Academy Prep Students Win Regional Science Fair Awards!

On January 14, 2009 Academy Prep held its annual science fair. All students were required to complete a science fair project. The objective of this project was to provide every child hands-on experience using the scientific method. School wide, the top three projects were completed by:

•  Aleah Black titled "Stains, Stains, Go Away"
•  Markee Davis titled "Water Purification"
•  Craig Bowman and Adrian Snead titled "Paper Chromatography of Skittles"

Academy Prep Places In The Top 3 For Both Girls' And Boys' Basketball Tournaments

Girls

The Academy Prep Girls' Basketball Team took second place in the 2009 St. Pete Christian Basketball Tournament. In the opening round, the girls defeated St. Raphael's Catholic School. The semifinal round matched the girls against a tough St. Pete Christian squad, who had previously defeated the Lady Eagles. The AP girls won a physical game by three points, thanks in part to outstanding defensive efforts by Shaniqua Mitchell and Sanobia Turner, and clutch late-game free throws from Bryanna Franklin and Tianah Alvarado. The Lady Eagles came up short in the final against a talented St. Paul's team to take second place in the tournament. Way to go girls!

Boys

In the opening round of the 2009 St. Pete Christian Basketball Tournament, the boys lost a tough game to eventual champion Skycrest Christian. However, the boys recovered to win three straight games and bring home the third place trophy. The team defeated Independent Day School, St. Raphael's, and host St. Pete Christian to finish the season on a high note. The boys were led by outstanding offensive efforts from Craig Bowman, Todd Macon, and Will Anderson. In addition, the team worked hard and hustled to execute Coach Angie Hall's intense pressure defense. Great job guys!

St. Petersburg - Many people find tremendous satisfaction volunteering for a cause they care about. That satisfaction is what NFL Alumni Arlo Henderson found in sharing his life experiences with the boys and girls at Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg. Henderson spoke to the youth regarding the importance of having goals, a good attitude, and being prepared for opportunities that will come their way. "Growing up requires you to try harder," Henderson said.

Academy Prep began in 1997 with boys in fifth and sixth grades, and in the summer of 2000, with the success of its program for boys, launched its program for girls beginning with grade five. During the middle school years, a most formative time in a young life, we often make decisions that can impact a lifetime. In an overcrowded classroom situation, there's little time to guide the child in trouble and instill in him a love of learning. Without that guidance, however, many inner city youth run the risk of becoming statistics - heading toward failure and dropping out of the education system all together. Many are on the brink of being "written off" by the very organizations designed to prepare them for a productive. Academy Prep is in the business of identifying these children, changing lives and interrupting the cycle that fuels poverty. It's unrealistic to expect a middle school student to make tough decisions about life - working hard in school, going to college, preparing for a career, being a model citizen - without intensive support and guidance from a "community" of caring adults.

That's where Academy Prep comes in for students.

Children whose previous testing and school performance show that they have the ability and desire to learn are the focus of Academy Prep's program. By providing a safe environment and a rigorous academic program driven by high expectations, we encourage them to grow in self-confidence and to expand their horizons. The St. Petersburg program now serves boys and girls in grades five through eight and currently supports graduates in high schools and colleges locally and around the nation. For additional information contact Jessica Strong 727-322-0800.