categories, the event was a tremendous success. The next such event is the weekend-long State Convention in April at the Rock Eagle 4-H Camp.
 

Awards

Academic Tests

History (Latin I) 1st Place Andrew Stoer

History (Latin I) 2nd Place Lorelei Stewart

History (Latin I) 3rd Place James Walker

History (Latin V) 2nd Place Vivian Stewart

Language (Latin I) 1st Place Andrew Stoer

Language (Latin I) 2nd Place Thomas Padanilam

Language (Latin I) 3rd Place James Walker

Language (Latin I) 5th Place Julia Holladay

Mythology (Latin I) 1st Place (tie) Andrew Stoer

Mythology (Latin I) 1st Place (tie) Bennett Plaisance

Mythology (Latin I) 5th Place Lorelei Stewart

Mythology (Latin III) 4th Place Kate Mitts

Mythology (Latin V) 2nd Place Vivian Stewart

Mythology (Latin V) 5th Place Nora Franklin

Art

Black Pencil 5th Place Celia Franklin

Miscellaneous 1st Place Zelia Stewart

Mixed Media 2nd Place Jay Starr

Certamen

Novice 2nd Place

Team: Andrew Stoer, Thomas Padanilam, Miles Mosteller, James Walker

Sight Reading

Level 2 5th Place Joel Harte

Sports

50 Yard Dash (lower girls) 1st Julia Holladay

50 Yard Dash (lower girls) 2nd Rosemary Torres

Many Hands, One World – ACA Joins Together at the Multicultural Festival

On Saturday, October 21, more than 400 ACA community members joined together for the school’s third annual Multicultural Festival. Over 20 different countries were represented by our school families and staff in a celebration of “Many Hands, One World – Serving Together for 10 Years.”

With over 30 food and experience tables, most participants brought traditional dishes to bring a taste of their culture to the ACA community. The tables also had beautiful displays with information about their countries and their heritage. 

The event’s DJ, Marlon Gayle – an ACA parent and representative of Panama – played a variety of songs sent in by each country, which carried attendees away for a few minutes at a time to new places. Our kindergarten through second grade classes, led by Mr. Lusk, sang “Are you sleeping, brother John?” in English, Spanish, French, and German. Other performances included a mariachi band with traditional songs, and ACA parent Iva Ozkan and daughter Sabrina with a traditional Bulgarian folk dance and baton-twirling routine. 

We are grateful to the “many hands” who made this event possible, particularly our PTCA event lead, Mrs. Melissa McFaddin, and our faculty sponsors Dr. Han and Sra. Rey. 

“Our third annual Multicultural Festival was a huge success. Attendees thoroughly enjoyed immersing themselves in the true, good, and beautiful aspects of these diverse nations. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participating families and the PTCA, especially Mrs. McFaddin and Mrs. Beckett, for their invaluable contributions in making this a great event. This cherished tradition at ACA allows us to nurture our students’ appreciation for the myriad of beautiful experiences that our multicultural school community has to offer, and we eagerly anticipate its continuation.” – Dr. Han, Lower School Principal

Ms. Spangler Returns to Teach at ACA

Ms. Spangler graduated from ACA in 2019 with the first graduating class. She was the president and founder of Student Government as well as the class Salutatorian. After graduation, she attended Washington and Lee University where she studied English and math, and she now teaches both subjects in our middle school.

Ms. Spangler notes that ACA has changed academically and socially since she graduated. Academically, Ms. Spangler has noticed that the teachers and curriculum are more “thoughtful and flexible”. As a literature teacher, she appreciates annotation questions, which ensure reading comprehension, instead of study questions. As a math teacher, she commends the stats project for being a practical lesson for students. Ms. Spangler also values that girls can wear pants, the House System, Cav period, and advisory for allowing space for “fun, which is a good thing.”

Ms. Spangler loves teaching and loves her students.

“I know these kids intimately and deeply because so much of my life is shared with them,” she said. She loves to “watch her students be.” From student to teacher, Ms. Spangler has been a part of ACA for 10 years.

10th Anniversary Spotlight: Mr. Henriques

In celebration of our 10th anniversary, we will be interviewing teachers and staff who have been with ACA since the founding of our school. This month’s spotlight is Mr. Henriques.

Beautiful music, a love for teaching, and a hilarious sense of humor – blended together is the perfect 10th anniversary spotlight: music and piano teacher Mr. Henriques. We sat down with him to hear about his time at ACA and why sometimes a change in plans can create the perfect recipe for a life’s journey.


Why ACA? What made you join this school, and what has kept you here through the years?

I originally moved to Georgia to pursue my PhD in musicology at UGA. I needed part time work and applied to ACA, thinking that a music program at a public school would demand one or two days of my time at most. In my first interview, Dr. Moore made it clear that this would be a full time position and asked if I would consider putting my degree on hold for a year. I agreed and started working at the school at the end of July 2014. When I saw the curriculum, I was floored. I think it was probably two weeks into the school year when I made the decision to put my degree on hold indefinitely. This place was too special and the mission too important for me to leave it behind that soon. 


What is your funniest memory at ACA?

Oh, I have a book’s worth of stories from ACA that will be a national bestseller and fund my retirement when I finally publish it. Chapter titles include “When colleagues go bald overnight”, “…just what word were you trying to spell?”, and “Yes, I guess Palestrina did look like Adam Levine.”


What has been the most rewarding part of your job?

Watching students master a new skill or develop a new appreciation for a piece of music tops the list. Whether it’s a student learning a piano piece on her own, calling something by its proper name, listening intently to an especially moving passage, or telling me they prefer one performance of a work over another; the smaller the moment, the more rewarding it seems to be. It tells me they’re living with and absorbing the beautiful, rather than studying it perfunctorily. 
 

What has been your biggest challenge you’ve faced during your time here?

The hardest part of ACA is saying goodbye. We build relationships with these students and invest ourselves in their education, so when they move on to other things, it’s tough. It gets harder with each passing year. 
 

ACA is celebrating “10 years of service” this year. What is your idea of service?

I once had a teacher tell me that working as a musician would mean I would constantly be fulfilling the oath to “go where I am needed.” That comment resonated with me 20 years ago and still comes to my mind often. 
 

What words or phrases do you most overuse?

Probably the music teacher’s greatest lie: “Alright, play it one more time.”
 

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I honestly have no idea what my greatest is, but I’m always happiest when a student doesn’t need my help anymore. We teachers are constantly working ourselves out of a job. 

Farewell to Our Fall Athletes: A Tribute to Seniors

In honor of the ending of the fall sports season, ACA Athletics hosted a Senior night at the final varsity volleyball game of the season. Senior volleyball, soccer, and cross-country athletes were honored alongside their parents for their perseverance, leadership, and investment in our athletics program. Each student was given a framed jersey to commemorate their final season at Atlanta Classical.

In a touching tribute to the senior volleyball players, Coach Warren recounted not only the growth he has seen in the seniors but also the growth he has seen in himself.

“Four years ago, you young ladies started your high school volleyball journey. It was my introduction to my teaching and coaching journey as well,” he said. “I’ve got memories that will last forever, and I appreciate the role you all have played in making me the coach I am today. I do not doubt that each of you will go on to do great things…I am forever grateful.”

Join us in congratulating these senior athletes: Sarah Adams, Sidney Hoefer, Michael Gullet, Andrew Heiskell, Mason Maynard, Harper Toberman, and Lauren Woods.