Cheerleaders Adopt Squad In Tornado Devastated Alabama Town
May 11, 2011
Cheerleaders at one area school have adopted the cheerleaders at a small school in an Alabama town devastated by the recent tornadoes.
Phil Campbell, Alabama, tucked away in the northwestern corner of the state, is a small town with a population of 1,090 — until the tornado hit. There were 28 fatalities in the Phil Campbell High School attendance zone when the massive EF5 mile tornado devastated the town, flattening hundreds of homes and businesses. About 60 people remain hospitalized.
The varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders at Jay High School decided to “adopt” the cheerleading squads at Phill Campbell High School and send a personal care package to each cheerleader.
“We wouldn’t have been doing our job as cheerleaders if we hadn’t jumped at the opportunity to help,” Jay cheerleader Tessa Hendricks said. “I would have been devastated and in complete shock. I hope by sending care packages we were able to cheer them up or at least make them smile.”
Many of the Jay Royal girls contacted their “adopted” cheerleader via Facebook, where they learned that 4 of the 12 varsity cheerleaders at Phil Campbell lost their homes and everything that they had.
“Since we are the same age and have been through a natural disaster before, we can kind of understand what they are going through. All of us wanted to help in any way we could, and this was a great opportunity to do something for people that we can relate to,” said the Royals’ Meridith Owens. “It’s hard to imagine exactly what these girls are feeling, but if I were in their situation, I would be glad to get any help possible. Even the smallest things would mean a lot. Getting a care package from someone my age would be great, and I would be very thankful.”
The care packages were delivered directly to the PCHS girls by Janie Gomillion, Jay’s SGA sponsor, who has a relative who teaches at Phil Campbell High.
“I love helping out people, it’s the Christian thing to do. When something terrible like this happens, it is important to be a part and do as much as you can,” said Abby Raney. “If I were in this situation, I would be completely devastated, and I would greatly appreciate people helping me out in anyway possible.”
“This school really touches the heart of our students because the school is very much like Jay,” said Junia Fischer, Jay varsity cheer coach. “This is a good story that comes from such a bad storm.”
Pictured top: The Jay High School varsity cheerleaders created personal care packages for each member of a cheerleading squad in the town of Phil Campbell, Alabama, which was devastated last month by a tornado. Pictured top inset: Camille Driver writes a note to her “adopted” Phil Campbell cheerleader. Pictured bottom inset: Hanna Roberts works on a card for the PCHS squad. Pictured below: Some of the care packages. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Teachers Take Pie In The Face For Relay
May 11, 2011
The teachers at the Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center recently took a pie in the face recently for a good cause — the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Camp Fire is one of several teams that will take part in the Century Relay for Life beginning Friday evening. Each Camp Fire classroom raised $20 or more to see one of their teachers get a pie in the face for Relay.
For more pie-in-the-face photos, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Care Residents Celebrate With Black Tie Ball (With Gallery)
May 10, 2011
Residents at Century Care Center enjoyed their Second Annual Black Tie Ball Friday with good music, great food and good times with friends.
Dressed in formal attire, the residents were escorted into a ballroom setting where they were served by administration, including Administrator Don Ripley, nursing staff including Director of Nursing Doris Jackson and the physical therapy department.
Organizers said every department at the facility contributed to make the event possible.
Pictured top: Century Care Center residents Rita and Larry Irwin of Bratt enjoy the facility’s Black Tie Ball Friday. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Principals Camp Out On School Roof For Relay
May 9, 2011
The principal and assistant principal at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment camped out on the school’s roof Monday to raise money for Relay for Life.
Principal Rachel Watts and principal intern Lisa Arnold remained on the roof for one hour for every $100 contributed to Relay. The school raised $600 — enough to keep the principal duo on the roof for six hours.
Jim Allen Elementary’s Relay for Life team is one of dozens that will take part in the Relay for Life that begins this Friday night at Tate High School.
Pictured: Principal Rachel Watts and principal intern Lisa Arnold were on the roof at Jim Allen Elementary School Monday to raise money for Relay for Life. Submitted photos by Brian Miller for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend In Photos
May 9, 2011
From community festivals to theater productions to math tournaments and farmer’s markets, NorthEscambia.com had photo galleries this weekend with about 250 photos from across the area.
Click any of the items below to see more pictures.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students Of The Month
May 9, 2011
Ernest Ward Middle School has named their Students of the Month for April. They are (L-R) James White, Courtney Weekley and Jon Michael Hart. Submitted photo for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Century Celebrates Sawmill Day
May 8, 2011
The Sawmill Day heritage festival was held Saturday in Century’s historical park. The event included a variety of entertainment, displays, arts, crafts, food, an antique car show and more.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event and car show, click here.
There were about 40 participants in the car show. Ron Watkins, Jr.’s 1972 Buick GS took Best of Show in the event.
Century Sawmill Day Car Show winners were:
Best of Show
9 – Ron Wadkins, Jr. – 72 Buick GS
Next Ten (alphabetical, not necessarily in finishing order)
12 – Dennis Ard – 80 Pontiac TransAm
18 – Jerry Dawson – 70 Chevelle SS
4 – Gerald DuBose – 40 Chevy Coupe
3 – Joe Linsy – 50 Ford Coupe
32 – Freddie McCall – 40 Ford 2-Door Sedan
33 – Freddie McCall – 34 Ford 3-window Coupe
1 – Betty Tharp – 67 Camaro
10 – Earl Tisdale – 30 Model A
11 – Diane Van Leer – 55 Chevy BelAir
5 – Ron Wadkins, Jr. – 57 Chevy BelAir
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Celebrating Mayfest
May 8, 2011
From beautiful babies, cute dogs, arts and crafts, entertainment and plenty of fun, Mayfest 2011 had a little bit of something for everyone Saturday at Tom Byrne Park in Atmore. Hundreds attended the annual event.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from Mayfest in Atmore, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Cantonment Farmer’s Market Huge Success
May 8, 2011
Organizers said the first Market at Saint Monica’s was a huge success Saturday with 10 vendors selling everything from grass-fed beef to homemade candles.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Participating vendors included, Hastings Grass Fed Beef, Country Baked Goods & Fresh Salsas, C & D Mill, Kelly’s Mayhaw Berries & Jelly, The Farm at Enoch’s Walk, Ladybug Acres Natural Growers, Tracie’s Candles, Shirley’s Creations, Jennifer Kizer Photography, and St. Monica’s Church. Other vendors scheduled to participate in future markets include Steve’s Farm, Bill and Patty Putters, Beck’s Lake Farm and Stephanie’s Raw Honey.
The next Market at Saint Monica’s is scheduled for Saturday, May 21 from 8 am until noon at the church, located at 699 South Highway 95A in Cantonment. Vendor applications are still being accepted at www.st-monicas.org/market.html.
Pictured: Scenes from the first Market at Saint Monica’s Saturday in Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
600 Students Take On Sunshine Math; Wins For Molino Park, Jim Allen
May 8, 2011
There was lots more than two plus two Saturday at the University of West Florida Field House as about 600 third, fourth and fifth grade students from almost every Escambia County elementary school took part in the annual Sunshine Math Competition.
Students competed both individually and as teams in the event that challenges their math skills. The math whizzes were chosen as the best from each school in their weekly Sunshine Math events.
Among the North Escambia participating schools, the Jim Allen Elementary School “Team 1″ took first place for the fifth grade, and Molino Park Elementary “Team 2″ took finished in third place for the third grade.
In the individual categories, Dalton Brown of Molino Park finished third in the fourth grade division.
For a more photos, click here.
The complete winner’s list was as follows:
Team Competition Winners
Third Grade
1st Place: Hellen Caro, Team 1
2nd Place: Pensacola Beach, Team 1
3rd Place: Molino Park, Team 2
Fourth Grade
1st Place: Hellen Carro, Team 1
2nd Place: Hellen Carro, Team 2
3rd Place: Longleaf, Team 1
Fifth Grade
1st Place: Jim Allen, Team 1
2nd Place: McArthur, Team 2
3rd Place: N.B. Cook, Team 1
Individual Competition Winners
Third Grade
1st Place: Lizzie Davis – Cordova Park
2nd Place: Sophie Faircloth – Pensacola Beach
3rd Place: Nolan Costa – Hellen Caro
Fourth Grade
1st Place: John Dixon – Longleaf
2nd Place: Maxwell Alderman – N.B. Cook
3rd Place: Dalton Brown — Molino Park
Fifth Grade
1st Place: Drake Taylor – Scenic Heights
2nd Place: Kareem Bataineh – Cordova Park
3rd Place: Prescott Morre — Lipscomb
Pictured top: Jim Allen Elementary School “Team 1″ took first place for the fifth grade and (pictured inset) Molino Park Elementary “Team 2″ took third place in the third grade category. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.