Hayley Simpson Named Miss Northview High School (With Huge Photo Gallery)
January 30, 2011
Senior Hayley Simpson was crowned Miss Northview High School for 2011 Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd. First Runner-Up was Sarah Killam, and Second Runner-Up was Caitlyn Brown, both seniors.
Other members of the Top 10 were Lauren McCall, Allie Bryan, Charleigh McPherson, Abby Odom, Lauren Cloud, Ariel Holland and Megan Ryan.
Lauren Cloud was named Miss Congeniality, and Megan Ryan was named Miss Hospitality. The Miss Physical Fitness award was presented to Lauren McCall, while Morgan Digmon was named Miss Poise and Appearance.
The pageant, which featured 25 contestants, was sponsored by teachers Anna Barry and Megan Carroll as a fund raiser for the school’s cheerleaders.
For nearly 200 NorthEscambia.com photos from the pageant, click here.
Miss Northview High School Hayley Simpson is the 18-year old daughter of Toney and Renee Simpson. She has been a majorette for the Tribal Beat marching band for four years and was selected as co-captain her junior year. This year, Hayley serves as captain. She has been a member of the weightlifting team for three years, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for four years, a member of the Beta club for two years, a member of Rho Kappa for two years, where as a junior, she served as historian, and a member of the varsity softball team for four years.
Hayley has been selected the past two years to represent her peers on the homecoming court. She was voted junior and senior class parliamentarian and is a member of First City gymnastics. Hayley is an active member of Ray’s Chapel Baptist church and participates in the youth group and choir. She has volunteered her time with Relay for Life for the past three years. Her hobbies include reading, singing, cooking, listening to music, and twirling the baton. Her future plans are to attend Auburn University. While pursuing her degree to become an anesthesiologist, she hopes to be a “Tigerette.”
First Runner-Up Sarah Killam is the 17-year old daughter of Gary and Melanie Killam. She has been a member of the junior varsity volleyball team for one year and a member of the cross country team for three years. She has also been a member of the softball team for four years, a member of the weightlifting team for four years, and a varsity cheerleader for one year. Sarah has been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for four years and currently serves as president. She has been elected by her peers as class president all four years. She was also selected by her peers to represent them on the homecoming court, both her freshman and sophomore years, and was chosen Freshman Class Maid. This year, Sarah was again selected to represent her class on the homecoming court and was awarded second runner up to the queen. Sarah has been an Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-star for three years and has taken ballet and piano for ten years.
She has been a member of the Beta Club for two years, the Student Government Association for two years, where she has held the office of historian and secretary, and a member of Rho Kappa for two years, where she has served as secretary and treasurer. Sarah was voted into Northview’s “Hall of Fame”. She was also voted “Most Talented” by the senior class. In her community, Sarah is a member of Flomaton First Baptist Church and is active in both the youth group and the choir. She also helps teach ballet classes at Heather Leonard’s Danceworks.
Her hobbies include singing, playing the guitar and piano, leading worship on Wednesday night for her youth group, and spending time with family and friends. Her future plans are to attend college and pursue a degree in physical therapy.
Second Runner-Up Caitlyn Brown is the 18-year old daughter of Ronnie and Angela Brown. As a freshman, she was a member of Angie Shelley’s Twirl Time. She has been a majorette for the Tribal Beat marching band for four years and currently holds the title of co-captain. She has been a member of the Tribal Spirit yearbook staff for three years and currently serves as the editor. She has also been a member of the Beta club for two years, a member of the Interact club for one year, and a member of Rho Kappa for two years, where she has served as vice president both years. Caitlyn was selected as the sophomore class parliamentarian and the junior class secretary. She was voted “Best Dressed” by the senior class and was also first runner up to Miss NHS 2010. Since her freshman year, Caitlyn has been a lifeguard for the Atmore City Pool and has also taught swimming lessons. During her years with the Tribal Beat band, she has attended numerous majorette camps and competitions.
Her hobbies include twirling, reading, cooking, spending time with her family and friends, and having “girl days” with her mom. Her future plans are to attend the University of Alabama, where she hopes to obtain a degree in telecommunications and become a sportscaster. While she is in attendance there, Caitlyn plans on becoming a “Crimsonette”.
Pictured top: (front row L-R) First Runner Up Sarah Killam, Miss Northview High School Hayley Simpson, and Second Runner Up Caitlyn Brown, (middle row) Abby Odom, Allie Bryan, Charleigh McPherson, Morgan Digmon, (back r0w) Lauren McCall, Lauren Cloud, Megan Ryan, and Ariel Holland. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Search Continues For EMT Shooter
January 30, 2011
The search for the man that shot an Escambia County emergency medical technician continued Saturday.
No new information was released Saturday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The EMT, whose identity has not been released, remained in Baptist Hospital Saturday in stable condition with a gunshot wound to his shoulder.
The medic told deputies that he was retrieving an item just after 9 p.m. Friday from a bag located his ambulance on Hayes Street when someone tapped him on the back. As he turned around, he was shot.
The suspect was either a light skinned black male or a white male wearing a lime green jacket, according to the medic. The jacket may have NASCAR type patches sewn onto it.
For an earlier story on the shooting, click here.
Pictured above and below: An Escambia County EMS medic was shot Friday night at 1125 Hayes Street in Pensacola. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ask Us: What Are The New Solar Programs From Gulf Power?
January 30, 2011
Last week, the Florida Public Service Commission approved a Gulf Power Company conservation plan that is predicted to save 183 megawatts of electricity over 10 years — enough to power about 50,000 homes.
What new solar programs are to be offered by Gulf Power? That’s a question a NorthEscambia.com reader asked us recently after reading our story.
Do you have a question you would like NorthEscambia.com to answer? Email it news@northescambia.com
Jeff Rogers, media relations representative for Gulf Power, provides the answer:
Gulf Power’s new solar energy programs are designed to provide more choices for our customers. This is an exciting addition to our slate of EarthCents programs — with even more ways for our customers to save energy and money.
Solar Thermal Water Heating – This program is available to residential and small commercial customers. Gulf Power will offer a $1000 rebate for the installation of a qualifying solar thermal water heater.
Solar PV – Gulf Power’s Solar PV Program will provide the company’s residential and commercial customers an incentive to encourage the installation of a solar energy system on their home or business. Gulf Power will offer an incentive of $2 per watt up to a maximum of $10,000 per installation of a qualified photovoltaic (PV) system.
The incentives for these two programs are limited and will be made available through a reservation process.
Solar Thermal Water Heating for Low-Income – Under this program, Gulf Power will facilitate the installation of solar thermal water heating systems in select qualifying low-income housing. The utility anticipates funding up to 15 low-income residential installations per year.
Solar for Schools – Gulf Power’s Solar for Schools program will provide capital funding to supplement deployment of PV or photovoltaic systems up to 10kW in select qualifying public schools served by the utility. The program also will offer educational benefits — the data collected from the installed systems can be used in the schools’ energy curriculum.
Call us for more info; 1-877-655-4001
Jeff Rogers
Gulf Power
Do you have a question you would like NorthEscambia.com to answer? Email it news@northescambia.com
Molino Park Students Place In We Believe In Children 5K
January 30, 2011
The 23rd Annual We Believe In Children Run/Walk was held Saturday at Longleaf Elementary School in Pensacola, with many North Escambia residents taking part.
Complete race results were not available late Saturday night, but we do know three Molino Park Elementary School students placed. Ronnie Plenkers (36:53) took second in the Boys age eight and under division, Jessica Conti (36:58) took first in girls age eight and under, and Dillon Conti (26:15) finished second in the boys age 11 and under category.
Pictured inset: (L-R) Ronnie Plenkers, Dillon Conti and Jessica Conti.
Local Legislators Seek Your Input
January 30, 2011
There are three opportunities to ask questions of your state senator and representative this week.
Doug Broxson
State Representative Doug Broxson (District 1) will hold a coffee/breakfast with constituents at the Farmers Country Market and Cookin’ Shell Station on Highway 4 in Jay at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, February 2.
The following day, February 3, Broxson will hold a forum at the Pace High School cafeteria at 7:30 p.m. He will begin the forum with a brief discussion of this year’s legislative priorities, and will devote the remainder of the forum to listen to citizens. To speak at the forums, email kevin.brown@myfloridahouse.gov by Wednesday, February 2, to be placed on the agenda or call (850) 916-5436. You may also submit your comments in writing.
Northwest Florida Legislative Delegation
PBS station WSRE will air a live dialogue with the Northwest Florida Legislative Delegation, Tuesday, February 1, 7-8 p.m.
“Legislative Review: Dialogue with the Delegation” will give citizens the opportunity to ask their state legislators some tough questions on subjects ranging from the state’s efforts to improve unemployment, the state’s foreclosure problems, the impact of the national health care legislation on Florida’s budget and the economy in general or any other topic viewers have on their minds.
The legislators will address other important issues affecting Northwest Florida and the upcoming legislative session in Tallahassee. Citizens can submit their questions now by emailing them to questions@wsre.org or they can phone them in during the live program on February 1. All questions must include your name and city of residence.
Participating legislators scheduled are:
- Senator Don Gaetz Rep. – District 4
- Senator Greg Evers Rep. – District 2
- Representative Doug Broxson Rep. – District 1
- Representative Clay Ford Rep. – District 3
- Representative Clay Ingram Rep. – District 2
Featured Recipe: Antipasto Squares
January 30, 2011
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is “Antipasto Squares” — an award winning sporty snack that is cheese-packed.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Escambia EMS Worker Shot
January 29, 2011
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Friday night shooting that left an Escambia County EMS medic wounded.
The incident occurred just after 9 p.m. at 1125 Hayes Street in Pensacola — about a block from the Escambia County Jail. Deputies discovered that the EMT had been shot in the shoulder.
The medic told deputies that he was retrieving an item from a bag located inside the ambulance when someone tapped him on the back. As he turned around, he was shot. One of the responding deputies drove the injured medic to the emergency room at nearby Baptist Hospital.
The incident occurred at an Escambia County EMS staging post where ambulance crews park and wait, ready to respond to their next call. The male EMT was alone in the ambulance at the time of the shooting; the other EMS worker in the crew was inside the substation.
The medic’s identity has not yet been released. He was reported to be in stable condition.
According to the EMT, the suspect was a either a light skinned black male or a white male wearing a lime green jacket. The jacket may have NASCAR type patches sewn onto it. Several dozen law enforcement officers from multiple agencies surrounded the scene and searched for the suspect into the early morning hours Saturday, essentially putting a large area around the county jail on lockdown.
“We wish the very best for the injured medic and our thoughts are with his family, friends and co-workers,” said Sheriff’s spokesperson Deputy Chris Welborn.
Anyone with information concerning the identity of the shooter is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured above and below: An Escambia County EMS medic was shot Friday night at 1125 Hayes Street in Pensacola. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lap Dance Lands Probation Officer In Prison
January 29, 2011
Former probation officer Barry Lett of Pensacola was sentenced to 21 months in state prison Friday afternoon by Judge Michael Allen.
Earlier this month, Lett entered a guilty plea Monday to one count of unlawful compensation or reward for official behavior and one count of battery.
The charges arose from an incident where the defendant compelled the victim to perform a private lap dance in her home in Escambia County, according to the State Attorney’s Office. At the time of the incident, the victim was on probation and being supervised by Lett.
Storybooks Come Alive At Bratt Elementary For Literacy Week
January 29, 2011
Schools across Escambia County participated in “Celebrate Literacy Week” during the past school week.
At Bratt Elementary School Friday, it was much like a library shelf come alive, as students, teachers and staff dressed as their favorite storybook characters. Characters like Curious George, Amelia Bedelia, Harry Potter, Fancy Nancy and Charlie Brown roamed the hallways. The school also held a parade of characters at the end of the day, with more reading favorites from The American Girl series, Magic Tree House, Junie B. Jones and The Cat in the Hat (along with, of course, Thing 1 and Thing 2).
For a photo gallery, click here.
The goals of “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” were to promote literacy throughout the state by raising awareness of the programs and projects offered by the Department of Education and its partner agencies and organizations, and most of all, to promote the enjoyment of reading for children and adults of all ages.
In addition to Storybook Character day, classes at Bratt Elementary participate in “Buddy Reading” as older students read aloud to younger students. Every morning on closed circuit television a “mystery reader” read a story and students had to make a guess to identify the reader. “Drop Everything and Read” occurred throughout the school each day, and on Tuesday the students joined others across Escambia County to contribute to the Million Minute Marathon by reporting to the state the total minutes they read on that day.
“The Reading Leadership Team at Bratt Elementary would like to thank all participants and parents for helping make reading fun,” said Lee Cassady, Bratt’s reading coach.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Scenes from “Celebrate Literacy Week” at Bratt Elementary School. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHSAA Approves New Rural Division With Northview, Jay; Tate In 1-6A
January 29, 2011
It’s official — the Florida High School Athletic Association’s new Rural Division, the new 1A, has been approved with small schools like Northview and Jay.
Football maintained its eight-class structure, with the lowest two classifications designated and renamed as 2A (Urban) and 1A (Rural). That means classes will now be from 1A to 8A; schools such as Tate would remain in a class 1-4A will actually be in a renamed 1-6A class.
Baseball, basketball, softball and girls volleyball increased to eight classifications, with the lowest two classifications designated as 2A (Urban) and 1A (Rural).
The new Class1A (Rural) includes 36 schools for football, with District 1 comprised of Northview, Jay, Freeport and Baker. In boys basketball, girls basketball, softball and baseball, Northview and Jay will join Baker, Chipley, Freeport and Holmes County (Bonifay) in 2-1A Rural. For girls volleyball, 1-1A will include Northview, Jay, Laurel Hills, Central and Baker.
Class 1-6A, the former 1-4A, will include Tate, Escambia, Milton, Pace, Pensacola, Pine Forest and Washington. For boys basketball, girls basketball, softball, baseball, and volleyball, District 1-6A will be made up of Tate, Escambia, Milton, Navarre, Pace, Pensacola, Pine Forest and Washington
The complete new Florida High School Athletic Association districts for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years are available by clicking the sport name below: