Lamberts Celebrate Silver Anniversary
April 22, 2012
Aaron and Kim (Thortis) Lambert recently celebrated their silver wedding anniversary.
They were married on April 4, 1987, in Walnut Hill at the Walnut Hill Assembly of God. Aaron works at Reichhold Chemical as the purchasing and plant scheduler. He has been there for 17 years. Kim works at Escambia River Electric Cooperative at their Walnut Hill office. She has been there for 12½ years. They have four children, Brittany, A.J., Courtney and Brady. They also have three grandchildren.
Their parents are Ervin and Carolyn (Spence) Thortis and Douglas and the late Nellie (LaField) Lambert.
They enjoy family vacations and taking trips together, especially to watch any Alabama Crimson Tide sporting event. They are planning a trip in the fall to celebrate the occasion.
Pictured: Aaron and Kim (Thortis) Lambert celebrated their silver anniversary. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century CI Inmates Graduate With GED, Ready To Work Certificates
April 21, 2012
Century Correctional Institution held a graduation ceremony Friday morning for inmates receiving their GED diplomas while behind bars.
“I began to challenge my thoughts, feelings and beliefs,” said Century CI Class of 2012 Salutatorian Shawn Ashe, earning his GED at age 30. “I am able to receive my diploma today because I made a choice.”
Ashe is about six months away from finishing a two-year prison sentence for cocaine possession, passing forged bills, trafficking in stolen property and grand theft in St. Johns County. He readily admits that he made very bad choices that landed him in prison, but he said his newly earned GED will open a whole new world of opportunity once he is released.
“I can and will make a difference in my community when I leave out of here,” Ashe said. He thanked God for the opportunity to earn his GED behind bars, and he acknowledged Florida’s tax payers for funding what he called a worthy program.
Henry Jordan, class valedictorian, is serving a 3.5 year sentence for a weapons and felony driving without a license charges from Duval County. His said his days at Century CI were once filled with working out “to look good at the beach” upon his release. But then, he said, he got his priorities straight.
“I decided to join the GED program instead of working out,” Jordan said. “I decided to focus on my GED…a GED increases my odds of making something of myself.”
Four other inmates received their GED diplomas during a graduation Friday morning inside Century Correctional Institution. They were: Joshua Moynihan, Alex Lichtenberger, Karey Murphy and Dachua Oliver. Earning the GED meant passing a five-part test consisting of reading/language and writing (including an essay), math, social studies and science.
“I watched another guy get up and walk out of the GED test because he thought the essay was too hard,” Jordan told fellow inmates at the graduation ceremony. “Don’t y’all give up. Everything is worth it.”
For a photo gallery from the prison’s graduation ceremony, click here.
Also Friday morning, 11 Century Correctional inmates received their Florida Ready to Work certificates. Florida Ready to Work is an innovative state-funded workforce education and economic development program that provides student job-seekers with a standard credential that certifies their workplace readiness and ability to succeed on the job.
Inmates receiving Ready to Work certificates were: Shawn Ashe, Steven Kelly, Robert Brantley, Jraron Lasseter, Vonsha Marshal, Joshua Monynihan, Erving Rogers, Brandley White, Timothy Curd, Alex Lichtenberger and Dachua Oliver.
Century CI Warden Richard Comerford said 16 more Century Correctional inmates will take their GED tests in next few days.
Guest speaker for event was Mark Whitacre, the highest corporate-level executive to ever become a FBI whistleblower, uncovering a massive price fixing scheme at Archer Daniels Midland (AMD) in the 1990’s. He served nearly a decade in federal prison. Whitacre was the subject of the 2009 movie “The Informant!” in which he was portrayed by Matt Damon. Monday morning on NorthEscambia.com, we will bring you Whitacre’s story.
Pictured top: Century Correctional Class 2012 Salutatorian Shawn Ashe addresses fellow inmates Friday morning. Pictured top inset: Ashe and Valedictorian Henry Jordan. Pictured below: GED graduates in their “class photo” with Century Correctional staff members. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Honors Outstanding High School Seniors
April 20, 2012
The Escambia County Public School Foundation hosted the 2012 Senior Academic Awards program Thursday night, honoring 88 of Escambia County’s outstanding high school seniors.
Honorees included the top five students in each graduating class as well as one student from each of the following disciplines: English, Foreign Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Career & Technical. The five National Merit Finalist from Escambia County were also honored.
Recognized Thursday night were:
Northview High School: Top Five – Holly Dickson, Josie Doucette, Amber D. Francis, Joel Wetzel, Elizabeth A. Wright; Subject Areas – Melissa Moretz, English; Chelsea Parham, Foreign Language; Brian Ross, Math; Caleb Leonard, Science; Lauren McCall, Social Studies; Lydia Weaver, Career and Technical.
Tate High School: Top Five – Seth Nathaniel Ammons, Emily Kailyn Creahan, John Wesley Lynn McDaniel, Daniel Pierce, Wendy Stradley; Subject Areas – Cheyenne Ryan, English; Crista Anne King, Foreign Language; Matthew Warren, Math; Breanna Renee Harrison, Science; Antonio D. Odom II, Social Studies; Courtney Graves, Career and Technical.
West Florida High School: Top Five – Nathan Andrews, John William Arnold, Tyler Ray Bryant, Dena Ngoc Le, Robert Mines; Subject Areas – Lauren Cleary, English; Dylan Lopez, Foreign Language; Kathryn Paige Disher, Math; Katie Lynn Nelson, Science; Jeffery Alan Grosso, Jr., Social Studies; Brigitte Beaulieu, Career and Technical.
Escambia High School: Top Five – Megan Beebe, Lauren Ashley Burns, Allison Kane, Kenny Nguyen, Jessica Reid; Subject Areas – Andria Quinlan, English; D.J. Fontenot, Foreign Language; Steven Ray Honeycutt, Math; Alana Lami, Science; Sawyer Cross, Social Studies; Dimitri Baptiste, Career and Technical.
Pensacola High School: Top Five – Sang Choi, Michael Joseph Johnson, Latesa Brielle Jones, An Tu, Yong Zhang; Subject Areas – Deidre Evans, English; Niña Rickka A. de Guzman, Foreign Language; Brandon Phuong Anh Tran, Math; Jin Lin Zheng, Science; Carlos Espinoza, Social Studies; Daniel Robar, Career and Technical.
Pensacola High School IB Program: Top Five – Sami Alsheikh, Wade Ingram, Sophia Liu, Kelly Mamelson, Mary-Grace R. Reeves; Subject Areas – Angelle Notaro, English; Peter Mahaffey, Foreign Language; Benjamin Greydanus, Math; Sarah E. Woods, Science; James Ryan Lengyel, Social Studies; Zachary Decker, Career and Technical.
Pine Forest High School: Top Five – Giselle Collie, Marissa Alana Frangione, Amber Lee Lane, Christina M. Nabity, Anthony M. Schmoll; Subject Areas – Katlyn Fryer, English; Markesha C. Brown, Foreign Language; Kati Mae Andrews, Math; Kalena DeVilla Hammond, Science; Alexañder Edgar Peña, Social Studies; Tyrell I. Jackson, Career and Technical.
Washington High School: Top Five – Haley Anderson, Luke Bosso, Alexa Carter, Tuong-My Nguyen, Patricia Taylor; Subject Areas – Bianca Bari Lurate, English; Colin Mitchell, Foreign Language; Hayden Adams Bell, Math; Ryan Larson, Science; Danielle Robinson-Pierre, Social Studies; Tina Nguyen, Career and Technical.
National Merit Finalists: Sami Alsheikh, Benjamin Greydanus, Samuel Martin Hitt, Sophia Liu, Mary-Grace R. Reeves; all from Pensacola High School IB Program.+
Pictured top: Northview High Senior Academic Award winners Thursday night at New World Landing (front, L-R) Amber Francis, Melissa Moretz, Lauren McCall, Lydia Weaver, NHS Assistant Principal Deborah Ray, (back, L-R) Holly Dickson, Josie Doucette, Joel Wetzel, Elizabeth A. Wright and Caleb Leonard. Not pictured: Chelsea Parham and Brian Ross. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dance Group Places In Birmingham Competition (With Gallery)
April 19, 2012
Brewton Dance took part in the Legacy Dance Competition recently at the Alabama Theater in Birmingham, with girls from across the area bringing home several awards.
The mini competitive team placed fifth and sixth overall. Team members were: Alonna Bedsole , Lauren Thompson, Clair Hart, Bronwyn Patterson and Maegan Bondurant.
The middle competitive team placed placed third and fourth overall, received two elite gold medals and a special judge’s award for “smile and entertainment”. Team members were Peyton Barns, Aaliyah Bedsole, Daisy Canty, Lexi Clark, Sarahann Devers, Emma Grace Harris, Ella Hart, Madison Lambeth, Sydney Lucas, Taylor Peters and Kathryn West.
An older competitive team comprised of Donnavia Williams, Ariell Fain and Mykeicia Collins also performed.
The group, under the direction of Ann Peevy, will take part in a competition next month in Mobile. If they place again, they will head to a national competition in Orlando.
Pictured: Brewton Dancer performs at the Alabama Theater in Birmingham. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
First Redbox Comes To The Flomaton/Century Area
April 18, 2012
Flomaton and Century have been abuzz the past few days over a new Redbox movie rental kiosk that is now up and running in Flomaton — the first in that immediate area.
The kiosk is located in front of the Dollar General Store on Sidney Manning Boulevard. That is just a few feet from, somewhat ironically, the former location of Movie Gallery and a subsequent independent movie rental business.
When the bankrupt Movie Gallery closed two years ago, industry analysts said the company’s demise was due to the popularity of the online rental service Netflix the standalone Redbox kiosks.
Movie rentals at a Redbox kiosk are $1.20 per day, $1.50 for Blu-ray and $2 per day for games.
Pictured: A new Redbox movie rental kiosk outside the Dollar General in Flomaton, Ala. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Releases Third Nine Weeks Honor Roll
April 16, 2012
Bratt Elementary School has released their honor roll for the third nine weeks.
All A’s
Anna Adams
Maggie Amerson
Lexxi Baggett
Haley Baker
John Bashore
Zoe Bergfield
Leah Berry
Brody Black
Tanner Boone
Luke Bridges
Aiden Broadhead
Lexi Broadhead
Keaton Brown
Abbie Buford
Katie Buford
Conner Byrne
Emilee Cabral
Ashtyn Carnley
Noah Casson
Savannah Doremus
Ryan Dove
Jayson Fayard
Jamyla Feagin
Amanda Franklin
Gabby Franklin
Makayla Garrett
Caitlyn Gibson
Alabama Gilley
David Gilley
Amber Gilman
JP Gilman
Emma Gilmore
Shelby Godwin
Zane Gurganus
Kara Hawkins
Sarah Margaret Hetrick
Hannah Hughes
April Johnson
Anna King
Trent Knighten
Kennedy Long
Braeden McGhee
Bailie Merchant
Colby Morris
Abigail Nelson
Travis Nelson
Christopher Nordman
Jaylon North
Madison Peterson
Libby Pugh
Dallon Rackard
Kinzie Rackard
Tyler Ray
Kenna Redmond
Teriana Redmond
Carter Sigafoose
McKenna Simmons
Lydia Smith
Bailey VanPelt
Cailee Wilburn
Autumn Williams
Clay Wilson
Lane Wilson
Kendall Wise
Connor Wolfe
All A’s and B’s
Cassidy Boutwell
Sheyenne Dillon
Jackson Edwards
Gracen Brook
Cameron Cloud
Savannah Spence
Franki Daw
Shane Hardin
Cheyenne Philyaw
Jalexis Robinson
Ty Wise
Kelley Bradley
Karlee Criswell
Colton Dockens
Ansleigh Maholovich
Chloe Criswell
Makayla Dove
Kerry Hicks
Da’Mius Wesley
T’ahna Wesley
Alyssa Stabler
Bryuana Bivins
Destiney Bradley
Michael Merchant
Mary Paige Nassar
Tobias Madison
Blaize Parrish
Matthew Pruitt
Arquavian Smith
Vivyan Smith
Sarah Branch
Madelyn Berry
Jayden Jackson
Paige Gibbs
Anna Lee
Shelby Rice
Kaleigh Macks
Shelby Bashore
Logan Chavers
Savannah Fullerton
Delaney Reynolds
Allison Rice
Wyatt Dillon
Martina Howard
Adam Miller
Erich Amerson
Alexis Evans
Tatyanna Findley
Jarvis Skanes
Kayla Campbell
Audrey Odom
Summer Waters
Taviana Parker
Anyis Cabral
Cassie Davis
Jonathan Gibbs
Ah’Zavion Gregory
Angel Merchant
Adrianne Shanks
Ashton Cloud
Addie White
Tyler Davis
Emilee Bomba
Kiara Wesley
Gracie Godwin
Jaylee Redmond
Mary Rice
Ahmad Elliott
John Michael Ward
Ann-Margaret Boothe
Caren Cannon
Catherine Casey
Cameron Long
Aaliyah Tucker
Michael Ward
Shelby Bartley
Grand Champions Named In Annual Livestock Show
April 15, 2012
The 19th Annual 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock Show and Agricultural Exposition wrapped up Saturday at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Beulah.
The show provides an opportunity for local 4-H and FFA members to show their steers, swine, goats, lambs, heifers, rabbits and poultry. In addition, many of the steers and swine in the program were auctioned off.
This year’s Grand Champion Steer was exhibited by Donald Cunningham (pictured left). The 1,233 pound steer sold at auction for $4,007.25 ($3.25/lb) to Dr. Tom Lampone. Donald, age 14, is a member of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club. In addition to showing steers, he enjoyes swimming, NJROTC, basketball, football, working and being a Boy Scout. He is the son of Lewe and Beth Cunningham. He attends Pace High School.
The Reserve Champion Steer belonged to Ashley Cunningham, a 16-year old Northview High School Student and member of the Northview FFA. Her steer, at 1,250 pounds, sold at auction for $4,500 ($3.60/lb) to Hill Kelly Dodge. Ashley is the daughter of Andy and Christina Cunningham. She is a Northview High cheerleader and a member of the Northview dance, weightlifting and track teams. She enjoys going to the beach and Harry Potter movies.
The Grand Champion Market Swine was exhibited by Matthew Smith (pictured left), a 13-year old seventh grader at Ransom Middle School. Matthew, the son of Randal and Ginjer Smith, also enjoys band, hunting, fishing and trail raiding. The Barrineau Park 4-H Club member’s 260 pound pig sold for $962 ($3.70/lb) to Gulf South Automotive.
This year’s Reserve Champion Market Swine belonged to Dylan Livingston, a seventh grader at Ransom Middle School. The 13-year old 4-H club member’s 237 pound pig sold for $592.50 ($2.50/lb) to Todd Timko and Blooming Geri. Dylan enjoys video games and basketball. He is the son of Patty and Erick Livingston.
Complete and final results from the 19th Annual 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock Show were not available Saturday night; NorthEscambia.com will publish complete results and more photos later in the week.
If you have photos from events other than the swine and steer sales, please email them to news@northescambia.com for inclusion in a photo gallery.
Pictured top and top inset: Donald Cunningham and his $4,007.25 Grand Champion Steer. Pictured bottom inset: Matthew Smith and his 260 pound Grand Champion Market Swine. Pictured below: Dylan Livingston and his 237 pound Reserve Champion Market Swine. Not pictured: Ashley Cunningham was not available for a photograph with her Reserve Champion Steer. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Special Olympics Held At Tate (With Gallery)
April 14, 2012
The big race was almost over. Everyone had crossed the finish line, except for a young lady named Kailee that had not even started. Kailee just sat in her wheelchair, not going along with plans of her Special Olympic “buddies”. They wanted her run the race. She wanted no part.
But the crowd began to chant her name. “Kailee, Kailee.” The confidence begin to build. Over and over, the crowd called her name louder and louder. “Kailee, Kailee!”
She, albeit cautiously, stepped up from her wheelchair with the help of a buddy.
She tapped her white cane on the track. That confident look disappeared from her face. Visually impaired, Kailee could not see what was ahead; she latched onto a buddy. Fear in her wandering eyes. The crowd continued their encouragement. “Kailiee! Kailee!”. She was center of attention in her corner of Pete Gindl Stadium.
Kailee picked her foot up high and stepped ahead. She felt around with her white cane. Solid ground, perhaps not so bad. She began to smile and went ahead. As she gained speed, her smile grew.
Her blond hair began to wave in the wind and she headed step after step toward the finish line. Beaming and grinning, she crossed the finish line. The crowd roared, smiles everywhere. A man watching the race wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
Kailee’s total time in the 30 meter? It really didn’t matter that it was probably five minutes. She was a big winner.
That’s the special part of the Escambia County Special Olympics held Friday at Tate High School — everybody, no matter their physical or mental disability, was their own winner.
Over 500 athletes from 18 schools took part in Friday’s event, showing off their competitive skills in a variety of events. Hundreds of Tate High students also took part, running event and serving as volunteer “buddies” for the athletes.
The day included track and field events, softball and tennis ball tosses, and other competitive events — plus fun events like fishing games, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, face painting and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top series: Kailee, a visually impaired student, takes part in the Escambia County Special Olympics Friday morning at Tate High School. Pictured inset and below: More scenes from the event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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On The Menu: ‘Fresh Kittens Here’
April 13, 2012
A menu board type sign in Cantonment caught a little bit of attention Thursday. The”Fresh Kittens Here, Ask to See” signs had drivers looking twice along Highway 29 while sign photos made the rounds on Facebook.
But not to worry, the sign was not for a restaurant, but for the Companion Animal Clinic, which had several newly arrived kittens up for adoption.
Interested in adopting one of the “Fresh Kittens”? Call the Companion Animal Clinic at (850) 968-0226 or visit them at 470 South Highway 29, in the old Winn Dixie shopping Center.
Pictured: “Fresh Kittens” were available in Cantonment Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Want To Raise Chickens? This Program Is For You
April 10, 2012
Are you interested in having fresh eggs on your table and raising chickens on your property? Then an upcoming class has the information you need to know.
A “Small Flock Egg Production and Management” meeting will be held Monday, April 16 in Molino and Tuesday, April 17 in Jay.
The event will include information on local laws and resources, important facts to know about feeding chickens, housing, egg production, breed selection, health management and food safety. Guest speakers will be Dr. Gary Butcher and Dr. Richard Miles, both UF IFAS poultry specialists.
Cost for the event is $5. The class will be presented Monday, April 16 from 6-8 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church in Molino and Tuesday, April 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Jay Community Center.
To register, call Escambia County Extension at (850) 475-5230 or the Santa Rosa County Extension at (850) 675-3701.