Molino Park Fifth Graders Take Dolphin Cruise
May 23, 2017
Fifth grade students at Molino Park Elementary School had the opportunity to on a dolphin cruise Tuesday for their end of the year field trip. Photos by Melanie Dix for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Marine Receives Award In Japan
May 22, 2017
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Justin Tyler Johnson receives the Jack W. Demmond Aviation Ground Marine of the Year award at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, recently.
The Marine Corps Aviation Association awarded Johnson for his efforts in transporting Marines and their gear to and from locations by air, land, and sea.
“I was excited,” said Johnson. “I wasn’t really expecting it. I just do my job the best way I can.”
Johnson, a native of Pensacola, is an embarkation chief with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. He was raised in Gonzalez and attended Ransom Middle School at Tate High School.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ally Beiswanger for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Class Of 2017 Holds Baccalaureate Service (With Gallery)
May 22, 2017
The Northview High School Class of 2017 held their Baccalaureate service Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
The program also included scripture, prayer and music provide by the Northview Senior Class Ensemble.
Graduation for the Northview High School Class of 2017 will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 27 at the school.
During the student-led program, guest speaker Rev. Gene King urged the graduates to always look toward their future.uring the student-led program.
Live for eternity to be face to face with God,” King said. “Live your life with a 10,000 year plan.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Community Block Party Held
May 21, 2017
The Seventh Annual Century Community Block Party was held Saturday at the McMurray Ballpark in Century.
The event included inflatables and games for the kids, free food, music, a bicycle giveaway and more.
Pictured top: A young man cools off on a slip and slide during the Seventh Annual Century Community Block Party Saturday afternoon. Pictured: Organizer Luis Gomez, Jr. (in yellow). Pictured below: Christian rapper Eternal. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Student Waters Named ‘Magic’ Student of The Month
May 20, 2017
Byrneville Elementary School fifth grade student Leif Waters was recently named the Magic 106.1 FM Student of the Month. He received a brand new bicycle and a certification of congratulations from the Magic crew and NFL Super Bowl champion Fred Robbins. He was nominated by his teacher Jacke Johnston.
“This child has come so far over the years, and it has been amazing to see his growth and to see how much his peers love him. We all love him,” teacher Jacke Johnston said.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
National Technical Honor Society Honors Tate Senior
May 20, 2017
The National Technical Honor Society has selected Tate High School senior Kayla Johnson to receive one of only 225 scholarships they are awarding across the country.
J
ohnson was recently awarded a $1000 scholarship from the National Technical Honor Society. In addition to her involvement with NTHS, Kayla has excelled at HOSA competitions for EMT and Sports Medicine, which took her to the state level competition.
She is an active member of the Tate chorus and she has completed four years of the Biomedical Sciences Academy, including over 200 hours of volunteer service at West Florida Hospital. She also obtained two industry certifications for Patient Care Technician and Medical Administrative Assistant. Her future plans are to become an EMT, while continuing her education to become an RN.
NTHS is the leader in recognizing student achievement in career and technical education. More than 4200 schools and colleges are affiliated with the Society.
Ernest Ward Students Learn About ‘The Choice’ To Stay In School, Out Of Prison
May 19, 2017
Students at Ernest Ward Middle School are learning a life lesson about choices this week..
They are touring “The Choice Bus”, sponsored by the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation.
The students enter the school bus and watch a short movie about the choice between staying in school through graduation or dropping out. They learn their lifelong earning potential is much greater with an education, and that their chances of landing in prison are much greater if they drop out. The movie features powerful testimonies from prison inmates that dropped out of the school.
After watching the movie, the television and a curtain are pulled back to reveal a prison cell — the stark reality experienced by many dropouts. The students are able to squeeze into the tiny cell to experience just how uncomfortable it is and learn exactly what it’s like for one’s toilet and sink to be the same fixture.
As students exit the bus, they receive a pledge card and are asked to make a commitment to finish school and make good choices.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida’s SRO Of The Year, Ronnie Gill, Retires From Ernest Ward Middle
May 18, 2017
Ernest Ward Middle School, Northview High School, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office celebrated the retirement of Senior Deputy Ronnie Gill Wednesday morning.
Gill retired March 30 from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office after 15 years with the agency. The school resource officer has volunteered his time as a reserve deputy since March 30 to continue his service at Ernest Ward Middle School until the end of the school year.
The Ernest Ward Middle School staff presented Gill with a Canon DSLR camera for his retirement and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office presented him with a plaque and watch. On behalf of several students, NorthEscambia.com presented Gill with a few needed accessories for his new camera.
His law enforcement career spans nearly 40 years. He joined the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 2002 and joined the school resource officer program over 12 years ago.
Last year, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Florida Association of School Resource Officers Monday named Gill as the 2016 School Resource Officer of the Year for Florida.
“Deputy Gill goes above and beyond to not only ensure the safety of students at the school he serves, but to also provide guidance to the youth in his community,” Bondi said at the time. “Resource officers play a vital role in the lives of students on a daily basis.”
Bondi and the FASRO present the School Resource Officer of the Year award annually to a Florida officer who demonstrates dedication and tireless work ethic to enhance the lives of the students they serve.
Gill was also awarded the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Meritorious Service Medal for the crucial role he plays in breaking down the barriers between law enforcement and youth.
Senior Deputy Gill not only worked hard protecting the students and faculty within Ernest Ward, he also gave selflessly of his time to mentor and help students in need. Whether it was counseling students, leading the Ernest Ward “Teens for Christ” group, or showing up at community sporting events to work security on his own time, Gill built a reputation within the student population as not just a law enforcement officer, but a person they can look up to and approach.
Gill also gave selflessly of his finances. He opened his own lunch account with the school and would transfer money into needy student’s accounts on a regular basis. He has been known to provide funds for students that cannot afford trip fees and club dues. He has also taken students shopping for Christmas and has even paid a high school senior’s graduation fees. Whenever there is a need that has been identified, Senior Deputy Gill would step up and fulfill that need.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Celebrates Reading With Circus Of Fun
May 17, 2017
Students at Bratt Elementary School worked all school year to reach their goals in reading achievement.
Students read books all year long and were required to pass tests with
Students read books all year long, took tests on their reading level, and were required to pass tests with a grade of at least 85 percent in order to reach their grade level goal. In order to reach the goal, students needed to read beyond their time at school.
The 96 studetns in gradeds K-5 that reached their goal were treated to a circus of fun recently, complete with face painting, balloon animals, fish pong, a bean bag toss, ladder ball, juggling and a photo booth. Students were able to create their own clown cupcakes at the Circus Concession Stand to enjoy along with nachos and cheese, circus peanuts, animal crackers and fruit punch. Students received prizes at each station, and a special photo from the photo booth.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Alumni Named Finalist For Top State Award
May 17, 2017
The Florida FFA Association and the Florida FFA Alumni Association announced Tuesday that the Northview High School FFA Alumni is one of five state finalist for the 2017 Outstanding Alumni Affiliate award.
The Northview FFA Alumni and the other four finalist chapters will be recognized during the 89th Florida FFA State Convention on Friday, June 16 in Orlando.