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Leake Academy
High School


Mr. Jerry H. Crowe: Headmaster

I was born December 31, 1945, in Shaw, Mississippi.  I graduated from Benoit High School in 1964, went to Mississippi State University  then graduated with a BSE from Delta State in l968.  My Masters Degree was also earned from DSU in 1976.  My wife Peggy is a curriculum coordinator with the Tribal Schools.  God has blessed us with four great children and seven grandchildren.
Mrs. Anderson:  keyboadring, accounting, business law,   junior sponsor

Mrs. Lisa Anderson is married to Dr. Ryan Anderson.  They have two children.  Mrs. Anderson is a Leake Academy graduate, and a graduate of Mississippi College with a degree in Business Administration/Marketing.  

They attend First Baptist Church in Carthage.  She is the business education instructor teaching accounting, business law and typing.  Mrs. Anderson is also the junior class sponsor.  Her duties include being responsible for the Junior-Senior Banquet in the spring.
Mrs. Burkes: high school history, Senior Christian Student Organization

Mrs. Frances (Frosty) Burkes is married to Frank Burkes of Carthage, MS. She is a native of Chattanooga, TN, and a graduate of Belmont University.

They have three children. Chris and Caryn live in Chicago with their children, Jack, Sophie, and Gracie. Casey lives in Nashville. Kelly and Brandon in Hattiesburg are expecting their first child this summer.

"One of the greatest joys of my life, next to my family, is my association with Leake Academy where I teach history and sponsor the Sr. Student Christian Organization."
Mrs. Crapps:  physic, chemistry, physical science, math for science, senior sponsor

Mrs. Ann Crapps is married to Billy Crapps, and they live in the Branch community in Scott County.  He is the owner of B & K Pavement Marking, Inc.  She has two children:  Jim Allen and new bride Cathie of Carthage who graduated from LA in 1990, and Ellen Allen Bevon of Hattiesburg--LA graduate of 1992. Mrs. Crapps has two grandchildren, Morgan Ann Bevon, born in June of 2004 and Cameron Copper Bevon born in November 2005.

Mrs. Crapps has taught at St. Andrews from 1965-1966, Carthage from 1966-1970, Leake Academy from 1970-today.  She is a Hall of Fame teacher, an honor given after being selected Star Teacher  twenty times.
Ashley Falgout:   fast pitch softball; physical education

Coach Ashley Falgout, a 1998 graduate of Belhaven College, has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology along with a minor in English. She and her husband, Chad, have been married for eight years and make their home in Brandon. Coach Falgout has played fast pitch softball for the past 24 years.  Bringing much experience with her to Leake Academy, she hopes to maintain and improve the softball team at its current State AA Champion level.  
Mrs. Harpole:  librarian, Rebel Yell

Mrs. Susan Harpole has a BS degree in library science from Mississippi State University.  She has also completed course work for an elementary education K-8 certificate.  She has been teaching for 27 years.

Mrs. Harpole lives in the Standing Pine community with her husband, Jackie, the principal at Standing Pine Elementary.  They have two daughters:  Jennifer, a graduate of Leake Academy and the University of Mississippi Medical Center employed with LabCorp as a Medical Technologist at the Choctaw Health Center; and Megan, a graduate of Leake Academy and a senior at MSU.  Mrs. Harpole is beginning her sixteenth year here at Leake Academy.
Mrs. Henderson:  elementary music;  homecoming coordinator's assistant; chorus; Beauty and Beau Review;   Drama Club sponsor; cheerleader sponsor

Mrs. Laurie Henderson is from Amory, Mississippi.  She is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, 1979, with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. This is her thirteenth year at Leake Academy.  She taught for nine years in the public schools before coming to LA.
Mrs. Howell:  junior high and high school English, Web Page, sophomore sponsor; homecoming coordinator's assistant

Mrs. Faithe Howell is a native of Hinds County and an Ole Miss graduate. She has lived in Leake County for the past 35 years with her husband, Eric.  They have two sons, Kevin and Tristan-- both graduates of LA and  MSU where they received their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Kevin and family are living in north Mississippi, and Tristan and family are living in central Mississippi.  Mr. and Mrs. Howell have two granddaughters and one grandson.

Mrs. Howell has been teaching for 27 years.  This is her 26th year at LA.

 "I love coming to work.  The students and administration make it a joy to be part of such a special educational environment.  I can't imagine doing anything else."  
Mrs. Abby Jenkins:  Counselor; Psychology; Student Council

Mrs. Abby Jenkins is an alumnus of the Leake Academy class of  2000. She graduated from Mississippi College in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education along with a minor in Social Studies. She and Ryan Jenkins have been married for a little over a year but have one child. Mrs. Jenkins thoroughly enjoys being around teenagers and kids believing in the sense that teenagers need an adult whom they can relate to.
Rev. Perry McCall:  Bible

Teaching this year's Bible Class is Rev. Perry McCall.

“My wonderful wife of nine years is named Robin. We have four beautiful children who are all better than average in every way. I have a B.S. in Political Science from The University of Southern Mississippi. I went to seminary at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity. I have been in ministry for over nine years with eight of those as pastor. I am now the pastor of Madden Baptist Church in Madden, MS.”


Mrs. Andrea Mathis:  Spanish; Spanish Club

"My name is Andrea Mathis, and I teach Spanish I and Spanish II to junior high and high school students. I attended Jackson Preparatory School and Mississippi State University shortly afterwards. I am married to Jay Mathis, and we live in Carthage, Mississippi. We have two beautiful children who also attend Leake Academy. Our little boy is eleven years old and in the sixth grade. Our little girl is nine years old and in the fourth grade this year. This is my fifth year to teach at Leake Academy; we really enjoy being able to go to school together each day."
Mrs. Moore:  English, annual staff, senior sponsor; SADD sponsor; Beauty and Beau Review

Mrs. Judy Moore teaches high school English at Leake Academy.  She received an Associate of Arts degree from East Central Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi University for Women with a major in English and a minor in Library Science.

Mrs. Moore is married to Jimmy Moore of Kosciusko, and they have seven children: Stephanie, Stephen, Hilary, Heath, Wade, Whitney, and Ashley. Hilary graduated from Leake Academy in 1989, Heath in 1993. Ashley is a sophomore this year.

At LA Mrs. Moore sponsors the yearbook, SADD, the beauty and beau pageant, and the senior class. She is an active member of Trinity Baptist Church where she sings in the choir and the ladies ensemble. She enjoys writing poetry and short stories.

Leake Academy has been home to her since it opened in 1970.
Coach Pickens:  elementary P.E., seventh grade health, head football coach

Coach Pickens is a graduate from Starkville Academy and Mississippi State University. He received his Bachelor's Degree in teaching and coaching. He has coached for 14 years at several different academies, 3 of which he has been head coach-- including Leake Academy. He is married to Angie Pickens, and they have two children Carter and Gunner.  He has been at Leake Academy of the past six years.
Coach Ray:  baseball coach; football coach; eighth grade science

Josh Ray is a 1993 graduate of Leake Academy and a 1997 graduate of Mississippi State University. He now teaches eighth grade science. He is entering his eighth season as head baseball coach and assistant football coach.
Mrs. Amy Robertson:  seventh and eighth English; Mississippi Authors; Sr. Honor/Beta Club

"I am teaching 7th and 8th grade English and Southern Literature at Leake Academy.  I am the sponsor for the Senior Beta.  I have 7 years teaching experience.

"I am a native of Newton County and a graduate of East Central Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi.  I hold a B.S. degree in radio, television, and film production with minors in journalism and English.

"I am married to Robbie Robertson.   We have 2 children, Jacob and Marshall Keegan."
Mrs. Beverly Sanders:  elementary computer; secretary

Mrs. Beverly Sanders has been at Leake Academy for ten years.  She wears many hats here.

She has been married for 30 years to Mark Sanders of the Freeny community. They have one daughter, Kristin. She will be a senior at Mississippi State University.

They are members of Freeny Baptist Church, where Mrs. Sanders is on the Financial Committee and teaches the toddlers.  She enjoys working in her flower beds and taking care of the yard.
Coach Shepard:  seventh grade math, boys basketball coach,  golf coach

Coach Phil Shepard is beginning his 27th season in the coaching profession, 21 of which have been at LA.  He has been named District Coach of the Year 13 times and has been elected to serve as All-Star coach 7 times.  

He is the son of Mrs. June Shepard and the late Joe F. Shepard.  He is married to the former Dot Harris.  They are the parents of two children, Bobby and B.J and the grandparents of a grandson Gavin and a granddaughter Ansley Kate.
Mrs. Sudduth: seventh grade science,  biology, A&P, junior sponsor

Mrs. Shelia Sudduth is married to John Sudduth, an LA graduate; and they have two children.  They live in Standing Pine.  Mrs. Sudduth was a graduate of Leake Academy in 1986.  She attended Hinds Community College and graduated in 1988 with an Associate of Arts degree.  She attended the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing from 1988-1990, graduating in May 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in nursing.  She worked in acute care settings, ICU, emergency room, and home health.  She has been teaching for the past 7 years and she currently teaches Life Science, Biology 1, and Anatomy and Physiology here at Leake Academy. Mrs. Sudduth also serves as Junior Class sponsor along with Mrs. Lisa Anderson. They are responsible for the Junior/Senior Banquet each year. She will also be serving as a sponsor for the jv and varsity cheerleading squads.
Mrs. Swearengen:  eighth history, world geography, seventh geography; SADD sponsor

Mrs. Jennie Swearengen graduated with a BA degree in Social Studies from Mississippi College in Clinton, Misssissippi. She has been teaching for 28 years, twelve of which have been here in Leake Academy. She enjoys teaching American history and world geography in her brightly painted classroom and "journeys" with her students to far away lands. She is married to Sam Swearengen, and they have one daughter named Sally. Mrs. Swearengen currently resides in the "geographical center of Mississippi"-- Thomastown.
Mr. Turner: junior high math; Junior Christian Student  Organization

"I reside in Madden, Mississippi, in the Turnertown community. "

"This is my seventh year to be involved in Leake Academy.  My other teaching experience was at Petal Christian Academy, Sanford Academy, and Purvis High School (MS).  I teach eighth grade math, Algebra I, and twelfth grade computer.  My wife, Loyce, also teaches here.  We've been married for 38 years and have 1 daughter named Stacey.

"I graduated from Madden High School, East Central Junior College, and the University of Southern Mississippi.

"I am a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the MS Professional Educators. I also sponsor the Junior Christian Student Organization.

"I now teach eighth grade math, Algebra I, and Senior Computer."
Mrs. Turner:  Algebra II, trig/cal, geometry, Junior Beta/Honor Society,  homecoming coordinator

"I have taught fulltime at LA since 1978. My career started at Runnelstown High School and then Petal High School.

I'm a member of the MS Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, MS Science Teachers Association, and MS Professional Educators.

I teach Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry, and Calculus, sponsor Junior Beta/MPSEA Honor Society, and coordinate Homecoming activities.

My husband Lewis and I have been married since 1969 and have one daughter named Stacey. We live in Madden in the Turnertown community."
Coach D. Wolverton: consumer economics, girls basketball

Coach Doyle Wolverton, "with his many accomplishments, is now the winningest  coach of all time in the state of Mississippi with 1046 wins and is now the fifth winningest coach in the nation."  Coach Wolverton along with being named Coach of the Year on numerous occasions has also been All-Star Coach and in 1998-99 was named Coach of the year in  the State of Mississippi for public as well as private schools.

 Coach Wolverton is married to the former Linda S. Horn; they have one son, Drew, age 24.  They make their home in Edinburg.

"Girls basketball at Leake Academy is a pleasure to watch or participate in.  Come enjoy it!!"
Mrs. Jennifer Gross

Mrs. Jennifer Gross is the Financial Secretary here at Leake Academy and has been employed here for 12 years. Mrs. Gross is a 1978 graduate of LA.

She has been married to Tommy Gross, class of 1975, for 28 years.  They have 3 children:
Laurin: age 23, class of 2003, 6th year pharmacy student at Ole Miss
Whitney and Brittany:  twins, age 18, class of 2008 freshman pharmacy majors at Ole Miss.

They have been living in Carthage where Tommy has been practicing general dentistry since 1982.
Mrs. Jennie Roland:  faculty secretary

Jennie Roland is faculty secretary. In addition to duplicating papers for the teachers, she orders workbooks and textbooks and various other school supplies.

She has four children (all Leake Academy graduates) and four grandchildren.

Jennie serves as pianist at Freeny Baptist Church. She teaches Sunday school, Bible school, and is program chairman for Women on Mission.

Since Katrina, she has become a certified disaster relief worker for Red Cross. She also does volunteer work at Hospice in His Hands; and is active in Pro-life Mississippi.
Mrs. Linda H. Wolverton:  secretary

Mrs. Linda Wolverton, secretary, has been affiliated with Leake Academy since its inception as a student, supporter or employee.  She is also the statistician for the girls' jr. high and high school basketball teams.

She is married to Doyle Wolverton, the girls' basketball coach at Leake Academy.  "He is the winningest basketball coach in Mississippi and is now the fifth winningest coach in the nation."  They make their home in Edinburg and have one son, Drew, age 23 and a toy poodle named Inca.