Tate High Ag Student Completes 54-Hour Custom Fire Pit Build By Hand
March 25, 2026
Tate High School senior Ian Stinnett recently completed a custom hanging fire pit, finishing the 54-hour project entirely by hand in the school’s agricultural mechanics shop.
While many modern shop projects utilize the Torchmate CNC machine for automated precision, this specific design required manual fabrication. Working under the supervision of Ag Mechanics teacher and FFA advisor Travis Ackerson, Stinnett used a plasma cutter, MIG welder, and angle grinder to cut and join every component.
The project required manual measurements and steady-hand cutting for each piece. Stinnett also had to manually level the pit using a chain system to ensure the finished product hung evenly.
The project highlighted the technical problem-solving and manual craftsmanship taught within the Tate agricultural program, particularly when automated equipment is not an option for a specific build.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff Faces Tough Questioning In Molino
March 25, 2026
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons faced some really tough questioning in Tuesday evening in Molino.
“Do you have to eat a specific meal?”
“Do you have other sheriff friends?”
“Do villains name themselves or do you name them?”
Those were just a few of the questions Simmons said he was asked by BSA Troop and Pack 430 at Aldersgate Methodist Church in Molino. Simmons helped the scouts earn their Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge, which required them to interview an elected official. The sheriff said the questions were among the most interesting he’s received.
“It is always refreshing to spend some time with a group of future leaders that are this engaged and eager to learn,” Simmons said.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students Of The Month
March 23, 2026
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their February Students and Employee of the Month.
Pictured (L-R) with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger, they are: Baylee-Ann Barcinas, eighth grade; Michael Flowers, seventh grade; Leila Statam, sixth grade; and Lindsay Merritt, Civics teacher.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Student Honored For Essay ‘Snow House Memories’
March 22, 2026
A Bratt Elementary student is being honored by a state educators group for her essay. Maggie Lee wrote an essay entitled “Snow House Memories”, sharing how her Gammaw and Pop impacted her life.
The essay was entered in the Florida Retired Educators Association fifth grade writing contest and was selected as the winning essay for the district. She will be recognized at the FREA banquet and will receive a monetary award.
The essay is below, along with photos from the “Snow House.”
Ah, the frantic packing of Christmas morning! On Christmas morning, after everyone wakes up, we open presents. Then we go to Pop’s house and eat breakfast, and also open presents there. After all that, we hop on the road and go straight to the snow house. Spending time with my grandparents is always fun, but my favorite experience with them is the week after Christmas. Every year my whole family leaves on Christmas morning, and it is always the craziest day of the year! My grandmother, Gammaw, would search for the perfect house to sleep 20 people. It had to have a hot tub, game room, plenty of yard, and way more! The snow house is a huge part of my family’s life. It has been going on for more than twenty-five years! Pop and Gammaw have been running the snow house since it started. They are the reason the snow house is a thing.
Pop always had a favorite thing about the snow house. Every year we visit a park. The morning before, he would make sandwiches and put our names on them. At the park there was a volleyball net, and our whole family would play the most intense game of volleyball I’ve ever seen! Pop’s main reason for wanting to do this is spending time in nature. He wanted everyone to enjoy the creek and see who could skip the rock farthest. Pop is the absolute biggest role model you would want as a grandfather.
Gammaw always made sure we did one particular thing every year at the snow house. We would take a big group picture. The place we took the picture was beside a huge tractor. Every year the tractor picture was so important to her. She would always look back to see how much everyone grew throughout the years. She also loved the apple orchard. We would always get a whole bag of apples of any kind we wanted. We would also get apple pies and take them home. When I grow up, I want to be as good as a grandma as Gammaw was. She always valued family, and has taught us that, throughout the years.
The snow house is amazing to me because I get to stay with family for a week straight. My favorite part of the snow house is the new adventures we have every year. One year we did a polar plunge and another year we did zip lining. One of my ultimate favorite memories is game night. My family is very competitive, so it is extra fun!
Gammaw has been gone for a couple of years now. Pop has not let the snow house tradition die, and I promise I will not either. The snow house is the highlight of my whole family’s year thanks to Pop and Gammaw. They have taught me to cherish every single second with family, and to be grateful for everything in life. The snow house is more than just a house to us. It represents family.
Spring Into Reading: Kingsfield Elementary Hosts Literacy Celebration (Gallery)
March 20, 2026
Kingsfield Elementary recently held its Spring Into Reading Literacy night.
It was a fun evening celebrating reading and creativity. Families enjoyed a spud book character contest, a lively recorder music program, a Reader’s Theatre with Tate Drama Club, and exciting reading games for all ages.
Organizers said it was a great time for families to come together, share stories, and spark a love of reading this spring.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Elementary Students Honored As Shining Stars
March 19, 2026
WSRE recently hosted the Shining Star Awards, honoring outstanding fifth grade students who have demonstrated exemplary citizenship and leadership, as well as demonstrating the core values of the Escambia County School District.
This was the 28th year that WSRE hosted this event, originally in partnership with the Greater Escambia Community Foundation and now in partnership with the Escambia County Principals Association, which raised the funds to purchase bicycles and also coordinated the event.
Each Shining Star student received a certificate and a brand-new bicycle.
The 2026 Shining Stars are:
- A. K. Suter Elementary — Saanvika Gampa
- Bellview Elementary — Veronika Yasenovska
- Beulah Elementary — Alyson Woods
- Blue Angels Elementary — Dominic Jackson
- Bratt Elementary — Lane Stuart
- Brentwood Elementary — Jameson Manni
- Byrneville Elementary — Kipton Little
- C.A. Weis Elementary — Za’Riyah Goble
- Cordova Park Elementary — Maren Fox
- Ensley Elementary — Malia Newberry
- Ferry Pass Elementary — Emma Smith
- Global Learning Academy — Zy’Tranna Mitchell
- Hellen Caro Elementary — Marlie Walters
- Holm Elementary — Brooklyn Hines
- Jim Allen Elementary — Elaine Ladieu
- Kingsfield Elementary — Alessa Zavala
- L.D McArthur Elementary — Amelia Yepishin
- Lincoln Park Elementary — Fabian Coronado
- Lipscomb Elementary — Jeffery Mensah
- Longleaf Elementary — Shanell English
- Molino Park Elementary — Ella Campbell
- Montclair Elementary — Liam Lionheart
- Myrtle Grove Elementary — Khloe Cobb
- N.B. Cook Elementary — Weston Berry
- Navy Point Elementary — Auburn Haruguchi
- O.J. Semmes Elementary — Tanayia Milton
- Oakcrest Elementary — Angela Austria
- Pensacola Beach Elementary — Olivia McPherson
- Pine Meadow Elementary — Nolan Spencer
- Pleasant Grove Elementary — Logan Dunlap
- Scenic Heights Elementary — Janae Kisor
- Sherwood Elementary — David Contreras Casteneda
- Warrington Elementary — Jakobi Henry
- West Pensacola Elementary — Lluany Jimenez-Zebadua
Photos courtesy WSRE for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students of The Month
March 17, 2026
Byrneville Elementary School recently named its February Students of the Month.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Tayla Nichols and Ellie Vollmer
- 1st Grade: Colten McPhaul and Bo Koski
- 2nd Grade: Jani’la Durant and Manny Gifford
- 3rd Grade: Elli Macyn Plant and Jacob Vollmer
- 4th Grade: Baylee Gafford and Ellie Edwards
- 5th Grade: Chaplin Grassia and Myra Gill
- Art: Suzi Pope
- Music: Daviyelle Young
- PE: Harper Ellis
Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Water Safety Takes Center Stage as Cantonment Rotary Club Visits Bratt Elementary
March 16, 2026
The Cantonment Rotary Club brought its “Josh the Baby Otter” book project to Bratt Elementary School recently.
Club members have read the book to over 1,000 students at North Escambia area elementary schools.
The book Josh the Baby Otter teaches kids about water safety and learning how to float.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Students Earn Top Honors At Florida French Competition
March 11, 2026
For the first time, Tate High School students recently participated in Le Congrès de la Culture Française en Floride, held in Orlando.
The statewide event brings together students from across Florida to celebrate French language, culture, and the arts through academic and performance-based competitions.
Despite having only about two months to prepare for the event, Tate students demonstrated remarkable dedication as they prepared entries across numerous categories, including theatrical performances, poetry recitation, musical performance, impromptu speaking, cultural projects, reading comprehension, and creative design competitions aligned with this year’s theme, “The World of French Cinema.”
Led by veteran French teacher, Evangeline Leventhal, the students represented Tate High School with distinction, earning recognition in several categories:
Superior Merit
- Original French Skit (Writing and Performance): Shiloh Cash, Kaala Cowell, Duyen Luc, Khloe McMillian
- 3-D Cultural Project: Jagger Etheridge, Kira Kimmons
- Individual Poetry Recitation: Mariah Foster
Excellent Merit
- French Play Adaptation: Shiloh Cash, Kaala Cowell, Mariah Foster, Estelle Lentini, Duyen Luc, Khloe McMillian, Kiley Menser
- Individual Poetry Recitation: Kira Kimmons, Kiley Menser
Honorable Mention
- Individual Poetry Recitation: Kaala Cowell
- Impromptu Speech: Shiloh Cash
- Reading Comprehension Test: Jagger Etheridge, Nikolaus Huber, Khloe McMillian
- French Song Performance: Estelle Lentini, Anh Luc
In addition to their competitive events, students also created a cultural scrapbook highlighting how French language and culture are represented at Tate High School and designed a themed T-shirt connected to the competition’s focus on francophone cinema.
While the awards were a significant achievement, the students said the experience itself was equally meaningful. Students dedicated many hours outside of class memorizing lines, rehearsing performances, and refining their French language skills.
Their commitment allowed them to confidently present and perform in French while competing alongside schools with long-established programs, Principal Laura Touchstone said. “Participation in the competition fostered strong collaboration among students and teachers and provided an unforgettable opportunity to celebrate language learning, creativity, and cultural appreciation.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle Science, History, Geography Students Qualify For National Competition
March 10, 2026
The Ransom Middle School science, history and geography regional players placed this past weekend in Mobile.
The five players — James Corvin, Levi Cox, Sydney Cox, Cutter Rhodes, and Ryan Rodgers – earned medals in their grade level divisions, and qualified for International Academic Competitions Middle Nationals in Orlando this May. Rhodes took first place in all three of the bees.
Pictured: (L-R) Coach Clarissa Brown, Levi Cox, Cutter Rhodes, James Corvin, Sydney Cox, Ryan Rodgers, and Coach Maggie Brown. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.