As hundreds of students filled the halls of Lake Oconee Academy during this year’s Meet & Greet, many paused outside AP Calculus teacher and Math Instructional Coordinator Danna Seigle's office. It was hard not to notice the freshly painted, brightly colored ceiling tiles displayed in her room. For anyone who looked up, the message was clear: they discovered one of LOA's newest academic traditions.
Just before graduation, three members of Lake Oconee Academy's Class of 2026 earned the privilege of adding their names and artwork to the ceiling. Emmy Hill, Sara Duncan Hong, and Walker Poyner each earned a top score of 5 on the 2026 AP Calculus AB Exam. According to the College Board, only 20 percent of students worldwide earned this top score on the AP Calculus AB exam this year.
For Seigle, the ceiling tiles represent far more than exceptional test scores. "I wanted to create a legacy that students could literally look up to," she said with a smile. "When students walk into this space, I hope they immediately start thinking about what their own ceiling tile might look like one day."
Each student designs a tile that reflects their personality, interests, and journey. Once completed, it becomes a permanent part of Seigle's office—a colorful reminder that hard work, perseverance, and determination leave a lasting mark.
The newest additions celebrate three graduates whose next chapters are just beginning. This fall, Emmy Hill will begin her studies at the University of Southern California, Sara Duncan Hong and Walker Poyner will both attend the University of Georgia. While their artwork naturally catches students' attention, the story behind each tile runs much deeper.
Every tile represents months of demanding coursework, late nights of studying, countless practice problems, and the perseverance required to master one of the most rigorous classes offered at LOA. Mrs. Seigle’s hope is that students walk away with far more important and transferable skills than calculus alone offers.
"Students don't often appreciate the challenge in the moment, but if they can look back on the journey and recognize that they persevered, that they believed in themselves long enough to conquer something that most don’t even attempt, they will be better prepared to face the demands of college and beyond. It is my life's mission to help teens develop this self-confidence so that they can pursue their wildest dreams, and yes, I believe mathematics can be an avenue for doing just that," said Seigle.
Accomplishments like these also reflect the dedication of the entire LOA Mathematics Department, whose teachers continually encourage students to think critically, embrace challenges, and discover they are capable of more than they imagined. "Our math department isn't afraid to challenge students," Seigle said. "We believe in pushing them to new levels because we know they're capable of more than they often realize."
High School Principal Jerante Smith believes traditions like this reflect the culture of learning at Lake Oconee Academy. "Success isn't just about earning outstanding scores," Smith said. "It's about creating a culture where students inspire one another to dream bigger, work harder, and pursue their full potential. Mrs. Seigle's ceiling tile tradition is a wonderful example of how our teachers celebrate achievement while motivating future students to reach even greater heights."
As a new class of AP Calculus students settles into class this fall, they'll spend countless hours solving equations, exploring complex concepts, and preparing for one of the most challenging exams of their high school careers. Along the way, many will glance toward the ceiling, recognize the names of those who came before them, and perhaps begin imagining a tile of their own.
At Lake Oconee Academy, those colorful squares represent more than top AP scores. They tell the story of students who embraced a challenge, reached an extraordinary goal, and left behind a legacy that will inspire future Titans to aim even higher.