Take Stock In Children Awards $300K In Scholarships To Local Students
June 1, 2018
Take Stock in Children and the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation recently awarded $300,000 in scholarships to 21 graduating seniors.
Each student received a four-year scholarship and a laptop computer. The volunteer mentors who met weekly with their students were also recognized.
The 2018 Take Stock in Children graduates are
- Escambia High: Diamond Franklin
- Northview High: Jason Fischer, Kayla Galvan, Lari McCann
- Pensacola High: Latavia Grace, Aaliyah Medley, Markita Sapp, Joshua Van Fleet
- Pine Forest High: Lina Foust, Brianna Walker
- Tate High: Olivia Brown, Devin Searcy, Taylor Smith, Sabra Stewart
- Washington High: Armelle Delouis, DeMarcus Harris, Clay Johnson, Brooke Nemeth
- West Florida High: De’Shawn Brundidge, Dezmond Booker, Savon Johnson
Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization in Florida that provides a unique opportunity for deserving low-income students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. Students receive college scholarships, caring volunteer mentors, college readiness skills, and hope for a better life. Students are selected through a need-based application process in middle school, and comprehensive services continue through high school and include the students’ transition into college. Each student is matched with a volunteer mentor who meets with the student weekly at school.
Pictured top: (front row) Olivia Brown, Latavia Grace, Lari McCann, Kayla Galvan, Lina Foust, Taylor Smith, Sabra Stewart, Aaliyah Medley, Clay Johnson, Devin Searcy; (back row) Rep. Frank White, Dezmond Booker, Joshua Fan Fleet, Savon Johnson, Armelle Delouis, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, Diamond Franklin, DeMarcus Harris, De’Shawn Brundidge, Brianna Walker and Rep. Clay Ingram. Not pictured: Jason Fischer, Brooke Nemeth and Markita Sapp. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Teacher’s Summer Lessons Go Viral
June 1, 2018
There won’t be any of that dreaded summer homework for students of Betsy Eggart, a teacher at Lipscomb Elementary School. Instead, she’s offering lessons that are not found in the first grade curriculum — and they are going viral.
Her Facebook post had been shared over 190,000 times by Friday morning, and it was featured online by Good Morning America. She wrote:
“A parent asked me the other day, ‘Are you sending home a packet of work for the summer?’ I paused and felt half-guilty as I replied, ‘No…’”
She continues -
“This is so great, in theory. And maybe one day I’ll put one together. Although, the more I thought, the more I decided that this summer packet should be less addition practice and sight words and more…LIFE.
“So take it or leave it…here’s my “Summer Packet.”
“Teach your child to tie their shoes. Find a fun trick! Watch a video! Give an incentive! Be persistent! Just make sure your child isn’t the one dragging their laces through the bathroom and cafeteria then asking the teacher to tie it.
“Keep bedtime in the routine. It may be a little later and there will be nights that bedtime doesn’t apply. But overall, if we keep our bodies in a routine with sleep, August won’t hit quite so hard.
“Choose a few family members and friends to write a letter to this summer. Ask your child to write in full sentences, ask questions and give details. Writing with a purpose makes it relevant and real for your child. Maybe someone will write them back! Include an envelope with return address and stamp to encourage that!
“Sit at the table and eat together. Really watch your child. Is he sitting on his knees, mouth wide open, food everywhere? This is how he looks in the cafeteria. Work on that.”
Other tips include encouraging kindness, read to your child, put down your phone and rest.
“Squeeze in the fun, but allow the time to rest. Boredom gives way to creativity. Rest renews our bodies and our minds for all the next school year has in store,” she said.
Woman, Five Kids Injured In I-10 Rollover Crash
June 1, 2018
Six people, including five children, were injured Thursday in a crash on I-10 between the Highway 29 and Davis Highway exits.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 26-year old Keandra Winley of Pensacola was driving a 2005 Dodge Durango eastbound on I-10 when the left rear tire blew out. Winley lost control, and the vehicle slid across three lanes of travel. The vehicle then struck a guardrail and overturned. The vehicle came to rest on its roof.
Winley and five children ranging in age from 1 to 10 were injured. Four including Winley suffered minor injuries, while a 4-year old and 6-year old were seriously injured. All were transported to Sacred Heart hospital.
Winley was charged by the FHP with driving with a suspended license and a child restraint violation.
Northview Graduate Wright Graduates From U.S. Air Force Academy
June 1, 2018
Victoria A. Wright has graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. She eceived a bachelor of science degree and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.
The academy is a four-year military institution of higher learning that develops and inspires new air and space leaders with a vision for the future. Its curriculum provides instruction, education, training and experience in academics, military training, physical and athletic conditioning, and spiritual and ethical development to all cadets.
Cadets graduate with the knowledge, character and skills essential for future career officers in the U.S. Air Force. As new lieutenants, they will go on to serve as pilots, navigators, engineers, maintenance officers or professionals in various technical fields, while other cadets may go on to attend medical or graduate school with special scholarships, or directly to non-rated Air Force-wide assignments.
Wright is the daughter of Melissa N. Haddix of Massillion, OH, and Joseph P. Wright of Walnut Hill, step-daughter of Tami L. Wright of Walnut Hill, and Rick Haddix of Massillion, OH, and sister of Elizabeth A. Wright of Pensacola.
She is a 2014 graduate of Northview High School.
Baseball Field At Cantonment Sportsplex Damaged By Vandal
June 1, 2018
One of the outfields at the Cantonment Sportsplex was discovered to be damaged by a vandal on a four-wheeler. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or Cantonment Baseball. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Hold Joint Emergency Activation
June 1, 2018
Santa Rosa County Emergency Management hosted a joint activation meeting Thursday with Escambia County Emergency Management to prepare for hurricane season and other emergencies. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama National Guardsman Killed, Another Injured In Wreck Near Atmore
May 31, 2018
An Alabama Army National Guardsman was killed in a crash on I-65 Thursday morning when the military Humvee he was driving left the roadway and overturned on I-65 about six miles north of the Atmore exit.
John Wesley Waldrop, 38, of Satsuma, AL, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A passenger in the vehicle, 25-year old Justin Cecil McCollough of Grand Bay, was transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton.
Both were members of the 1156th Military Police. Waldrop was a graduate of Escambia County High School in Atmore.
Alabama State Troopers are continuing their investigation.
The Incredible Egg Names Northview Student As National Contest Winner
May 31, 2018
The home of The Incredible Egg, the American Egg Board, has named Naudia Carach of Bratt as the winner of the national “You’re Incredible Because…” contest.
The Incredible Egg will present Naudia with a $2,500 check and present Northview High School with a $2,500 donation. She will also receive an Incredible Egg-themed prize pack and will be featured on the Incredible Egg website and social media channels.
Naudia’s mother nominated her, saying she is incredible because “your heart is a giver’s heart and you give fully of yourself. I am honored to nominate you.” At age 14, Naudia has already dedicated her life to serving others, including:
- Establishing a program that serves underprivileged youth with disabilities and diseases
- Donating tens of thousands of dollars in items to the local Children’s Homes programs
- Educating youth on cyber safety, bullying and distracted driving
- Being named the Safe Teen Spokesperson for the Safe America Foundation
- Building a framework for a Youth Safety Council, consisting of advocates from all 50 states
“I am overjoyed to have been selected as this years contest winner for the Incredible Egg contest. It is such an honor and I am so thankful that Incredible Egg thought so highly of my community service work,” Naudia said. “I look forward to working with (Northview) Principal Gayle Weaver to find a perfect use for the funds I have won for my school and also am very excited to receive the $2,500 scholarship which will help me in the future pursue my dream of becoming a NICU nurse.”
Naudia will be a sophomore at Northview High School this fall.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Underway
May 31, 2018
The 2018 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday was passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Rick Scott. This sales tax holiday continues through Thursday, June 7.
During this sales tax holiday period, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax.
Qualifying Items
Selling for $10 or less:
• Reusable ice (reusable ice packs)
Selling for $20 or less:
Any portable self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas):
•Candles •Flashlights •Lanterns
Selling for $25 or less:
Any gas or diesel fuel container, including LP gas and kerosene containers.
Selling for $30 or less:
Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only (excluding automobile and boat batteries): • AAA-cell • AA-cell • C-cell • D-cell • 6-volt • 9-volt
Coolers and ice chests (food-storage; nonelectrical)
Selling for $50 or less:
• Bungee cords
• Ground anchor systems
• Radios (powered by battery, solar, or handcrank): • Two-way • Weather band
• Ratchet straps
• Tarpaulins (tarps)
• Tie-down kits
• Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting
Selling for $750 or less:
Portable generators used to provide light or communications, or to preserve food in the event of a power outage.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Offered In Molino
May 31, 2018
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety courses in Molino and Cantonment:
Online completion courses will be held as follows:
- June 6 (6 to 10 p.m.) & June 16 (7 to 10 a.m. )
- Molino Community Center
- 6450 Highway 95A N. in Molino
- June 12 (6 to 10 p.m.) & June 16 (7 to 10 a.m.)
- Langley Bell 4-H Center
- 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment
- June 27 (6 to 10 p.m.) & July 14 (7 to 10 a.m.)
- Molino Community Center
- 6450 Highway 95A N. in Molino
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
Contact Paul Averill, Florida Fish and Wildlife hunter safety instructor at (850) 982-8070m or visit MyFWC.com/HunterSafety for more information.