New Tate High Winter Guard Named
November 9, 2015
New members of the Tate High School Winter Guard have been named.
They are:
Chaparrals
Rifles: Caroline Bruns, Michaela Overby, Brenn Repine, Celina Dyess, Savannah Vonstein
Sabres: Megan Leonard, Katy Luebke, Kelsey Strength, Breanna Langley, Madison Philley
Flag line: Carly Lawrence, Jojo Osteen, Katy Dupre, Kendall Lombardo, Elizabeth Durazo, Makayla Tainter
Cadets
Weapons: Kenzi Ricardy, Virginia Vaughan, Raegan Tainter, Cordia Shaw, Olivia Starnes
Flag line: Jazmyn Quarls Julia Jimenez Sarah Stephens Julie Stanton Kirsten Carter
The Chaparrals are the oldest competitive scholastic winter guard in the nation and former world champions. They begin competing in late January.
Pictured top: The Tate High School Chaparrals. Pictured below: Cadets. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Gospel Artist Releases CD, Music Video; Plans Concerts
November 8, 2015
Country gospel artist Caleb Dennis of Davisville has new single, new album and a new music video that was filmed in North Escambia.
His single “Jesus is Always on Time” will be released to radio this month.
“After 15 years of working as a side musician, the release of this debut album ‘The Gravel Road’ is a fresh new start for me in the gospel music field,” Dennis said. “God has poured out so many blessings lately it’s overwhelming, and the band and I are looking forward to what 2016 holds.”
The first video from “The Gravel Road”, entitled “The Old Grist Mill” (see below) was filmed in North Escambia. It was shot along Pineville Road at Brushy Creek in Enon and includes some of Dennis’ family and friends.
“I so enjoyed filming the first video from the album. I loved that it was filmed here in my hometown. (That) makes it even more personal for me,” the Walnut Hill native said.
Dennis will be concert on Saturday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Molino First Assembly of God and Sunday, November 29 at 5 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Baptist Church. Admission is free for both events.
“The Gravel Road” is available on iTunes or Amazon.
Pictured top: Caleb Dennis in his new music video filmed along Brushy Creek and Pineville Road in North Escambia. Below: The new video “The Old Grist Mill” from Caleb Dennis. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
If you do not see the video above, it is because your work, school or home firewall is blocking YouTube videos.
UWF Hosts 2015 BEST Robotics Competition
November 8, 2015
The University of West Florida College of Science and Engineering hosted the eighth annual Emerald Coast BEST robotics competition at the UWF Field House on Saturday.
Student teams from 18 area high schools and middle schools participated in “Pay Dirt,” a competition in which each team designed and built a robotic system to repair a simulated mine and retrieve its resources. The teams were evaluated based on robot performance, notebooks, marketing presentation, team exhibit, spirit and sportsmanship.
BEST Award
The BEST Award is presented to the team that best embodies the attributes associated with “Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology” in its development, which include teamwork, diversity of participation, sportsmanship, creativity, ethics, positive attitude and enthusiasm, school and community involvement, and exposure to and use of the engineering process. The first-place winner of the 2015 BEST Award was Seaside Neighborhood School, followed by Woodham Middle School in second-place and Woodlawn Beach Middle School in third-place.
Robotics Award
Awarded to the teams whose machines finish first, second and third in the tournament bracket. The first-place winner of the robotics award was Pace High School, followed by Tate High School in second-place and Seaside Neighborhood School in third-place.
Dr. Bradley Regez, program manager and instructor for the UWF Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, leads the Emerald Coast BEST steering committee. Dr. Mohamed Khabou, associate professor and chair of the UWF Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is also a part of the committee along with several other University and community representatives.
“Each year that I am given the chance to participate in the Emerald Coast hub, it’s an opportunity to help students learn,” said Regez. “These kinds of competitions are great for students interested in science, technology, engineering and math because they provide opportunities for hands-on experience and seeing a project from start to finish.”
The annual competition is coordinated through BEST Inc., a non-profit, volunteer-based organization. Its name stands for Boosting Engineering Science and Technology, and its mission is to inspire middle and high school students to pursue careers in engineering, science and technology through participation in the sports-like robotics competition.
The Emerald Coast BEST hub is the only one in Florida. The hub is funded completely by corporate and individual sponsorships, which provide each team with a material kit to build the robots. No fees are paid by students or schools that participate in the BEST robotics competitions.
Award winners
Advancing to Regional Robotics Championship:
Robot: Pace High School
BEST 1: Seaside Neighborhood School
BEST 2: Woodham Middle School
Robotics Game Award:
1. Pace High School
2. Tate High School
3. Seaside Neighborhood School
4. Woodham Middle School
BEST Award:
1. Seaside Neighborhood School
2. Woodham Middle School
3. Woodlawn Middle School
T-Shirt Design Award:
1. Pace High School
2. Santa Rosa High School
3. Woodham Middle School
BEST Spirit and Sportsmanship:
1. Woodlawn Beach Middle School
2. Seaside Neighborhood School
3. Woodham Middle School
Best Team Exhibits and Interview:
1. Woodlawn Beach Middle School
2. Seaside Neighborhood School
3. Woodham Middle School
Best Marketing Presentation:
1. Seaside Neighborhood School
2. Woodham Middle School
3. Pensacola High School
Best Project Engineering Notebook:
1. Woodlawn Beach Middle School
2. Creative Learning Academy
3. Seaside Neighborhood School
Software Design and Simulation Award:
1. Tate High School
2. Creative Learning Academy
3. Woodham Middle School
Founders Award for Creative Design: Seaside Neighborhood School
Most Robust Machine: Episcopal Day School
Most Photogenic Machine: Woodlawn Beach Middle School
Gulf Power Blood, Sweat and Duct Tape Award: Pensacola High School
Web Page Design Award: Episcopal Day School
Arts, Crafts And Car Show Held In Molino (With Gallery)
November 8, 2015
The Fourth Annual Open Car Show and Arts/Craft Show was held Saturday at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. The top and best in class vehicles were awarded, numerous vendors were one hand and there free activities for children.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Over A Month After Homeless Story Goes Viral, Steve Has Been Found
November 6, 2015
Remember Steve the homeless man? He’s been found again and plans are underway to help him make it through the winter.
In late September, NorthEscambia.com published a story about John Brantley, an Atmore elementary school principal, and his encounter with Steve outside a Best Buy store in Mobile. The story of Steve went viral, viewed well over a million times.
It all began when Brantley snapped a photo of Steve, on his knees digging through a trash can looking for bits of food.
Offers poured in from around the country to help Steve….except Brantley and others were not able to find him again. Until Thursday night.
“I had a long conversation with Steve tonight and he has agreed to be helped,” Brantley wrote in a Facebook post. “I have set up this gofundme account to help raise money for Steve a place to stay this winter as well as helping him with basic essentials and ultimately helping him get back on his feet.”
To read our original story about Steve and Brantley’s encounter with him, click here.
To visit the gofundme page and donate to help Steve, click here.
Tate Names Students Of The Month
November 6, 2015
Tate High School has named October students of the month. They are Ian Ruiz and Madison Nelson, pictured with Principal Rick Shackle. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Veterans Day Programs Planned For Century, Ernest Ward, Northview
November 5, 2015
Ernest Ward Middle School – Friday, November 6
Veterans are invited to attend a special assembly in honor of Veterans Day in the gymnasium at Ernest Ward Middle School on Friday, November 6 at 9:45 a.m. The program will include patriotic music and special presentations from students and staff members. The address will not be from one main speaker, but there will be personal stories from several area veterans. Refreshments will be served following the program.
Northview High School – Tuesday, November 10
Northview High School will have its annual Veteran’s Day program on Tuesday, November 10 in the school’s theater. There will be two programs with the first program starting at 9:35 am. The second program will start shortly after the completion of the first program at approximately 10:30 am.
The guest speaker will be Captain Carl Mock, United States Navy, retired. Captain Mock served 38 years before retiring in June 2005. During his 38 years of service he rose through the ranks from E-1 to O-6. His final active duty tour was as Commanding Officer, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, NAS Pensacola . All veterans, their families and community members are invited to attend.
Town of Century, Tuesday, November 10
Century will celebrate veterans on Tuesday, November 10 at 10 a.m with guests Rep. Mike Hill, the Byrneville Elementary School Chorus and the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. The event will be held in Nadine McCaw Park on North Century Boulevard.
Pictured: Last year’s Veterans Day program at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Pine Meadow Elementary Students Honor Veterans
November 5, 2015
Students at Pine Meadow Elementary School presented their annual Veterans Celebration Wednesday morning. The patriotic program honored those who have served or are on active duty. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Teacher Barry Flies With The Blue Angels
November 4, 2015
Northview High School teacher Anna Barry flew with the Blue Angels Tuesday from NAS Pensacola.
“I knew it was going to be a once in a lifetime experience, but it exceeded my highest expectations,” Barry said shortly after the flight. “I don’t even have the right words to describe it…it was really awesome.”
The flight included many of the demonstration maneuvers that Blue Angels fans know from airshows, including flying upside down and barrel rolls.
“I was just surreal to be up there part of the same tricks that you see from the ground,” she said.
The history teacher was especially proud of the fact that she made it through the entire flight without passing out — even while pulling over 6 G’s — and that she did not get sick.
Barry was chosen for the flight as a local “key influencer” as the current Escambia County Teacher of the Year. And she said she can’t wait to get back to Northview to share her experience with her students and the NJROTC program at the school.
“I want to share with the kids that they should always aim high,” she said. “There are no excuses, most anything is possible if you step our of your comfort zone.”
Numerous friends and family members were back on the ground watching Barry’s flight, including her grandfather, John Calvin Davis, Sr. “He was especially proud. He was in the Navy,” she said, “training for a amphibious assault on Toyko.”
Also flying with the Blue Angels Tuesday were local Boy Scouts of America district executive Suzie West and NewsRadio 1620’s Andrew McKay. The Blue Angels will close the 2015 season at their annual Homecoming Air Show aboard
Naval Air Station Pensacola on Friday and Saturday.
Photos by U.S. Navy, Regina Barry and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Book Fair At Jim Allen Elementary This Week
November 3, 2015
The annual Scholastic Book Fair is going on this week at Jim Allen Elementary School. The book fair will continue for students through 11 a.m. Friday. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.