Two Fort Dale Academy students will be among a select group of high school sophomores from across the state participating in the ninth annual Alabama Capstone Leadership Academy in Tuscaloosa this week.

Amber Smith and Hannah Schofield were both chosen by the Capstone Council to attend the two-day event, during which the 100-plus students selected for the program will hear guest speakers and participate in discussions revolving around the academy’s theme of value, vision and voice.

While it is not the first time two candidates from FDA have attended the ACLA, school counselor Carole Teague says it not typical for the council to choose both students from any individual school.

“Usually, only one of the two candidates from any school is selected, so we are extraordinarily proud of Amber and Hannah for both being chosen for this honor,” said Teague.

At FDA, candidates for the leadership academy were nominated by their teachers and then voted on by the faculty. The school’s finalists were then asked to submit a resume, transcript and an essay for evaluation by the Capstone Council, who then selected the student attendees to the Leadership Academy. Hannah’s essay topic was “Finding My Voice.”

“I wrote about finding MY voice among so many talented and promising individuals and making myself stand out,” Hanna explained.

Amber, who says she is “excited and honored” to be chosen for the CLA, chose the topic of “Finding Your Voice in Leadership.”

“Amber and Hannah are outstanding students, both in academic terms and in terms of their talents and skills,” said Teague. “It’s been a pleasure watching these girl grow up and continue to go from strength to strength at school and within their community.”

Amber is a member of several academic honor societies at FDA, and has captured numerous ribbons at district science and technology fairs. This talented young lady has performed in five of the Greenville Area Arts Council’s annual musical fundraisers and dances each June in Sonya Rice’s gala recitals, also serving as a teacher’s aide at Rice’s dance studio. Amber served as cheer captain for the FDA JV Cheer Squad in 2014-2015 and is on the school’s golf team. A five-time Good Citizenship Award winner at FDA, Amber has also served as class officer on four occasions. A nine-year member of the First Presbyterian Choir, she has volunteered for both Relay For Life and Gideons International.

Hannah shares her vocal talents in the FDA Choir, is on the school’s technology team, serves as captain of the varsity softball team and plays on the volleyball team. A frequent tutor and babysitter, Hannah also volunteers in the community through her membership in ECHO and Key Club. She is a member of the National Beta Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at her school. Hannah attends Southside Baptist Church, where she is involved in Sunday Night Youth Group and ZONE.

Capstone Council is a volunteer organization that consists of former  University of Alabama campus leaders from the 1970s. Former Capstone Men and Women, SGA officers, the Office of the President and the Honors College host the event, begun under the leadership of the late Jean O’Connor-Snyder, sponsor of Capstone Men and Women throughout the 1970s.