Washington High To Host Free Swim and Dive Program For Elementary Students
March 1, 2025
The Aquatic Center at Booker T. Washington High School will host a free Elementary Swim and Dive Program this spring.
Included will be a free orientation to basic water safety, an introduction to competitive swimming, with focus on improvement on freestyle and backstroke techniques, an introduction to freestyle and backstroke starts and flip turns, and an introduction to 1-meter springboard safety skills.
Interested students must have all paperwork (registration and consent/authorization form) completed prior to the pre-class swim test at registration. All applicants must be able to jump in deep water and swim 40 feet unassisted on the surface of the water, without stopping, prior to acceptance in the program.
Additionally, all participants must be registered students in Escambia County, (public, private or homeschool) and must be in grades K-5. Transportation must be provided by a parent/legal guardian. The parent/legal guardian should also remain on campus during the child’s session.
Registration will be open on March 10 and 11 from 3:30-7:00 pm at the Washington High School Aquatic Center. The program runs from March 12-18 with a second session to be schedule later.
Contact Megan Oberholtzer, M.Ed., Aquatics Director, Washington High School, at (850) 494-5681 for more information.
Booker T. Washington High School is located at 6000 College Parkway in Pensacola.
King Aero Donates Demo Jet Engine to George Stone Aviation Program
March 1, 2025
Students at George Stone Technical College’s aviation program will now get a hands-on look at how jet engines operate, thanks to a specially-designed demo engine donated by Pensacola company King Aero,
King Aero and GSTC have been working together for years to strengthen the pipeline of aviation mechanics in the area. The aviation maintenance program, which began development in 2014 and held its first class in 2017, continues to grow under the leadership of instructor Bill Davis.
Davis, an Air Force veteran with 35 years of experience in engine maintenance for the Hurricane Hunters, said the partnership with King Aero provides valuable real-world learning opportunities for his students.
“In class, when you start talking about how air moves or the physics of air movement, and talking about how it moves through each stage of this engine, it’s hard to for students to visualize what I’m describing,” Davis said. “I can explain it to them on the board all day long, but they can’t really grasp it until they can physically put their hands on it. With this demo engine, I’ll be able to show them a real example that they get their hands on — it gives them a whole different perspective.”
The demo engine was the brainchild of GSTC Aviation Program graduates and current King Aero employees Sean Rader and Will Keethler.
“It was a lot of work but feels good to give back to the school that got me to where I’m at in the first place,” said Rader. “Just being able to be a part of helping their program grow is very fulfilling.”
Scores: Wins For Northview Baseball; Tate Baseball And Softball Fall
March 1, 2025
Here are North Escambia Friday night scores:
BASEBALL
Northview 10, Pensacola Christian 0
The Northview Chiefs shut out Pensacola Christian 10-0 Friday night in Pensacola.
Jayden White earned the win on the mound for the Chiefs, allowing one hit and no runs in five innings, walking three and striking out eight. Grayden Sheffield thew one scoreless inning in relief, walking one and striking out two.
Brady Smith went 2-2 at bat. Cole Davis, Kelen Jury, and Braynt Mason each had two RBIs.
Up next, Northview will be at Flomaton on Tuesday ahead of a Thursday game at Jay.
Northview 13, Pensacola Christian 0
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs easily shut out Pensacola Christian 13-0 Friday night.
The Northview win was earned by Christian Roberts who gave p no hits and no runs in three innings while recording seven strikeouts and walking one. Taylor Curtis pitched two no-run innings in relief while getting five strikeouts and walking one.
Kobi Fiorenti, Sawyer Gilmore, and Christian Roberts each had two hits. Kobi Fiorenti, Will Gilmore, Esten Odom, and Christian Roberts hand one RBI each. The JV chiefs stole 15 bases during the game against PCA.
Fort Walton Beach 11, Tate 8
Friday night, the Tates Aggies fell 11-8 on the road to Fort Walton Beach.
Kaleb Posta and Evan Taylor had two RBIs for Tate., and Nathan Ozuna was 2-4.
Tate will be at home Tuesday night against Milton.
SOFTBALL
West Florida 8, Tate 7
The Tate Lady Aggies slipped 8-7 to the West Florida Jags Friday night.
Kinzlee Biggs led at bat for the Lady Aggies with two RBIs as she went 1-2. Peyton Womack went 3-5, and Jordyn Banks were 2-4.
Tate will host Escambia on Tuesday.
Learn To Play The Dulcimer At The Molino Library
March 1, 2025
You can learn to play the dulcimer at the Molino Library.
The “Fundamentals of Dulcimer” class will be held from 1-2 p.m. on March 3, 17, and 31. The class is free, and no experience or materials are required. Dulcimers are provided for the class.
Pictured: A 2019 dulcimer class at the Molino Library. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Brooks Ray Laney
March 1, 2025
The family of Brooks Ray Laney is deeply sorrowful to share that he peacefully transitioned into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at the tender age of five years old after a short battle with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a rare and aggressive brain tumor.
Born December 13, 2019, Brooks came into the world with big blue eyes and immediately captured the hearts of his loved ones, most importantly, Tanner and Laura, as their precious firstborn son. As Brooks grew into a toddler, he kept them on their toes. He knew no fear, a quality that he would never lose. From climbing on high furniture to running a hundred miles an hour, that was our Brooks. He kept Laura and Tanner on their toes and the rest of his family laughing. From a young age, he had the biggest winning grin that made his whole face light up and you never questioned his excitement because it beamed from every part of his little body. Brooks became a wonderful big brother to his little sister, Josie. He taught her so many things in their years together, from how to ride a scooter to how to take care of the chickens. He was her favorite person, sidekick, and protector. Over the last year or two, Brooks transformed into the most genuine, loving, and smart little boy. His artistic abilities, interest in musical instruments, and love of learning was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. The creations he made and pictures he drew were always impressive and will forever serve as a reminder of his many talents at such a young age. We will never see a Lego, monster truck, or tractor without thinking of our little buddy. Although it was cut short, watching Brooks flourish was the experience of a lifetime. While we cannot understand this diagnosis or outcome, we find peace in knowing that we will see him again. We rest assured that he is among the many angels who are always near. Most of all, we thank God for the time that we had with him here on earth.
We want to personally thank everyone in the Jay, Chumuckla, and surrounding communities for your support through Brooks’ Battle, every nurse, doctor, and surgeon we encountered along the way, and anyone else who prayed or contributed throughout this journey.
Brooks is survived by his parents, Tanner and Laura Laney; sister, Josie Laney; grandparents, Tim and Vicki Laney, Leigh Ann and Jeff Cotton, Andy and Wanda Carnley; great-grandparents, Virginia Hendricks, Estelle Laney, James Earl and Nadine Carnley, Don and Jean Cook; uncles and aunts, Todd and Hannah Laney, Brian and Bridgett Carnley; cousins, Eli, Scout, and Stella Laney, Noah Carnley, Jackson and Nickolas Lawson, as well as many extended family members, close friends, and his classmates at Faith Christian Academy.
Brooks is preceded in death by his great-grandfathers, Ray Laney and B.D. Hendricks.
We will honor Brooks on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Cornerstone Christian Church in Jay, Florida. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM with services beginning at noon. Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Church cemetery.
Active Pallbearers: Brandt Hendricks, Rush Hendricks, Jackson Lawson, Jake Bednarczyk, Andrew Polk, and Levi Findley. Honorary Pallbearers: Brooks’ classmates from Faith Christian Academy, who we know are with us in spirit.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to one of these worthy causes that are near and dear to our hearts:
- The University of Florida Pediatric Brain Tumor Fund
- The Ronald McDonald House
- The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation
- Rally Foundation
- Brooks’ Battle, which will be used to keep Brooks’ legacy alive and bless others as we have been blessed in both local and cancer communities.