Academics

Ms. Cannon Ms. WEAVER

image courtesy of Melody Cannon

Ms. Melody Cannon has been a part of the HIES family since August of 2012. In her time at HIES, she has not only taught AP English Language and Composition, but he has also graced her students with her tenderness and passion for education. Despite the challenging nature of her class, Cannon’s students have a significant deal of respect for her as a person and as their teacher.

“A student just recently wrote to me that some teachers are afraid to fail their students. And this student said, ‘But not you Ms. Cannon!’ What I learned from that student was how important struggle is and that not everybody should avoid the struggle,” Cannon said.

“It’s the struggle that makes you strong; it’s the struggle that makes you proud; it’s the struggle that gives you the power and the solutions to be productive in the world,” Cannon continued.

Cannon began her teaching career as a high school teacher in North Carolina where she taught theater, speech, and English. She also served as the swim coach. After her daughter moved to Atlanta, Cannon followed and became a teacher at HIES.

“I have so many good memories of HIES. I really enjoyed the kite flying. Everybody would have kite wars out on the field. It became a disaster, but it was a fun disaster. I also have very funny memories of people doing scenes from Macbeth, particularly Hunter Hawk -- it was a bizarre video,” Cannon recalled. “It was just the right time with the right class. I just was really blessed this year to have such an incredible class (‘21). And so I went to Mr. Rutledge (US assistant principal) and said, ‘This is the class I need to go out with,’” Cannon said.

One of Cannon’s favorite parts about being a teacher is seeing the success her students have in the world. Some of her proudest moments have been reading of her student’s achievements in college and beyond. When Cannon’s students graduate, she feels as though she is a part of their growth.

“I feel kind of like a carpenter that nails a nail into the building. And then when you drive by years later, you’re really kind of proud of that building because, ‘Hey! I put a nail in. I didn’t build the building; I wasn’t there when the building was finished. But to be a part of the experience is really magical,” Cannon said.

In retirement, in addition to spending time with her “pretty darn incredible family,” Cannon hopes to continue painting and to make pottery -- two of her favorite hobbies. Cannon also hopes to stay connected to young people by tutoring in which she will help students with their college essays on an individualized basis.

Since Cannon’s decision to retire from formalized teaching has been difficult, Cannon might not be making frequent visits back to the campus.

“I think there’s probably a flaw in my personality, but I hate goodbyes. It’s very difficult for me. And so I have to say goodbye, I can’t keep coming back to do a little of this and that,” Cannon declared.

Cannon’s decision to retire has been particularly difficult. In fact, she feels as though there is a part of her that never really wants to leave. Despite not wanting to leave and that she will immensely miss everyone, Cannon knows that retiring is, “something she must do.” As Cannon departs the HIES community and the class of 2020 leaves for college, Cannon has one last word of advice. image courtesy of LeAnne Weaver

Mrs. LeAnne Weaver has been teaching at HIES for 19 years. Over the course of her 19 years at HIES, Weaver has witnessed the expansion of the football program and the “explosion of talent,” as Weaver stated, within the arts department. In addition to the expansion of HIES programs and additions to the campus, Weaver has also had the opportunity to watch two of her own children grow while attending HIES. “She needed somebody to help. She was also doing preschool art and photography classes. I wanted to work more than part-time in the preschool so I began working on the yearbook and came to love it,” Weaver said.

“Obviously, I must have loved it because I stuck with it for a long time,” Weaver added.

“Mary went there through 9th grade, and Michael stayed the whole time. A friend of mine -- her mother was a teacher at Lovett -- recommended Holy Innocents’,” Weaver said. Weaver has very much enjoyed watching her children graduate and seeing the growth of her students. But of all her years at Holy Innocents’, Weaver looks most proudly upon the connections she has made with her students.

“Where we lived at the time, there weren’t good public schools. So, we went the route of private school and we just liked it. The kids liked it and that’s where we ended up,” Weaver continued.

Weaver attended Oglethorpe University where she earned a BA in Early Childhood Education. After college, however, she fell into a job working with a sports agent in which she did financial planning and represented athletes. After working with the sports agent, she began working at a law firm and would meet her husband, a practicing litigator, through mutual friends.

“Once we were married, there was a bit too much law going on in our house with me working in a law firm and him being a lawyer. So I ended up not working. I didn’t work for a long time before I started subbing at Holy Innocents’,” Weaver said. “I’ve had that connection with them and enjoyed sharing with them and enjoyed going through life with them. It’s not necessarily the yearbook -- I’ve liked every yearbook I’ve helped with. But it’s really the relationships with the students that I’m most proud of,” Weaver declared.

As for her retirement, Weaver will continue to be a familiar face amongst the HIES community in the 2020 - 2021 academic year as she will be training the new yearbook advisor. After she has trained the new yearbook advisor, Weaver hopes to plan a trip to Canada in which she will visit family and take the train across Canada to Vancouver.

Weaver values her students greatly. In fact, her yearbook staff were the first to learn of her decision to retire. She will greatly miss her students and the HIES community.

“I started subbing at Holy Innocents’ when our youngest was three. He was in the preschool too. And we both started pre-kindergarten in the same year,” Weaver continued. “Just enjoy life; do your best. Find something positive in whatever you’re doing,” Weaver suggested. █

ALPHA Omega

A story of growth, learning, and companionship at Holy Innocents’. PARKER MILES, staff writer

If there is one group of seniors at HIES who have the full experience of being a “Golden Bear”, it is of course, none other than the Alpha Omegas. Starting from the Primary school, they have attended HIES anywhere from 13-15 years. From academics to the new friendships tonew sports, the Alpha Omegas have grown in a vast number of ways in their time at HIES. But the question still remains: Why did they choose Holy Innocents’? What makes HIES stand out from the rest of the schools in the metro-Atlanta area? The Alpha Omegas of the class of 2020 give an insight into what makes Holy Innocents’ so special. students’ best interest at heart. Students go above and beyond working hard to benefit their learning, develop a good work ethic, and build friendships in the process.”

“HI has become a second home to me” said Jean Williams, one of the 34 Alpha Omegas of the class of 2020. She continues, “I still keep in touch with most of my teachers from each division. It wasn’t the cute uniforms or food that made me come back every year. It was the people. It’s the teachers who smile at you in the hallways or eat lunch in their room so they can help you with homework or the students you’re with every day.” Of course, being a student at HIES for a mere decade and a half can bring a plethora of great memories along the way, and the Alpha Omegas at Holy Innocents don’t disagree. As written by Cesare Pavese, “We do not remember days, we remember moments”. Here are some of the moments that some of the Alpha Omegas will never forget. The Alpha Omegas present some of their favorite memories at HIES over the course of the past decade and a half.

Williams, among other Alpha Omegas, have loved their experience at Holy Innocents’, but above all, the primary reason most of them stayed was because of the great community at HIES. “Winning a state Championship in golf will always be a special moment for me”, said Reddy.

Nick Reddy, another member of the Alpha Omega group mentions, “We are so close as a class and school” When talking about his social experience at HIES, Reddy mentions, “Being able to grow up with some of the same kids creates constancy that allows me to be comfortable in my environment”.

Quigley mentions, “My favorite memory at HI was speaking at the all school assembly in August.” I was very nervous at the time, but everything that followed my angst was special. When I started speaking, all of my nerves went away because I recognized nearly everyone in the gym. The feeling I got from the Sarah Scothorn, another member of the Alpha Omegas, mentions, “the homecoming game against Mount Vernon this year was definitely a moment to remember”. Scothorn has attended HIES for 14 years since she was in the early learners program. She continues, “to finally have a real home game my senior year was an amazing feeling. Everything that went into the game and homecoming week as a whole made our win even better”.

One of the biggest parts of being an Alpha Omega is being able to experience change. Whether the change occurs within themselves or around them, an Alpha Omega has experienced it all. In their time at HIES, there are many things that have changed a lot and some, not at all.

“For me, my involvement in the community has grown as I have developed as a person at HIES” said Reddy. “My involvement in community service, music, and clubs has added depth to my experience at HIES past the academics. Each year, more and more opportunities are available for me to get involved”. Of course, being a student at Holy Innocents’ for a mere 13-15 years entails growth and change as a person. The Alpha Omegas have learned along the way, which have certainly helped them grow into the people they are today.

“What’s changed the most for me has been going from being the participant to being the planner”, Quigley mentions. She continues, “I always love being in the loop on things and using other students’ suggestions to embrace HI traditions and start new ones. Being a part of clubs and student council has provided me with that opportunity”.

Lexi Baker, another member of the class of 2020 Alpha Omegas, says, “What has changed the most would be me! 15 years is a long time and HIES has really made me into the person I am today.” Baker has also attended the school since she was in the three-year-old program. When talking about what’s changed the least, Baker emphasizes, “the community at HIES has changed the least because no matter no matter what age I have been, it has always been there.”

Quigley mentions, “the faculty and the traditions make the campus feel like home. My siblings graduated back in ‘06 and ‘08, so being able to look forward to the experiences they had and make them my own has been special. As for the teachers, some of them have taught most of my family.” She concludes, “having been at HIES since I was three, walking through campus feels like walking down memory lane.” All this said, the Alpha Omega’s could not have gotten to where they are today without being the “annoying” Freshman or having to adapt to the different divisions of school. While school life can seem overwhelming and perhaps daunting at times, the seniors provide some advice to Freshman to their life a little bit easier.

“having been at HIES since I was three, walking through campus feels like walking down memory lane”.

- MaryCamille Quigley

“I think a lesson I have learned at HIES is that there is always someone willing to listen to you”, Williams mentions. “Whether it’s about being stressed or having an idea you want to see happen, the school has taught me I can be heard if I want to be heard”.

Baker mentions, “I think one of the most important things I have learned is the importance of service to the community. Helping someone a little can go a long way”.

Reddy adds a different perspective, saying, “HIES has taught me to be persistent and has helped develop my work ethic. Whether it’s through sports, music, or my academics, challenges arise that I will have to face, and I have learned to always be persistent in trying to be the best that I can be. That determination has formed my work ethic that I apply to many aspects of my life”.

“Learn about your interests and be involved” says Quigley. She continues, “It’s so fun getting to know people in different grades and connecting with teachers that you may not have in class.” Williams adds to this statement by mentioning, “if it’s joining a random sport, a random club, or playing a new musical instrument, never be scared to just be yourself.”

“Pay attention in class and go to the teacher if you don’t understand the material. We all get confused at times, and the teachers are always welcoming and want to help.” Reddy Mentions.

Baker concludes by emphasizing, “Enjoy every moment of being with your friends because it goes by so fast. Before you know it, you’re off to college.” █