Escambia Public Schools Foundation Awards $100K In Grants To Area Schools
October 7, 2025
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation awarded over $100,000 in grants to teachers, schools and departments in the county through its Grants for Excellence program for this school year.
There were 20 grants totalling $100,213.86 awarded to teachers, schools, and departments in Escambia County Public Schools The high impact grants were awarded in the following priority areas: career/technical education, increasing graduation rates, literacy, low-performing students, STEM education, teaching quality/improving classroom instruction, and student resiliency.
The grant recipients were:
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Beyond the Textbook: Bringing Chemistry and Physics to Life
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Tate High School, Patrice Morgan
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C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities, Resources, and Engagement)
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Pine Forest High School, Tai Knight
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Creating a Calm Down Room for Social-Emotional Wellness
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Hellen Caro Elementary School, Amanda Cravatt
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Electrathon Race Team
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Northview High School, Michael Amerson
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Electric Racing Carts
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West Florida High School, Brandon Cherry
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Empowering Education: Enhancing Access and Literacy Through Technology and Support
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Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program, Kelly Jenkins
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FBLA Across Multiple Levels: Cultivating Career Readiness and Entrepreneurial Spirit
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Bellview Middle School, Jessica Steele
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From America to Zimbabwe
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Myrtle Grove Elementary School, Catherine Kozik
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Growing Minds: The Living Garden
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Montclair Elementary School, Elizabeth Greenberg
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Immersive Career Exploration & Training for Students with Disabilities
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District Extended Program:Project SEARCH, Lisa Armstead
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Keeping It Calm
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Bellview Middle School, Carla Thompson
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Literacy Mentors: Empowering Students Through Buddy Reading
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West Pensacola Elementary School, Sara Ratliff
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Opening Doors to Literacy: Guided Reader Library Project
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Jim Allen Elementary School, Bernadette Smith
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Opera-tunity: Kids Creating Opera
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Fine Arts, Barbie Spears
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Reading the World : Literacy as a Launchpad for STEM Thinking
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Molino Park Elementary School, Rachel Gilmore
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Strumming Toward Literacy: Integrating Ukulele-Based Music Education in Core Curriculum
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Montclair Elementary School, Stephanie Odom
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The Sensory Learning Pathway
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Roy Hyatt Environmental Center, Molly O’Connor
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The Wizards of Ozobots: Tiny Robots Big Opportunities
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Oakcrest Elementary School, Luciana Cajias
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TimeKettle for ELLs: Real-Time Translation for Equal Access
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Scenic Heights Elementary School, Megan Currie
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Under the Sea
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A.K. Suter Elementary School, Paula Stillman, Lead
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Ferry Pass Elementary School, Laura Hobbs
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Kingsfield Elementary School, Becky Mills
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Tate Beta Club Officers Participate In Regional Leadership Summit
October 6, 2025
Tate High School National Beta officers recently took part in the Florida Regional Leadership Summit were Tate was named an “Outstanding Leadership School”. Tate participants were Conner Bignell, Hannah Doodeman, Carter Hayden, Kati Ingram, and Lena Litton.
Tate Beta officerswere announced as qualifiers in the Collaboration Connection, Beta Blitz, and All the World is a Stage challengers. Hannah Doodeman was chosen to be a state representative at the state convention in January and next year’s Leadership Summit.
“I’m so proud of our officers. They placed in every competition they participated in,” said Tate Beta sponsor Stacye Litton. “They worked hard to prepare for the competition, and their rewards are well deserved.”
National Beta Regional Leadership Summits bring together students from multiple states for 1-2 day events. During that time, students work with interactive speakers who engage members through introspective exercises and team-building activities. Clubs can also participate in team-based leadership challenges, which test their communication, critical thinking, creativity, presentation, and collaboration skills. Their victories at this level provide the opportunity to compete at the national level. The National Convention will be held at the in Nashville during summer of 2026.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lipscomb Elementary Recognizes Special Area Champions
October 5, 2025
Lipscomb Elementary School recently recognized their September Special Area Champions. The students were recognized in special areas including, art, music, physical education, and the library. Photo for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
14 Tate High Students Recognized For Perfect State Standardized Assessment Scores
October 3, 2025
Fourteen Tate High School students have been recognized for achieving perfect scores on the 2025 state standardized assessments.
“These students exemplify what it means to strive for excellence,” said Principal Laura Touchstone. “Earning a perfect score is a rare and remarkable achievement, and we are incredibly proud of the focus and determination each of these students demonstrated. They serve as an inspiration to their peers and show us all what can be achieved through dedication and hard work.”
The following Tate High students earned perfect scores:
- Ja’lon Rodgers – FAA Biology EOC and FAA U.S. History EOC
- Kira Kimmons – Biology EOC
- Kendra McDonald – FAST ELA Reading Assessment
- Henry Merritt – Biology EOC
- Joerel Moore – Biology EOC
- Marcus Cooper – U.S. History EOC
- Tristan Crumm – U.S. History EOC
- Zion Hardaway – U.S. History EOC
- Charlie McMillian – Biology EOC
- Oliver Ortez – U.S. History EOC
- Callum Posey – U.S. History EOC
- Ethan Rezaie – U.S. History EOC
- Elijah Scott – U.S. History EOC
- Beatrice Tosi – U.S. History EOC
Pictured (L-R) Tate High School Principal Laura Touchstone, Ja’lon Rodgers, Kira Kimmons, Joerel Moore, Tristan Crumm, Charlie McMillian, Callum Posey, Ethan Rezaie, and Elijah Scott. Not pictured: Beatrice Tosi (2024-2025 foreign exchange student), Kendra McDonald, Henry Merritt, Marcus Cooper, Zion Hardaway, and Oliver Ortez. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High’s Makinzi Roley Recognized For Perfect State ELA Test Score
October 2, 2025
Northview High School student Makinzi Roley earned a perfect score on last year’s state English Language Arts (ELA) test. She is pictured with principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Meadow Elementary Fifth Graders Explore Roy Hyatt Science Environmental Center
September 30, 2025
Fifth grade students from Pine Meadow Elementary School recently enjoyed a visit to the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center is operated by the Escambia County School District.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle Names Students Of The Month
September 29, 2025
Ransom Middle School recently named its August Students of the Month. They are Rodderrick Purifoy and Neve Barrow-Wade, both eighth graders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
38 New Students Selected For Take Stock in Children Scholarship Program
September 28, 2025
Take Stock in Children of Escambia County recently welcomed 38 new scholars. There are now 192 students in grades 7-12 in Escambia County’s program.
When Take Stock Scholars maintain the program standards, including good grades, attendance, and citizenship, and attend weekly meetings with their volunteer community mentors, they are awarded a four-year tuition and fees scholarship to a state college in Florida.
Students selected in 2025 to be Take Stock Scholars are:
- Ernest Ward Middle – Brantley Laborde
- Ransom Middle – Darwin Franco-Gonzalez, Micah Hrabak
- ailey Middle – Olivia Cipriano, Nevaeh Hadder, Aria Hungerford, Semaiah Nitzke-Jenkins, Ashton McMahan, Mary Soper, Zachary Soper, Ramon Spann, Jr., Malachi Williamson, and Killian Williamson
- Bellview Middle – Levi Paul (formerly of West Pensacola Elementary)
- Beulah Middle – David Hall, Lillymae Knight, Basileigh Olford, and Kaylee Spearman
- Brown Barge Middle – Faisal Abumohaimed, Barin Barthwell, Giovanna Capocci, Tyson Culliver, Dakoda Ellis, Trevor O’Neill, Duc Tran, and Chloe Wood
- Dixon School of Arts & Sciences – Annelly Barcia, Ezekiel Chase, and Lavon Slater, Jr.
- Ferry Pass Middle – James Bain, Nigel DeVaughn, Coriana Powell (formerly of Cordova Park Elementary), Stephen Williams, Tiana Williams, Zari Woods
- Florida Virtual School – Douglas Caden Epps
- West Florida High – Rickiyah Randolph
- Workman Middle – Ayla Rostofer and Sunshine Sampson
Take Stock in Children is a statewide non-profit organization operating locally under the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation.
Take Stock provides “scholarships, mentors & hope” to deserving young people selected at the end of their 6th or 7th grade year through a need-based application process. Scholarship donations from local foundations, organizations, businesses and individuals are matched dollar-for-dollar when scholarships are purchased each year at selection from Florida Prepaid College Foundation, and are held until students graduate from high school.
To date, Take Stock in Children graduates have been awarded nearly 200 post-secondary completions including professional certifications, Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhDs.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students, Employee Of The Month
September 28, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their employee and student of the month for August. Pictured (L-R) with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger are students Nevaeh Tidd, eighth grade; Zane Therrell, seventh grade; Hadley Cook, sixth grade; and Wesley Stafford, technology coordinator. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Farm Bureau Presents Farm Family, Distinguished Service Awards
September 27, 2025
Escambia County Farm Bureau recently honored local producers during their annual meeting.
The Farm Family award was presented to the Glen and Todd Wiggins, and the Distinguished award was presented to Brett Ward of Walnut Hill for outstanding services to rural Escambia County.
Pictured top: Jack Livingston presented Glen and Todd Wiggins the Farm Family award. Pictured below: Farm Bureau President Jerry Sheppard presented the Distinguished Service award to Brett Ward. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
