Legacy Ledger and Other News
Sharing Our Story...
Faculty Profile: Ms. Marvia Miranda, Middle School Dean
If you have spent any amount of time in the OMA Middle School, then you have been greeted by a friendly and welcoming smile from Ms. Marvia Miranda, our Middle School Dean. Ms. Miranda has been leading the Middle School faculty and students for the last 4 ½ years. She is passionate, personable, and calls each of these students, “her kids.” She truly means what she says about taking care of “her kids” on an individual level. Her genuine care reaches far beyond the students and deep into the heart of each family whom she serves, specifically in the Middle School, but also across our entire school community.
Ms. Miranda originally came to Oak Mountain Academy in 2009 as a Lower School and Middle School Spanish teacher. Ms. Miranda’s career path from Physical Therapist to classroom teacher may seem non-traditional; however, her heart for encouraging and teaching others remains consistent. Her time spent on The Mountain can be best qualified from what the Middle School faculty team says about her. Mrs. Linda Powers, current math teacher states, “Ms. Miranda has many qualities and attributes which aide in her amazing leadership of our Middle School. Here is a modest list of our team’s thoughts about her: caring, encouraging, gold, influential, has it together, compassionate, helpful, and thorough.”
Throughout Ms. Miranda’s time at OMA, she has been instrumental in expanding the Foreign Language curriculum, designing/implementing the current Middle School house system, leading students on international trips, establishing various clubs including Chess, Spanish, and International, and broadening the Middle School enrichments to include technology, STEAM, and researched-based writing along with study and life skills courses. She has also taught all levels of Spanish classes to Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School students. Her passion for the language and Spanish culture reaches beyond the classroom and permeates the hearts of each of her students.
There are so many things that can be noted about Ms. Miranda, but at the end of the day she can be summed up one word, a word that can be found in our OMA Mission – “serve” and serving she has done! She has also inspired students and faculty to do the same. Her acts of kindness and service go beyond the classroom and the hallways. She has also been “found” mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms, taking pride in the surrounding space wanting it to be pristine for our students and visitors, alike. She beams when you ask her about “tutoring,” which she likes to call “adding to” or “enhancing” the students learning. Ms. Miranda has stated, “these students want more (academically), so I want to offer that opportunity to them.” She has even been known to have a class of one student in order to meet the need.
Ms. Miranda states, “With a heavy heart, I am sharing with you that I will be leaving OMA at the end of December 2019. I will continue to serve our OMA Family until my last day of employment. My family and I will be moving to Miami to be with my father, who has suffered two strokes, the most recent one occurring this fall. I am grateful for all the great memories and all the blessings throughout my time at OMA. I am deeply thankful for having had the opportunity to be a part of your child's life and learning experiences.”
As Ms. Miranda continues her life journey which is taking her away from The Mountain, we will surely miss her smile and warmth felt in the Middle School. However, we will continue to serve our school and community as we know that she would encourage us to do. “Ms. Miranda’s ten years of service on The Mountain will be a lasting tribute to the unforgettable impact she has had in the lives of our students…her legacy will continue to live on here at OMA,” Mr. Yuran, OMA Headmaster, states. We look forward to welcoming her back home at any time that she can come and visit us.
These pictures don't need a caption...
The Flinn family continuously and generously supports OMA! Way to go Logan on a successful Eagle Scout Project and THANK YOU for thinking of OMA!
Teacher Appreciation 2018 ~ thank you for ALL you do!
Mrs. Jennings with Chloe Harden
Mrs. Gillispie with Chloe Harden
Ms. Nancy with Michelle Volk
These guys have been studying weather this year as they build and rebuild their forts.
WOW~Our K-kids raised almost $1,500 to fight against tetanus for mothers and babies in other countries!
Thank you Community Voice for letting us share our OMA Stories!
Way to finish strong Warriors!
Kite Day On the Mountain!
Thank you Alumni for hosting such a wonderful day!
March 31, 2018 declared "Paula Gillispie Day" by Commissioner Marty Smith. Mrs. Gillispie was totally shocked by the love shown to her today! We will miss you Mrs. Gillispie!
Way to go Scott!
Join us Thursday, March 22nd from 5:00-6:30 in the OMA Gym. Bring a friend and see all about our STEAM activities happening here "on the Mountain!"
Jois Us for the 2018 OMA Auction and Gala "Party Like it's 1988" click here for more details.
CONGRATS to 8th grader Keira on recently placing 6th in the GISA Spelling Bee. She will compete in state at the end of February.
Congrats Coach Barkley!
We recently welcomed our new Head of School, Mr. Patrick Yuran, with a "Meet and Greet." Mr. Yuran will become Head of School in July, 2018.
Congrats to 8th grader Brian Bain nominated by Coach Barkley & selected to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum Explore STEM this summer! Way to go Brian! Way to go Gavin Pate - winner of the Middle School Geography Bee - pictured with Mr. Jay Louttit. Great job Gavin!
Congrats to 2018 Homecoming Queen & King - Josie Francis & Darshan Patel & Prince & Princess - John Sammons & Zoe Cangemi
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We recently honored senior basketball players, Josie Francis and Lilly Parmer - great season ladies!
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The Oak Mountain Academy Student Government Association has chosen the following themes for the “dress-up” days for Homecoming Week – January 8 – 13, 2018:
Monday – “Ball Out” – Dress in the spirit wear of your favorite team.
Tuesday – “Rock Out” – Dress as a rock star.
Wednesday – “Freak Out” – Dress wacky-tacky.
Thursday – “Space Out” – Dress in outer space attire (this year’s Homecoming theme).
Friday – “All Out” – Dress in OMA spirit wear.
Reminder – No weapons – real or play, camouflage, or anything offensive to others will be permitted.
2018 OMA WARRIOR BOOSTERTHON FUN RUN
Parents!
This year, we are introducing a new major fundraiser - the 2018 OMA Warrior Boosterthon Fun Run! It’s a 9-day program coordinated by Boosterthon that kicks off with a Pep Rally on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Families will then gather pledges for every lap their student(s) runs (30 – 35 laps), and we’ll celebrate at the Fun Run on Friday, January 19, 2018. With our big goal of raising $20,000 for Oak Mountain Academy’s annual operating costs and program resources for the development of an OMA STEM and STEAM program, we asked the Fun Run experts at Boosterthon to power our Fun Run and make it more profitable, easier, and fun.
Students will also experience an amazing character theme, CASTLE QUEST! An English-castle theme all about being brave and living with character. On their quest to regain Bravemore Castle, students will learn the “SIX VIRTUES of a TRUE HERO” from a cast of colorful characters.
Donations will go toward Oak Mountain Academy’s annual operating costs and program resources for the development of an OMA STEM and STEAM program and to the entire 9-day experience. So please help our school by reaching out to sponsors. Also, all families are invited to come out and cheer on their student(s) at the Fun Run! Thank you for your support!
Contact Brandy Carlile for more information at brandycarlile@oakmountain.us
Some of our lower school students will participate in First Lego League's Hydro Challen
ge 2017 this Saturday. The team members designed a robot, then programmed it to perform specific tasks for the tournament. They will make a presentation about what they have learned and how they have applied the core values of Discovery, Inclusion, Integration, and Coopertition™. Finally, they chose a real-world problem and decided upon a solution for this problem. Our students chose dirty drinking water as their problem, then designed a water filter using easy-to-find items. The team was happy to see that their water filter worked! Special Thanks to the parents of this team and Mrs. Linda Powers and Teresa Mason for helping tremendously!
Annual Christmas Program
Monday, December 4th at 6:00 in the Gym
Students should arrive at 5:30.
Our team of five Middle School "Water Warriors" were back in the pool on November 14th with the first meet of the season at Georgia Tech's McCauley Aquatic Center. Colin Stuart achieved all personal best times and a 2nd place finish in the 100 yd Freestyle and a "team of one" overall 7th place out of 11 teams in the Boys division. Anna Bartlett, Josephine and Lauryn Glass and Maddie Kubik competed in our first girls' relay in many seasons! The Girls team took 8th place overall. Way to swim Warriors!!
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Thanks to everyone for making our Annual Grandparents' Day a success! It was a wonderful way to celebrate our Grandparents and Special Friends here On the Mountain!
Congrats to Caz Kilgore on being chosen as the Middle School Student of the Quarter.
Another 1st Place WIN for the JV Academic Bowl team! Way to go WARRIORS!
Doing our Part - 6th graders cleaning up part of the Greenbelt!
OMA One Act Play takes 2nd place in Region competition. They will move on to compete at the State competition in mid-November and again perform "Tracks." Two students, Alex Talley and Ruby Hembree, both recieved "Best Performer" awards. Way to go!
{Please complete form for Veterans' Day Celebration by Tuesday, November 7th. Click here to submit the form or email delisagledhill@oakmountain.us}
BIG NEWS: Warrior Spirit Store now offers on-line sales for your shopping convenience! Click here to shop today! For future reference: Click on Campus Life / Warrior Spirit Store to shop!
Download the Oak Mountain Academy App today! A shortcut for your phone or tablet to view the calendar and up-coming events. Already use the App...be sure to run your up-date as it now has a different look!
The Warrior Challenge 5K and Fun Run was a huge success! Thanks to all who came out to enjoy our trail and campus. Click to view photos and official race times.
WHAT A SEASON! UNDEFEATED STATE CHAMPIONS! GO WARRIORS! Click here to order your State Championship Tee!
News from the Development Office:
2016-2017 Annual Report – coming soon!
SSO Tax Credit donations are now being accepted for 2018 – click here for more information.
2017-2018 Annual Fund Campaign is in full swing – Blue Books are currently in circulation. Thank you for supporting Oak Mountain Academy!
VolunteerME website – the final changes are underway and soon you will have an online resource for anything and everything about volunteering at OMA. Stay tuned!
SAVE THE DATE: OMA’s 30th Annual Auction & Gala, March 10, 2018 at Sunset Hills Country Club. This year’s theme is a return to the 1980’s, where we will “PARTY LIKE IT’S 1988”.
Contact Brandy Carlile for Development questions at brandycarlile@oakmountain.us.
Middle school Cross Country takes State Title! GO WARRIORS!
Service to others - Greenbelt Clean-up. A vital part of who we are at OMA!
2017 Savannah Barber Scholarship Recipients named! Congratulations and many thanks to the Barber family for their continued support of OMA Academics!
Ruby Hembree, Mr. Ken Barber & Olivia Byers
Look for OMA in the news: Facebook, Instagram, The Carrollton Menu, Star News, Times-Georgian, News & Views, West Georgia Women's Magazine & other community sponsorships & civic organizations.
Our Warriors Volleyball Team took 2nd place in the State Finals! They played with heart and determination. Way to go Girls!
Thanks to all who supported our 2017 Warrior Golf Classic at Sunset Hills. It was a perfect day for golf and supporting our OMA Athletics. For more photos click - Warrior Golf Classic Photos.
Click here to order a yearbook today!
FALL FESTIVAL was a hit again this year! Thanks to the PVA for heading up this fun event!
Stand-out Students go the extra mile! They consistently act like a Warrior; they are respectful, honest, & responsible. The are never tardy & always willing to help others. They are great kids to be around! Congrats to these Stand-out Students honored in the lower school.
Students, faculty and staff signed the OMA Honor Pledge at our Annual Honor Assembly in September. View Mrs. Gillispie's encouragement and explanation of The Warrior Way here.
Even our Kindergarten students sign the Honor Pledge.
Viewing the Great American Solar Eclipse was truly a wonderful experience for students and faculty. Our upper school students traveled to Unicoi State Park to view a more "total" eclipse. What a wonderful day On the Mountain for our lower and middle school students as well. All around, this was an amazing day for all to enjoy and learn. View more photos Solar Eclipse Photos.
