Northview High School Class Of 2009 Graduates; With Photo Gallery
May 31, 2009
Over 100 members of the Class of 2009 graduated Saturday afternoon from Northview High School.
“God cannot be ignored,” Valedictorian Luke Fletcher Killam said in his address, referring to the ACLU lawsuit against Santa Rosa County concerning religion in schools. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”
“It seems in this day that we’ve ignored that,” he added, saying that our nation was founded on God. “Separation of church and state will never mean separation from God.”
“Let the hand of God guide all that you do,” Killam told his fellow graduates.
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas’ address to the graduating seniors centered around their class motto.
“God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change; the courage to change the things we can; and the wisdom to know the difference,” the Northview Class of 2009 Motto says.
“The way they got here is that attitude, that motto, they set at the first of the year,” Thomas said. “I challenge you to dream the dream; then go and have the courage to go and make it true.”
“By conquering our fears, I believe we can accomplish,” Salutatorian Lanie Jeannine Eubanks said.
Comments are welcome below, including comments with well wishes for your favorite graduate.
Pictured top: Graduate Jessica Mothershed shares a tearful moment with teacher Tommy Weaver following Saturday’s graduation exercise at Northview High School. Pictured below: The caps fly following graduation for the Northview High School Class of 2009 Saturday afternoon at the school. Pictured bottom: Hundreds packed the school gym while others watched a video feed in the school theater. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
An Emotional Day: Carver/Century Closes
May 30, 2009
There was a range of emotions Friday as the final bell rang at Carver/Century K-8 School.
There was that last day of school excitement as students headed toward their buses. Goodbye hugs between teachers and students, playful laughter, the attempt to balance crayon boxes and report cards while running after a friend. It was, for most of the kids, an end that marked an exciting beginning to summer vacation.
But for the teachers and staff gathered on the sidewalk outside the school, the emotions were much different, more of an ending that a beginning. That final bell marked the end of public schools in the town of less than 2,000. The Escambia School Board voted in March to close Carver/Century, the last school in Century, at the end of this school year. When that moment arrived Friday, reality set in.
Some of the teachers and staff members stood alone, quietly sobbing. Others hugged and consoled coworkers. Some lingered, watching the buses full of waving children until long after they were out of sight.
They gathered in the school cafeteria for a meal. A plaque was presented to Principal Jeff Garthwaite by Mayor Freddie McCall, honoring him for his service to the school and the community.
Words about the school closure were few. The pain was evident on faces around the room. Someone passed around a box of Kleenex. The staff shared the meal, shared a lot of laughter over a school “Biggest Loser” weight loss contest that had been ongoing.
They talked about who would be heading to Ernest Ward, who would be heading to Bratt Elementary. Once staff member fought back tears, saying that she would likely be headed to the Hall Center. It would be the first time in over 30 years in the school system that she will not work close to home.
Schools and lumber were the backbone of the communities that would later become Century. Now the lumber company sits empty and overgrown. Townspeople hope that their school building does not face a similar weed-covered future. They hope they one day the laughter of school children will return to their town.
Some said they felt defeated with the loss of Century’s last public school. Others just could not talk about it.
But they all knew that while Century’s schools were now officially gone, they would always live on forever in the hearts and minds of those that had walked their hallways. That’s what they call Blackcat Pride.
For a photo gallery from the final bell at Carver/Century K-8 School, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Good Times: First Evening At Old Mill Pond Held
May 30, 2009
Cntury Care Center kicked off a planned concert series “An Evening at Century’s Ole Mill Pond” Friday afternoon, hoping to make it a regular community event.
The concert series was fashioned after Pensacola’s Evening in Old Seville Square, CCC Director Don Ripley said. The Century event featured free live entertainment with the sounds of soul, rhythm and blues from The Sensational Tones of Joy.
“We felt that since Century has lost so much recently in the closing of our last school, Century Elementary, and our Escambia County court annex, that we needed to do something to bring the community together,” Ripley said. “What better way than to have a free concert, an open house, with food and art vendors to bring the community together with our most cherished assets, our mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers that have given us so much to be thankful for, all from the Century, Jay, Flomaton and Atmore areas.”
The event took place behind Century Care Center at the Ole Mill Pond, a new pond fully stocked with fish for the enjoyment of the nursing home residents. The pond was built to allow Century care residents to get outside, build their immune systems and stimulate their minds and bodies. The pond was built with a grant from the Agency For Health Care Administration.
For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured above and below: Scenes from An Evening at Century’s Ole Mill Pond Friday at Century Care Center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NHS Holds Senior Honors Night
May 29, 2009
The Northview Class of 2009 held Senior Honors Night at the school Thursday night.
For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here.
The following awards, honors and scholarships were presented:
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 or higher GPA): Luke Fletcher Killam, valedictorian; Lanie Jeannine Eubanks, salutatorian; Olivia Kaylen Bryan; Briana Renea Halteman; Amanda-Ann Morgan Sellars; Ashley Arlene Snow and Brittney Dawn Brown.
Magna Cum Laude (3.85 or higher GPA): Gabrielle Renae Hicks, Brett Andrew Hanks, Chelsea Ellen Sims, Gretchen Danea Boughner, Stormy Brooke Hayes and Danielle Althea Brown.
Cum Laude (3.5 or higher GPA): Alexander Martin Abbott, Melissa Nicole Garrett, Jody Wade Levins, Jessica Maria Mothershed, Richard Kyle Braun, Jamison Blayne Garrett, Amy Nicole Conner and Samantha Ann Macks.
Atmore Chamber Ambassador: Patrick McPherson
Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars: $400 recipients: Gretchen Boughner, Lanie Eubanks,Briana Halteman, Luke Killam; $300 recipients: Kayla Brewer, Amy Conner, Stormy Hayes, Melissa Garrett, Jessica Mothershed, Chelsea Sims and Ashley Snow.
Charles and Mayson Scholarship: Luke Killam
Escambia River Electric Cooperative: Olivia Bryan
First National Bank of Atmore Award: Luke Killam
McDonald Award: Shaquania Lewis
Pensacola Civitan Club: Amanda Sellars
Pensacola Junior College: Chelsea Sims and Garbell Wesley
Principal’s Leadership Award: Luke Killam
Spirit of the Chief Award: Luke Killam
Qunit and Rishy Studer Group Scholarship: Briana Halteman
Tri-City Rotary Club: Luke Killam
United Bank of Atmore Award: Lanie Eubanks
University of West Florida: Luke Killam, Olivia Bryan, Lanie Eubanks, Briana Halteman and Gabrielle Hicks
US Army Scholar Athlete: Luke Killam and Briana Halteman
USNA/NROTC: Amanda Sellars and Shaquaina Lewis
Jim/Jumi Ross Memorial Scholarship: Kayla Brewer and Amanda Sellars
Walnut Hill Ruritan: Patrick McPherson
Beta Club Stoles: Brittney Brown, Samantha Macks, Olivia Bryan, Jessica Mothershed, Lanie Eubanks, Amanda Sellars,Briana Halteman, Chelsea Sims, Luke Killam and Ashley Snow.
Beta Club Medals: Jessica Mothershed, president; Lanie Eubanks, vice president; Olivia Bryan, secretary; Luke Killam, treasurer
Rho Kappa: Ashley Snow, Lanie Eubanks, Luke Killam, Amanda Sellars, Briana Halteman, Olivia Bryan and Brett Hanks.
Delata Kappa Gamma-Eta Chapter: Chelsea Sims
Dr. Alec Kessler Memorial Student-Athlete Scholarship: Luke Killam
EHS Class of ’62 Scholarship: Gretchen Boughner — $1000
Faulkner State College: Jamison Garrett
Huntingdon College: Patrick McPherson
Florida Bright Futures Recognition
Florida Medallion Scholars — 4 years: Alexander Abbott, Stormy Hayes, Gretchen Boughner, Gabrielle Hicks, Richard Braun, Luke Killam, Kayla Brewer, Samantha Macks, Brittney Brown, Samantha Merritt, Danielle Brown, Kristina Nellums, Amy Conner, Amanda Sellars, Lanie Eubanks, Chelsea Sims, Jamison Garrett and Ashley Snow.
Florida Academic Scholars — 4 years: Olivia Bryan, Briana Halteman and Brett Hanks.
Gold Seal Vocational — 2 years: Jody Levins and Patrick McPherson
John E. Frenkel, Sr. Educational Grants: Samantha Merritt
Pensacola Civitan Club Scholarship: Luke Killam — $1000
The King’s College: Olivia Bryan – $ 48,000 (4 years)
Subject Area Awards
Agribusiness:
Jody Levins
Art
Jessica Taylor, Visual Arts HAA
Jacqueline Loewen, Visual Arts Exemplary
Band
Briana Halteman – Drum Major & John Philip Sousa
Jake Carlson – Outstanding Marching Award
Lanie Eubanks – Outstanding Marching Award
Business Technology
Web Design 1 – HAA
Samantha Merritt
Web Design 2 – HAA
Garbell Wesley
Web Design 3 HAA
Brandon Coburn
Diversified Education
Jessica Mothershed — HAA
Ashley Snow –Exemplary
Amie Sutton — Exemplary
Family & Consumer Science:
Chelsea Sims
NTV Television Production:
Olivia Bryan and Brandon Coburn
Language Arts
Hon Eng Lanie Eubanks – HAA
Hon Eng Luke Killam — Exemplary
Reg. Eng Ashley Snow — HAA
Reg. Eng Chelsea Sims — Exemplary
Mathematics:
Lanie Eubanks – HAA
Science
Briana Halteman – HAA Chem Honors
Lanie Eubanks – Exemplary Chem Honors
Luke Killam – Exemplary Chem Honors
Spanish:
Shakeria White
Social Studies
Chelsea Sims — HAA Eco. H
Jody Levins — HAA Eco.
Gretchen Boughner — Exemplary
Technology Education
Kenneth Jackson – HAA–Construction Tech
Cordell Paige- Exemplary – Construction Tec
Brandon Coburn – HAA — Drafting
Luke Killam – Exemplary — Drafting
Ashley McGhee – HAA — CCC
Pictured above (L-R): Luke Killam, Lanie Eubanks, Olivia Bryan, Briana Halteman, Amanda Sellars, Ashley Snow and Brittney Brown were among the award winners at Northview High School’s Senior Honors Night.
Carver/Century Holds Last Ever Graduation Exercise
May 27, 2009
The moment was bittersweet as the final eighth grade class at Carver/Century K-8 School held graduation exercises Tuesday night.
There was excitement over the new beginning that the graduation presents for the students as they head off to high school in the fall, and there was sadness over the class being the last ever to graduate from the Blackcat legacy of Century High School, Carver/Century, Century Elementary and Carver Middle.
Friday is final day of school for the Carver/Century after the school board voted earlier this year to close Century’s last school.
“This really a very poignant moment for all us,” Carver/Century Curriculum Coordinator Paula Jernigan said. Tuesday marked her 25th graduation excercise at a Century school.
“I can remember when it was not easy for someone to event make it to the eighth grade,” Rev. Willie Carter told the graduating eighth graders, holding his Century diploma from May 22, 1936, in his hand. “Tonight, we have to think of it as a beginning.”
Principal Jeff Garthwaite presented a certificate and pin depicting a blackcat and the word “pride”. It was all about the Blackcat pride legacy, he said. “We’ve tried to share that with students that they are continuing that Blackcat pride.”
“Nobody’s going to ask you if came out of a little town like Century, but if you can do the job,” Rev. Carter said.
The top-ranked student in the class, Devon Cottrell, said, “This is only a small step for to walk and leave Carver/Century School; however, out lives experince big change, a chance that will be managed with patience as wisdom.”
The second-ranked student in the class was Skyler Macks, just 1/100th of a point behind Cottrell.
“I am proud that I had the opportunity to attend this school,” Macks said. “I will miss the good times we’ve had at Carver/Century.”
“Today is a day of joy and celebration. We are moving on and growing,” Macks said. “This was a great school.”
The following students were in the final graduation class at Carver/Century K-8 School: Jay Ates; Keairra Brown; LaPorsha Brown; Devon Cottrell; Jaquan Dale; Tyaisha Davison; Ashtin Dixon; Aradius Elliott; Arkelle Elliott; Tierra Floyd; Alisha Grice; Kahlil Grice; Blaze Harkness; Kateria Hoffman; Trevor Hubbard; Cordell Jackson; Shaquanna Jones; Te’Andreia Knight; La’Mikal Kyles; Skyler Macks; Chris Madison; Trevelle McWilliams; Demontra Mitchel; Jontashia Myles; Stetson Nash; Jamell Rivers; Deidre Steel; Talia Syria Dyshun White; Roderick Woods.
Pictured top: Graduation exercises at Carver/Century K-8 School Tuesday night. Pictured inset: Rev. Willie Carter addresses the students, his 1936 Century diploma in hand. Pictured below: Devon Cottrell receives his eighth grade certificate. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
All Smiles At EWMS: Somer Bridges Named A Teacher Of The Year
May 27, 2009
Ernest Ward Middle School teacher Somer Bridges was all smiles Tuesday as she learned that she had been selected as the Teacher of the Year in a contest sponsored by a local orthodontist.
Brooks Orthodontics, which has locations in Pensacola, Pace and Jay, sponsors a contest in which patients are asked to nominate their favorite teacher for the Teacher of the Year contest. Of the hundreds of entries, Ernest Ward’s Somer Bridges was the only teacher nominated twice.
She was nominated by eighth grade students and classmates, Stephanie Roach and Chad Smith.
“She has always been there for me. She is more than my teacher, she is my friend. When my dad passed away she brought cards from my class and checked on me everyday,” Smith wrote about Bridges.
“She inspires me and all her students to do their best. She treats us as she would her own children. She does whatever she can to help us learn,” Roach wrote in her essay. “She even goes out of her way to talk to us if we need someone to talk to. She listens and talks us through our problem. She is a wonderful person and deserves this after all she’s done for me and my classmates.”
Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry noted that she was proud of Bridges, having encouraged her when she was in the eleventh grade to become a teacher.
“I taught her in high school,” Perry said. “I told her in her eleventh grade anatomy and physiology class that she would make a good teacher. Then I ended up being the one to hire her.”
Pictured above (L-R): EWMS student Stephanie Roach, Teacher of the Year Somer Bridges, student Chad Smith and Stacey Peaden from Brooks Orthodontics. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Rescue ‘Victim’ From Burning McDavid Building
May 27, 2009
Firefighters entered a burning building in McDavid Tuesday night to search on their hands and knees for a person trapped inside.
That was the scenerio that played out again and again at the old McDavid School on Highway 29 as firefighters from the McDavid and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue conducted a training exercise.
A simulated “victim” was placed inside an interior room of the abandoned building. Firefighters were forced to crawl on their hands and knees in full gear, searching a room filled with smoke created by a smoke machine. It was not possible to see directly in front of one’s face in the room due to the thick smoke.
Each time, the groups of firefighters were able to rescue the victim, dragging him to safety.
Outside the building, firefighters received a refresher course in safety and rescue techniques.
Pictured top: Firefighters prepare to enter a smoke filled room. Pictured below: Firefighters locate the “victim” in a simulated McDavid building fire Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Class Of 2009 Graduations; With Flomaton Photos
May 26, 2009
Several North Escambia area schools held graduation exercises this weekend, and other area schools will hold commencements over the next week.
Graduation was held Friday night at Flomaton High and Escambia County High School in Atmore.
Northview High School’s graduation will be at 4:00 Saturday afternoon in the school gymnasium.
Tate High School will hold graduation services at 1:00 Thursday afternoon in the Pensacola Civic Center.
Jay High School’s graduation will be at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 2.
For more photos from Flomaton High School, click here.
Pictured above: Graduation for the Flomaton High School Class of 2009. Submitted photo by Alisa Hart for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Memorial Day: Honoring Our Heroes
May 26, 2009
Pictured: Flags fly on the grave of PFC Russell William Stewart on Memorial Day. PFC Stewart died April 14, 2007, while serving at Camp Lejeune, NC. His grave at the Walnut Hill Baptist Church was one of many military graves in North Escambia where people paid their respects over the Memorial Day weekend. After the September 11 tragedy, PFC Stewart penned the following poem, a very fitting Memorial Day tribute:
“Soldiers”
Killed in battle, laid to rest
We fought to free those oppressed
We died a valiant death
Served our country, not for glory or fame,
But for our brothers in arms who shared our pain.
For we are soldiers tried and true,
We died on the field of battle
Let our death not be forgotten
For we fought for you. Soldiers.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Memorials Honor Those That Served
May 25, 2009
People across North Escambia and the country paused to remember the brave men and women that have served our country today as we celebrated Memorial Day on Monday.
In North Escambia, there are memorials that honor those that have serviced in the military:
Walnut Hill
The largest such memorial in the North Escambia area, the Veteran’s Honor Wall has stood in front of the Walnut Hill Community Center since its dedication in 2003. There are nearly 300 names on the wall, including 13 names of soldiers killed in action. The wall honors those from the Walnut Hill area that have served in the nation’s military.
The Walnut Hill Veterans Wall is located in front of the Walnut Hill Community Center at 7850 Highway 97.
Century
About 30 of those that served from the Century area are now honored on the Century Veteran’s Wall of Honor that was unveiled in the Fourth of July ceremony at Century’s Roadside Park on Highway 29.
Barrineau Park
The Wall of Honor inside the Barrineau Park Community Center honors over 100 people that have served in the military. The wall was a project of the Barrineau Park Historical Society.
Pictured above: The names of those killed in action on the Walnut Hill Veterans Wall. Pictured below: The Wall of Honor inside the Barrineau Park Community Center. NorthEsambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
