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Elementary school honor rolls
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Honor rolls for the first nine-week grading period for Effingham County’s eight elementary schools:

Blandford Elementary

First grade

Cierra Ames, Hannah Anderson, Rhett Bacot, Gabriella Bedford, Ella Bothwell, Jacovi Bradley, Brooks Burnsed, Kate Carroll, Ean Cerkoney, Chadwick Chaffin, Lilyonna Cobb, Jakey Connely, Hannah Crow, Kyra Curry, Lucas Davis, Zachary Davis, Jordan Drayton, Hayden Drongowski, Jaleesa Eichel, Jada Fields, Aubrey George, Kamia Griffin, Demerius Hackney, Faith Hall, Noah Hallman, Madyson Hannigan, Holt Hathcock, Nolan Higgins, Jedon Holmes, Dylan Humbert, Noor Inoubli, Christopher Jackson, Chevoney Johnson, Chloe Johnson, Emma Johnson, Jaide Johnson, Sha'niya Jones, Noah King, Amare Knighton, Kasey Ladner, Ashley Marcum, Nicholas Marine, Riley McMillan, Trevor Miller, Hayden Mollet, Landon Monsalve, Andrew Moseley, William Narmore, Aubree Pacheco, Joaquin Pawlowski, Jack Pilo, Avery Purvis, Raylee Quinones-Negroni, Izzabelle Ramsby, Rafael Ruiz, Savannah Shyrock, Elton Smalls, Alanah Smith, Leighton Smith, Lily Smith, Kaiden Solomon, Braelyn Stafford, Kirill Stavenchuk, Gabriel Stevens, Elysia Stevenson, Rilee Taylor, Weston Thompson, Karmen Torchia, Calix Vickery, Allyson Walker, Jaylen Walker, Aubrey Walls, McKenzie Warren, Jackson Wilhoite, Megan Williams, Tashawn Williams, Veronica Williams, Kolbi Wilson, Julia Withers, Lillian Wood


Second grade

Aiden Ainsworth, Isabella Aponte, Jasmin Aponte, Julio Aponte, Gavin Arledge, Anastaysia Beasley, Sadie Bennett, Connor Billeiter, Ben Bothwell, Eva Bowden, Harrison Boyce, Cameron Bracken, Jason Brant, Eli Cerkoney, Jacob Cheshire, Srinivas Chitluri, Evan Cohn, Aliyah Coleman, Aiden Corley, Cory Dekle, Kashayla Dickerson, Kaiden Dunlop, James Edwards, Jacob Fayville, Evan Finch, James Finley, Camille Ford, Daniel Galindez, Emma Gause, Andrew Greene, Jaina Hernandez, Abigail Hirschy, Theodore Holmes, Ashlyn Johnson, Stephen Johnson, Kaylie Jonas, Emily Jones, Emma Keen, Dawson Kelly, Newton Kieffer, Shiloh Lee, Emily Lin, Hayden Liverance, Mya Loskot, Elizabeth Luck, Mariajose Magallanes, Emma Maseda, JazLynn Mendez-Serrano, Abigail Mew, Savannah Miller, Jack Morley, Emmalee O'Dell, Zahara Richardson, Devin Salter, Bella Scroggs, Zadok Shepard, Jack Smiley, Sophia Smith, Cameron Studer, Anthony Templeton, Erain Trenado, Braylin Vincent, Abby Wade, Destiny White, Maycee Whittle, Malcolm Wilkins, Aubri Williford, Celie Wonnink


Third grade

Arianna Armiger, Rine Beaver, Chrishayla Blockett, Murphy Boyett, Savannah Bradley, Lillian Bragg, Daniel Brown, Gary Cooper, Nathaniel Crawford, Makayla Croft, Neal Croom, Jackson Crow, Connor Crowder, Logan Davila, Carolina DeSousa, Amber Dillon, Mary Dyal, Grant Floyd, Isabel Garcia, Taurus Gardin, Andrew Gordon, Olivia Greathouse, Alexis Halford, Zachery Hall, Jackson Helmly, Felipe Herrera, Isabella Hightower, Sarah Hinely, Taylor Hoffman, Elijah Jackson, Bryan Jobe, Jaden Johnson, Roisin Kavanagh, Kailyn King, Ashton Lamkin, Jeremiah Lee, Chloe Lin, Julianna Long, Zair Magallanes, DaMarion Mapp, Brooke McCoy, Sydney McMahon, Aniya Mercier, Glenda Mick, Cameron Miles, Lily Narmore, Ella Norton, Laurel Parrish, Noah Parrish, Ellie Pastirik, Jalie Phillips, Christina Plant, Carson Price, Mariyonna Price, Hunter Redlin, Emma Reynolds, Joseph Richards, Jackson Schnobrich, Ethan Smart, Joshua Stewart, Beth Tisdale, Ashton Troutman, Kyle Van Vuren, Carley Wade, Benjamin Wadley, Chase Whittle, Averi Williford


Fourth grade

Ian Arguello, Jalyn Blissett, Olivia Bradley, Jayden Brooks, Peighton Capwell, Ethan Cerkoney, Robby Chapin, James Cheshire, Owen Cohn, Nevaeh Craze, Nia' Croom, Amber Dickey, Kaley Duff, Joseph Ellis, Ethan Fender, Rilee Gamboa, Sarafae Hall, Zakerria Hall, Madison Hill, Candyce Horn, Adrianna Larson, Xander Leslie, Dessie Linton, Noah Logan, Haleigh Maruca, Brandi McCrae, Antonio McFarrin, Rachel McIntosh, Elise McKinley, Caroline McMillan, Kaleigh McQueen, Cameron Mealey, Chance Mills, Rylee Mills, Jenna Mollet, Mackenzie Morris, Justice Mydell, Noah Neidlinger, Jacari Palmer, Kaci Pevey, Brianna Phillips, Ryanlee Quinones-Negroni, Jada Richards, Noah Ricker, Luke Roberts, William Roberts, Justin Schuman, Luke Sementelli, Alicia Sessions, Makenzie Sheffield, Aleah Smith, Victoria Sparry, Jake Spell, Kaydence Stearns, Ethan Stewart, Emmerson Stout, Ashlyn Williams, Lauryn Wilson, Anna-Edwina Wonnink, Dylan Wyss


Fifth grade

Jace Barrs, Bailey Batchelor, Alexis Belcher, Chapman Bennett, Cassie Biggers, Leannah Bowden, Jacob Bragg, Katherine Britt, Trinity Broome, Madison Brown, Parker Brownley, Timothy Burnsed, Emma Carroll, Stacey Carter, Jack Crews, Christopher Davis, Franklin Davis, Ashton Dorsey, Tanner Dunlavy, Ryan Flood, Luke Floyd, Jacob Galindez, Amber Hartman, Avery Hendricks, Nicolas Herrera, William Hightower, Dylan Hill, Inaki Hutchinson, Colten Jenkins, Abigail Johnson, Jamie Jones, Nicholas Koederitz, Samantha Lesueur, Megan Link, Alexa Lopez Cordova, Giselle Loredo-Martinez, Logan McCrae, Gary Moore, Joseph Pacheco, Diya Patel, Dalton Price, James Rinaldi, Emmanuel Rivera Cortes, Mark Roller, Nevan Roopnarine, Amanda Saunders, Mary Anna Saunders, Lauren Smiley, Ian Smith, Artem Stavenchuk, Ilana Torres-Shannon, Elizabeth Turpin, Rebecca Turpin, Vanessa Vance, Andrew Wadley, Christopher Wadrose, Journi Walker, Ellie Watson, Cameron Wilkins, Braxton Williford, Elisa Wilson, Cadence Wood

 

Ebenezer Elementary

First grade

Noah Allen, Hailee Anderson, Jillian Austin, Cierra Bailey, Ethan Beasley, Carolyne Bird, Madigayle Bochat, William Brackin, Hailey Brannen, Brandon Brooklin, Madison Carter, Peyton Chambless, Justin Cunningham, Christopher Davis, Katherine Deal, William Dickerson, Taylor Exley, Abby Fletcher, Blake Fulcher, Jonah Gallegos, Jacob Garvin, Danica Gibson, Ansleigh Giordano, Lilly Growe, Alyssa Hareb, Kenneth Harn, Jayvon Harris, Jared Hawkins, Molly Hildebrandt, Gabriella Hill, Mallorie Hinely, Victoria Hinely, Baylee Hodges, Chloe Holbrook, Weston Holcombe, Jaylee Horton, Kyler Horton, Emily Hovey, Harlee Hutcheson, Karleigh James, Samuel Kessler, Carlee Kieffer, Nia Lee, Alex Ling, Charly Logan, Holden Lovett, Lucy Marchese, Isabelle Mazzarello, Lily McCardle, Caitlyn McGhee, Josslynn Miller, Rylie Miller, Brysen Mock, Kaylee Montgomery, Jacob O'Sullivan, Brooke Robb, Tyler Robison, Stephen Sanders, Tillman Seluta, Charlotte Shearouse, Autumn Simons, Ramiya Spears, Jayel Stephens, Abigail Sulkowski, John Swindell, Benjamin Thomas, Kathryn Thompson, Morgan Thompson, Taylor Turner, Walker Verrier, Skylar Vining, Kadyn Walls, Zaria Walls, Carson Webb, Jacey Webb, Charles Williams, Dawson Wise, Shelby Zeigler


Second grade

Alexis Armstrong, Kaydence Ayers, Jayda Bishop, William Blizzard, Luke Brinson, Michael Broome, Ella Browher, Nevaeh Brown, Xaiden Burns, Daegan Cail, Riley Callahan, Elizabeth Chapa, Natalie Clark, Aalayah Coley, Landon Day, Hayden Dickerson, Brannen Edenfield, Karlie Edinger, Landon Edwards, Sarah Edwards, Foster Faircloth, De'Aun Grier, Miriam Haralson, Jacob Hillis, Cheyanne Johnson, Rylan Jones, Hayden Kirkland, Addison Lanier, Emilia Lenz, Erin Lougee, Bay Luke, Orlando Martinez, Hailynn McCloud, Alexis Mitchell, Davis Powell, Autumn Pratt, Heather Ray, Renea Rigdon, Gracie Roberts, Lola Seckinger, Jordan Sharpe, Daniel Sheffield, Alexis Shirk, Sarah Simmons, Daniel Summers, Taylor Swint, Corbin Tenney, Bella Teston, Rylee Tillman, Taleigha Trawick, Payton Whatley


Third grade

Alyssa Armstrong, Daven Boyle, Abbey Brannen, Jared Brown, Nathan Brown, Gabrielle Carter, Chase Edenfield, Victoria Ergle, Grace Garland, Christopher Garnto, Aleigh Gibbs, Aiden Growe, Gabriel Handshoe, Brock Hildebrandt, Eric Johnson, Dylan Jones, Edward Kessler, Olivia Lenz, Gavin Logan, DaMyon McFarlin, Anna Merritt, Riley Metzger, Macie Miller, Keagan Odom, Sydney Owens, Danica Pearson, Grace Pritchard, Zoey Sapp, Emerson Seluta, Allie Shea, Annabelle Stembridge, Disan Suazo, Connor Thames, Ryan Tomlinson, Konner Tyson, Logan Vining, Colin Wood, Ansley Wright


Fourth grade

Ella Allen, Madison Bishop, Tyler Buckner, Nathanael Cabrera, Evan Callahan, Ansley Coleman, Mackenzie Cross, Larissa Dawson, Emily Dickey, Cailey Exley, Madison Floyd, Chace Funderburk, Ariella Gallegos, Reese Griffin, Shelby Hilton, David Hodges, Jessica Hogg, Bradley Lariscy, Samuel Laux, Anika Marotz, Hayley McMahan, Darby Mingledorff, Zackery Mitchell, Ashlynn Morey, Skyler Myers, Emma Peel, Anna Robison, Nathan Rowell, Charles Shipes, Jonah Strickland, Brian Sullivan, Levi Thomas, William Thompson, Robert Varnadore, Jaiden Webb, Lillian Weiss, Evan Zeigler


Fifth grade

Donnie Abbott, Breyana Andrews, Sean Callahan, Hayden Dixon, Taylor Douberly, Evan Douglas, Jennie Edinger, Brandon Exley, Tyler Garman, Christopher Garratt, Zachary Hall, Jadyn Henderson, McKayla Hewlings, Landyn Hildebrandt, Kelsey Keener, Candace Kieffer, Owen Kieffer, Kodie Lamb, Kearstin Lambright, Brianna Lanier, Sebastian Logan, Lauren Loring-Grant, Payton Lovett, Hannah Moncrief, Caroline Morgan, Alexis Moss, Travis Odums, Grant Oliver, Harley Payne, Reese Powell, Pamela Quigley, Tren Robinson, Jameson Schroeder, Zachary Smith, Jordan Steptoe, Truett Thompson, Rebecca Timmons, Grace Waters, Devin Wayman, Jace Whatley, Alice Williams, Nigel Wright, Riley Young

 

Guyton Elementary

First grade

Aiden Armstrong, Lae'la Bailey, Javonte' Brown, Baylee Bullard, Marshall Callaway, Riley Cape, Jackson Casserleigh, Thomas Cheely, De'Angelo Clark, Nani Clifton, Aidda Crowley, James Daughtry, Colton Denmark, Chase Douglas, Deagan Duttenhoffer, Hayden Elder, Harley Fritch, Jeremy Gatewood, Abbigail Gay, Tanner Hadwin, Chandler Hagan, Kyla Hicklen, Kahlan Higdon, Erin Isom, Thomas Kimmis, Casien Knapp, Connor Kuharik, Brandon Lovell, Emily Lumpkin, Marissa Mahoney, Helen Martinez, Jarvis McCray, Mackenzie McCurry, Landon Morrison, Bailey Moss, Alyssa Murphy, Kamaury O'Banner, Colin Patterson, Shinobi Pitts, Diego Pullin, Mariah Pulver, Brice Richards, Natasha Rios, Ava Rooker, Dylan Roy, Kylar Sanks, Kolton Simmons, Serenity South, Hayden Still, Kyle Thomas, Adam Thompson, David Thompson, Amedeo Viva, Emma Westerwelle, Brady Whaley, Isaac Whitehead, Earl Williams, Jacoby Wittine, Joseph Zettler


Second grade

Emilee Birthisel, Zachary Bodiford, Isabella Bowerman, Keira Buckley, Brantley Burgess, Liberty Carles, Joelie Carter, Nicholas Case, Emma Connelly, Reign Connely, Christopher Couch, Joseph Daughtry, Addison Davis, Isabella Dossey, Aiden Garcia, Emma Garcia, Carson Gay, Victoria Girtman, Mariah Goodman, Gerziya Haggray, Juliana Hammond, Xylia Hannon, Demetria Hill, Leighyana Johnson, Ranger Jorge, Sophia Lanctot, Archie Gerrard Lazarito, Kathryn McKenna, Dalton Miller, Kevin Moore, Callie Moxley, Noah Murdock, Faith Padgett, Emily Perkins, James Pittman, Madison Pittman, Zoey Reolegio, Katherine Richardson, Jackson Roberts, Kylan Rollins, Keira Sanks, Nicholas Smalley, Isabella Smith, Callie Stephens, Ashleigh Temples, Brianna Tufvander, Kameryn Watson


Third grade

Daniel Afholderbach, Robert Banks, Emma Barton, Madison Black, Kaine Briggs, Rylan Brissel, Stephen Chance, Morgan Craft-Miller, Kaylee DeLoach, Clayton Dixon, Arcadian Eaton, Aubrey Edge, Kaylie Gatewood, Jordan Goldwire, James Hale, Zachary Harbin, Nathaniel Hayes, Olivia Howard, Hailee Jenkins, Emily Lee, Sean Mahoney, Lauren McBride, Logan Morrison, McKenna Myers, Brayden Papp, Brian Parker, Jabari Parker, Abbey Parrish, Elayna Pittman, Alexandra Robertson, Savannah Rodriguez, Madison Skeldon, Brandi Weaver, Emma Wilson


Fourth grade

Ansleigh Amory, Benjamin Birthisel, Alexis Bosley, Natalia Bowerman, Jerlean Brackbill, Hunter Carles, Walker Carter, Makenzie Cooler, Caleigh Eubanks, Alaina Garcia, Bryce Goldwire, Vincent Higgins, Tisha Holland, Andria Hunter, Nathaniel Jackson, Amber Leidy, Camryn Lockard, Rolin Loper, Joseph McFarlane, Dalton Meng, Savannah Minyard, Michael Moseley, Madeline Neal, Morgan Padgett, Juliana Palmer, Cailin Pritchard, Brody Proctor, Lily Rapposelli, Josi Renfroe, Kendall Richardson, Madelynne Ridgley-Thornton, Ashtyn Rummel, Angel Sanders, Grace Sapp, Madison Smalley, Joshua Spell, Lacy Thompson, Shaylan Thompson-Garris, Matthew Towery, Audrey Ubernosky, Roberto Velasquez, Ethan Wegmann


Fifth grade

Kennedy Andrews, Tyce Armstrong, Spencer Beahm, Martha Bechtold, Jagger Clark, Bailey Connelly, Cherish Cope, Arianna Crawford, Samuel Currier, Brandon Dowell, Kameron Edge, Aliyah Edwards, Matthew Ford, Preston Forrest, Emily Gilbert, Ashley Greene, Kaitlyn Hadwin, Joshua Hammond, Emma Hanlon, Hope Harden, Keenan Hoecht, Hailey Jackson, Mikell Jenkins, Kinsley Johnson, Shayne LaBonte, Cody Lambert, Jose Landeros, Charles Lee, Chase Lindquist, Abby McDonald, Emma McDonald, Alyssa Miller, Megan Moseley, April Moss, Jaden Oliver, Brannon Pevey, Samuel Reiser, Delaney Richardson, Justin Ringgold, Ryan Ringgold, Aubrey Roberts, Paci Sikes, Ryan Sikes, Abigail Smith, Amber Spell, Luke Starling, Jania Taylor, Riley Veal, Isabella Viteri, Dominic Watson, Kalyce Watson, Zachary Wert

 

Marlow Elementary

First grade

Selathea Alvin, Raegann Arledge, Christopher Arocho, Isabella Arocho, Ali Ashley, Taylor Baier, Aaron Bender, Addison Brown, Caleb Brown, Kenzington Brown, Julie Browning, Brenden Carter, Robert Christmas, Prestin Clark, Madeline Clifton, Meredith Clontz, Owen Coffee, Allison Collins, Alia Colon, Bennett Conaway, Nathan Crapse, Lexi Craven, Kaliegh Creel, Landon Creely, Alanna Daniel, Addison Dekanek, Ava DeVries, Caden DiSalvo, Savanna Dorsey, Caysen Fisher, Carlee Fleming, George Griffin, Kearston Griffin, Justin Harn, Bryce Hodges, Tristan Hodges, Sebastian Holbrook, Tyler Holm, McKenzie Joshua, Merissa Kersey, Colton Knight, Gracie Lafleur, Sophia Lewis, Mitchell Linton, Hannah Long, Ashley Love, Brice Martin, Nixon McLarty, Ayden McNally, Jake Morgan, Kyleigh Pounder, Israel Rahn, Brylee Richey, Kayleigh Saxon, Makenna Seymour, Madelyn Shuman, James Smith, Lejend Smith, Rylee Smith, Braiden Snider, Abigail Stahl, Amelia Strickland, Seiler Strickland, Johnathan Stuart, Bryce Thompson, Cameron Tracy, Clara Vorel, Brennan Ward, Patrick Watson


Second grade

Ansley Adkins, Corbin Albano, Angelina Aliste, Gracen Ambrose, Alayna Arthur, John Bickley, Jenna Braun, Tatum Brazell, Aubrey Brown, Trenton Bryant, Tierney Caldwell, Eliana Carroll, Lake Chance, Corinne Colanero, Mercer Conley, Aubrey Cullinan, Margaret Dasher, Makenzie Duncan, Patrick Dyer, Caelei Edwards, Emma Farmer, Joshua Ford, Bennett Fraelle, Allie Grassi, Nathaniel Hall, Wyatt Hamilton, Ansley Harden, Audrey Harris, Alejandro Higareda Garcia, Gracie Holton, Addison Hooker, Olivia Icaza, Shawn Igou, Brayden James, Jayvian Johnson, Abbigale Jones, Madison Litchfield, Mathilda Luke, Alexander McSpadden, Thomas Middlebrooks, Madison Mills, Victoria Minder, Claire Myers, Kaelon Nomayer, Kiersten Perry, Aubrey Posey, Sarah Pulkinen, Elizabeth Ray, Reagan Salter, Hannah Scott, LeAnne Seibert, Dalton Sherrod, Cariyae Simmons, Navarra Slater, Civitarese Smith, Evan Smith, Fidel Sosa, Riley Spendiff, Ryan Sticha, Aubree Stokes, Riley Stringer, Marlen Vaca, Lilly Vandenhouten, Chandler Wade, Jaiden White, Isabella Wilkins, Briana Williams, Evyn Wimmer


Third grade

Shane Alvin, Madison Arnsdorff, Toby Ashlock, Jackson Augustine, Adam Bethell, Riley Bilenski, William Blanton, DeLaine Bogardus, Grace Bouknight, Hayley Brown, Parker Brown, Hailey Burns, Samantha Cheney, Carson Conaway, Nicholas Cooper, Kailey Cox, Sydney Crawford, Caroline Crouch, Emma-Addison Darrow, Gavin Davis, Roman DeVries, Charles Dobbins, Charles Dorch, Kaylee Foster, Daphanie Gilmore, Camron Hughes, Tyler Jones, Madison LaFleur, Alaina Landing, Landon Lewis, Hayden Martin, Sarah Messex, Eliza Miller, Breanne Mullenix, Hayden Osborne, Kiya Pack, Hayley Pittman, Peyton Roddenberry, Ryan Rogers, Carlos Sanchez, Karolyne Sanders, Madalyn Sloan, William Stahl, Amy Stewart, Andrea Stone, Aiden Strickland, Olivia Stroup, Emmie Taylor, James Tyson, Jake Waldhour, Victoria Webb, Ryan Whitfield, Kelly Williams, Riley Williams, Corine Yates


Fourth grade

Owen Barton, Layla Bosche', Margaret Bouchea, Riley Browne, Kathryn Callon, Cameron Campbell, Michael Cannon-Shapiro, Maria Carter, Makenna Chumley, Robert Clark, Makayla Cowart, Lily Crawford, Kyra Davis, Nicholas Dionne, Colin Edwards, Gabrielle Evans, Christopher Garcia - Mota, Dylan Geddis, Avery Gordon, Baylee Grace, Heather Graham, Natalie Greene, Jonah Gross, Mariela Guerrero, Hunter Hales, Devin Hallman, Jayla Height, Gavin Hiatt, Hailey Hickox, Charles Hodges, Taylor Hofmann, Robert Howard, Cooper Jackson, Cooper Kessler, Mason Kirby, Keaton Knight, Thomas Lamon, Moriah Lewis, Chase Litchfield, Jossey Lloyd, Elli Long, Austin McDonald, Annalyn McNally, Ashton Miller, Bisher Morain, Michaela Morgan, Allison Morris, Cameron Ottoboni, Vrit Patel, Stacy Puckett, Grayson Ramsey, Kale Renfro, Braedon Roden, Kayla Rouse, Tessa Shuman, Casey Slaughter, Alysa Sloan, Tyler Smith, Conrad Vorel, Joshua Weeks, Christopher Welch, Ian Whitfield, Kaitlin Zalys, Camryn Zipperer, Paulus Zittrauer


Fifth grade

Grace Allen, Victoria Allen, Christopher Ambrose, Harrison Ashlock, Kennedy Bargeron, Alexis Camacho, Morgan Coffee, Clayton Crapse, Ashley Cribbs, Jocelyn Dudinsky, Caitlyn Eberle, Moraya Eldridge, Delaney Farrell, Angie Fleming, Rubianne Fraelle, Devin Fromond, Alan Gadomski, Brandon Hamilton, Veronica Harper, Kaci Hazard, Lillie Hazard, Janiya Height, Noah Howard, John Ibarra Mota, Naomi Jameson, Timothy Kronenberger, Chloe Linton, Emily Lively, Madison Lockhart, Zachary Mascunana, Alex McBride, Jason Messex, Samuel Middlebrooks, Trace Moore, Skylar Morgan, Makayla Muncher, Camden Myers, Bella Outen, Brodey Payne, Avery Roddenberry, Brooke Roden, Jerry Seber, Kevin Sosa, Carson Spendiff, Taylor Spivey, Sydney Sticha, Mackayla Thompson, Caimen Thornton, Josue Torres, Carlyn Waldhour

 

Rincon Elementary

First grade

Caden Alexander, Kayla Ashley, Amelia Avila, Gabrielle Baker, Madelyn Beatty, Jordin Boykins, Tobias Boyles Graugnard, Kaleb Brantley, David Carter, Kameron Cody, Tyler Corey, Eden Crow, Amiel Culberson, Addison Decker, Christopher Dourte, Evan Downs, Hunter Duck, Jillian Dudley, Diego Escobar-Galdamez, Sean Etzle, Claire Forester, Joshua Fountain, Zeke Goodway, Makayla Hall, David Harmon, Brittany Harris, Christopher Ingram, Summer Jarvis, Devaughn Jones, Angel Jurado-Santiago, Isabelle Kanode, Jayla Kendrick, Trista Kenny, Kaityn Kidwell, Hailie King, Derek Maddox, Bryce Mauro, Nevaeh Miller, Dylan Mirucki, Westin Moore, Ansley Muraco, Boonmy Nguyen, Sophia Nunez, Lauren Olson, Caden Opperman, Brooklynn Parini, Allie Payne, Madelyn Perez, Berry Randolph, Aidan Rinaldi, Ayani Robinson, Nathen Rodriguez, Elijah Rose, Grant Rutland, Tyler Sanders, Lyndsey Schandolph, Alex Scott, Karrisa Shadburn, Christopher Skinner, Kelsey Snyder, Paige Steinbock, Landon Stephens, Lily Summerville, Madeleine Thomas, Cecilia Trinh, Taylor Watkins, Connor Woods, Archer Yardley, Maddison Zahn


Second grade

Nathan Allread, Sadie Arnsdorff, Dallas Ashley, Garry Austin, Peyton Bazemore, Gerald Bowen, Ava Braddock, Logan Brickell, Gage Brooks, ShaBriyah Brown, Nathan Burnsed, Ashley Cannon-Harris, Aubrey Cary, Lexi Chambers, Kayden Clayton, Cooper Cline, Joshua Cross, Zahriya Curry, Brianna Davis, Caden Delorenzo, Stephen Deyhle, Keira Fennell, Jaylen Flores, Kaitlyn Foote, Ah'Naudia Gaines, Jabari Griffin, Mercedes Hake, Nyasia Hall, Stuart Hess, Jace Hinely, Dylan Holmes, Dylan Huntley, Gabriel Jagan, Keelie Jervis, Josalyn Johnson, Jaidan Lee, Sydney Lugo, Nadia Luke, Nathan Manning, Zander Martin, Breyonna Matthews, JaTrison McCormick, Guillermo Mendoza-Sanchez, Austin Morgan, Olivia Morgan, Benjamin Overton, Bryanna Phillips, Taniya Proctor, Tyler Proctor, Malik Roberts, Shelby Roberts, Gabriella Rowan, Gabrielle Sallach, Caleb Sciria, Brody Screen, Allison Smith, Victoria Smith, Coen Thompson, Wesley Ward, Morgen Weickerson, Allyson Weinert, Dadrian Williams, Randi Zarkadas


Third grade

Wyatt Alexander, Kennedy Bean, Clifford Benenati, Morgan Benninghoff, Waylon Cary, Rylee Corey, Mercedes Cox, Abby Davis, Hayden Eason, Hunner Faircloth, Paskell Ferbert, Isabella Giavatto, London Glass, Laura Gunn, Brittany Haws, Logan Helias, Serenity Hicklen, Tyler Hutchinson, Ava Ingram, Clyde Johnson, Jacquez Jones, Ricardo Jones, Alexia Kleist, John Klock, Douglas Lawson, Aubrey Lugo, Naomi Maulden, Ava McClurg, Aden McQuaig, Hayden Nierenhausen, Diana Perez, Arianna Pittman, Zavion Plunkett, Zion Plunkett, Nathan Powell, Lake Pumfrey, Wesley Ray, Haylee Rhymes, Ivan Rodriguez, Shawn Romack, Matthew Sanchez, Ashlynn Stewart, Abigail Stork, Kenneth Tugman, Kamille Walker, Mya Washington, Rebecca Way, Ayden Wilharm, Jacob Zahn


Fourth grade

Chase Beatty, Joseph Bradley, Desmond Brown, Ava Carr, Jacob Decker, Blake Dickey, Charlay Dixon, Jordan Dorsey, Yadira Figueroa Diaz, Heaven Fitzhugh, Nicholas Fountain, Brianna Hall, Breanna Harris, Blake Hendrix, Skylaa Hinson, Diona Hunter, Craig Jackson, Tejon Jackson, Alyssa Lawson, Robin Lee, Daniel Maulden, Colin McQuiston, Allison McSpadden, Layla Merciers, Colson Murphy, Cooper Nease, Brayson Roagers, Nicole Romack, Micah Rose, Tyler Rossano, Malaquias Santiago, Kylie Shiell, Gavin Smith, Glacey Stuart, Ashton Sturgis, Neithyn Tackitt, Eric Vinson, Evan Way, Andrew Whitaker


Fifth grade

Taylor Austin, Marshal Brant, Kobie Carroll, Valentina Castillo, Kennedy Dhaenens, Kailey Dickey, Aniya Fox, Dylan Gaines, Collin Gray, Nicholas Gray, Caitlynn Grayson, Alexander Griffis, Katie Hagin, Kailyn Haws, Shawn Hernandez, Billie Hurley, Peyton Jones, Angel King, Antonio Lexie, Isabelle Lugo, Karah Malick, Robin Martin, Zafra Martin, Nicholas Morgan, Jordan Muthersbaugh, Destiny Oliver, Kelly Poole, Angelique Roccapriore, Aiden Rolens, Jaya Ross, Michaela Sampson, Donald Smith, Dylan Smith, Alexis Sterkeson, Jesshyia Swanson, Holden Thames, Jenna Trimmer, Gavin VanNote, Anatolly Daniel Volynets, Trevor Walton, Caylin Washburn, Dwight Williams, Dale Yawn

 

Sand Hill Elementary

First grade

Cooper Anderson, Jared Beasley, Ivy Bruner, Hailee Burnette, Ryan Burton, Carson Cook, Bailey Cribb, Cambriah Davis, Jacob Davis, Russell Davis, Adrienne DeCosta, Russell Dodge, Justus Duggar, Christopher Foote, Cornell Green, Arianna Guardiola, Austin Heath, Andrew Hodges, Alden Hutcheson, Haden Jackson, Jacen Jackson, Corbyn Kelly, Khloey Kinard, Karlee Kline, Ava Koresko, Benjamin Lambeth, Sarah Lively, Khang Luong, Leonardo McMillar, Garren Morris, Braylin Nease, Blaten Pate, Atori Peregrina, Shayla Perkins, Teylor Rhodes, Millie Roach, Alyssa Rountree, Emmaline Sanders, Kagen Saxon, Eli Smith, Gabriel Smith, Ellie Smoak, Abbigail Stokes, Cheyenne Stokes, Leo Sturgess, Jonah Swaney, Karson Thompson, June Usher, Amera Van, Luke Walker, Jonah Walton, Zane Warren, Ryan Wilfur, Syler Wise, Ty'Riana Wright


Second grade

Haley Adamson-Peluso, Garrett Ambrose, Anelise Austin, Vyla Brown, Breanna Butler, Bobby Craun, Caitlin Cribbs, Madilyn Davis, Makayla Davis, Ariel Evans, Latavia Fuller, Riley Jenkins, Heidi Mayo, Shayleena Miller, Makinzy Mingledorff, Jesse Morgan, Taylor Nerich, Elliott O'Rourke, Rylee Ray, Rylee Sharp, Chelsea Simmons, Ashton Sturgess, Dalton Walker, Sabrina Wright


Third grade

Markos Barfield, Jacob Beasley, Mackenzie Boys, Tessa Conner, Maleak Cribb, Julia Davis, Lindsay Eversole, Madison Gibbs, Dakota Good, Kyle Gourley, Shaun Greer, Hayden Guest, Allison Hanovich, Landon Harper, Riley Harris, Aubrey Heath, Kelsey Jackson, Dawson Jones, Christian Kimbrell, Jacob King, Hayden Lee, Preston Lindsey, Delaney McCourt, Hunter Monroe, Cassidy Padgett, Kayleigh Pevey, Tyler Phillips, Amelia Price, Collin Price, Marshall Rewis, William Sasser , Chase Stafford, Lacey Talley, Emily Thompson, Katie West, Amanda Williams, Caitlyn Williams, Caleb Williams, Jill Williams, Kaydense Woodard


Fourth grade

Kaylie Belogorska, Logan Berry, Nyssa Brown, Richard Brown, Elisabeth Burgess, Rebekah Davis, Pierce Edwards, Nebraska Ellison, Kelsey Hodges, Julianna Johnson, Amelia Nance, Sadie Nance, Tyson Ray, Ethan Smith, Mark Surber, Alexis Worrell


Fifth grade

Jordan Blackenter, Bela Carroll, Mylee Davis, Naudia Ellison, Kylie Evans, Aiden Fields, Conner Good, Emma Hammock, Megan Hawkins, Madison Hodge, Christian Hodges, Karlee Horton, Isaiah Jobe-Winn, Stone Kessler, Nathan McCourt, James Moore, Ansley Morgan, Samantha Purvis, Emily Savage, Mitchell Strickland, Shayne Strickland, Aubrie Weredyk, Allison White, Alyssa Winter, Logan Youmans

 

South Effingham Elementary

First grade

Adam Alonso, Aidan Ancheta, Mia Anderson, Kylie Aquino, Addie Archer, Z'Niyah Baker, Wyatt Baxter, Marissa Bonorato, Bridget Cabrera, Jason Campbell, Lance Cantaline, Austin Chartier, Jackson Chisum, Micah Clark, Michelle Clements, Jullian Collier, Olivia Collins, Jillian Corley, Logan Cowart, Emma Creel, Dawson Davis, Steven Delcid-Garcia, Jacquelyn DeWild, Makenna Dykes, Key'Shun Favor, Jordan Germain, Michaela Gordy, Kylee Gregory, Taylor Harmon, Isaiah Harney, Max Harrill, Paige Heverly, Timmy Hiller, Savannah Hutchings, Hayden Johanson, Drake Kaluza, Emerson Kendziorski, Weston Kessler, Zeier Kirby, Cooper Kirk, Brock Lancaster, David Lane, Ean Lanier, Abigail Lipovsky, Hayden Lloyd, Krista McAlister, Dallas McBrayer, Ronan Mock, Gavin Morton, Jamie Newman, Karson Olsson, Krishna Patel, Maya Patel, Sebastian Perez, Sophia Pincheon, Jillian Poppell, Bridgette Rewis, Ethan Richburg, Lincoln Richey, Dallas Roach, Rhett Roberts, Ayden Roeser, Cole Schuman, Donovan Scott, Cayden Talley, Devan Tanner, Anna Taylor, Lillian Terrell, Landon Turner, Makayla Velasquez, Marshall Waters, Carson Wayco, Torin Whaley, Claire Williams, Noah Williams, Corey Woods, Yasmine Zambrano


Second grade

Kaylee Anderson, Joseph Baker, Anna Bazemore, Christian Beach, Dawson Bell, Katelyn Bittle, Mia Blackmon, Tene Brimm, Bella Brinson, Zecharia Burdette, Camerin Butler, Brady Calhoun, Hayle Carpenter, Kyndra Casteel, Baylon Cobb, Hailey Coffee, Amahni Cook, Paisley Coursey, Aiden Creighton, Travis Davis, Ashley Decker, Erika DeGood, Wyatt Dicksey, Jaden Donaldson, Samantha Driggers, Bryce Edenfield, Kyle Edrington, Christian Ellis, John Ensley, Madeleine Ensley, Thomas Gibson, Taylor Gillespie, William Godwin, Adam Grauer, Makenzi Hagler, Violet Hall, Jayden Harrell, Jalan Harris, Willard Harris, Collin Harvey, Donavan Herrod, Brooke Hinely, Madelaine Hodges, Cole Hoffman, Jaylen Holmes, Preston Horton, Laci James, Corey Jarrett, Matthew Ji, Ashleigh Lewis, Brianna Martinez, Sydney McGuire, Sydney McMillan, Allison McMillen, Kyrah Mosley, Aidan Motley, Laura Moutray, Nicholas Munoz, Carson Nease, Jonathan O'Kee, Catherine Parrish, Jordyn Passailaigue, Carter Patnaude, Christian Perez, Margaret Peterson, Shakayla Pride, Bailey Purvis, Dalton Redmond, Mason Scarth, Kaitlyn Schockney, Austin Scholl, Byron Sills, Caleb Stanton, Giada Tamargo, Tristan Teixeira, Lakelyn Thornton, Jeffrey Todd, Lucy Turner, Ziming Wang, Ryan Wells, Keeley Wood, Addison Zipperer


Third grade

Jacob Adkins, Daniel Alonso, SheKinah Anderson, Mary Aquino, Ava Blackmon, Caleb Branson, Jaxon Brown, Jackson Campbell, Tyler Cantaline, Adair Carrasco, Alexander Chambless, Mason Chartier, Jacy Cheng, Marquise Clark, Brianna Coffee, Corey Coppock, Devin Corley, Alexa Diaz, Nicholas Dye, Anna Elliott, Tyler Ergle, Gabriella Fallen, Mackenzie Fields, Dayanara Figueroa, Mia Fitzpatrick, Preston Forbes, Christopher Futch, Jamie Gallanger, Aminah Gerido, Jacob Godbee, Kaitlyn Guzman, Zachary Hardy, Rebecca Harrington, William Hawkins, Natalie Heape, Javin Holladay, Madisyn Holloway, Solis Johns, Ella Jones, Marah Kendall, Noah Kendall, Bailey Kendziorski, Stephanie Kim, Emberlee King, Hailey Leleiwi, Kayla Lipovsky, Kathryn Long, Emma Manns, Daniel Mejia, Mackenzie Meller, Caroline Motes, Luke Mountjoy, Miles Murphy, Caroline Olsson, Annie Orsini, Landon Padgett, Haiden Peak, Marley Peebles, Hayden Pevey, Wyatt Phillips, Tyler Quick, Angelina Rahn, Campbell Richey, Victoria Riddey, Ethan Rowe, Jacob Sheppard, Nicole Sorge, Turner Stephan, Karley Stewart, Kara Taylor, Jasmine Terrell, Gabrielle Trinh, Keylee Welkner, James Whitten, Nathaniel Wicker, Joseph Williams, Cohen Wolfe, Lane Wood, Kayleigh Woodcock


Fourth grade

Elvira Ajdinovic, Ethan Atkins, Alyssa Austin, Sydney Bazemore, Zane Bell, Aaron Benton, Isaac Bernitt, Hunter Bethell, Johnathan Bouchard, Brooklyne Bramlett, Emma Brower, Jacob Carey, Andrew Carr, Lucy Cheng, Alexandra Chevarie, Emily Clark, Hannah Decker, Talia Estrada, Dylan Fowler, Riley Gladin, Erik Godbee, Kay-Mar' Griffin, Eriyonah Hamilton, Taylor Hardy, Nevaeh Herrod, Reese Heverly, Chase Hoffman, Layla Jones, Kylie Langford, Dylan LeTourneau, Zoleigh Long, Owen Mattox, Elisabeth McMillen, Nicholas Midock, Sean Miller, Sarah Mitchell, Kayla Morris, Rayna Morrison, Nicholas Motley, Payton Mountjoy, Alexa Nunnally, Kaelyn Osborne, Nicklaus Owens, Miranda Pitt, Alexandria Reardon, Makenzie Reese, Luci Rogers, Madelyn Rowland, Gerald Samborn, Ava Sapp, Payton Scholl, Rebekah Searles, Avery Sikes, Kayden Stange, Zachary Stapleton, Easton Strouse, Bryce Talley, Krista Teixeira, Anna Thompson, Samantha Tillett, Jennifer Tran, Jovanni Utrera, Kaden Velasquez, Lynzee Walker, Austin Wegmann, Preston White, Cohen Zipperer, Zachary Zorbo


Fifth grade

DanJanae Adkins, Alexander Azpiazu, Sha'Kynah Baker, Bailey Baxter, Zackary Blackmon, Mary Brundage, Jayla Butterman, Madison Caldwell, Jerald Clark, Anna Collins, Kaleb Collins, Broderick Corley, Kaya Cummings, Rodney Cutter, Zachary Daley, Grace Dicksey, Piper Doten, William Duncan, Amanda Edwards, Luke Elliott, Jacob Fripp, Aidan Gilmer, Brantley Griggs, Jonathan Gum, Kiley Hale, Lily Higdon, Chasity Jenkins, Karen Ji, Arden Kaluza, Jonathan Kilbourne, Rachael Kim, Bryson Lee, Taylor Lucas, Alan Maldonado, Kaylee Martin, Kali May, Michael McDermott, Kaden McDonald, Megan McLaughlin, Nicholes Milbrandt, Melanie Moore, Julianne Norman, Austin Ogle, Malayna Pendleton, Caroline Peterson, Hunter Pevey, Phillip Poff, Jordyn Powell, Logan Ratliff, Liam Rickman, Cheyenne Ryan, Kyndall Samborn, Haley Smith, Kyler Smith, Hanna Sowers, Cameron Suggs, Reinjen Talento, Kaitlyn Taylor, Naija Taylor, Vanessa Taylor, Mattie Turner, Tyler Wells, Mia Wilson

 

Springfield Elementary

First grade

Hunter Ammann, Vivian Angeles, John Baker, Addisyn Beebe, Jacob Boyd, Mason Brant, Lonnie Brown, Aidan Burnam, Jon Burns, Jha'myah Chambers, Khelil Clark, Rylie Collins, Ronin Cowart, Shelby Creasy, Preston Davis, Mason Diamond, Douglas Duncan, Bryce East, Tyler English, Anna Everett, Sophia Galicia, Travis Garner, Ahmad Goldwire, Lance Graham, Makayla Griffin, Tyler Griffin, Ross Harden, Tabitha Holder, Maggie Hyman, Maggie Johnson, Lucas Joyner, Daniel Kessler, Jacob Lobdell, Mackenzie Matthews, McKenzie McCarr, Raeshaun McHenry, Kimberlyn Nessmith, Lenny O'Leary, Dominick O'Neal, Hansleigh Page, Eliana Perez, Andrew Perkins, Samauri Perry, Imani Rivers, Alaina San Juan, Amira Sanders, Johnathan Sellman, Connor Sessions, Justin Sexton, Patrick Sexton, Makayla Shuman, Carson Smith, Payton Stafford, Abbygail Stevens, Antwan Stewart, Kirsten Thomas, Chloe Vanderhoek, Melisa Vera, Travis Wallace, Gavin Wills, Zaria Wolf, Michael Wright, Holland Zipperer


Second grade

Krista Aldrich, Zachary Ambrose, Nadelynn Baker, D'Asia Blockett, Delainy Bolton, Kassidy Buckner, Joseph Burns, Caylee Burnsed, Haylee Burnsed, Caleb Coburn, Megan Coleman, Everett Davis, Matthew Edenfield, Telah Edwards, Cody Farr, Hayden Fields, Brianna Floyd, William Floyd, Addison Francis, Haylee Frawley, Kaylee Frawley, Jamya Gadsden, Jahari Garner, Logan Garvin, Keagan Gibson, Malaya Gilbert, Tony Godfrey, Emily Harders, Stephen Hargrove, Autumn Hilliard, Phillip Hughes, Adam Jones, Zachary McCarr, John McMillon, Emily Montgomery, Cole Moore, Bryce Morris, Lucaz Nagy, Joseph Polite, Miley Rahn, Ashton Redhead, Luke Reno, Ja'Taiveon Rice, Christopher Rupard, Dakota Sellars, Da'Maurion Shankle, Jordan Sikes, Tucker Smith, Le-Shawn Spann, Braden Tanner, Aariana Taylor, Loki Thompson, Kristin Vance, Christian Wallace, Lillian Warren, Zackary Webb, Adam Whiddon, Adrianna Whitaker, Jackson White, Devan Wilds, Gabriel Williams, Marena Williams, Dennis Wright


Third grade

Brody Ammann, Kimberlynn Beauchane, Sadie Bevill, Kendall Buckner, Aracelly Cantu, Emily Coker, Jameaz Cope, Anaja Cotton, Alexander Creel, Azariah Dixon, Ivy Dukes, John Fulcher, Tionna Gaines, Christian Galicia, Georgia Gibbs, Rylan Gibson, Roneisha Goss, Mikayla Greene, Jillian Harders, Adam Harrelson, Kyle Hickman, Victoria Lord, Madison Miles, A'nna Mixon, John Nordman, Colton Oglesby, Moises Paramo, Marquion Pelote, Owen Reno, Gavin Rowe, Annah Sewell, Marlon Shankle, Joseph Sikes, Bricelyn Skinner, Luke Tanner, Kaden Thompson, Conner Wake, Brantley Weber, Kendall Wilkes, Braden Williams, Iyonnah Williams, Stephanie Winter


Fourth grade

Hunter Aiken, Shelby Aiken, Kate Alexander, John Anderson, Lydia Beech, Michael Brinson, Timothy Brown, Brandashia Cantu, Madison Carter, Lilianna Cimo, Morgan Coleman, Alexus Contreras, Callie Corbin, Alison Edenfield, Christopher Frost, Chloe Gordon, Walker Graham, TyMeria Grimes, Chloe Harrelson, Armani Hicklen, Margaret Hill, Jaquan Hunter, Andrew Hurt, Dumariyah Jackson, Jakeeria Kitchen, Jordin MacDonald, Keysean McCarr, Ardyn Montgomery, Clair Nease, Rebecca Neidlinger, Trent Newberry, HaKeim Olivier, Connor Pace, Hayden Pritcher, Christopher Rodewolt, Mary Schutzmann, David Smith, Kyler Stone, Hunter Street, Ashley Thompson, Keion Wallace, Seth Wallace, Carsyn Ward, Ashlyn Whiddon


Fifth grade

Latoya Bartley, Jacob Bond-Nelson, David Burns, Nicholas Butler, John Coleman, Mercades Contreras, Caleb Cottle, Terrien Edwards, Kallie Fulcher, JaKobe Gadsden, Logan Graham, Michael Griffin, Andrew Hendrix, Trinity Houston, Luke Howze, Jacob Johnson, Seth Lynch, William Powell, Hayley Sexton, Courtney Sherwood, Sydney Stevens, Amelia Uzupan, Cameron Walker, Khiry Wallace, Angeleena Whiddon, Megan Williams

NFL Curriculum Sparks Excitement in Ebenezer Elementary Classroom
Ashlyn McNeal's Third-Graders Track Their Teams to Learn Life Lessons, Core Subjects in a One-of-a-Kind Setting
Ebenezer Elementary School
Ashlyn McNeal’s third-grade class at Ebenezer Elementary: Front Row (left to right): Wren Roe, Rosie Galloway, Hattie Jo Arnsdorff, Blake Marchione, Isaac Paez-Santiago, Nykeem Leslie, Brayton Perry, Maxwell Darling, River Bragg, Kooper Fields, Asher McKee. Middle Row (left to right): Abigail Moody, Harper Zittrouer, Beau Dubberly, Nicole Fruhling, Haden Spikes, Louis Palles, Iyla Jo Allen, Meredith Rawlins, Conner Achtziger, Bryson Unterein. Back Row (left to right): Judah Bolt, Brentley Sherman, Stetson Hayes, Lilah Wilson, Porter Somers, Wesley Moore, Colton Polk, Zoe Bass, Amelia Exley, Nora Hill, teacher Ashlyn McNeal (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

RINCON, Ga. — On a recent weekday afternoon, Ashlyn McNeal’s 24 third-graders at Ebenezer Elementary School weren’t just watching NFL highlights in their favorite team jerseys — they were adding up scores, practicing new vocabulary and learning life lessons, all while cheering for their favorite teams.

McNeal is the only teacher in Effingham County using the “NFeLementary” curriculum, a program created by Miami, Florida, third-grade teacher Mary Crippen that blends football into core subjects for grades 3–5. The curriculum is used by about 300 teachers across the U.S. and Canada, McNeal said. The idea is simple but powerful: use the excitement of the NFL to make math, reading, geography, writing and even character education come alive.

For McNeal, now in her second year at Ebenezer after teaching at Springfield Elementary, the curriculum answered a challenge she had seen in her nine years teaching third grade, specializing in English language arts.

“Over the years I’ve noticed that third-graders sometimes struggle to get excited about reading and writing,” she said. “Some find it boring. I was looking for ways to better engage them.”

That search led her to Crippen. McNeal started following the Miami teacher on social media and was struck by the energy in her classroom. “I saw the excitement in her students, so I contacted her,” McNeal said. When Crippen made the curriculum available for purchase this summer, McNeal jumped in immediately.

“The curriculum gave me the starting pieces,” she said. “But the best part is being part of a community. There’s a Facebook group with other teachers across the country and Canada who are using it, and that’s been an invaluable resource.”

Ebenezer Elementary School
Ashlyn McNeal stands in front of her whiteboard at Ebenezer Elementary, wearing her Kansas City Chiefs sweatshirt, leading a unique classroom where NFL football and learning go hand in hand. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

Classroom adopts the Chiefs

The classroom looks the part. 

Students wear jerseys or T-shirts matching their chosen teams and decorate their notebooks with their team’s logo. Weekly standings are updated on the whiteboard. The class has even adopted its own franchise — the Kansas City Chiefs — inspired partly by McNeal’s Taylor Swift fandom. Swift’s fiancé, Travis Kelce, is a star player on the team. McNeal, showing her team spirit, wore a Chiefs sweatshirt. On her desk, a big red “Easy” button sits topped with a photo of Swift.

On this day, students sat cross-legged on the floor watching highlight clips from NFL Week 3. When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading 26-20, lined up for a field goal against the New York Jets, McNeal paused the video.

“If the Bucs make this field goal, what would the score be?” she asked.

“29-20!” one student called out.

“Right,” McNeal said. 

Then came the twist: the Jets blocked the kick, ran it back for a touchdown and erased a 9-point deficit. The Buccaneers eventually won 29-27 on a last-second field goal, but McNeal used the moment to point to a vocabulary word written on the board: perseverance.

 “What does perseverance mean?” she asked.

 “You keep fighting until the end,” a student answered.

Ebenezer Elementary School
Students - many wearing their NFL gear - in Ashlyn McNeal’s third-grade class at Ebenezer Elementary eagerly raise their hands during an NFL-themed lesson. Principal Tony Sikes observes from the back of the room. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

Lessons beyond the scoreboard

Later, the class watched Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker — the kids call him “Dicker the Kicker” — make a game-winning field goal against the Broncos.

“Everything you do, every play during the game matters,” McNeal reminded them. “Is a game won or lost by one person?”

 “No!” the students shouted back.

That led to a discussion about tenacity and work ethic. McNeal asked the students for examples of positive work habits they could practice at home. Hands shot up: “Clean my room.” “Empty the dishwasher.” 

Students eagerly shared ideas and connected the lessons from football to their own lives.

 “It has definitely made the classroom so much more engaging,” McNeal said.

Ebenezer Elementary School
Ashlyn McNeal engages her third-graders at Ebenezer Elementary with an NFL-themed lesson. 'It has definitely made the classroom so much more engaging,' she said, as students follow along closely. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

The bigger picture

Principal Tony Sikes, who sat in on the class that day wearing a tie adorned with every NFL team logo, said McNeal approached him with a presentation seeking approval for the curriculum.

For Sikes, a self-proclaimed long-suffering Atlanta Falcons fan, it wasn’t a tough sell.

 “Once I was sure it would help the students meet the state’s standards in English, math, social studies and science, I gave the OK,” he said. “Ashlyn also sprinkles in character education. She does such a great job, and the students — boys and girls — and the parents have embraced the program.”

Sikes said he wouldn’t be surprised if more teachers ask to adopt the program next year.

Ebenezer Elementary School
Close-up of students’ notebooks in Ashlyn McNeal’s third-grade class at Ebenezer Elementary, each decorated with the logo of their chosen NFL team as part of the ‘NFeLementary' curriculum. (Paul Kasko / Effingham Herald)

From the field to the classroom

McNeal shared details about the curriculum in a letter to parents at the beginning of the school year.

The “NFeLementary” program runs throughout the NFL season. Each student drafts a team to manage as their franchise, tracking wins and losses, recording stats and completing weekly research reports.

The lessons sharpen a wide range of skills:

  • Math: addition, subtraction, division, averages, data analysis, predictions
  • Reading & Research: nonfiction comprehension, summarizing, evaluating sources
  • Geography: mapping, states and cities, time zones, distances
  • Writing: opinion pieces, reflections, reports
  • Technology: search engines, typing, digital organization
  • Life Lessons: accountability, perseverance, teamwork, critical thinking, sportsmanship and learning how to win and lose with grace

Daily lessons last just 10–15 minutes, but their impact lasts far longer.

Ebenezer Elementary School
A close-up of Wesley Moore’s weekly report in Ashlyn McNeal’s third-grade class at Ebenezer Elementary, showing his detailed tracking of his NFL team’s stats and game notes as part of the ‘NFeLementary’ curriculum. (Paul Kasko / Effingham Herald)

The students and parents

Student Beau Dubberly, general manager of the Bills, said, “It makes it really fun. It helps me learn more about my favorite football team.” 

McNeal said the students would get a kick out of being called the general managers, or GMs, of their teams.

“I’m learning life lessons,” said Hattie Jo Arnsdorff, GM of the Steelers.

Wesley Moore, GM of the Texans, took his passion beyond the classroom when his parents drove him to Jacksonville to watch the Texans play the Jaguars live.

 “Being in the stadium was awesome,” he said. 

He proudly showed off his Texans binder, filled with weekly reports documenting game-time weather, time zone changes, the states the Texans played in, and passing and receiving yards.

The excitement isn’t confined to the classroom. 

Lauren Dubberly, Beau’s mother, said, “The NFL curriculum has been so much fun. The whole family is involved. We know the Bills’ schedule and have to stop and watch the games. We might be the biggest Bills fans in Georgia. Beau already knows what Bills jersey he wants for Christmas.” 

She recalled a moment after Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter spat on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 1. 

“Beau came home and told us they discussed it in class. Ms. McNeal explained sportsmanship, and I thought it was an important life lesson for him.”

Kathryn Moore, Wesley’s mother, said, “It’s been a wonderful year so far. This curriculum has really motivated Wesley. He looks forward to going to school every day. We love his excitement and how it has opened his mind. That’s what every parent wants.”

Classroom highlights

Rosie Galloway, an enthusiastic Panthers GM, highlighted the Buffalo Bills’ dramatic Week 1 comeback over the Ravens. “Fans left because they thought the Bills would lose, but they were persistent and came back and won.”

When Sikes witnessed the vocabulary and insights McNeal’s third-graders were sharing, he just smiled.

 “How many third-graders are using the word ‘persistent’?” he asked.

For McNeal, that’s the ultimate victory: football may be the hook, but the real wins are happening every day in her classroom.