F.B.L.A. District 12 Rally

Shouts of "A.P." filled the air at the F.B.L.A. District 12 Fall Rally on October 19, 2006. Academy Prep houses the only middle school chapter in the entire district, and the F.B.L.A. members from A.P. definitely made themselves known. 8th grade student Laterrica Mathis, the Academy Prep chapter president, was called onto the stage and inducted along with the other chapter presidents in District 12. Her blue candle was lit, and her classmates cheered her on as she pledged to lead her chapter towards the goals and ideals F.B.L.A. sets forth.

The District 12 Fall Rally was held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Although most of the students in St. Paul's that day were high school students, the 8th graders of Academy Prep made their presence known. Sitting in the first two rows, they listened quietly as speaker Marlene von Stein spoke about her younger days, and they cheered enthusiastically as fellow student, Robert Goddard competed in the championship round of "Name that Tune".

Marlene's message encouraged students to enjoy the journey. She advised them to not focus so much on getting out of school; instead, students should sit back and enjoy the ride. In that regard, the A.P. students at the rally could identify with the other students in attendance. Many of the 8th graders at Academy Prep have been A.P. students since 5th grade. They are excited to graduate and go to high school, just as high school students are excited to graduate and go to college. F.B.L.A. is teaching our students to take advantage of opportunities presented to them, which is something all of the students who graduate from Academy Prep have done. And when they reach the end of the road, Marlene's words will prove true: "Graduation day will never be nearly as important as the four years it took to get there."

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Thank You Eckerd College

Eckerd college freshmen went “Into the Streets” at Academy Prep on Friday Aug. 25, as part of an ongoing program to acquaint incoming students with community service opportunities in the St. Petersburg area.

A group of 10 students, along with a staff member spent several hours on campus performing a variety of labor-intensive tasks that the regular staff just did not have the time to accomplish. The students laid mulch and weeded flower beds, they washed the school buses, organized the library, and helped decorate classrooms.

They performed other administrative tasks, and generally provided some much needed support for the staff and teachers. Although some of the jobs were grimy and difficult, the students remained cheerful and enthusiastic throughout the hot, steamy afternoon. They later reported that they got as much satisfaction from being of service as we did from having the extra help.

We hope they will continue to be a part of the Academy Prep volunteer program as they continue their studies at Eckerd. Many thanks go to Brian McHarg and the Office of Service Ministry for coordinating this vital program. We look forward to a long and productive partnership with Eckerd College.