Carver/Century Class of 2008 Graduates Amid Uncertain Future For School
May 30, 2008
The eighth grade students at Carver/Century K-8 School graduated with a bit of uncertainty Thursday night, not knowing if they would be the last class ever to complete middle school at Carver/Century.
“We are going through some hard times right now,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said about the fight to keep the school open. The Escambia County School Board has discussed closing the school, possibly as early as this fall.
” You can continue to support this school,” McCall told the graduates as he encouraged them to help invited back students that have left Carver/Century for other schools.
McCall, a 1959 graduate of Century High School, also offered the students words of encouragement as they move forward from Carver/Century.
“The groundwork has been laid in this school,” the mayor said, “and you can succeed in whatever you make up your mind to do.”
“We are the graduating class of 2008 from Carver/Century,” honor student Melanie Foust told her fellow students with pride as she reminded them of the good times they have had as Blackcats. “All of my teachers have taught me things that I’ll use for years to come.”
Assistant Principal Andy Gott presented a picture of Student of the Year Logan Brown to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Brown. “They were going to take him out (of Carver/Century) and put him in another school, but they didn’t,” Gott said.
Carver/Century Principal Jeff Garthwaite was unable to attend Thursday night’s eight grade graduation because he was attending his own daughter’s high school graduation,” Gott said.
Click here for a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the graduation.
The Carver/Century Middle School Class of 2008 includes:
- Marquita Allen
- Logan Brown
- Shantia Brown
- Sim Brown
- Mariah Burt
- Na’Keetric Davison
- Andrew Farrow
- Melanie Foust
- Ann Galvan
- Brandon Harigel
- Jessica Hedgepeth
- Talisa Jackson
- Cory King
- Sean Knight
- Montaio Mitchell
- Talisa Presley
- Jacob Sims
- Breanah Taylor
- Nathan Therrell
Pictured above: Honor Student Melanie Foust addresses the Carver/Century Class of 2008 Thursday night. Pictured below: Graduates presented a single rose to their parents or guardians. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
NWE Crowns Brianna Parker Queen
May 27, 2008
Brianna Parker was crowned the 2008 Baseball Queen at Bradberry Park Monday afternooon. The girls sold votes for a penny each, with a portion of the proceeds to sponsor the park and a portion to the Drew’s Field project.
First place went to Erica Wiggins.
The girls worked very hard to raise money, and the event was quite a success. The girls range in age from five to 11.
Participating were (pictured below, L-R): Erica Wiggins, Memory Peebles, Liberty Peebles Gabrielle Peebles, Queen Brianna Parker, McKenzie Moorer, Ansleigh Maholovich and Jalyn Bodiford.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pen Wheels Tries Again; Holds Fishing Rodeo For Disabled
May 25, 2008
Call it the 34th and half annual Pen Wheels Fiesta of Five Flags Fishing Rodeo.
When the annual fishing rodeo for the disabled was first help on May 3, it did not just rain; it poured, putting a quick end to the event. It was the only rain out in the history of the event.
So organizers decide to try again Saturday, and they had perfect weather.
“We got rained out last time, and may people were sad about that,” Pen Wheels Vice President Pearline McLendon told NorthEscambia.com. “I’m so glad we are back here today. It is just so beautiful here.”
“It was organized to give disabled people a chance to get out,” said McLendon. “Many of these people have never fished before. This is just one way to get them out of their houses and the nursing homes into the community.”
Over the 34 year history of the fishing rodeo, it has been held at locations ranging from Ft. Pickens to the Three Mile Bridge in Pensacola. Since 2001, it has been held at Jantz’s Catfish Pond on South Highway 99, just off Highway 97.
“Jantz just does us right,” Pauline said. “I can’t say enough nice things about him. We never want to leave!”
Dozens of volunteers stood ready to help the disabled fish. They baited hooks, tossed a line and offered words of friendly encouragement. Many of the volunteers were from the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church.
About 60 disabled people were registered in Saturday’s fishing rodeo. They were from around the area, including Pensacola and Century. Several residents from the Century Care Center participated.Everything, including lunch, in Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo is provided to the disabled for free as a project of the Pensacola Fiesta of Five Flags organization.
While Jantz Catfish Pond is not open for public fishing, nearby ponds belonging to Steve Hiebert (Mr. Steve’s Sweet Corn) are open for public fishing. For more information, call 327-4020.
For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured above and below: The Pen Wheel Fishing Rodeo for the disabled Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Angel Mitchell Is Crowned Junior Miss EWMS
May 24, 2008
Miss Angel Mitchell was crowned Junior Miss EWMS tonight at Ernest Ward Middle School. First runner-up was Miss Ashley Cunningham. Second runner-up was Miss Cheyenne Godwin and third runner-up was Miss Ariel Holland.
Miss Angel Mitchell, Junior Miss EWMS
Angel has been a member of the Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleading squad for two years and has made the cut for next year’s squad as well. Angel was named the 2007-2008 All-Star Cheerleader. Shi is also on the track team and has been for two years. She is on the newspaper committee and is a member of the yearbook staff. She also participates in the Future Farmers of America program. Angel participates in community theater and is an active member of her church’s youth drama program. She received Superior Awards for this year’s District Fine Arts Awards in vocal, puppetry, human video, short story and children’s book. Angel is also a recipient for the Florida Take Stock Scholarship. Her hobbies include singing, cooking, dancing and modeling. Her future plans are to attend Florida State University Culinary Arts School and open her own catering business.
Miss Ashley Cunningham, First runner-up
Ashley is a member of the Student Government Association and a member of the Honor Society. She is also a member of the Ernest Ward Swim Team. Ashley is a member of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club and had won Steer of the Year in both 2005 and 2007. Her hobbies include sports, riding four-wheelers, going to the movies, and spending time with friends and family. Her future plans are to graduate high school and attend college to become a dentist.
Miss Cheyenne Godwin, Second runner-up
Cheyenne is a cheerleader and participates in the yearbook and newspaper staff. She is also a member of the Future Farmers of America. Her hobbies include cheerleading, modeling, acting, dance, swing dancing, shopping, talking on the phone, drawing, theatre and gymnastics. Her future plans are to become a model, actress and to study pediatrics.
Miss Ariel Holland, Third runner up
Ariel is currently a member of the school cheerleading squad and swim team and has participated in both for two years. Ariel also participates in the Northwest Escambia Little League softball program and is a member of the “Lady Cats”. She is also an active member of Bratt Baptist Church. Ariel’s hobbies include swimming, softball, cheerleading and spending time with family and friends. In the future Ariel plans to attend college and cheer.
Pictured above: Junior Miss EWMS Angel Mitchell. Pictured below (L-R): First runner-up Ashley Cunningham, Junior Miss EWMS Angle Mitchell, second runner-up Cheyenne Godwin and third runner-up Ariel Holland. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NHS Class Of 08 Senior Honors Night
May 24, 2008
Nearly a million dollars in scholarships were handed out to seniors in the Northview High School Class of 2008 Friday night, along with numerous achievement awards.
Scholarships awarded included a $352,000 full four year scholarship from the United States Naval Academy to Colton Kawamura.
Click here for a photo gallery from the event.
Northview Class of 2008 Holds Sunday Baccalaureate Service
May 18, 2008
The end is near for the Class of 2008 at Northview High School, with Baccalaureate Services today and graduation just a week away.
Baccalaureate Services for Northview High School were held Sunday morning at the school.
The seniors will have final exams this week, but those are not the major tests in life that they will face, Pastor Gary Wieborg from the First Baptist Church of Bratt told the class.
“Before them lies another test, the test of life, and what it means to have success” Wieborg (pictured left) said. “I don’t know of anything greater to achieve than eternal life.”
“High school is not greatest years of your life,” he said. “The best is yet to come.”
Wieborg told the soon to be graduates that their plans for life for insignificant compared to the plans God has for their lives.
“God’s plans for us are much bigger than your plans for yourself,” the pastor said. “The Lord has big things planned for you.”
For more photos from Northview’s Class of 2008 Baccalaureate Service, click here.
Northview High School’s Class of 2008 will graduate at 4:00 p.m. next Saturday, May 24.
Pictured above: The Northview High School Class of 2008 prays at Sunday morning’s Baccalaureate Service.
Bratt’s XII Gates Rocks The Block In Flomaton
May 17, 2008
XII Gates “Rocked the Block” Saturday evening in Flomaton.
The band, from the First Baptist Church Bratt, took to the stage for a free outdoor contemporary Christian and Christian rock concert at the First Baptist Church of Flomaton for “Rock the Block”.
The members of XII Gates have grown up together, learned music together and have been playing in the band for about three years.
NorthEscambia.com caught up with the band at a recent practice session for the concert in the “Youth Loft” in the First Baptist Church of Bratt’s Family Life Center.
“The band is a chance for us to glorify God and have fun doing it,” lead guitarist Jeremy Bardin said.
Bassist Mathew Wilson agreed. “We get to rock people and get the Message out,” he said.
XII Gates play Christian music, and other rock songs that have a clean message. But they are not the traditional Sunday night singing Baptist church quarter. They rock. There’s just no other way to say it. And it’s loud, as good rock music should be.
Their list of musical influences is a Christian rock Top 10…Skillet, Red, Toby Mac, Sanctus Real, Kutless, Hawk Nelson, Disciple, Reliant K, Building 429, Casting Crowns and the like.
While many in the Bratt congregation have never heard of those bands and do not listen to Christian rock, they understand that XII Gates is spreading the Gospel to the next generations.
“You can worship how you want, even though there is that generation gap sometimes,” Wilson said. “I enjoy the old hymns just as much as bands like Skillet.”
“I’m thankful for the congregation and their support of XII Gates,” Bratt’s Youth Minister Tim Hawsey said. “We’ve got such a good church, and they understand that they get a little loud for the Lord sometimes.”
Sometimes XII gates goes “unplugged”, taking their contemporary sound and making it “more mellow” for congregational performances.
But for Saturday night’s “Rock the Block” in Flomaton, that was not the case.
“This is a good opportunity for a lot of youth that don’t have an introduction to Christ to come out and find out that we can play loud, have fun, just rock and still say that we are Christian,” drummer Denver Hawsey said.
Besides spreading the word about God, having fun is perhaps the most important part of XII Gates.
“We want all the youth in the area to attend,” Tim Hawsey said, “whether or not they are in church, they will enjoy the music.”
For a complete photo gallery from the Saturday concert in Flomaton, click here.
Pictured above: XII Gates at “Rock the Block” in Flomaton Saturday night. Pictured below, first photo: XII Gates from the First Baptist Church of Bratt performs in Flomaton Saturday night. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Northview Holds Performing Arts Concert
May 16, 2008
Northview High School Performing Arts presented a “Farewell Concert” Thursday night. It featured both guitar and chorus students.
The show included some folk, some jazz, some blues, some country and lot of 90’s rock, under the direction of Scott Slay.
It was called a “Farewell Concert,” Slay said, as a farewell to the seniors and to school for the summer.
Click here for a photo gallery from the concert.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
National Guard Visits Library
May 16, 2008
The Atmore unit of the Alabama National Guard visited the Century Branch Library Thursday afternoon.
Children at the library had the opportunity to learn about the National Guard’s duties and some of the ways they protect American freedom. They also had the chance to climb inside an Humvee.
For a complete photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, and submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
Northview NJROTC Students Take To The Seas
May 14, 2008
Northview High School’s NJROTC recently left the classroom and took to the waters around Pensacola on the USCGC Bonito.
Twenty four cadets were underway for two hours observing the operations of the 87′ Coast Guard coastal patrol boat from Pensacola NAS. They spent time on the bridge, in the engine room, in the ship’s galley and on deck.
The NHS students manned the helm and handled lines upon returning to port. They also participated in a simulated man overboard situation.
The Officer in Charge of the Bonito is BMCM Przybylski, and it has a crew of 10. The USCGC Bonito is capable of a number of missions, but its primary role on the Gulf Coast is search and rescue, combating smuggling and illegal immigration.
For a complete photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above: Northview NJRTOC students on the USCGC Bonito. Pictured below, kneeling (L-R): Deniece Jordan; Ashia Brown; Anna Baker; Thomas Walston; Tyler Garrrett; Dan Jordan; Zach Byers; Colton Kawamuara. Standing: Zach Lamb; John Waters; Willie Davis; Katie Mann; Josh Chavers; Aaron Hammond; Monica Mclain; Ryan Busbee; Charles Rolin; Will Conway; Tyler Hunter; Brantley Gardner; Jessica Bloodsworth; Miranda Scott; Clint Davis. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
