Spring 2022 News

Spring Athletics: Soccer and Track

   The Lions are back again for another season of AJC Soccer. Led by Coach Brian Keiper, the lineup this year consists of boys in 6th-8th grade (along with one 4th grade boy!). 

   Our team won its first two games and has one more to play today (Friday) at Pole Green Park starting at 4:00pm. Come out if you can and cheer on the AJC Lions!

8th grader Ja'vontae ushering the ball down the field

From Left to Right: Khamarja, Marshaun, Teon, Taniya, Kiyah, Coach Shola, and Jahiya

   AJC also has a spring track team! Shola Walker, our head chef, is leading the team as the coach. This group of eager 6th grade students practices FOUR times a week after school. 

   At their first track meet of the season, each team member surprised themselves with how well they did. Stay tuned for details about future track meets.

Partner Shout-Out: Art for the Journey

  We are incredibly grateful for our continued partnership with the staff and volunteers of Art for the Journey. Each Tuesday, they provide art programming throughout the school day for the Lower School and select students from the Middle School.

   Lauren Paullin, the lead educator from Art for the Journey, was recently featured in a Richmond Times Dispatch article alongside VCU graduate student, Olivia Fields. In the article they discuss the way in which Art for the Journey's programming at AJC takes a therapeutic approach. Click here to access the full article.

5th grade students working with Olivia Fields during art class

Staff Spotlight: Kelvin Belton

   Kelvin Belton is the new Head of Maintenance at AJC. He is omnipresent, taking care of two buildings and the full grounds of our campus.

Q: How did you first get involved with AJC?

I met Mike Maruca and a group of 8th graders at a TED talk in Richmond during which I was a speaker. I then helped start a writing and mentorship program with Mrs. Weber's 8th grade English class. The Head of Maintenance position became available last year and Mike reached out to me about it.

Q: What has been the best part about working at AJC?

I at first thought it would be the kids, but it turns out to be working with a genuine staff. There is a family vibe here that is more welcoming than anywhere else I've worked. 

Q: Is there anything you want others to know about the school?

The family environment creates a culture that would help any kid. It is something I wish I had when I was in school. The personal touches on each child's education experience help a lot.

Q: What are your hopes for the school in the future?

I want even more growth and longevity in order for the school to affect as many lives as possible. I see a good trajectory here.

Graduate Spotlight: Alviyana Hanks

   Alviyana is an AJC alum who graduated with the Class of 2020. She is currently a high school sophomore at Trinity Episcopal School.

Q: What was one of the highlights of your time at AJC?

I enjoyed when we would start the school day with quiet reading during breakfast. That is why I love to read now.

Q: How are you still connected to AJC and what keeps you coming back?

I attend UpRVA programming in the afternoons here in the AJC Middle School and I helped with summer school at AJC last summer. I like to come back because everyone is nice and makes me feel welcome.

Q: What are your goals or hopes for your future?

I want to eventually be an elementary school teacher.

Q: Do you have any advice for current AJC students?

Listen to what everybody at AJC tells you. It will be useful later in life.

Heart Healthy Students

   AJC's 4th & 5th grade students are becoming experts in heart and cardiovascular health! They recently participated in a three-week program called "Teach BP" with the students & staff at VCU's Pauley Heart Center. During the program they learned about heart healthy food options, signs & symptoms of high blood pressure, and how to check someone's blood pressure. The program culminated with a "Blood Pressure Family Night" here at the school. During the event, the 4th & 5th graders checked their own loved ones' blood pressures and learned even more information about heart health from the Pauley Heart Center staff.

NBC 12 Feature on AJC

   AJC was recently in the news! NBC 12's Jasmine Turner visited and filmed a piece on Dr. Anna Julia Haywood Cooper's life and legacy here at the school.

Did you miss the feature when it originally aired? Click here to access it from NBC 12's website.

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