EWMS Drama Club Presents First Major Production
May 15, 2009
The Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Club presents the play “The Picture That Was Turned to the Wall” Thursday evening.
North Escambia firefighters were invited to attend the play for free after responding to a lightning strike at the school earlier in the day.
For a photo gallery from Wednesday’s dress rehearsal for the play, click here.
Cast members in the Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Club’s presentation of “The Picture That Was Turned to the Wall” included:
- Father Tubbs – Dezarae Turner
- Mother Tubbs – Shalmali Bhadkamkar
- Isadora Snapdragon – Hannah Ziglar
- Preacher Cribbs – Kent Smith
- Jubilee – Danielle Scott
- Smiling Billy Tapshoes – Lily Townson
- Mattie Busby – Lauryn Walker
- Rudolph Von Doberman – Anna Donald
- Diamond-Tooth Polly – Rachel Presley
- Dizzy Esther – Chelsea Ward
- Rags – Kristen Byrd
- Fred – Chelsea Turner
- Mrs. Pantheon – Audrey Byrd
- Zenobia - Anna Fischer
- Soldier Boy – Lily Townson
Pictured: A scene from the play “The Picture That Was Turned to the Wall” at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lightning Strike Reported At Ernest Ward Middle School; No Injuries, No Fire
May 14, 2009
(Updated 3:15 p.m.) There was no damage and no injuries from a reported lightning strike at Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill this afternoon.
Fire departments from across the area were dispatched to Ernest Ward Middle School at 2:15 this afternoon after several teachers and staff members reported seeing a flash and hearing the strike. The strike caused the school’s fire alarm system to activate.
There were no injuries and no fire reported. Firemen searched the entire main building, including the attic, and surrounding areas. They were unable to find any damage or the exact point of the lightning strike.
Several computers in the main building were reported to be damaged by the lightning strike.
The school was not evacuated due to heavy rain and more dangerous lightning still in the area at the time. School dismissed at the end of the school day as normal.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Molino and Century stations of Escambia Fire-Rescue responded to the call.
Pictured top: Heavy rain falls as the first fire truck arrives on scene in at a reported lightning strike at Ernest Ward Middle School this afternoon. Pictured middle: Firemen enter the building. Picture below: Firemen make access to the school attic to search for any problems. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Gindl-Perry Named Escambia County’s Principal Of The Year
May 14, 2009
Ernest Ward Middle School principal, Nancy Gindl-Perry, has been named as Escambia County’s Principal of the Year.
Superintendent Malcolm Thomas made the announcement Wednesday, along with announcing that Regina Lipnick, assistant principal at Bailey Middle, is the Assistant Principal of the Year.
“Our school district is blessed with a number of excellent school administrators,” Thomas said. “These are two outstanding individuals who will represent well the administrative talent we have in our schools.”
“I could not have done it without a fine faculty and staff,” Perry said. “Behind every principal are the people that make a school great.”
Known for calling Ernest Ward students as “my babies”, Perry will compete against principals from 66 other districts in Florida for state honors.
The Florida Department of Education annually honors principals and assistant principals from each of the state’s 67 school districts for their exemplary contribution to students, schools, and communities. Award criteria also include innovative leadership, dedication to academic excellence, and increased student performance.
Earlier this year, Perry received what was, without a doubt, the most unique award of her entire educational career. She was presented with the “Golden Cow Dung Award” by members of the Ernest Ward FFA. The award featured a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color. Perry received the award from the school’s FFA members as a “thank you” for supporting FFA.
Pictured: Escambia County’s Principal of the Year, Nancy Gindl-Perry from Ernest Ward Middle School. Pictured below: Perry received the “Golden Cow Dung Award” earlier this year. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia School Board, Superintendent Salaries Cut
May 14, 2009
Escambia County School Board members are taking a pay cut after the Florida Legislature mandated that they can’t be paid more than a rookie teacher.
The Legislature approved a measure that requires school board members to be paid no more than the starting salary paid to a teacher in their school district.
Each school board member’s salary will be cut from $35,938 to about $32,000 — the teacher starting salary in Escambia County. The nearly $4,000 will be cut from the salaries of the five board members effective July 1.
Superintendent Malcolm Thomas won’t be immune from the salary cuts. His salary will be cut 5 percent — about $6,000 from its current $130,436 level.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Sheriff: Century Precinct To Remain Open, Walnut Hill Open Soon
May 14, 2009
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan says that he has no plans to close his Century precinct, and he still plans to reopen a precinct in Walnut Hill in the near future.
The Escambia County Tax Collector and Escambia County Clerk of the Court are pulling out of the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century by the end of May. NorthEscambia.com was the first to report last week that the Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley and Clerk of the Court Ernie Lee Magaha would close their offices at the end of the month.
But the sheriff’s department is in Century to stay, Morgan said.
“We have never even discussed closing the Century office,” the sheriff said. “We’ve never even brought it up. We plan to stay in Century.”
In addition, Morgan said he still plans to add two to three deputies to the Century precinct, and he plans to reopen the Walnut Hill office for two or three days per week.
The building that housed the Walnut Hill precinct was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan back in 2004. Since it was rebuilt, it has only been rarely used by deputies.
Morgan said the Walnut Hill precinct would be opened on a “test basis” to determine if there would be sufficient walk-in traffic to justify keeping it open.
Molino will also see an increased presence from the Sheriff’s Department in the near future, with two or three new deputies being assigned to that precinct in the coming months, according to the sheriff.
To read last week’s story about the closure of the other offices in the Century courthouse, click here.
Just 10 Crackers A Day To Eat: Atmore Resident Crusading For Children
May 14, 2009
Thousands of children in North Korea live on about and ounce and half of food per day — the equivalent of about 10 saltine crackers.
That simple fact spurred a young Atmore woman, Chelsea Hess, to action for Manna Missions, a charity that works to provide bread for North Koreans.
“I think of the 22 million people that are trapped inside of North Korea without the basic necessities that you and I are used to,” Hess told the Tri-Cities Rotary Club Wednesday afternoon.
“Hunger as we think of it is completely selfish compared to the North Korean children,” she said. “The reality that people live that way is heartbreaking to me.”
Manna Missions has become Hess’ calling. The group has an agreement with the government to construct up to 26 bakeries in North Korea. Three are up and running, and funds are being raised to get the fourth open soon.
Back in December, Hess took her project to her church, Grace Fellowship in Atmore, and raised $12,000 toward a bakery.
It takes about $96,000 to open a bakery and keep it running for a year. Each bakery provides jobs for 15 North Korean residents and feeds thousands of children at a cost of about $3 per child per month.
For more information on Manna Missions, visit nkchildren.org.
Pictured: Chelsea Hess explains Manna Mission’s North Korea bakery project to the Tri-Cities Rotary Club Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Accused Donkey Killer Will Now Be Tried As An Adult
May 13, 2009
The Cantonment juvenile accused of shooting a donkey will now be tried as an adult.
Kyle Mason Driver, 17, was originally charged as a juvenile, but he now faces charges as an adult in Escambia County Circuit Court on three charges related to the May 2 shooting death of the donkey on River Annex Road near Jacks Branch Road. The shooting happened within minutes of the birth of J.B., a white donkey that became a local media celebrity of sorts.
Driver is now facing adult charges of felony animal cruelty, using a weapon during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a person under 18.
Driver turned himself in to the Escambia County Jail May 6 about two hours after NorthEscambia.com published his photo and a plea for the public’s help in locating him from the Sheriff’s Department.
He was released from jail on $6,000 bond and is scheduled for an arraignment hearing next week.
Deputies say Driver confessed to the crime, and a witness provided deputies with the .22 caliber weapon used in the shooting.
JB the donkey continues to do well in the care of a Panhandle Equine Rescue volunteer.
Northview Chiefs Honor Baseball Players At Annual Banquet
May 13, 2009
The Northview Chiefs honored their varsity and junior varsity baseball teams Tuesday night during their annual awards banquet.
After finishing second in the district, Head Coach Sid Wheatley said he’s looking forward to next season when the Chiefs will be in a new district that includes teams like Baker and Jay.
“We’re losing a great group of seniors, but we’ve got a good group coming in,” Wheatley said. “We are excited about next year.”
Click here for NorthEscambia.com photos from the award banquet.
The Chiefs honored the following players:
Junior Varsity
- Academic — Michael Lowery
- Outstanding Pitcher — Colton Sims
- Outstanding Offensive Player — Joshua Scott
Varsity
- Academic Award — Luke Killam
- Rookie Award — Dabney Langhorne
- Chief Award — Patrick McPherson
- Most Improved Player Award — Austin Lowery, Dakota Stuckey
- Iron Man Award — Brad Foster
- Outstanding Defensive Player — Austin Reid
- Outstanding Pitcher Award — Brad Lowery
- Outstanding Offensive Player — James “Scooter” Hamilton
Senior Awards
- James “Scooter” Hamilton
- Brad Foster
- Brett Hanks
- Alex Abbott
- Luke Killam
- Patrick McPherson
Other members of the Varsity team were juniors Heath Burkett, Brad Lowery, Seth Leonard, Austin Lowery, Dakota Stuckey, Austin Reid and Aaron Chancery; sophomores Austin Arrington, Colton Sims and Dabney Langhorne.
Members of the JV team were: sophomores Mike Lowery, A.J. Lambert, Jansen Bodiford, Taylor Martin, Derek Lewis, Tyler Brooks and Joshua Scott; freshmen Brandon Sheets, Jamie Gafford, Hunter Black, Josh Hammond, Cole Commander, Chance Jackson, Tanner Brooks, Tyler Hester and Austin Albritton.
Pictured above: Northview baseball senior players (L-R) Brett Hanks, Alex Abbot, Patrick McPherson, Luke Killam, James “Scooter” Hamilton and Brad Foster. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Local Students Honored As Inspirational Heroes
May 13, 2009
Forty outstanding Escambia County students were honored Tuesday afternoon at the 15th Annual Cox Inspirational Hero Celebration, including a student from both Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle and Carver/Century K-8 School.
The event honors students that have faced significant challenges, including the loss of their parents, physical illness, handicaps and language barriers.
Dustin Todd Parker from Ernest Ward Middle School was honored as the Cox Inspirational Hero from Ernest Ward Middle School.
Coty Chance of Molino was honored as the Cox Inspirational Hero from Northview High School. Coty was the only one of the 40 student heroes to offer an acceptance speech Tuesday afternoon.
Arkelle Elliot was honored as the Inspirational Hero from Carver/Century K-8 School.
The students received a Hero Medallion and commendations from U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez, U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller; state Rep. Dave Murzin and Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp.
The biographical information from both Coty Chance and Dustin Todd Parker is below.
Coty Chance, Northview High
Coty Chance has brought sunshine into Northview High School for the past three and one-half years. Every day he greets everyone with a smile and a loud good morning or hello. His constant energy and dedication to his responsibilities inspires others to do more.
Coty’s outlook is that when he can be nice to others, they in turn will be nice to others. He always goes out of his way to be a gracious helper and to ensure that everyone cares about each other.
Coty feels that his proudest personal success is being able to complete his assigned work. He is also very proud that this year he was able to also teach other students’ the responsibilities that he so carefully and completely does here at school. Coty is an avid Cross Country runner and especially has enjoyed success running for the Northview Cross Country team, winning numerous awards, participating in the charitable run for “Major Jim Ross” and being presented with the Cross Country Coaches Award. Coty will graduate this year with a 2.80 grade point average. He will leave the halls of Northview High where he will be missed, but never forgotten. We are sure he will continue to carry on and make people smile.
Coty has brought smiles to the halls of Northview and into the lives of the school personnel and students. Coty not only has a magnificent voice at the football games, but Coty has shown just how great a positive impact that students with dedication to their school and work can have on others lives and those they meet.
Dustin Todd Parker, Ernest Ward Middle
Dustin is a member of the national Junior Honor Society, President of the Student Government Association and a manager of the football team. He enjoys helping others and recently went door-to-door on his electric scooter in his neighborhood to raise money for the “Honor Flight.”
Dustin’s accomplishments are in spite of a mobility problem know as Pilocytic Astrocytoma. Although he was told he may not walk, Dustin was able to get on the regular school bus the first day of school and is now able to ride a bicycle.
Information for Arkelle Elliot from Carver/Century K-8 was not available.
Homeschooled Kids & Co. Visit North Escambia Ranch
May 13, 2009
Dozens of students from Homeschooled Kids & Co. visited a North Escambia ranch Tuesday to learn about flowers, vegetables horses, cows and more.
The group visited the ranch of Abbie Rolph on Jack Smith Road, just south of Highway 168 between Bratt and Byrneville. The students visited with miniature horses belonging to Jane Breault of Pine Ridge Farms in Molino, enjoyed a hay ride to visit with the cows, learned about flower reproduction from Escambia County Extension Service Agriculture Agent Libbie Johnson, and learned the fine art of ducking for cover from a thunderstorm in barn.
Homeschooled Kids & Co. is a local support group for families of homeschooled children from Escambia counties in Alabama and Florida. The group is based in Atmore.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Students from Homeschool Kids & Co. with a miniature horse Tuesday morning on a North Escambia ranch. Pictured inset: A student learns about the parts of a flower. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.