Local Elementary Students Were Named Shining Stars

April 25, 2010

The Greater Escambia Community Foundation and WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, presentedthe Shining Star Award to 36 Escambia County elementary students in a ceremony Sunday afternoon at WSRE’s Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio on the main campus of Pensacola Junior College.

Area principals and teachers selected the winners based on good citizenship, community service and adherence to the core values of the Escambia County School District: equality, responsibility, integrity, respect, honesty and patriotism. Each winner was awarded a certificate of achievement and a new bicycle and helmet. In addition, the winners autographed a billboard which has been erected in their honor and is proudly displayed on 9th Avenue, south of Hayes Street in Pensacola.

North Escambia area Shining Star Award winners are:

  • Jada Tucker, Bratt Elementary School
  • Shellie Harrelson, Byrneville Elementary School
  • Olivia Guntner, Jim Allen Elementary School
  • April Payne, Molino Park Elementary School

Former Florida State Representative DeeDee Ritchie and Mayor Mike Wiggins was the Masters of Ceremonies. Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas spke at the festivities. Principals and teachers from each school, as well as the winners’ families and friends, were invited to attend.

Students honored this year provided a variety of inspiration. Some honored WWII Veterans by raising money for the Emerald Coast Honor Flight; some forged friendships with the elderly in a local assisted-living facility; and others worked in their school’s garden, volunteered to push a classmate’s wheelchair, participated in Jump Rope for Heart, or reached out to their peers with help and encouragement.

Comments

2 Responses to “Local Elementary Students Were Named Shining Stars”

  1. Angi on April 25th, 2010 9:59 pm

    Congrats to you all…

  2. Barry on April 25th, 2010 8:59 pm

    Olivia, we are very proud of you! Love mom and dad.
    ♥♥♥♥♥

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