North Escambia Women Attend Extraordinary Women Conference
April 29, 2008
Scores of women from the North Escambia area attended the annual Extraordinary Women’s Conference at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola this past weekend to hear inspiring messages and music, including a concert by Mandisa.
The following report is from one such woman…Joan Strickland from NorthEnd Community Church in Barinneau Park:
This year’s Extraordinary Women’s conference was held at Olive Baptist Church. On Friday night we were warmed up by Charles Billingsley and Michael O’Brien. We were touched by the performance of Children of the World. These are all orphans, most having lost both parents to AIDS. They performed song and dance in their native tongue and some in English. Visit their website at worldhelp.net ‘Meet the Children of Hope. Be touched. Be inspired. Be changed.’
Chonda Pierce had us rolling with laughter while taking in her sincere message of the need for churches to reach out, listen and be supportive of our communities. Mark Schultz wrapped up our Friday night with song and stories through those songs of inspiration. I have enjoyed learning more about him over the past year as he performed last year as well.
On Saturday the folks that came early were again blessed with a perfomance by World Help – Children of the World Choir. Helping us to ‘Discover God’s Dream’ were speakers throughout the day including Lisa Whelchel, Angela Thomas, Karen Kingsbury and Thelma Wells. We returned from lunch to a concert by Mandisa (pictured left), ‘that girl can sang!’ Mandisa has a gift from God in her voice and her personality as well, she is sincerely a Christian Music Artist. She signed her CDs and book and enjoyed photo opportunities with all who wished to do so. She was as kind as her beautiful smile implied she would be, truly genuine.
Next year’s E-Women conference is scheduled for April 24-25th and will be held at the Pensacola Civic Center. The 2008 conference was sold out a month before hand! Upon completion of the 2008 conference 2000+ women have already signed up for 2009! The 2009 theme is Free to be Real ‘The Lord and the Spirit are one and the same, and the Lord’s Spirit sets us free.’ II Corinthians 3:17 Learn more at www.ewomen.net or phone 1-800-526-8673.
For more photos from this year’s E-women conference, click here.
Story and photos submitted by Joan Strickland.
Northview High Student Running For State FFA Vice President Post
April 29, 2008
Northview senior Andrea Byars is a finalist for a position in state position in Florida’s FFA.
Byars, who is president of the Northview High School FFA, is one of two finalists for state officer from Florida’s Area I of FFA. The finalists were selected by the State Officer Screen Committee. They were challenged with an individual interview, written exam, individual problem solving activity, group problem solving activity, interviews and conversational exercises. Byars and the other candidates will seek election at the 80th annual Florida FFA State Convention.
If elected, Byars (pictured right) would represent FFA as Area I State Vice-President. Area I covers the area from Pensacola to Tallahassee, about 15 counties in all. She will be competing for the office against Carly Barnes (pictured left) from Malone High School.
“As a state officer I will travel the state, country, and internationally as a representative for Florida agriculture, Florida FFA, and Florida agricultural education,” Byars told NorthEscambia.com ” I believe that it is an opportunity to meet people and see things that I may not other wise have the chance to experience. Being a state officer really is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I have always had the idea in the back of my mind that I wanted to run for a state office and a s the chance grew closer I decided to take the opportunity and just see how far I could go.”
Students should consider FFA, she said, because it opens up the vast, changing world of Florida agriculture while teaching life lessons.
“Agriculture is no longer cows and plows and neither is the FFA. Ag technologies are advancing the way in which goods are produced and the FFA helps students to find their niche in any area that they can think of from farming to biochemical engineering,” she said. “The many areas of the FFA helps students to see the world around them and to test out their many interests before they enter the real world.”
Byars (pictured left) said she has enjoyed her years in FFA, especially meeting others her age that share similar interests. She said she enjoys FFA competitions, and meeting other students like her. And meeting some that are very different, like at the National FFA Convention a few years ago in Louisville, Kentucky.
“I knew that there was going to be a lot of people but I did really know how many. There were probably 50,000 FFA students there from everywhere, from Alaska to Porto Rico and From Maine to Hawaii,” she said. ” It was so cool seeing how many different states were at this one convention. But the coolest part was seeing the FFJ (Future Farmers of Japan) members at our convention.”
The 80th Annual Florida State FFA Convention will be held June 9-13 in Orlando. Byars is the daugther of Perry and Kay Byars of Oak Grove.
Annie Jones Memorial UMC Holds Homecoming Service
April 27, 2008
Folks gathered at Annie Jones Memorial United Methodist Church in Walnut Hill for homecoming Sunday morning.
The Rev. George McClure welcomed the 60 or so people in the congregation.
The walls rang with the old hymns …”Love Lifted Me”, “Church in the Wildwood”, “He Lives” and “Amazing Grace”.
The Rev. Jean Spikes, who preached several revivals at Annie Jones through the years, brought the message.
As befitting any good homecoming, tables were laden with good food as everyone enjoyed dinner on the grounds after the service.
Pictured above: Dinner on the ground was held after the service. Pictured below: Rev. Jean Spikes (left) and Rev. George McClure (right).
For more photos from the event, click here.
Photos and story courtesy Sherry Digmon.
Century Relay For Life In The History Books
April 26, 2008
Century’s second annual Relay for Life was held this weekend at the old Century High School stadium.
About $30,000 of the $35,000 goal was raised to benefit the American Cancer Society, Paula Jernigan, this year’s coordinator, told NorthEscambia.com. The final exact tally is not yet available.
Northview High School teachers Perry Byars and Natalie Nall surprised Jernigan with an $847.20 check to kickoff the evening’s fund raising Friday night. Pictured left: Nall (in red), Jernigan, and Byars with other Northview students and faculty, click to enlarge.
The relay began with a survivor’s lap early Friday evening. About 225 people were on hand as cancer survivors wearing purple “Survivor” shirts walked a victory lap around the stadium as the number of years they have been cancer free was read aloud.
At 9:00 Friday night, the old Century High School stadium was lit with the glow of Luminaria bags, representing cancer survivors and victims alike.
There were 13 teams in this year’s Century Relay for Life. The teams were from: Carver/Century K-8 School, New Life Baptist Church, City of Century, Critter Caregivers, Bryneville Elementary, Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church, Century Correctional Institute, Students Stomping, Century Correctional Institute, Century Library, Century Pharmacy and the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society.
Pictured top of page: Cancer survivors were among those participlating in this year’s Century Relay for Life. Pictured below: Racing for a Cure. Pictured bottom of page: Scenes from the Century Relay for Life. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Student Attend Health Fair, Learn About Dangers
April 26, 2008
Ernest Ward Middle School students attended a health fair Friday. There were no high blood pressure of cholesterol screening tests, but there was plenty of information about some of the biggest health risks facing young teens today…violence, drug abuse and alcohol abuse.
Informed Families did presentations on alcohol, tobacco and violence prevention.
The Community Drug and Alcohol Council did a presentation on marijuana.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department did a presentation on methamphetamine.
One demonstration was designed to give students the problem of being drunk. Students wore goggles designed to simulate the visual disturbances created by drinking. Students where asked to a walk just a few feet and return to their starting point while wearing the glasses. Some were unable to get very far at all before taking off the goggles. Other stumbled and stammered barely able to walk; some fell to the ground.
“Imagine if you were driving like this,” one student said.
Pictured above: EWMS students listen to an anti-drining message. Pictured below: Students wore goggles designed to simulate the visual disturbances created by drinking. NorthEscambia.com photos.
For more photos from the Ernest Ward Middle Health Fair, click here.
Molino Park Elementary Spends Day With The Arts
April 26, 2008
Molino Park Elementary School held its annual Arts Day Friday, with the students spending the day immersed in a variety of arts.
The students enjoyed a wide range of arts, from pottery to painting to music to storytelling. They had the opportunity to get “hands on” with many activities, including clay and painting.
The day ending with the “Molino Park Arts Day Roundup”, a live concert series in the school cafeteria. Artist appearing in the concert all had local ties to Molino Park. They were:
- Kate Kimball, a Molino Park second grade teacher.
- Fred Stallworth and Company
- Lynda Barnes, mother of MPES students Joshua Barnes
- Mike McCarten, “Mr. Mac Says”
- Kelton French, brother of first grader Joshua French and third grader Jordan French
- Crystal Church, mother of first grader Crystalyn Daley
Artist Demonstrations included: Danny Street, air brush; Matt Brabham, pottery; Denise Vowell, sculpture; Ralph Thomas, wood turner; and Patsy Pennington, Watercolor.
Exhibits included: Jim Miller, chain mail; Lisa Schlobohm and Michelle Hawkins, cake decorating; Dee Riley, candle making; Carolyn and Fred Stallworth, floral arranging; Barbara Scholz, oil paintings; Sean Chaffee, photography; Ravoe Nelson and Mary Haas, quilting; Barrineau Park Historical Society, tatting; Peggy Cole, recycle trash into treasure; Linda Till, embroidery; Pensacola Museum of Art, art; Molino Historical Society, photography display; Colton Maughon and Chuck Ellis, motorcross; Jarrett Parker, car racing and Allen Lowery, dragsters.
Pictured above: Kelton French performs at the Molino Park Arts Day. Pictured below: “Dirt Shirt” says it all. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos.
Northview High School Names Cheerleaders For Next Year
April 25, 2008
Northview High School has named its cheerleading squads for the next school year.
The 2008-2009 varsity cheerleaders for the Northview Chiefs are pictured above. They are (front row, L-R) Chelsea Sims, Loryn O’Brien, Tori Chavers, Lauren Cloud, Courtney Merritt, (second row) Courtney Cooper, Brooke Tullis, LaNeicia Gomez, Kassandra Lett, (third row) Felicia Settle, Carley Hetrick, Summer Sanders, Amber Holland, Ashley Snow, (back row) Katie Mann and Megan Ryan. Not pictured: Ashley White.
The 2008-2009 junior varsity cheerleaders for the Northview Chiefs are pictured below. They are (front row, L-R) Autumn Slay, Lauren McCall, Ande Gideons, Hillary Byrd, (back row) Tiffany Chavers, Taylor Byrd, Charleigh McPherson and Alexis Amerson. Not pictured: Blaze Green and Caroline Prater.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Senior, Ernest Ward Student Hit The High Seas
April 23, 2008
These days Northview senior Ethan Cole and his cousin Zac Cole, a seventh grader at Ernest Ward Middle school, are settled in for the duration of the 2008 school year.
But during spring break, they became world travelers. Departing on March 29, the boys traveled with Zac’s parents, Mark and Peggy Cole to Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico aboard the Carnival cruise ship Holiday.
Enjoying twp days at sea, the boys spent their time playing putt-putt golf, touring the ship, watching sail fish, playing games in the arcade and eating the many wonderful meals prepared by the staff.
The boys especially enjoyed the endless supply of pizza and ice cream served 24-7 on board the ship. Once in Progreso it was a six mile ride on a shuttle bus to get from the pier to the mainland. The pier there is one of the world’s longest piers.
In Progreso they toured the town on a double decker bus, shopped in the local flea market and haggled with vendors over prices. Briefly the visited the local supermarket, fascinated by the differences in the products on the shelves there. Back on the ship by 3:30 it was off to Cozumel for the next day.
In Cozumel a short cab ride took everyone to the main part of town for shopping and exploring the town. All of the store fronts are open to the streets with the salespeople beckoning you to enter their establishment. The streets were lined with people selling different craft items. You can buy most anything including hand carved conch shells or have your hair braided on the street. The boys were fascinated by the different vehicles on the streets, especially the small delivery trucks. It was a wonderful experience and both Ethan and Zac would love to take another cruise in the future.
Photos and information submitted by Peggy Cole. Scroll down for more photos, click to enlarge.
Lights! Camera! Action! Bratt Fourth Graders Take To The Stage
April 23, 2008
The fourth grade classes at Bratt Elementary School presented “Lights! Camera! Action!” for a packed house Tuesday night at the school.
The lively musical included such favorite characters as SpongeBob Squarepants, Cinderalla, John Travolta, Mary Poppins, Forrest Gump, Little Red Riding Hood, Jed Clampett of Beverly Hillbilly fame, Mae West, Clark Gable and Shirley Temple.
During the PTA meeting just prior to the program, PTA officers for the upcoming school year were elected. The new officers are Amanda Rice, president; Sandy Presley, vice-president and Stephanie Booth, treasurer. It was reported that the PTA has a balance of $14,519.
For a complete photo gallery from the Bratt Elementary School fourth grade play, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Several North Escambia Students Win Big At Annual 4-H Livestock Show
April 21, 2008
Amber Estes, a home-schooled 4-H member from McDavid, won the Grand Champion Market Steer award in this weekend’s GCA and NRA Spring Livestock Show. She was awarded the Northwest Florida Cattleman’s Association Trophy.
Awards went to several other North Escambia students as they joined students from across Escambia and Santa Rosa county areas at the annual livestock show at the Langley Bell 4-H Center this weekend.
Allie Vidak (pictured bottom of page) of Molino won Grand Champion and Senior Showmanship awards with her goats.
T.J. Gardner (pictured above) , a senior FFA member at Northview High School, won Best of Show with his chickens.
Kellie Gindl (pictured above), daughter of Bobby Gindl who teaches at Ernest Ward Middle School, won Grand Champion with her hog ‘Rocky’ in the market hog show. Her hog weighed in at 305 pounds and sold to Butler Auto Recyclers. Kellie is president of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club and attends Tate High School as a junior.
(article continues below photos, scroll down the entire page)
Pictured above: Ashley Cunningham, a student at Ernest Ward Middle School, and Donald Cunningham, a student at Pensacola Christian, placed in their respective divisions.
Tyler Hester (pictured above), Ernest Ward Middle School FFA member, placed second with his steer.
Another photo of Amber Estes (pictured above), who was awarded the Northwest Florida Cattleman’s Association Trophy.
Brook Schlobohm (pictured above) from Northview High School with her goat.
Maigan Brown (pictured above), Tate High School senior, was awarded blue ribbons as Overall Supreme Champion and for Senior Showmanship.
The show was sponsored by the Gulf Coast Agricultural and Natural Resources Association.
Pictured below: Allie Vidak of Molino won Grand Champion and Senior Showmanship awards with her goats.. Scroll down for more photos. Most photos on this page can be clicked to enlarge. Submitted photos by Rikki Vidak and Tess Estes.
