Vacation Bible School Scheduled At Many Area Churches
June 6, 2021
Vacation Bible School is a summertime tradition for many area children that is returning this year. Here is a list of upcoming VBS events in the North Escambia area. To add a VBS to this list and our Events Page, email news@northescambia.com.
Walnut Hill Baptist Church VBS
Walnut Hill Baptist Church will hold a “Rocky Railway” Vacation Bible School June 6-11 from 6:00 until 8:30 p.m.for ages pre-K through fifth grade. Family Night will be Friday night.
Atmore First Assembly of God VBS
Atmore First Assembly of God Church will hold a “Rocky Railway” Vacation Bible School June 7-11 from 8:00 until 11:30 a.m. for ages three through sixth grade.
Southern Harbor Mennonite VBS
Southern Harbor Mennonite Church Vacation Bible School will be June 9-18 from 6:00 until 8:30 p.m. for children ages five years to ninth grade, 6211 West Highway 4.
Little Escambia Baptist VBS
Little Escambia Baptist Church will hold a “Rocky Railway” Vacation Bible School June 14-18 from 8:30 a.m. to noon for ages four through sixth grade. Register at vbspro.events/p/lebc2021
First Baptist Church of Cantonment VBS
First Baptist Church of Cantonment Vacation Bible School “Totally 80’s” Vacation Bible School will be June 21-25 from 6-8:30 p.m. There will be classes for all ages, including parents. There will also be a class for special needs students. Register at https://kideventpro.lifeway.com/myEvent/
Heritage Baptist Church VBS
Heritage Baptist Church will hold “Treasured” Vacation Bible School June 27- July 1 from 6-8 p.m. at 3065 Highway 297A in Cantonment. Register at https://vbspro.events/p/events/a74a20
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church VBS
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will host VBS this year July 11-16 from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a light snack provided each night. On Thursday evening, July 15 VBS will be held at the Nadiine McCaw Park on Highway 29 in Century. Ray’s Chapel is located at 170 Bogia Road in McDavid.
Gonzalez United Methodist VBS
Gonzalez United Methodist will hold “Destination Dig” Vacation BIble School July 12-16 from 6-8 p.m. nightly. Register at https://vbspro.events/p/events/ece863
Faith Bible Baptist Church VBS
Faith Bible Baptist Church at 5801 North Century Blvd. will hold “Faith Factory” Vacation Bible School June 12-16 from 6-8:30 p.m. for ages 5-12. For info or bus transportation, call (850) 256-5483.
Poplar Dell Baptist Church VBS
Vacation Bible School “Destination Dig” will be held at Poplar Dell Baptist Church on Hwy 4A in Century Monday-Friday, June 28-July 2 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. nightly. Supper will be provided each night.
Tate High’s Class Of 2021 Sets Academic Records, Including School’s Highest Ever GPA
June 6, 2021
The Tate High School class of 2021 set records with the highest valedictory, salutatory, and Top Ten percent GPAs in the school’s history. Valedictorian Katelyn Loudon achieved the highest GPA in the school’s history with a final GPA of 5.725.
Salutatorians Maggie Brown and Michael Dixon tied to the exact decimal GPA of 5.55. They are both the younger siblings of former Tate valedictorians (Samantha Brown, Class of 2017, and John Dixon, Class of 2019) Their GPAs are greater than their siblings’ past achievements, but missed the mark to get the valedictory award among this competitive class.
This year’s Top 10 Percent, in a class of 479 students (The Top 48), were head to head in the GPA battle. The anchor, Ethan Middleton, received his gold tassel with a final GPA of 4.6652. The Top 20 graduates’ GPAs all surpassed an outstanding 5.0. Tate’s Class of 2021 will graduate with 130 students (top 27%) achieving summa cum laude honors with a GPA greater than 4.0.
Valedictorian: Katelyn Loudon (Final GPA: 5.725)
Katelyn is a four-year member of Tate’s Biomedical Science Academy, is an AP Scholar with distinction, and is the Escambia County Council PTA Student of the Year. She has completed her certifications for basic life support, patient care Technician, and certified medical administrative assistant.
Clubs and Honor Societies: National Honor Society (president); Science Honor Society (president); Mu Alpha Theta; Rho Kappa; National English Honor Society; National Technical Honor Society; Aggie Advanced Institute
In the fall, Katelyn plans to attend the University of West Florida. She has been awarded the Academic Excellence Merit Scholarship valued at $20,000, is a Florida Bright Futures Academic Scholar, and received scholarships from Boardwalk Pipelines, the Elks’ National Foundation, and the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge. Katelyn plans to major in nursing and pursue a career as an emergency room nurse practitioner or physician associate.
Salutatorian: Maggie Brown (Final GPA: 5.55)
In 2018, Maggie was a quarterfinalist on Jeopardy’s Teen Tournament, was on the 2020 Senior Homecoming Court, was appointed to the 2021 Senior Hall of Fame, and volunteers as assistant coach of Ransom Middle School’s Academic Team and is a Science Saturday Robotics volunteer at the Institute of Human and Machine Cognition.
Clubs and Honor Societies: Academic Team (team captain); member of the Escambia County Academic All-Stars Team and is a state champion; Aggie Advanced Institute; Rho Kappa (president); Foreign Language Club (president); National Honor Society (vice president); Mu Alpha Theta (treasurer).
In the fall, Maggie plans to attend the University of West Florida. She has been accepted to the honors program, and plans to major in international studies and minor in art history. She has been awarded the Academic Excellence Merit Scholarship valued at $20,000, in addition to receiving a grant from Pensacola Interstate Fair, and being a Florida Bright Futures Academic Scholar.
Salutatorian: Michael S. Dixon (Final GPA: 5.55)
Michael is a National Merit Finalist, a four-year member of the Showband of the South, and was this year’s head drum major.
Clubs and Honor Societies: Academic Team, Aggie Advanced Institute, National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Rho-Kappa, and Tri-M Musician’s Honor Society.
Band Honors/Awards: Assistant drum major his junior year, and head drum major his senior year. He was the principal French horn all four years; first chair horn in All-County band all four years; member of All-State bands in 2018 and 2021; received superior ratings at local and state solo and ensemble competitions on both French horn and piano. Recipient of the Escambia County Mira Award for music.
In the fall, Michael plans to attend the University of Florida to double major in music composition and psychology. He has been accepted into UF’s Honors Program, and has received the Benacquisto Scholarship (full ride) in addition to the University of Florida Presidential Scholarship, Band Scholarship, and Friends of Music Scholarship. He also was awarded the Better Business Bureau’s Student Ethics Scholarship and the Tate Showband Bill Slayton Scholarship.
The Top 10% honors graduates are as follows:
1. Katelyn Michelle Loudon
2. Maggie Ruth Brown
2. Michael Robert Dixon
4. Quang Tam Vo
5. John Thomas Semple
6. Kobi Seth Menser
7. Morgan Kelly Anderson
8. Jonathan David French
9. Haley Grace Vranich
10. Brianna Marie Deason
11. Bailey Nicole Jenkins
12. Jackson Cecil Chatwood
13. Brentley Marie Garrett
14. Evelyn Campbell
15. Bristol Denae Kelley
16. Gwenivier Elise Ward
17. Staci Marie Saucier
18. Samantha Guerrier
19. Joseph Pusateri
20. Eva Marie Miller
21. Abigail Breanne West
22. Maddison D’Rea Dorion
23. Courtney Ryan Adams
24. Jessica Jean Conti
25. Allison Suzanne Jefferis
26. Adam Cooper Lee
27. Nicholas Chase Walsh
28. Mia M Brown
29. Jonathan Evan Chisolm
30. Joanna Jiang
31. Kiera Jolie Goodyear
32. Kendall Jordyn Blackmon
33. Jacob Ryan Hutto
34. Aaron Stephen Neshem
35. Jacob Heath Greeson
36. Jacob Lawson Chatwood
37. Sidney Claire Stojak
38. Chandler Gray Hastings
39. Lindsey Carole Morris
40. Tayler Lynn Bridges
41. Layah Denae Seals
42. Matthew William Luebke
43. Cristian Alexander Bates
44. Jordan Tyler Jarman
45. Emily Rene’ Johnson
46. Natalee Ann Stuart
47. Armonie Michele Hughes Nettles
48. Ethan Daniel Middleton
Biographical information was provided by the students.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
June 5, 2021
Ransom Middle School named Kristyne Yelverton and Tom Fleming as Students of the Month for May. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Names 2021 Valedictorian, Salutatorian
June 1, 2021
Northview High School has named their valedictorian and salutatorian for the class of 2021.
The valedictorian is Amber Gilman, and the salutatorian is Libby Pugh.
The Northview High School Class of 2021 will graduate on Monday, June 7 at 12:30 p.m. at the Pensacola Bay Center. The event has no capacity limit and tickets are not needed.
Dedria’s Gift Presents Scholarships To Two Escambia Academy Students
May 27, 2021
Dedria’s Gift presented scholarships to two Escambia Academy students recently.
The scholarship recipients are Austin Washington and Lillian Bonner. Dedria’s Gift honors the memory of Dedria Robinson, who was killed in a 2005 automobile accident at age 11.
Pictured: Nyesha Cottrell presented the scholarships on behalf of Dedria’s parents Reginald and Rita Robinson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Senior Prank? Tate High Class Of 2021 ‘Donates’ Chickens To Ag Department
May 19, 2021
The Tate High School Class of 2021 “donated” 15 chickens to the school ag department. The chickens were found Tuesday morning on the Aggie baseball field. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rotary Academic All-Stars Named From Northview, ECHS, Escambia Academy, Atmore Christian
May 19, 2021
The Atmore Rotary Club has named 160 area high school students as Academic All-Stars.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the in-person ceremony could not be held this year, and students were mailed a recognition packet.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year.
The Rotary Club is presenting over $25,000 in scholarships this year to 37 Seniors. Each four-year Senior Academic All Star will receive a scholarship for $1,000. The seniors who have been an Academic All Star for three years will receive $700, two year seniors will receive $600, and one-year seniors will receive $500. The program excludes Northview students that are full-time dual enrolled.
Those honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars were:
(Four-Year Academic All-Stars are denoted with asterisks.)
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
9th Grade
Rabekah Danielle Abbott
Raegan Michelle Abbott
Kendall Anne Alvare
Sarah Elaine Bailey
Doria Beach
Kendal Brooke Beasley
Chloe Faith Criswell
Riley Elizabeth Dawson
Carsyn Laine Dortch
Austin David Dunsford
Mayson Claire Edwards
Brandon Lee Ferguson
Raleigh Sienna Gibson
Kaylie B Glick
Maggie Rose Godwin
Makayla Jane Golson
Kylie Breann Grantham
Madalyn Marie Grimes
Ava Kate Gurganus
Berklee Savannah Hall
Leah Kathryn Hetrick
Meredith Makenzie Johnston
James Judson Lee
Sarah Kate Long
Leila Ann Mason
Caden Thomas Mills
Chloe Layne Morris
Jackson Johnny Mac Parker
Evin Taylor Pedicord
Cody Tyler Pugh
Chloe Adele Ragsdale
Daniel Tyler Riggs
Wyatt Alexander Scruggs
Dequan Rashad Shabazz
Mandell Levan Smith
Skyler Marie Williams
10th Grade
Clayton Mitchell Allen
Leah Kalyn Anderson
Terrell Luke Bridges
Ethan Scott Collier
Presley Sharee Dortch
Drake Allen Driskell
Logan Taylor Faith
Emma Sage Gilmore
William Cross Goslee
Gabriel Kohle Harigel
Shelby Lynn Kent
Trent Austin Knighten
Emily Grace Levins
Sarah Kennedy Long
Bayllon David Matson
Megan T McGhee
Ruth Nicole Mobley
Elianna T. Morales
David Kaden Odom
Cameron Riley Partrick
Rustin Kyle Pope
Chase Randal Pugh
Leila Katherine Sanders
Simeon Sanders
Dustin James Santinelli
Alana Shelly
McKenna Rae Simmons
Jessica Faith Stabler
Audrey Michelle Stuckey
John Michael Ward
Preston Clay Wilson
Charles Michael Wood
Blake Richard Yoder
11th Grade
Anna Faith Adams
John Blake Bashore
Hunter Shane Borelli
Shelby Nicole Cotita
Miyhanna Patrice Davidson
Casandra Lynn Davis
Kaitlin Hope Gafford
Jonathan Thomas Gibbs
Holley Danielle Gilley
Jason Zane Gurganus
Sarah Margaret Hetrick
Jesse Allen Hughes
Grayson Elizabeth James
Ethan Riley Kilburn
Taylor Lynn Levins
Dallon Thortis Rackard
Sarah Jane Sconiers
Jordan Alise Stanley
Mia Rain Starns
Madison Victoria Watson
12th Grade
Maggie Lauren Amerson ****
Madelyn Brooke Berry
Sehoye Rose Buckley
Naudia Briana-Nicole Carach
Alexis Madison Fleming
Amber Marie Gilman ****
Leia Madison Grantham
Heather Lashea Knowles ****
David Allen Lamb ****
Abigail Lynn Levins
Meredith McKinley McGhee ****
Taheya Lee McGhee
Karelis Jadelynn Morales
Madyson Shai Moye
Jalexis Sy’Rai Robinson
Michael Jerome Sanders
Leah Faye Wood
Lillian Joan Worden
ESCAMBIA ACADEMY
9th Grade
Patrick Byrd
Eli Covington
Timmy Doerr
10th Grade
Abby-Kate Helton
11th Grade
Braden Crysell
Emma Hall
Brady Howell
Jamison Janes
Christopher Long
Ja’Daniel Nettles
Landon Sims
Jadon Stevens
12th Grade
Jeb Black
Randal Bonds
Lillian Bonner
Daughtry McGhee
Rubye Nix
Disha Patel ****
Joshua Spruill
Gabrielle Williams
ESCAMBIA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
9th Grade
David Bouler
Evereona Jackson
10th Grade
Shamirica Rankins
Summayah Tolbert
Carmelo Turner
11th Grade
La’Asia Henderson
Charity James
Zahria McCants
Aniya Stots
Sheldon Williams
12th Grade
Destiny Brown
Samantha Forkins
Brianna Morrow
Madison Simmons ****
Mia Simmons ****
ATMORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
9th Grade
Emmett Battles
Brooklyn Hursh
Dexter Smoker
Elizabeth Terry
Helen Weber
10th Grade
Elliott Classen
Claire Girby
Sydney Mast
11th Grade
Caeden Battles
Titus Dean
Gage Gades
Joanna Jernigan
12th Grade
Harleigh Crumbly
Morgan Jury
Micah Mast ****
Mia Morris
Reese White
Megan Wilson
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Flomaton Elementary Dedicates ‘Jaden James Friendship Bench’ In Memory Of Student Killed Near Walnut Hill
May 18, 2021
On Monday, Flomaton Elementary School dedicated a bench in memory of a student killed in a car crash last year near Walnut Hill.
“The Jaden James Friendship Bench” honors the six grader killed in the crash October 3, 2020, on Highway 97 one mile south of Tungoil Road.
“Jaden was a friend to everyone he met and leaves a legacy for us to uphold,” the school said about Jaden James in a social media post. “The bench, which was built and donated anonymously, will be used for times when students (and adults) need to talk to each other and remember the value and importance of friendship.”
Jaden’s father Jermaine James and sister Jermiah attended the bench dedication.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Awards Scholarships To Outstanding Seniors
May 18, 2021
The Barrineau Park Historical Society recently awarded scholarships to five outstanding seniors.
Northview High School senior Abigail Nelson received a $1,000 Barrineau Park Historical Society scholarship awarded by BPHS President Craig Exner. She plans to attend Florida State University and work toward a degree in psychology.
Tate High School senior Jessica Conti received a $500 Lynda Minchew scholarship endowed by the Bobby Minchew family. She plans to major in agricultural science and will attend Mississippi State University in the fall.
Northview High School senior Amber Gilman received a $500 Louis Crabtree Sr. scholarship endowed by the Crabtree family. She will be attending the University of West Florida working towards a degree in psychology in the fall.
Home schooled senior Sidney Ziglar received a $1,000 Steven Jogan scholarship from the Barrineau Park Historical Society. Jogan was a lifetime BPHS member, and its treasurer and office manager for many years. Ziglar plans to attend the University of West Florida and major in physical therapy in the fall
Parker Hasselbrock ,a West Florida High School senior, received a $500 Mildred Haupert Schwartz scholarship endowed by the Paul Schwartz family. Parker plans to attend the University of West Florida and work towards a graphic design degree.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Middle School FFA Chapter Named One Of The Very Best In Florida
May 17, 2021
The Beulah Middle School FFA has been name one of the top chapters in the state.
Florida FFA has announced the Beulah Middle School FFA has completed the National Chapter Award program application and has been selected as one of the Florida Finest FFA Chapters. These chapters have excelled in the areas of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture and have worked hard to fulfill the mission and vision of the FFA.
Beulah Middle School FFA was the only FFA chapter in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties that received the award this year. They will be recognized during the during 93rd Florida FFA State Convention & Expo to be held at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando this summer.
The Beulah Middle School FFA chapter advisor is Leanne Jenkins.
Pictured: Beulah Elementary School students on a virtual trip to the Beulah Middle School agricultural lab earlier this year, just one of the ways the FFA chapter adapted during pandemic restrictions. Pictured inset: Nugget (left) and Hazel were born in April at Beulah Middle and received plenty of community attention. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
