Northview Names New Drum Majors, Color Guard, Dance Team
June 8, 2015
New band leaders, color guard members and members of the dance team have been named at Northview High School.
The 2015-2016 Tribal Beat drum major is Triston Long. Assistant drum major is Jessica Amerson, and the band captain is Amber Freeman.
Color Guard members are Sarah Dutton, Harmoni Till, Dejaunte Lowery and Triyell Abraham.
The majorettes for 2015-2016 are Brianna Smith, Hannah Mascaro and Jessica Stacey.
Members of the 2015-2016 Northview Dance Team are: Bethany Reynolds, Delaney Reynolds, Leah Fischer, Savanna Roux, Madison Sherouse, Jerni Crabtree, Shelby Bayshore and Anna Belle Barberree.
Pictured: Dance team members (top, L-R) Madison Sherouse, Jerni Crabtree, Delaney Reynolds, Shelby Bayshore, (bottom pic, L-R) Leah Fischer, Bethany Reynolds, Savanna Roux and Anna Belle Barberree. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Vacation Bible Schools Scheduled At Many Churches
June 7, 2015
Vacation Bible School is a summertime tradition for many area children. Here is a list of upcoming VBS events in the North Escambia area. To add a VBS to this list, email news@northescambia.com.
First Baptist Church of Bratt VBS
First Baptist Church of Bratt Vacation Bible School will be , June 8-12 from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. each day.
Ray’s Chapel VBS
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will hold their VBS “Camp Kilimanjaro”, June 8-12 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. The church is located at 140 W Bogia Road in McDavid. Everyone is welcome for fun, food and games.
First Baptist Cantonment VBS
The First Baptist Church of Cantonment will hold VBS from June 8-June 12. To register or for information, call (850) 968-9135.
Atmore First Assembly VBS
First Assembly of God in Atmore will hold Vacation Bible Shool for children ages 3 through the 6th grade June 8-12 from 8 until 11:30 a.m.
Atmore United Methodist VBS
Atmore First United Methodist Church will hold “Everest” Vacation Bible School for children K-5 through 6th grade June 7-11 from 6- p.m. Everyone welcome.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church VBS
Everest VBS 2015 will be 5 to 8:30 pm, June 14-18, at Holy Cross Episcopal Church at 7979 North 9th Avenue, in Pensacola, for all children from 3-years to 5th grade. Brown bag dinner is included. (850) 477-8596.
Popular Dell VBS
Poplar Dell Baptist Church will hold their Vacation Bible School for ages nursery-6th grade, June 15-19 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. The final night will be family night complete with outside water slides, supper and other fun activities. The theme this year is “Journey Off the Map.” Visitors are welcome! The church is located at 2631 Highway 4A in Century. Contact Louise Gandy at (850) 256-0690.
Heritage Baptist Church VBS Cantonment
Heritage Baptist Church at 3065 Hwy 297A in Cantonment will have VBS June 15-19, 6-8:45 p.m. with the “Everest” theme.
Bush Street VBS
The Bush Street Church at 2328 Bush Street in Pensacola will hold a “Jungle Safari” Vacation Bible School June 18-19 from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. and June 20th from 10 am.. until noon, followed by the cookout.
Highland Baptist VBS
Highland Baptist Church will hold VBS June 22 – 26 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. for children ages three years old through completion of fifth grade. Family night will be June 28. Everyone is welcome.
New Bethal Jay VBS
New Bethel Baptish Church will hold their VBS “Fun Run 2015″, June 22 – 26 from 5 – 8 p.m. The church is located at 10995 Chumuckla Highway in Jay. Everyone is welcome.
Walnut Hill Baptist VBS
Walnut Hill Baptist Church will hold “Journey Off the Map” Vacation Bible School June 22-26 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Faith Bible Baptist Century VBS
Faith Bible Baptist Church “Camp Courageous: Equipping For Life” VBS will take place July 13-17 from 6 until 8:30 p.m. for ages 5-12. The church is located at 5801 N.Century Blvd. For more information or transportation call (850) 256-5483.
Trinity Lutheran Cantonment VBS
Camp Discovery, VBS 2015, will be 9-noon daily, July 13-17, at Trinity Lutheran Church at 2385 Highway 297A in Cantonment. For more, visit www.trinity-lutheranchurch.org or call (850) 968-0078.
Aldersgate Molino VBS
Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino will host Camp E.D.G.E. Vacation Bible School July 20-24 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. daily for all children from 3-years to rising 5th graders. For more info, call (850) 587-2489, (850) 587-3571 or the church office at (850) 587-5294.
Queens Of The NHS Gym Named
June 7, 2015
During National Physical Education and Sports week last month at Northview High School, a competition was held among girls in the weightlifting and conditioning classes for the title of “Queens of the Gym”.
The girls teamed up and participated in variety activities that tested their endurance, speed, agility, strength, and overall athletic ability.
The following teams were winners in the competitions:
- Most Push Ups in a minute- Morgan Ward and Hannah Gibson
- Most Sit-ups in a minute- Andrea Miles and Mrs. Nall
- Farthest Toss -Shnala Banks and Dimionque Brown
- Farthest Jump – Shnala Banks and Dimionque Brown
- Fastest Mile – Morgan Ward and Hannah Gibson
- Strongest Team in bench press- Tied- Ashlynn McCall & Destiny Mathis, and Madison McGhee and Angel Lathan
- Fastest Obstacle Time- Jadlyn Agerton and Peighton Dortch
Overall Team for Northview’s Queens of the Gym 2015
- 3rd Runner up- Kayla Galvan and Tori Smith
- 2nd Runner up -Madison McGhee and Angel Lathan
- Queens for 2015- Morgan Ward and Hannah Gibson
Pictured top: Morgan Ward and Hannah Gibson, Queens of the Gym, at Northview High School. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teachers Learn From Project Learning Tree
June 6, 2015
Numerous Escambia and Santa Rosa county educators spent their Friday learning about Project Learning Tree at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment.
Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for formal and non-formal educators working with students in pre-kindergarten through high school. PLT uses trees and forests as the context to help young people gain an awareness and knowledge of natural and built environments. PLT stimulates students’ critical and creative thinking, develops students’ ability to make informed decisions on environmental issues and instills a commitment of responsible action on behalf of the environment.
PLT can be used in both rural and urban environments, whether there is a forest or a single tree and teaches students how to think, not what to think about our complex environment.
The event was sponsored by the Florida Forest Service, Santa Rosa UF/IFAS Extension, Escambia County Roy Hyatt Environmental Center and the Project Learning Tree Steering Committee.
Educators that took part in the event received a free activity guide and had a chance to learn about the program with hands-on activities.
Pictured top: Educators take part in a Project Learning Tree food web activity Friday at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment. Pictured below: Florida Forest Service Supervisor Craig Iverson explains a portion of the program. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
WWII’s Decisive Battle: Midway Remembered At Pensacola NAS
June 5, 2015
Area Navy commands and the local community remembered the Battle of Midway during a ceremony held at the National Museum of Naval Aviation on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Thursday.
Hosted by the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), the commemoration ceremony honored the service of those who fought in the decisive World War II battle 73 years ago.
Capt. Katherine Erb, CNATT commanding officer welcomed the guests and noted that observances like the Battle of Midway commemoration play an important part in highlighting the Navy’s history.
“Part of our mission as naval professionals is to preserve and celebrate our rich naval history and heritage,” said Erb. “Understanding our past is key to developing strategies to handle the challenges of the future, and is fundamental to building and operating the Navy and Marine Corps forces our nation requires.”
Considered by many military historians to be the turning point of World War II in the Pacific theater, the Battle of Midway was fought in the vicinity of Midway Island June 4-7, 1942. As a response to their sending planes to attack the U.S. base at Midway, Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carriers were fatally damaged by dive bombers from USS Enterprise (CV 6) and USS Yorktown (CV 5). Four Japanese carriers were sunk, and 3,057 Japanese personnel were killed in the conflict, at the cost of the Yorktown and 307 American personnel. Compelled by their losses, the Japanese were forced to abandon their plans to capture Midway and retired westward. This decisive in for the U.S brought an end to Japanese naval superiority in the Pacific.
Col. Eric Buer, commanding officer of Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21, was the guest speaker for the Battle of Midway commemoration and focused his remarks on how America’s young men and their machines were able to triumph over a seemly unsurmountable force and invincible foe. He addressed the standing-room-only crowd that included several surviving veterans of Midway.
“We are here today not only to remember the great importance of the Battle of Midway, but to remember those who suffered and sacrificed, and those like our shipmates here in the front row who continue to sacrifice,” said Buer. “The story of Midway is about courage, about hope, about conviction and about leadership.”
During the ceremony, a wreath was placed to honor the memories of those who lost their lives during the battle. Midway veteran guests at the event included Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Gordon Pierce, Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Wiley Bartlett, Radioman 1st Class James Stofer, Petty Officer Leon Resmondo and Barbara Wheeler, wife of the late Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Charles Wheeler.
For Pierce, attending the ceremony was bittersweet. It brought back memories of his shipmates, many of whom have passed away in recent years. “When I think back to previous years’ ceremonies, it saddens me to think of how many of my fellow Sailors are gone now and cannot be here,” he said.
CNATT is the largest learning center under the Naval Education and Training Command and is accredited by the Council on Education. Its mission is to develop, deliver, and support the aviation technical training necessary to meet validated fleet requirements through a continuum of professional and personal growth for Sailors and Marines. In the CNATT enterprise, there are 17 subordinate commands across 27 locations around the world.
by Ed Barker, Naval Education and Training Command
Pictured: ) Rear Adm. Mike White, commander of the Naval Education and Training Command shakes the hand of Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Gordon Pierce following the Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony at the National Museum of Naval Aviation Thursday. Pierce was a 19-year-old Sailor on the USS Yorktown (CV 5) at Midway. Pictured inset: A standing-room-only crowd participated in the Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony at the National Museum of Naval Aviation Thursday. U.S. Navy photos by Ed Barker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Robotics Team Heads To Historic Finals
June 2, 2015
The robotics team from the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) in Escambia County is headed for promises to be a historic milestone in the science of making machines move and think like humans.
The DARPA Robotics Challenge Finals, to be held June 5-6 in Pomona, CA, will test 25 teams from around the world in a challenge course designed to emulate a disaster area where humans could not safely go. IHMC’s team will be using the 6-foot-tall Atlas robot, built by Boston Dynamics but with the all-important controlling software designed by IHMC researchers.
The winning team will bring home $2 million from DARPA, which will go to further robotics research. The second-place team will win $1 million.
“It’s been a lot of non-stop work, but we’re ready to go,” said Doug Stephen, one of the computer scientists on the project for IHMC.
For years, movies and television shows have portrayed bipedal robots as virtually flawless, fast-moving, self-thinking units. But the reality has lagged far behind that characterization. The DARPA Robotics Challenge was designed to push the science and engineering to the next level. And in recent weeks, IHMC’s Atlas, nicknamed “Running Man,” has stepped up to the occasion, performing well on the tasks it will face in the finals, including driving a car, walking over a debris field, opening doors, cutting a hole in a wall, turning a valve for a fire hose and climbing stairs.
The finals require the robots to think for themselves to a large degree and perform the eight tasks in 60 minutes or less — on battery power, without a safety line, and with limited communications with their handlers. This week, IHMC’s machine finished the practice course well within the time frame.
“I am unconditionally proud of our robotics team and hope that the robot fates smile upon them in Pomona,” said IHMC CEO/Director Ken Ford. “They are a terrific group of young engineers and computer scientists.”
In the first two rounds of the Robotics Challenge in 2013, IHMC placed first in the virtual (computer simulation) trials, and second in the field trials, thanks in large part to the advanced computer software IHMC developed, organizers said. Other teams in next week’s finals come from some of the most advanced robotics programs in the country, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lockheed Martin, and Carnegie Mellon University, as well as several teams from Japan, South Korea, China and Germany.
Summer Reading Programs Set At The Library
June 1, 2015
The “Summer Reading Club: Every Hero Has a Story” is set to go at the West Florida Library location nearest you. Youth ages 0 to 17 may register to play the reading game June 1 through July 18.
Programs run through July 30, with the June schedule as follows:
Mike Artell
Author, illustrator and cartoonist, Mike Artell will teach youth how to draw cartoon art.
- Tuesday, June 9, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch, Big Lagoon State Park
- Tuesday, June 9, 3:30 p.m. – Westside Branch, held at the Main Library
- Wednesday, June 10, 11 a.m. – Century Branch
- Wednesday, June 10, 3:30 p.m. – Main Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, June 11, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch, Auditorium
- Thursday, June 11, 3:00 p.m. – Tryon Branch, Meeting Room A
Michelle’s Magical Poodles
Enjoy Michelle’s Magical Poodles as they perform fun and quirky dog tricks with an educational twist and lots of audience interaction.
- Tuesday, June 16, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch, Big Lagoon State Park
- Tuesday, June 16, 3:30 p.m. – Westside Branch, held at the Main Library
- Wednesday, June 17, 11 a.m. – Century Branch
- Wednesday, June 17, 3:30 p.m. – Main Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, June 18, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch, Auditorium
- Thursday, June 18, 3:00 p.m. – Tryon Branch, Meeting Room A
Reno’s Reptiles
Join Reno’s Reptiles for a chance to get up close and personal with some amazing animals.
- Tuesday, June 23, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch, Big Lagoon State Park
- Tuesday, June 23, 3:30 p.m. – Westside Branch, held at the Main Library
- Wednesday, June 24, 11 a.m. – Century Branch
- Wednesday, June 24, 3:30 p.m. – Main Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, June 25, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch, Auditorium
- Thursday, June 25, 3:00 p.m. – Tryon Branch, Meeting Room A
Bucky & Gigi
Bucky & Gigi provide a fun, fast-paced show using physical comedy, circus skills, mime, magic, improvisation and lots of audience participation.
- Tuesday, June 30, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch, Big Lagoon State Park
- Tuesday, June 30, 3:30 p.m. – Westside Branch, held at the Main Library
- Wednesday, July 1, 11 a.m. – Century Branch
- Wednesday, July 1, 3:30 p.m. – Main Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, July 2, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch, Auditorium
- Thursday, July 2, 3:00 p.m. – Tryon Branch, Meeting Room A
Photos: Century’s Youngest (And Cutest) Graduates
June 1, 2015
The Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center recently held a VPK graduation ceremony. The young graduates demonstrated their ability to count to 100 in various increments, presented their favorite letters, sang songs and spoke a little Spanish — skill all learned in their VPK classes.
For more photos of the graduates, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names May Students Of The Month
June 1, 2015
Ernest Ward Middle School has named Students of the Month for May. They are Summer Water, sixth grade; Justin Cruce, eighth grade; and Emily Boutwell, seventh grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Class Of 2015 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
May 31, 2015
Just over 100 members of the Northview High School Class of 2015 graduated Saturday.
‘Have the courage to follow your heart in order to achieve your dreams,” said Valedictorian Kyndall Hall. “The only person that can keep you from achieving your dreams is yourself. Life isn’t about how long you live, but how you live. It is not about what you have, but how you use what you have. I pray that whatever you do with your life, you are successful with it.”
“God has a plan for each of our lives,” she said. “And to find and pursue it will mean success.
School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas praised the Class of 2015 for their numerous academic and athletic accomplishments, and for earning over a half million dollars in scholarship money.
For a complete video of the graduation ceremony, click here.
For a photo gallery, click here. (More individual diploma photos will be published this week.)
A complete list of graduates is below the bottom photo, scroll down.
Pictured top: Northview valedictorian Kyndall Hall delivers a speech to her class. Pictured below: Salutatorian Samantha Sharpless addresses the Class of 2015. Pictured bottom: The NHS Senior Ensemble. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above) are:
Kyndall Lauren Hall -Valedictorian
Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless – Salutatorian
Matthew Ryan Chavers
Mallory Mason Ryan
Tristan Taylor Brown
Julie Beth Hester
Jessica Leigh McCullough
Megan Paige Bryan
Austin Blake Cunningham
Aaron Thomas McDonald
Tristan Hunter Portwood
Kendal Brooke Cobb
Desiree Nicole Elliard
Kristen Renae Byrd
Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are:
Kelton Joe Wooten
Charmayne Mishanna Fountain
Joshua Joseph Borelli
Kamryn Denise Brock
Hannah Elizabeth Gibson
Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are:
Shania Lynn Ward
Penny Nicole Banda
Adriann Dawn Lee
Jaylen Malik Parker
Morgan Maxine Ward
Rachel Caroline Sepulveda
Rickey Heath Smith
E’layzha Rikiah Bates
Madison Ma’clay McGhee
Holly Merlice Cofield
Alphabetical
Sean Thomas Allister
Brodie Jackson Amos
Autumn Leanna Ates
Mason Dylan Baker
Chandler Lane Boies
Alexander Wesley Bradley
Tydre’ Laquan Bradley
Jessica Faye Brewton
Mark Jordan Brink
AngeliqueTatiana Brown
Ciara Ann Campbell
Jason Wade Cantrell
Lane Jarrett Carnley
Andrew Martin Clemmons
Hope Marie Coggins
Lawrence Eathan Coon
Tiffani Amber Cruce
lyanna Latice Davidson
Allyson Brianne Edwards
Kayla Marie Fears
Ray’shon Donnelle Fletcher
Kaylee Elizabeth Foster
Chasen Lee Freeman
Everette Francis Garvey
Ryder Tristen Gifford
Landon David Godwin
Jonathan Wayne Griffis
Azeen Bisheer Grissett
Austin Taylor Halfacre
Dillon Wade Hall
Courtney Danielle Hallford
Davy Scott Hanks
Elijah Chase Harbison
Ronald Nyshun Harris
Alliyiah Quarille Henderson
Trenton D’Angelo Howard
Hannah Elaine Johnson
Kadarius D’Quan Johnson
John Hunter Johnston
Justin David Kite
Kaitlyn Grace Kline
Nicholas Dewayne Lambert
Angel Nicole Lathan
Keondrae Shamar Lett
Dakota Ray Lowery
Cody Wayne Mathis
Andrea Shiyann Miles
Teamber Marie Moorer
Kayla Michelle Nahkala
Catherine McKenzie Nassar
Kenneth Erving Nelson
Cameron Rasheed Newsome
Jarred Donovan Nixon
Jeniya Charmaine Odom
Jason Kade Parham
Lakelynn Nicole Parker
Breanna Marie Payne
Courtney Paige Peebles
Emily Graye Pippins
Joseph Tanner Plant
Natassja Sam one Scott
Logan Hunter Sherouse
Zachary Samuel Sims
Anissa Shanae Smiley
Paula Lynnette Spicer
Keona Monshea Stanley
Benjamin Michael Stott
Kachanne Elaine Thomas
Cara Renea Thompson
Asja Mo’na Trotter
Brett Clayton Weeks
Erica Megan Wiggins
Kennisia Teresa Ann Williams
Natasia Nicole Williams
Takeya Monique Williams
Tristan Parker Williams
Brandon Michael Wilson
Ashley Suanne Young