Spotlights & Stories

Shirley Stevens French '47 credits Albany Academy for Girls with instilling a lifelong commitment to service, curiosity, and community involvement. A member of a family with deep Academy roots spanning generations, French overcame the challenges of relocating to Alabama during World War II before returning to Girls Academy, where she excelled academically and athletically.

After earning a degree in education, she dedicated her life to teaching, volunteering, and supporting others. Now 96, French continues to serve her community, support Albany Academy through scholarships and archival projects, and inspire younger generations with her belief that lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity are the keys to a meaningful life.

As Albany Academy approaches its next chapter, John Hawn '44 remains one of its most dedicated lifelong supporters. A member of the first kindergarten class in the current Upper School building, Hawn spent 13 years at the Academy before attending United States Military Academy and serving as a pilot in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.

A former athlete, trustee, Alumni Association president, and Outstanding Alumnus Award recipient, Hawn has spent decades giving back to the school through leadership, fundraising, and philanthropy. With family ties spanning generations, he credits the Academy with providing an exceptional education and remains committed to supporting its future.

Erik Payton ’21 is already aiming high, toward deep space, in fact. After earning his mechanical engineering degree from Cornell, he was named a Clark Doctoral Fellow at the University of Maryland, where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering. His research focuses on spacecraft navigation, planetary imaging, and asteroid-preparedness, building on his hands-on work at Cornell’s Fuertes Observatory and with former NASA chief technologist Mason Peck.

Erik says his passion for engineering began at Albany Academy, where small classes, dedicated teachers, and the FIRST robotics team gave him the confidence to explore big ideas. He also sang in chamber singers, performed in musicals, and thrived in the Cadet Corps. Now working in the Strategic Space Sensing Lab and looking toward a future in NASA or a space-tech startup, Erik remains grounded in the lessons he learned at Academy, especially the importance of asking the right questions.