Escambia Honors Outstanding High School Seniors
April 20, 2012
The Escambia County Public School Foundation hosted the 2012 Senior Academic Awards program Thursday night, honoring 88 of Escambia County’s outstanding high school seniors.
Honorees included the top five students in each graduating class as well as one student from each of the following disciplines: English, Foreign Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Career & Technical. The five National Merit Finalist from Escambia County were also honored.
Recognized Thursday night were:
Northview High School: Top Five – Holly Dickson, Josie Doucette, Amber D. Francis, Joel Wetzel, Elizabeth A. Wright; Subject Areas – Melissa Moretz, English; Chelsea Parham, Foreign Language; Brian Ross, Math; Caleb Leonard, Science; Lauren McCall, Social Studies; Lydia Weaver, Career and Technical.
Tate High School: Top Five – Seth Nathaniel Ammons, Emily Kailyn Creahan, John Wesley Lynn McDaniel, Daniel Pierce, Wendy Stradley; Subject Areas – Cheyenne Ryan, English; Crista Anne King, Foreign Language; Matthew Warren, Math; Breanna Renee Harrison, Science; Antonio D. Odom II, Social Studies; Courtney Graves, Career and Technical.
West Florida High School: Top Five – Nathan Andrews, John William Arnold, Tyler Ray Bryant, Dena Ngoc Le, Robert Mines; Subject Areas – Lauren Cleary, English; Dylan Lopez, Foreign Language; Kathryn Paige Disher, Math; Katie Lynn Nelson, Science; Jeffery Alan Grosso, Jr., Social Studies; Brigitte Beaulieu, Career and Technical.
Escambia High School: Top Five – Megan Beebe, Lauren Ashley Burns, Allison Kane, Kenny Nguyen, Jessica Reid; Subject Areas – Andria Quinlan, English; D.J. Fontenot, Foreign Language; Steven Ray Honeycutt, Math; Alana Lami, Science; Sawyer Cross, Social Studies; Dimitri Baptiste, Career and Technical.
Pensacola High School: Top Five – Sang Choi, Michael Joseph Johnson, Latesa Brielle Jones, An Tu, Yong Zhang; Subject Areas – Deidre Evans, English; Niña Rickka A. de Guzman, Foreign Language; Brandon Phuong Anh Tran, Math; Jin Lin Zheng, Science; Carlos Espinoza, Social Studies; Daniel Robar, Career and Technical.
Pensacola High School IB Program: Top Five – Sami Alsheikh, Wade Ingram, Sophia Liu, Kelly Mamelson, Mary-Grace R. Reeves; Subject Areas – Angelle Notaro, English; Peter Mahaffey, Foreign Language; Benjamin Greydanus, Math; Sarah E. Woods, Science; James Ryan Lengyel, Social Studies; Zachary Decker, Career and Technical.
Pine Forest High School: Top Five – Giselle Collie, Marissa Alana Frangione, Amber Lee Lane, Christina M. Nabity, Anthony M. Schmoll; Subject Areas – Katlyn Fryer, English; Markesha C. Brown, Foreign Language; Kati Mae Andrews, Math; Kalena DeVilla Hammond, Science; Alexañder Edgar Peña, Social Studies; Tyrell I. Jackson, Career and Technical.
Washington High School: Top Five – Haley Anderson, Luke Bosso, Alexa Carter, Tuong-My Nguyen, Patricia Taylor; Subject Areas – Bianca Bari Lurate, English; Colin Mitchell, Foreign Language; Hayden Adams Bell, Math; Ryan Larson, Science; Danielle Robinson-Pierre, Social Studies; Tina Nguyen, Career and Technical.
National Merit Finalists: Sami Alsheikh, Benjamin Greydanus, Samuel Martin Hitt, Sophia Liu, Mary-Grace R. Reeves; all from Pensacola High School IB Program.+
Pictured top: Northview High Senior Academic Award winners Thursday night at New World Landing (front, L-R) Amber Francis, Melissa Moretz, Lauren McCall, Lydia Weaver, NHS Assistant Principal Deborah Ray, (back, L-R) Holly Dickson, Josie Doucette, Joel Wetzel, Elizabeth A. Wright and Caleb Leonard. Not pictured: Chelsea Parham and Brian Ross. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dance Group Places In Birmingham Competition (With Gallery)
April 19, 2012
Brewton Dance took part in the Legacy Dance Competition recently at the Alabama Theater in Birmingham, with girls from across the area bringing home several awards.
The mini competitive team placed fifth and sixth overall. Team members were: Alonna Bedsole , Lauren Thompson, Clair Hart, Bronwyn Patterson and Maegan Bondurant.
The middle competitive team placed placed third and fourth overall, received two elite gold medals and a special judge’s award for “smile and entertainment”. Team members were Peyton Barns, Aaliyah Bedsole, Daisy Canty, Lexi Clark, Sarahann Devers, Emma Grace Harris, Ella Hart, Madison Lambeth, Sydney Lucas, Taylor Peters and Kathryn West.
An older competitive team comprised of Donnavia Williams, Ariell Fain and Mykeicia Collins also performed.
The group, under the direction of Ann Peevy, will take part in a competition next month in Mobile. If they place again, they will head to a national competition in Orlando.
Pictured: Brewton Dancer performs at the Alabama Theater in Birmingham. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
First Redbox Comes To The Flomaton/Century Area
April 18, 2012
Flomaton and Century have been abuzz the past few days over a new Redbox movie rental kiosk that is now up and running in Flomaton — the first in that immediate area.
The kiosk is located in front of the Dollar General Store on Sidney Manning Boulevard. That is just a few feet from, somewhat ironically, the former location of Movie Gallery and a subsequent independent movie rental business.
When the bankrupt Movie Gallery closed two years ago, industry analysts said the company’s demise was due to the popularity of the online rental service Netflix the standalone Redbox kiosks.
Movie rentals at a Redbox kiosk are $1.20 per day, $1.50 for Blu-ray and $2 per day for games.
Pictured: A new Redbox movie rental kiosk outside the Dollar General in Flomaton, Ala. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Grand Champions Named In Annual Livestock Show
April 15, 2012
The 19th Annual 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock Show and Agricultural Exposition wrapped up Saturday at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Beulah.
The show provides an opportunity for local 4-H and FFA members to show their steers, swine, goats, lambs, heifers, rabbits and poultry. In addition, many of the steers and swine in the program were auctioned off.
This year’s Grand Champion Steer was exhibited by Donald Cunningham (pictured left). The 1,233 pound steer sold at auction for $4,007.25 ($3.25/lb) to Dr. Tom Lampone. Donald, age 14, is a member of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club. In addition to showing steers, he enjoyes swimming, NJROTC, basketball, football, working and being a Boy Scout. He is the son of Lewe and Beth Cunningham. He attends Pace High School.
The Reserve Champion Steer belonged to Ashley Cunningham, a 16-year old Northview High School Student and member of the Northview FFA. Her steer, at 1,250 pounds, sold at auction for $4,500 ($3.60/lb) to Hill Kelly Dodge. Ashley is the daughter of Andy and Christina Cunningham. She is a Northview High cheerleader and a member of the Northview dance, weightlifting and track teams. She enjoys going to the beach and Harry Potter movies.
The Grand Champion Market Swine was exhibited by Matthew Smith (pictured left), a 13-year old seventh grader at Ransom Middle School. Matthew, the son of Randal and Ginjer Smith, also enjoys band, hunting, fishing and trail raiding. The Barrineau Park 4-H Club member’s 260 pound pig sold for $962 ($3.70/lb) to Gulf South Automotive.
This year’s Reserve Champion Market Swine belonged to Dylan Livingston, a seventh grader at Ransom Middle School. The 13-year old 4-H club member’s 237 pound pig sold for $592.50 ($2.50/lb) to Todd Timko and Blooming Geri. Dylan enjoys video games and basketball. He is the son of Patty and Erick Livingston.
Complete and final results from the 19th Annual 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock Show were not available Saturday night; NorthEscambia.com will publish complete results and more photos later in the week.
If you have photos from events other than the swine and steer sales, please email them to news@northescambia.com for inclusion in a photo gallery.
Pictured top and top inset: Donald Cunningham and his $4,007.25 Grand Champion Steer. Pictured bottom inset: Matthew Smith and his 260 pound Grand Champion Market Swine. Pictured below: Dylan Livingston and his 237 pound Reserve Champion Market Swine. Not pictured: Ashley Cunningham was not available for a photograph with her Reserve Champion Steer. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Special Olympics Held At Tate (With Gallery)
April 14, 2012
The big race was almost over. Everyone had crossed the finish line, except for a young lady named Kailee that had not even started. Kailee just sat in her wheelchair, not going along with plans of her Special Olympic “buddies”. They wanted her run the race. She wanted no part.
But the crowd began to chant her name. “Kailee, Kailee.” The confidence begin to build. Over and over, the crowd called her name louder and louder. “Kailee, Kailee!”
She, albeit cautiously, stepped up from her wheelchair with the help of a buddy.
She tapped her white cane on the track. That confident look disappeared from her face. Visually impaired, Kailee could not see what was ahead; she latched onto a buddy. Fear in her wandering eyes. The crowd continued their encouragement. “Kailiee! Kailee!”. She was center of attention in her corner of Pete Gindl Stadium.
Kailee picked her foot up high and stepped ahead. She felt around with her white cane. Solid ground, perhaps not so bad. She began to smile and went ahead. As she gained speed, her smile grew.
Her blond hair began to wave in the wind and she headed step after step toward the finish line. Beaming and grinning, she crossed the finish line. The crowd roared, smiles everywhere. A man watching the race wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
Kailee’s total time in the 30 meter? It really didn’t matter that it was probably five minutes. She was a big winner.
That’s the special part of the Escambia County Special Olympics held Friday at Tate High School — everybody, no matter their physical or mental disability, was their own winner.
Over 500 athletes from 18 schools took part in Friday’s event, showing off their competitive skills in a variety of events. Hundreds of Tate High students also took part, running event and serving as volunteer “buddies” for the athletes.
The day included track and field events, softball and tennis ball tosses, and other competitive events — plus fun events like fishing games, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, face painting and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top series: Kailee, a visually impaired student, takes part in the Escambia County Special Olympics Friday morning at Tate High School. Pictured inset and below: More scenes from the event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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On The Menu: ‘Fresh Kittens Here’
April 13, 2012
A menu board type sign in Cantonment caught a little bit of attention Thursday. The”Fresh Kittens Here, Ask to See” signs had drivers looking twice along Highway 29 while sign photos made the rounds on Facebook.
But not to worry, the sign was not for a restaurant, but for the Companion Animal Clinic, which had several newly arrived kittens up for adoption.
Interested in adopting one of the “Fresh Kittens”? Call the Companion Animal Clinic at (850) 968-0226 or visit them at 470 South Highway 29, in the old Winn Dixie shopping Center.
Pictured: “Fresh Kittens” were available in Cantonment Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Want To Raise Chickens? This Program Is For You
April 10, 2012
Are you interested in having fresh eggs on your table and raising chickens on your property? Then an upcoming class has the information you need to know.
A “Small Flock Egg Production and Management” meeting will be held Monday, April 16 in Molino and Tuesday, April 17 in Jay.
The event will include information on local laws and resources, important facts to know about feeding chickens, housing, egg production, breed selection, health management and food safety. Guest speakers will be Dr. Gary Butcher and Dr. Richard Miles, both UF IFAS poultry specialists.
Cost for the event is $5. The class will be presented Monday, April 16 from 6-8 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church in Molino and Tuesday, April 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Jay Community Center.
To register, call Escambia County Extension at (850) 475-5230 or the Santa Rosa County Extension at (850) 675-3701.
Camp Fire Century Scores Perfect 100 On VPK Test
April 9, 2012
Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center received a perfect score of 100 for the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten School Readiness Rate for 2010-2011 school year.
Children were tested on the Echo and Fair test two weeks after they begin kindergarten. The children’s scores that attended a VPK program are calculated, and that determines the school’s or center’s grade.
Camp Fire USA is presently accepting enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year. For more information, contact Pam Townson at (850) 256-0953.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Honors Creative Seniors
April 9, 2012
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation hosted the 2012 Mira Creative Arts Awards program recently, honoring 69 of the county’s most creative high school seniors.
Northview High recently honored their award winners. They are: Jacob Baldwin, Instrumental Music; Joseph Baldwin, Instrumental Music; Josie Doucette, Journalism; Alissa Fiellin, Graphic Art; Cory King, Instrumental Music; Melissa Jayne Moretz, Instrumental Music; Kiani Okahashi, Visual Art; Chelsea Parham, Theatre; Justin Purvis, Theatre; and Darwin Eugene (D.J.) Robinson, II, Graphic Arts.
For a list of winners from other schools, click here for an earlier story.
Pictured: Northview MIRA Creative Art Award winners (L-R) Chelsea Parham, Melissa Moretz, Joseph Baldwin, Jacob Baldwin, Cory King, DJ Robinson, Justin Purvis, Kiani Okahashi, Josie Doucette, and Alissa Fiellin. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thousands Attend Sunrise Service At New Wahoo’s Stadium
April 8, 2012
Over 2,000 people attended a sunrise Easter service Sunday morning at the new Community Maritime Park stadium.
The service was conducted by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church and was the first sunrise service in the church’s 21-year history. In addition to a praise and worship service, and special Easter message was delivered by Senior Pastor Gordon Godfrey Jr.
Pictured: A sunrise Easter service Sunday morning at the new Community Maritime Park stadium. Submitted photos by Dale Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
