Robotics Team Heads To Historic Finals
June 2, 2015
The robotics team from the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) in Escambia County is headed for promises to be a historic milestone in the science of making machines move and think like humans.
The DARPA Robotics Challenge Finals, to be held June 5-6 in Pomona, CA, will test 25 teams from around the world in a challenge course designed to emulate a disaster area where humans could not safely go. IHMC’s team will be using the 6-foot-tall Atlas robot, built by Boston Dynamics but with the all-important controlling software designed by IHMC researchers.
The winning team will bring home $2 million from DARPA, which will go to further robotics research. The second-place team will win $1 million.
“It’s been a lot of non-stop work, but we’re ready to go,” said Doug Stephen, one of the computer scientists on the project for IHMC.
For years, movies and television shows have portrayed bipedal robots as virtually flawless, fast-moving, self-thinking units. But the reality has lagged far behind that characterization. The DARPA Robotics Challenge was designed to push the science and engineering to the next level. And in recent weeks, IHMC’s Atlas, nicknamed “Running Man,” has stepped up to the occasion, performing well on the tasks it will face in the finals, including driving a car, walking over a debris field, opening doors, cutting a hole in a wall, turning a valve for a fire hose and climbing stairs.
The finals require the robots to think for themselves to a large degree and perform the eight tasks in 60 minutes or less — on battery power, without a safety line, and with limited communications with their handlers. This week, IHMC’s machine finished the practice course well within the time frame.
“I am unconditionally proud of our robotics team and hope that the robot fates smile upon them in Pomona,” said IHMC CEO/Director Ken Ford. “They are a terrific group of young engineers and computer scientists.”
In the first two rounds of the Robotics Challenge in 2013, IHMC placed first in the virtual (computer simulation) trials, and second in the field trials, thanks in large part to the advanced computer software IHMC developed, organizers said. Other teams in next week’s finals come from some of the most advanced robotics programs in the country, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lockheed Martin, and Carnegie Mellon University, as well as several teams from Japan, South Korea, China and Germany.
Bratt Elementary Releases Honor Roll
June 2, 2015
Bratt Elementary School ha released their fourth nine weeks honor roll:
All A’s
Lauren Abbott
Raegan Abbott
Anna Adams
Claire Amerson
Erich Amerson
Desiray Bagwell
Haydn Baker
John Bashore
Jackson Bridges
Luke Bridges
Daylan Brown
Nevaeh Bush
Luke Chavers
Addison Classen
Shelby Cotita
Colton Criswell
Payton Daw
Carsyn Dortch
JaCee Dortch
Mayson Edwards
Noah Faulkner
Zykuria Fountain
Caitlyn Gibson
David Gilley
Jamison Gilman
Emma GIlmore
Talise Gregson
Ava Gurganus
Zane Gurganus
Will Heard
Leah Hetrick
Sarah Hetrick
Mary Catherine Hughes
Gracie James
Emily Jarvis
Tristan Johnson
Allison Jones
Ethan Kilburn
Laura Laborde
Kennedy Long
Houston Lowry
Jaquez Moorer
Elianna Morales
Alyssa Moya
Bentley Van Pelt
Colby Pugh
Ally Richardson
Maggie Scott
Jackson Simmons
McKenna Simmons
Zakyla Smith
Mia Starns
Kole Stewart
Maggie Stewart
Emily Stilwell
Aubrey Stuckey
Clay Wilson
All A’s and B’s
Rabekah Abbott
Adam Adams
Jaden Allen
Sara Amerson
Troy Ard
Kylie Bailey
Bristen Bethea
Bailey Blackwell
Riley Blackwell
Kyle Blanton
Karissa Boatwright
Olivia Boatwright
Lakyn Bodiford
Aiden Broadhead
Ora Bryan
Kadence Burklund
Jaquorious Burt
Tereasia Burt
Michael Butler
Kadence Calvert
Jakyra Carter
Landon Chavers
Camden Clarke
Zakhel Clemmons
Abigail Coker
Luke Conway
Chloe Criswell
Miyhanna Davidson
Callie Davis
Trevor Dean
Ryan Dove
Tyteanna Dubose
Addy Eicher
Gage Eicher
Scotty Elliott
Ja’Kayla Evans
Jamyla Feagin
Alli Flowers
Tessa Flowers
Aliyah Fountain
Johnathan Garrett
Jonathan Gibbs
Paige Gibbs
Raleigh Gibson
J.P. Gilman
Shelby Greenwell
Xackery Grover
Berklee Hall
Bryce Hall
Kohle Harigel
Noah Harigel
Summer Harrell
Kailey Hawkins
Will Heard
Ja’keir Hudson
Jakayla Jackson
Jessica Jowers
Derek Kenley
Justin Kinley
Keeli Knighten
Trent Knighten
Gage Lambert
Anna Lee
Kaitlin Lloyd
James Loftis
Jessica Loftis
Sarah Long
Max Mason
Kayla McCall
Reid McCall
Tanasia McCarty
Braeden McGhee
Megan McGhee
Mikey McGhee
Angel Merchant
Adannaya Mondaca
Carley Moore
Kai Morton
Travis Nelson
Reagan Peebles
Cloie Pickern
Dallon Rackard
Torian Richarson
Paige Ross
Bryson Sanders
Kasen Sawyer
Angel Schoonover
Treyton Schoonover
Adrianne Shanks
Carter Sigafoose
Arquavian Smith
Brayden Smith
Malia Smith
Jacob Spence
Alyssa Stabler
Reece Starns
Rebekah Stilwell
David Stokes
Bailey Stuckey
Jaimee Taylor
Jeremy Thomas
Madison Thomas
Corbin Turberville
Brayden Victor
Shelby Ward
Raycer Watson
Alexis White
Jordan Wilson
Raylee Wooten
Joshua Zisa
Summer Reading Programs Set At The Library
June 1, 2015
The “Summer Reading Club: Every Hero Has a Story” is set to go at the West Florida Library location nearest you. Youth ages 0 to 17 may register to play the reading game June 1 through July 18.
Programs run through July 30, with the June schedule as follows:
Mike Artell
Author, illustrator and cartoonist, Mike Artell will teach youth how to draw cartoon art.
- Tuesday, June 9, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch, Big Lagoon State Park
- Tuesday, June 9, 3:30 p.m. – Westside Branch, held at the Main Library
- Wednesday, June 10, 11 a.m. – Century Branch
- Wednesday, June 10, 3:30 p.m. – Main Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, June 11, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch, Auditorium
- Thursday, June 11, 3:00 p.m. – Tryon Branch, Meeting Room A
Michelle’s Magical Poodles
Enjoy Michelle’s Magical Poodles as they perform fun and quirky dog tricks with an educational twist and lots of audience interaction.
- Tuesday, June 16, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch, Big Lagoon State Park
- Tuesday, June 16, 3:30 p.m. – Westside Branch, held at the Main Library
- Wednesday, June 17, 11 a.m. – Century Branch
- Wednesday, June 17, 3:30 p.m. – Main Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, June 18, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch, Auditorium
- Thursday, June 18, 3:00 p.m. – Tryon Branch, Meeting Room A
Reno’s Reptiles
Join Reno’s Reptiles for a chance to get up close and personal with some amazing animals.
- Tuesday, June 23, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch, Big Lagoon State Park
- Tuesday, June 23, 3:30 p.m. – Westside Branch, held at the Main Library
- Wednesday, June 24, 11 a.m. – Century Branch
- Wednesday, June 24, 3:30 p.m. – Main Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, June 25, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch, Auditorium
- Thursday, June 25, 3:00 p.m. – Tryon Branch, Meeting Room A
Bucky & Gigi
Bucky & Gigi provide a fun, fast-paced show using physical comedy, circus skills, mime, magic, improvisation and lots of audience participation.
- Tuesday, June 30, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch, Big Lagoon State Park
- Tuesday, June 30, 3:30 p.m. – Westside Branch, held at the Main Library
- Wednesday, July 1, 11 a.m. – Century Branch
- Wednesday, July 1, 3:30 p.m. – Main Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, July 2, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch, Auditorium
- Thursday, July 2, 3:00 p.m. – Tryon Branch, Meeting Room A
Photos: Century’s Youngest (And Cutest) Graduates
June 1, 2015
The Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center recently held a VPK graduation ceremony. The young graduates demonstrated their ability to count to 100 in various increments, presented their favorite letters, sang songs and spoke a little Spanish — skill all learned in their VPK classes.
For more photos of the graduates, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names May Students Of The Month
June 1, 2015
Ernest Ward Middle School has named Students of the Month for May. They are Summer Water, sixth grade; Justin Cruce, eighth grade; and Emily Boutwell, seventh grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Class Of 2015 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
May 31, 2015
Just over 100 members of the Northview High School Class of 2015 graduated Saturday.
‘Have the courage to follow your heart in order to achieve your dreams,” said Valedictorian Kyndall Hall. “The only person that can keep you from achieving your dreams is yourself. Life isn’t about how long you live, but how you live. It is not about what you have, but how you use what you have. I pray that whatever you do with your life, you are successful with it.”
“God has a plan for each of our lives,” she said. “And to find and pursue it will mean success.
School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas praised the Class of 2015 for their numerous academic and athletic accomplishments, and for earning over a half million dollars in scholarship money.
For a complete video of the graduation ceremony, click here.
For a photo gallery, click here. (More individual diploma photos will be published this week.)
A complete list of graduates is below the bottom photo, scroll down.
Pictured top: Northview valedictorian Kyndall Hall delivers a speech to her class. Pictured below: Salutatorian Samantha Sharpless addresses the Class of 2015. Pictured bottom: The NHS Senior Ensemble. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above) are:
Kyndall Lauren Hall -Valedictorian
Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless – Salutatorian
Matthew Ryan Chavers
Mallory Mason Ryan
Tristan Taylor Brown
Julie Beth Hester
Jessica Leigh McCullough
Megan Paige Bryan
Austin Blake Cunningham
Aaron Thomas McDonald
Tristan Hunter Portwood
Kendal Brooke Cobb
Desiree Nicole Elliard
Kristen Renae Byrd
Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are:
Kelton Joe Wooten
Charmayne Mishanna Fountain
Joshua Joseph Borelli
Kamryn Denise Brock
Hannah Elizabeth Gibson
Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are:
Shania Lynn Ward
Penny Nicole Banda
Adriann Dawn Lee
Jaylen Malik Parker
Morgan Maxine Ward
Rachel Caroline Sepulveda
Rickey Heath Smith
E’layzha Rikiah Bates
Madison Ma’clay McGhee
Holly Merlice Cofield
Alphabetical
Sean Thomas Allister
Brodie Jackson Amos
Autumn Leanna Ates
Mason Dylan Baker
Chandler Lane Boies
Alexander Wesley Bradley
Tydre’ Laquan Bradley
Jessica Faye Brewton
Mark Jordan Brink
AngeliqueTatiana Brown
Ciara Ann Campbell
Jason Wade Cantrell
Lane Jarrett Carnley
Andrew Martin Clemmons
Hope Marie Coggins
Lawrence Eathan Coon
Tiffani Amber Cruce
lyanna Latice Davidson
Allyson Brianne Edwards
Kayla Marie Fears
Ray’shon Donnelle Fletcher
Kaylee Elizabeth Foster
Chasen Lee Freeman
Everette Francis Garvey
Ryder Tristen Gifford
Landon David Godwin
Jonathan Wayne Griffis
Azeen Bisheer Grissett
Austin Taylor Halfacre
Dillon Wade Hall
Courtney Danielle Hallford
Davy Scott Hanks
Elijah Chase Harbison
Ronald Nyshun Harris
Alliyiah Quarille Henderson
Trenton D’Angelo Howard
Hannah Elaine Johnson
Kadarius D’Quan Johnson
John Hunter Johnston
Justin David Kite
Kaitlyn Grace Kline
Nicholas Dewayne Lambert
Angel Nicole Lathan
Keondrae Shamar Lett
Dakota Ray Lowery
Cody Wayne Mathis
Andrea Shiyann Miles
Teamber Marie Moorer
Kayla Michelle Nahkala
Catherine McKenzie Nassar
Kenneth Erving Nelson
Cameron Rasheed Newsome
Jarred Donovan Nixon
Jeniya Charmaine Odom
Jason Kade Parham
Lakelynn Nicole Parker
Breanna Marie Payne
Courtney Paige Peebles
Emily Graye Pippins
Joseph Tanner Plant
Natassja Sam one Scott
Logan Hunter Sherouse
Zachary Samuel Sims
Anissa Shanae Smiley
Paula Lynnette Spicer
Keona Monshea Stanley
Benjamin Michael Stott
Kachanne Elaine Thomas
Cara Renea Thompson
Asja Mo’na Trotter
Brett Clayton Weeks
Erica Megan Wiggins
Kennisia Teresa Ann Williams
Natasia Nicole Williams
Takeya Monique Williams
Tristan Parker Williams
Brandon Michael Wilson
Ashley Suanne Young
First Molino Crawfish Festival Held (With Photo Gallery)
May 31, 2015
The first Molino Crawfish Festival was held Saturday. The family-oriented event included live, music games, bounce houses, and other food items — including burgers, fries and hot dogs and watermelon. And there were plenty of crawfish — over 1,500 pounds of crawfish.
Proceeds benefited the Molino Historical Society and area churches.
Photos by Michael Pevahouse and Ramona Prestion for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Spanish Tall Ship Elcano Open For Tours Today (With Photo Gallery)
May 31, 2015
Large crowds tourned the Spanish tall ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano while it was in port in Pensacola over the weekend.
The Elcano is the official training ship for the Royal Spanish Navy and entrusted with the formation and training of the Spanish Naval Midshipmen. Since 1927 the Elcano has sailed more than a million and a half nautical miles through all the seas of the world. Of the 85 cruises she has completed, 10 of them have been around the world.
Considered to be a “floating embassy,” her presence in foreign countries and ports contributes considerably to the Spanish foreign policy. Elcano Captain Enrique Torres-Piñeyro of El Ferrol, Galicia, Spain and crew will sail into Pensacola Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 9a.m. to help honor the U.S. citizenship of General Bernardo de Galvez, a Revolutionary War hero who won the Battle of Pensacola 234 years ago in May.
Spanish commander Galvez defeated British troops in the Battle of Pensacola on May 9, 1781, reconquering West Florida for Spain and aiding the 13 American colonies in their quest for independence. Each year, Pensacola, which boasts a large population with connections to Spain, celebrates that victory. In December of 2014, the United States Congress conferred honorary citizenship on Galvez, citing him as a hero of the Revolutionary War.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ditton Gorme, click to enlarge.
Complete Video: Northview High School Graduation
May 31, 2015
Northview High School full graduation video is below..
In the event you do not see the video above, it is because your home, work or school firewall is blocking YouTube videos. Video courtesy Escambia County School District.
Crowden Retires From Century Health And Rehab
May 31, 2015
Mary Crowden retired Friday after 19 years of service at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center. She worked in multiple areas during her tenure. But her best talent, according to coworkers, was taking care of loose ends, always giving 150 percent. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.