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Jake Barefoot with his father, Kyle

Kobe Shakespeare with his father, Randall

An early Andalusia High School class

Lindsey Stephens found her mother, Shannon Hiers Stephens

Cassidy Tillman with her step mother, Tavia Scott Tillman (left) and her grandmother, Paula Snowden Tillman. She also found her father, Gary Tillman.

Noah Kelly found his mother Angela in the 1991 yearbook.

Robert Thomas Phillips with his grandfather, Ken Childree.

Macy Martin with her father, Jeffery.

Anna Brady with her grandmother, Lucy Doyle Brady. She also found her mom, Meredith Riley Brady.

Emory Garner with her mother, Becky Spurlin Garner; grandmother, Amy Russell Spurlin; and great-grandmother, Rebecca Darling Russell.

Coleman Thompson and Anabell Bryant found their mothers, Kim Kennedy Thompson and Jill Roach Bryant — with Coleman Thompson and Jill Roach Bryant.

Eva Marlyn Kanaley found her mother, Addie Addy Gantt. Eva also found her dad, Tommy Kanaley.

Peyton Helms found her mother, Nancy Ritter.

Mary Katherine Salter found her grandfather, Jimmy Faulkner.

Gabe Norris found his dad, Larry Norris.

Andalusia High School Senior English teacher Dawn Thompson might have been channeling here inner John Keating this week, when her students had an essay assignment that began with a lesson on Carpe Diem.

John Keating is Robin Williams’ character in the movie, “Dead Poets Society,” who tries to energize his students through poetry.

Thompson took her students to the Andalusia High School Heritage Room, started by The AHS Class of 1948, and long curated by Joe Wingard. The school board recently appointed Sue Bass Wilson the same task.

Thompson said she started with a photograph of the AHS Class of 1925.

“I told them, ‘They look just like you. They’re all 18. They’re excited. They have dreams and aspirations.’

“Then I ask them, ‘What do you think they’ve done with their lives?’ and we talk about ‘What is a good life?’ ”

Like the character John Keating, Thompson then reminded the current seniors that members of the Class of 1925 are all fertilizing daffodils now. Then she shares that class’s message to this one: “Carpe diem. Seize the day.”

Students also took the time to explore the Heritage Room, and many found information about their parents or grandparents.

While “Carpe diem” was the lesson this week, Thompson said it’s the banner in her classroom.

“This is very important for seniors,” she said. “They get so focused on the future and what’s ahead they miss the best parts of their senior year.”

After considering poems with the them “Carpe diem,” the students also listen to songs.

“I play, ‘Live Like You are Dying,’ and ‘I Hope you Dance,’ ” she said. “Then I let the kids suggest songs.”

After the lesson, the students are required to compare two poems or songs  for an essay.

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