Spooky Trail Offers Students A Thrilling Literacy Adventure
October 27, 2014
Escambia Westgate teachers, staff and many volunteers created a Spooky Trail last week for the students of Escambia Westgate, and McArthur Elementary School’s Special Education students, as a fun way to teach literacy. The mile-long trail through the woods behind the schools was decorated with giant eyeballs, witch’s hats, monsters, spider webs and skeletons. Stations along the way featured a magician, a team of storytellers, a monster sing-along, and even a fortune teller.
University of West Florida Honor students volunteered along with students from Booker T. Washington High School’s Jayettes and NJROTC students from Tate High School. Many of the student volunteers are already planning to be back in January for the Winter Trail.
Hannah Mizell, UWF Honor student, said the day was extra special for her because she has autism. “I feel sort of a connection to the kids. I kind of know what they are going through. I come from a small town where this would never happen.”
“Westgate is my favorite organization the honor students volunteer with,” explained Megan Adams, co-chair of the Honors Program Service Committee. “We take the students to three service projects a month. They will be back to help this spring with the Arbor Day trail and with Westgate’s prom.”
“Madam Ziree,” the Spooky Trail’s resident Fortune Teller (AKA Mrs. Desiree Rowe, Speech and Language Pathologist) said that last year she read a story to the children about a fortune teller. “This year I decided to play the part. The teachers gave me tips about their students such as their favorite foods, the name of their pet, or who plays on the Miracle League. Their eyes got big when Madam Ziree knew something special about them.”
Overseeing the day’s events were Judge Lacey Collier and Joe Denmon. It would be hard to find two men prouder of Escambia Westgate and what is done there for the children and teens they teach. Denmon discovered Escambia Westgate years ago when he was helping his sister transport some of the students. “The story is that one day I drove that bus out here, got off the bus and never left.”
Collier is especially proud of the Center’s Snoezelen Facility, a project that has his name on it. “He has taken us into his heart,” explains Susie Watson, curriculum coordinator for Escambia Westgate.
This was the fourth year for the Spooky Trail and everyone agreed that the credit goes to Catherine Born, who was on the trail at dawn putting up decorations and setting up for the volunteers. But she won’t take the credit, she quickly boasts about everyone who helped, the art teacher, the music teacher, the volunteers, etc. She is especially thankful for the Ascend volunteers who were out on the October 10, 2014, United Way Day of Caring to clear the pathways and lay out fresh mulch.
Pictured top: University of West Florida Honors program students created their own costumes and put on skits based on children’s books. This skit explained why the Old Lady Swallowed Some Leaves (a Halloween spoof of the Old Lady Who Swallowed the Fly). Pictured top inset: Charlotte Tucker, High School ESE Reading teacher at Escambia Westgate,helps students experience green slime and slimey eyeballs. Pictured bottom inset: Beau Bromall brings magic to the Spooky Trail. Pictured below: “Madam Ziree” played by Desiree Rowe helps a student look into her “crystal ball” to see his fortune. Pictured bottom: Judge Lacey Collier and Joe Denmon take a break to visit along The Spooky Trail. Photos by Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward FFA Fair Booth Wins Blue Ribbon
October 27, 2014
The Ernest Ward Middle School FFA won a blue ribbon with their booth this year at the Pensacola Interstate Fair. Photos by Jennifer Woodfin for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Hundreds Attend Williams Station Day; Dancers Dazzle Crowd
October 26, 2014
Hundreds attended the annual Williams Station Day in Atmore Saturday, including a large crowd for the day’s opening entertainment — dozens of dancers from a Byrneville group.
Williams Station Day takes its name from Atmore’s early history when in 1866 the community was a supply stop along the Mobile and Great Northern railroad.
Festival-goers were entertained by a wide variety of musical acts, and a wide variety of arts and crafts were also available. After an opening ceremony that featured a pink balloon release to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, Heather Leonard’s Danceworks of Byrneville entertained the crowd.
For a Danceworks photo gallery, click here.
For a Williams Station Day photo gallery, click here.
For results and photos from the Williams Station Day 5K, click here.
Pictured top: Crowds attend the annual Williams Station Day in Atmore Saturday. Pictured inset: Dancers perform. Pictured below: Peanut sales benefiting the Northview High School Tribal Beat Band. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Robotics Competition Prepares Local Students For High Tech Future
October 26, 2014
Young scientists from 14 area middle and high schools tested their science, math and problem-solving skills at the seventh annual Emerald Coast BEST Robotics competition Saturday at the University of West Florida.
This year’s theme, Blade Runner, involved students using teamwork and innovative thinking to execute five sets of tasks to assemble and position a wind turbine into a completed state.
Each team was judged on its robot performance, marketing presentation, team exhibit, technical notebook and spirit and sportsmanship. The top two overall teams and the team with the top robot advance to the regional competition December 5-7 at Auburn University.
Woodlawn Beach Middle School took the overall competition and will be joined by Brown Barge Middle School to represent the Emerald Coast BEST hub at Auburn.
Gulf Power has sponsored the BEST Robotics competition for the past seven years. The event teaches teamwork, problem solving, project management and pride in task completion.
BEST Robotics Inc. — Boosting Engineering Science and Technology — is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization whose mission is to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science and technology through participation in a sports-like, science and engineering-based robotics competition.
“This annual competition has continued to grow in popularity because it provides local students the opportunity to learn engineering, science and math skills in a hands-on practical setting,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesman. “Gulf Power is very proud to sponsor an event that has such a visible impact on local students.”
Area schools have been competing in BEST since 2004, when Gulf Power sponsored eight local teams to compete in the BEST hub in Mobile, Ala. The funding of hub operations depends entirely on corporate and individual sponsorships. Materials kits to build the robots are provided to the teams by the hub. No fees are paid by students or schools participating in BEST robotics.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Advancing to Regionals at South’s BEST – Dec. 5-7 at Auburn University
- Robotics: Brown Barge Middle School
- BEST: Woodlawn Beach Middle School
BEST Award — The BEST Award is presented to the team that best embodies the attributes associated with “Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology” in its development which include teamwork, diversity of participation, sportsmanship, creativity, ethics, positive attitude/enthusiasm, school/community involvement and exposure to and use of the engineering process.
- Woodlawn Beach Middle School
- Woodham Middle School
- Sims Middle School
Robotics Award — Awarded to the teams whose machines finish first, second and third in the tournament bracket.
- Woodlawn Beach Middle School
- Brown Barge Middle School
- Capstone Academy
Founders Award for Creative Design — Awarded to the team that makes best use of the engineering process in consideration of offensive and defensive capabilities in machine design; awarded in recognition of BEST founders Steve Marum and Ted Mahler.
- Woodlawn Beach Middle School
Most Robust Machine — Awarded to the team whose machine requires the least maintenance during and between matches and is generally the sturdiest machine in the competition.
- Pace High School
Most Photogenic Machine
- Brown Barge Middle School
Gulf Power Blood, Sweat and Duct Tape Award
- Little Flower Catholic School
Best T-Shirt Design
- West Florida High School
- Sims Middle School
- Woodlawn Beach Middle School
Web Page Design Award — Awarded for the best team website; based on page functionality, creative use of the game theme, information about team members and community efforts.
Woodham Middle School
Best Spirit and Sportsmanship — Recognizes the vigor and enthusiasm displayed by team representatives and the outward display of sportsmanship (e.g., helping other teams in need), grace in winning and losing, and conduct and attitude considered befitting participation in sports.
- Seaside Neighborhood School
- Pace High School
- Sims Middle School
Best Team Exhibit and Interview — The purpose of this category is to communicate through a display, and through discussion with judges, information about the team’s efforts to promote BEST in the community and schools; foster BEST spirit, camaraderie and participation and give evidence of sportsmanship.
- Woodlawn Beach Middle School
- Woodham Middle School
- Seaside Neighborhood School
Best Marketing Presentation — Teams should view themselves as employees of a “company” that is marketing their “product” (robot) to a potential buyer (judges). This marketing team is an integral part of the engineering team that has designed a specialized robot.
- Sims Middle School
- Seacoast Collegiate High
- Seaside Neighborhood School
Best Project Engineering Notebook — The purpose of the notebook is to document the process the team used to design, build and test their robot.
- Seacoast Collegiate High
- Sims Middle School
- Pace High School
2014 Teams:
- Avalon Middle School
- Brown-Barge Middle School
- Capstone Academy
- Creative Learning Academy
- J.M. Tate High School
- Little Flower Catholic School
- Max Bruner Jr. Middle School
- Pace High School
- Seacoast Collegiate High School
- Seaside Neighborhood School
- Sims Middle School
- West Florida High School
- Woodham Middle School
- Woodlawn Beach Middle School
Pictured: The seventh annual Emerald Coast BEST Robotics competition Saturday at the University of West Florida. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
It’s a Tradition: Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere
October 25, 2014
Looking for a pumpkin? The Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Men’s Pumpkin Patch is open once again this year under the tent at the corner of Highway 29 and Neal Road. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available, with some priced as low as $1. The pumpkin patch is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Local Schools Receive State Five Star School Awards
October 24, 2014
Several local schools have received “Five Star School Award” from the Florida Department of Education.
Escambia County schools honored were Jim Allen, Molino Park, Beulah, Lipscomb, McArthur, Pine Meadow, Bellview, Blue Angels, Hellen Caro, N.B. Cook, Cordova Park, , Longleaf, Pleasant Grove, Scenic Heights and A.K. Suter elementary schools; and Brown Barge Middle School.
The Five Star School Award was created by the Florida Department of Education’s Commissioner’s Community Involvement Council and is presented annually to those schools that have shown evidence of exemplary community involvement.
In order to earn Five Star School recognition, a school must show documentation that it has achieved one hundred percent of the established criteria in the categories of business partnerships, family involvement, volunteerism, student community service and school advisory councils.
Wards Named Outstanding Farm Family
October 24, 2014
The Ward family, including husband and wife Jimmy and Angela, have been named the Outstanding Farm Family of the Year in Santa Rosa County.
The Wards have a rich agricultural heritage and have been a part of the Allentown community for almost 100 years. In 1917, James B. Ward settled his family and began farming along what is now Hwy. 89. By the late 1950s four of his six sons; Joel, James, Lamar, and Charles were expanding the family farming tradition and grew corn, cotton, peanuts, soybeans, various grains, abundant vegetables, and raised cattle until the early 1990s. The Ward brothers passed on a legacy of hard work, integrity, and generosity to the next generation of family farmers. Jimmy Ward, son of Lamar Ward, is the third generation of Wards farming in Allentown.
Jimmy learned a lot about farming while working with his dad and uncles and continues to farm most of the family’s land. Jimmy and his wife Angela have established their home and raised their three sons on the same land his father and grandfather farmed and raised their families. Family and community have always been important at Ward Farms. Jimmy’s three sons, Jamie, Justin, and Dustin as well as other family and friends in the community are still part of Ward Farms today. It is a great honor to have the Ward family represent Santa Rosa County agriculture in 2014.
The Wards were honored during the recent 48th Annual Santa Rosa County Farm Tour, where Angela Ward accepted the award from County Commissioners Don Salter and Bob Cole. In addition, Tiffany Bates, district representative for Congressman Jeff Miller, presented the family with a Congressional Record proclamation honoring them for their accomplishments. Mary Beth Barrows, special assistant for Senator Marco Rubio, also presented commendations to the family.
Around 200 local officials and area citizens participated in the 48th Annual Santa Rosa County Farm Tour. During the daylong tour they learned firsthand about agriculture and its importance to the local economy. This year’s tour highlighted our county’s important peanut industry where participants saw how peanuts are grown, harvested and delivered for processing. Stops on the tour included the Roy Ward Farm, the UF/IFAS Jay Research Farm, Chumuckla’s Living Truth Church for lunch and presentations, the Mickey Diamond Farm, Golden Peanut Company and Holland Farms.
Pictured top: The Ward family. Pictured below: Farm Tour visitors. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Aims To ‘Stuff The Charger’ During Food Drive
October 23, 2014
The Florida Highway Patrol is working to “Stuff the Charger” during their inaugural food drive.
Through November 6, the FHP will be collecting non-perishable food at their district headquarters at 150 Stumpfield Road in Pensacola to stuff in a Charger and deliver to a local food bank in time for Thanksgiving.
The following items are needed:
- Canned Goods: Sweet potatoes and yams, carrots, green beans, corn, spinach, sweet peas, black eyed peas, cranberry sauce, shelf-stable canned ham, canned meats, hearty soups and pie fillings
- Dried Goods: Stuffing, instant potatoes, gravy mix, macaroni & cheese, rice, cornbread mix, grits and oatmeal
- Other Goods: Nuts, evaporated milk, broth
Peanut Butter Drive Continues
October 22, 2014
The Escambia County Extension office, Santa Rosa County Extension office along with the University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences and the Florida Peanut Producer Association are collecting peanut butter now through mid-November to help take a bite out of hunger.
The groups are accepting donations of unopened jars of peanut butter to be donated to local food pantries during Farm-City Week.
Unopened jars of peanut butter of any brand can be dropped off until November 21 at any of the following locations:
Escambia County
- Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
Santa Rosa County
- Jay Extension Office at 5259 Booker Lane, Jay
- Santa Rosa County Extension Office at 6263 Dogwood Drive, Milton
- South Santa Rosa Service Center, Master Gardener Help Desk at 5819 Gulf Breeze Parkway
- All Santa Rosa County Library locations
- Lowe’s Stores in Pace and Gulf Breeze
Peanut butter collected in Escambia County last year was donated to food pantries in Molino, Bratt and Century.
Pictured: The Godwins of Godwin Farms in Santa Rosa County, (L-R) Steven, Laryn, Valarie, Kylei, Rachael. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Navy Donates T-39 Training Aircraft To George Stone Technical Center
October 22, 2014
Like many retired Navy veterans that have served decades on active duty only to return to serving their country in another role, one of the last T-39 Sabreliner jets to fly at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola will help instruct students at George Stone Technical Center.
Instead of being flown to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base “boneyard” and languishing in the Arizona desert in lay-up, the airplane will become an integral part of the new Aviation Maintenance Program at GSTC.
“We are ecstatic about our partnership with the Navy and are very excited to get this jet,” said T. J. Rollins, principal at George Stone. “It was flying just a few months ago training Navy navigators, so it’s a fully-capable airplane for our new students to practice on as they work toward their certifications and licenses from the Federal Aviation Administration.”
The Navy-GSTC partnership happened through a chance meeting with the Escambia County School District’s Curriculum Coordinator for Workforce Education, Steve Harrell and a maintenance technician working at NAS.
“When I found out he worked on airplanes at the base, I mentioned that we were starting a new Aviation Maintenance Program at George Stone,” said Harrell. “He mentioned that they were retiring all of the T-39s and that I should ask the Navy if we could have one for our new program.”
John Appicelli, assistant officer in charge for the Chief of Naval Air Training detachment at NAS helped turn the suggestion into reality. He said that it was an unusual request, but it had merit.
“It took a lot of coordination between the Navy and government agencies, but we thought it was a great idea and would be well worth the effort,” said Appicelli. “We started the process in February and it took until now to work out all the details, including moving the jet to the school. As the aircraft left the base, ownership transferred to George Stone. I’m glad to see that it’s going to a good home and will continue to help launch aviation careers.”
Whisler Aviation from Seward, Neb. handled the transport of the T-39 to GTSC. The wing and fuselage were separated at NAS, trucked to George Stone and reassembled at the school Oct. 20 with the help of Deep South “The aircraft industry definitely needs qualified Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics as there is a shortage of A&Ps across America,” said Greg Whisler, president of Whisler Aviation. “In addition to transporting planes, we also have a repair facility that maintains aircraft, and we are always in need of certified A&P mechanics.”
The George Stone Aircraft Maintenance Program will be available for new and current GTSC students and approval is anticipated for funding by the GI Bill and other veteran’s educational programs.
According to Keith Boring, program manager for the Navy’s Credentials Program Office, active-duty and reserve Navy and Marine Corps personnel will be eligible for funding for the certification testing portion of the Aviation Maintenance Program through the Navy’s Credentialing Online Program “We don’t fund for the training portion of the program, as many active duty and reserve service members qualify as a result of their military schools and on-the-job training,” said Boring. “Navy COOL does fund, however, for airframe, powerplant and combination testing for the necessary certification exams at qualified technical schools like George Stone.”
According to Harrell and Rollins, the goal of the Aviation Maintenance Program is to help develop a local workforce that can fill the future aerospace jobs coming through VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering, Airbus, and other regional employers. The GTSC Aviation Maintenance Program is currently in the process of receiving FAA approval and certification and is
scheduled to start the first class at GSTC in August of 2015.
by Ed Barker, Media Officer, Naval Education and Training Command for NorthEscambia.com
Pictured top: A retired T-39 Sabreliner training jet fuselage is lowered onto its wing at George Stone Technical Center for use as part of their new Aviation Maintenance Program for students seeking a FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification. Pictured inset: The T-39 is loaded on a fladbed. Pictured below: Greg Whisler from Whisler Aviation and Kevin Henley from Deep South Cranes secure the nosewheel of the aircraft. Photo by Ed Barker, Naval Education and Training Command, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured bottom: The reassembled plane a parking lot Tuesday morning. Photo courtesy Allison Woodfin for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
