Northview High School Names November Students Of The Month
November 25, 2020
Northview High School has named their Students of the Month for November. They are Blake Yoder and Sarah Bailey, pictured with Principal Mike Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Places In Escarosa Area 8 Drill Meet
November 23, 2020
The Northview High School NJROTC took part in the Escarosa Area 8 Drill Meet in Milton over the weekend.
Northview received third place trophies in unarmed basic drill, unarmed exhibition drill, color guard and the 16×100 relay.
“This was the first meet for nearly half of our cadets,” Chief Jeffrey Simpkins said. ”Not a bad day for our first time out this year, especially in a field loaded with four former Navy National champions.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary’s Emily Tullis Named School District’s Stellar Employee Of The Month
November 20, 2020
Emily Tullis of Bratt Elementary School was name the Escambia County School District’s Stellar Employee of the Month for November. Tullis is the data specialist at Bratt Elementary and has been with the school district for 16 years. She is pictured above with Superintendent Timothy Smith and below with Bratt Principal Karen Hall at an Escambia County School Board meeting. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Students Honor Malcolm Thomas For His Military Service
November 19, 2020
Last week for Veterans Day, Ernest Ward Middle School made patriotic wreaths that were presented to members of the community.
On Wednesday, they presented their final wreath to Malcolm Thomas, who just retired as Escambia County school superintendent. Thomas served with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division.
The wreaths were made by Ernest Ward students in Glenda Bell’s personal development class.
For an earlier story about wreath recipients Michael and Gayle Hanks, and Louis Ward, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
God, Laughter And A Little Meanness: Local Couple Celebrates 77th Anniversary
November 15, 2020
Travis and Dorothy Baggett of Atmore recently celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary.
MawMaw, as she is called by her children and great-grandchildren, said it has been a long time — even a lifetime for some perhaps.
From Castleberry, Alabama, Travis is a direct descendant of Jesse Baggett, the original founder of Castleberry. He has outlived all 11 of his siblings. At 19, he met Dorothy Fussell of Evergreen, who had just turned 17 that summer.
“I had just served in World War II as a Navy fireman, and I had made it home. Between her looks and her cooking, she had me,” Travis (PawPaw) admitted. The couple married later that year after only two dates.
“Back then there wasn’t any of this going out on a date too much,” MawMaw said. “If you enjoyed somebody’s company, you just held on to that, and obviously, I guess we have just held on to each other. I wouldn’t know how to be single if I had to.”
The 90-lb. great- grandmother is known throughout the community for baking coconut cakes and pecan pies. “Cooking is my therapy. It’s all I know.”
PawPaw doesn’t complain.
“In all of our 77 years together, he has never eaten leftovers,” she added. MawMaw is getting ready to host the family Thanksgiving with her mouth-watering turkey and dressing — all made from scratch. Her family certainly agrees that she has the touch when it comes to the kitchen.
She has six brothers and six sisters. All are deceased except one, Sarah, who also married a Baggett.
“Travis and I have been through a lot of things,” MawMaw often reminds her grandchildren. “Some of them have been wonderful, and a lot have been so sad that you wonder what God is up to.”
Her family knows that she is referring to the loss of their oldest son, Steve, who was home from the Marines when his death occurred almost 50 years ago.
Travis, a retired Alabama Department of Corrections officer, credits Dorothy’s cooking for keeping him around this long.
“I look back now and know that she has worked hard, raising our boys and me too, always having every little thing done. I had the easy job compared to her at home.”
The couple also says that God, laughter and “a little meanness” is the reason they have had a long-lasting marriage. “Sometimes I have wanted to give up, but family is too important. I believe in commitment. I believe in staying the course,” MawMaw said with a smile.
The Baggetts can’t really get out and go as they once did. After all, PawPaw gave up his driver’s license when he turned 94, but he can still enjoy a good-natured joke and a nice hot meal any day — as long as MawMaw is right there with him and it’s her cookin’ he is eating, especially ham hock and rice.
The Baggetts have four sons: Steve (deceased); Donnie; Ronnie (Margaret); and Garry (Vicki). Their grandchildren are Steven, Krystal, Alex (Kaylee), Melissa, Corry and Lexxi. They also have five great-grandchildren.
Emily West Named Jim Allen Elementary School Teacher Of The Year
November 12, 2020
Third grade teacher Emily West has been named the Jim Allen Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC Awards Scholarships To Students After Washington Youth Tour Is Canceled
November 9, 2020
Two students were awarded scholarships by Escambia River Electric Cooperative after their youth tour trip to Washington, D.C., was canceled due to COVID-19.
The $2,000 scholarships were awarded to Amber Gilman from Northview High School and Katelyn Mayo from Jay High School.
EREC awards high school juniors an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. each June as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour program. About 1,800 teens from electric cooperatives across the country convene in the nation’s capital to learn more about government, cooperatives and rural electrification.
“The cancellation of the trip was unfortunate,” said EREC CEO Ryan Campbell. “But these bright young ladies deserve to be commended for the efforts they put forth to win the Youth Tour competition. We are happy to offer them scholarships to further their education at the college of their choice.”
Pictured: EREC CEO Ryan Campbell awards scholarships to Amber Gilman from Northview High School (top) and Katelyn Mayo from Jay High School (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ashley Salter Named Northview High School Teacher Of The Year
November 8, 2020
Ashley Salter, culinary arts instructor, was recently named the Northview High School Teacher of the Year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge..
Cox Donates $50,000 To Manna For Hurricane Sally Recovery
November 8, 2020
Cox Communications and Cox Automotive recently came together to support local nonprofits that provide assistance to families in the Gulf Coast recovering from Hurricane Sally. Manna Food Bank was awarded a $50,000 grant through the James M. Cox Foundation that will support local families as they continue to rebuild their lives following the storm. United Way of West Florida also received a $50,000 grant.
“We are proud to support these two great organizations,” said David Deliman, market vice president of Cox Gulf Coast. “They have always stepped to the forefront when people in our community need assistance, and their response to Hurricane Sally is no exception. We are happy to provide both Manna and the United Way with these funds to further help our neighbors recover.”
The James M. Cox Foundation is the charitable arm of Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Communications and Cox Automotive. In response to the growing strain on the community from Hurricane Sally along with COVID-19, the foundation announced the two $50,000 donations to support people in need where Cox employees live and work.
“It was heartbreaking to see the amount of damage Hurricane Sally caused in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties,” said Anthony Pope, senior vice president and region manager of Cox’s Southeast Region. “We’re happy to do our part in helping these two outstanding organizations help get us further along the road to recovery.”
“We’re so grateful to Cox for this amazing gift of support to Manna and our community,” said DeDe Flounlacker, executive director of Manna Food Bank. “We know families in our area will be recovering from the effects of the hurricane for months to come. This gift will help us provide over 30,000 healthy meals to those in need.”
GED Classes Offered At George Stone, Molino And Ensley
November 7, 2020
George Stone Technical College is offering fall GED classes on their main campus, the Molino Community Complex and at Ensley Elementary School.
GED classes available on GSTC’s main campus at 2400 Longleaf Drive (next door to Pine Forest High School) Monday through Friday with class offerings in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Tuition is $30 per semester. There is an open enrollment policy, allowing students to start anytime.
George Stone Technical College also offer GED classes every Monday and Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at the Molino Community Complex, 6450 North Highway 95A. Tuition is $30 per semester. Students who would like a little extra help can also come from 5-6: p.m. for open lab tutoring.
GSTC also offers GED classes at Ensley Elementary School every Tuesday and Thursday from4-6 p.m. Tuition is free at the Ensley Elementary School site, which is located at 501 E. Johnson Avenue.
All GSTC GED classes are actively taught by certified teachers and personalized instruction is given based on each student’s academic level. Tutors are also available. GSTC’s instructors use direct instruction, as well as materials that are aligned to the “actual” content of the GED test.
For information on any of the George Stone GED classes, contact Patricia Harrison at (850) 941-6200, ext. 2361 or pharrison@ecsdfl.us. GTSC can assist with registration.