Tate High Beta Sponsor Stayce Litton Receives National Recognition
November 15, 2023
Stayce Litton of J.M. Tate High School recently achieved national recognition for her work as a National Beta sponsor after being named a 2022-2023 John W. Harris Educator of Excellence.
Named after the organization’s founder, this national award speaks highly of a sponsor’s commitment to celebrating their student’s achievements through National Beta and illustrates their dedication to preparing them to become leaders. To qualify for this award, sponsors must focus on club growth by achieving National Beta School of Distinction and School of Merit status. They must be committed to leadership and character development by bringing students to National Beta events. Finally, they must have focused on the National Beta motto, Let Us Lead by Serving Others, by leading their club to earn a National Beta service hour award.
Due to the extraordinary commitment it takes to lead a club to this success, the John W. Harris Educator of Excellence award is the highest honor offered to National Beta sponsors. In fact, only 179 of over 20,000 sponsors received the honor this year. Those sponsors come from only 68 of over 8,500 clubs across the country and beyond. All John W. Harris Educator of Excellence recipients receive a lapel pin and certificate as a symbol of their extraordinary accomplishment.
Litton commented, “I want to thank National Beta for recognizing me for this award for the second year in a row, Tate High School Beta members helped make this happen. I want to thank our hard-working members for their desire to join our club and their desire to do community service. We definitely follow National Beta’s creed of, “Lead by Serving Others”, I feel truly blessed.”
Principal of Tate High School, Laura Touchstone, commented, “We are immensely proud of Mrs. Litton. For two years consecutively, she has received national recognition for her exceptional work as the National Beta Club sponsor. Her dedication, passion, and commitment to fostering excellence and leadership within our student body have not gone unnoticed, and this well-deserved honor is a testament to her outstanding contributions. The National Beta Club is an esteemed organization that recognizes and promotes academic achievement, character, leadership, and service among students. Mrs. Litton has not only upheld these values but has also significantly enriched the experiences of our students, providing them with opportunities for personal and academic growth. The entire school community is proud to share in this moment of celebration.”
With more than 500,000 active members and 8,500 clubs nationally and internationally, National Beta has become the nation’s largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization. National Beta recognizes outstanding achievement, promotes character and social responsibility, encourages service involvement to school and community, and fosters leadership skills. National Elementary Beta includes grades 4-5, National Junior Beta includes grades 6-8 and National Senior Beta includes grades 9-12.
Tate High Swimmer Jacobs Signs With Inaugural William Carey University Swim Team
November 15, 2023
Tate Aggie senior swimmer Braedan Jacobs has accepted a roster spot on the inaugural William Carey University Swim Team for the 2024-25 season. Jacobs officially accepted his offer during a signing ceremony at Tate High School this week.
William Carey University, an NAIA athletic institution, green-lighted its co-ed swimming and diving program in May 2023, and Jacobs will be one of the founding members of the team. Braedan is a three-time FHSAA 3A State Qualifier, multi-year Southeastern Swimming championship qualifier, and was the SES champion in the 500-yd freestyle in 2021. He is also a three-time Sectional qualifier and was a member of the Greater Pensacola Aquatic Club (GPAC) NCSA national team in 2023.
As one of the first recruits for the new team, Jacobs should add great function to the team’s freestyle corps, as he is competitive in the 50 all the way up to the 1650-yd freestyle. He also has a solid secondary stroke in the 100-yd and 200-yd butterfly races. His current times would already earn points and qualify within the top eight of the Sun Conference Championships.
“We are delighted Braedan has found a great fit in William Carey University,” said GPAC head coach Greg Johnson. “I think the school will offer him what he needs academically, and that should be the main focus for student-athletes. But this opportunity also offers him a chance to be part of a brand-new team, and that is very unique. I know he will be very successful at WCU.”
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Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
November 15, 2023
Byrneville Elementary School has named their October Students of the Month.
They are:
Kindergarten: Nevaeh Carnley and Emma Smithey
1st Grade: Cole Lashley (not pictured) and Bradley Linton
2nd Grade: Brynlee McGaha and Hakeem Johnson
3rd Grade: Kolin Rogers and Ezra Hall
4th Grade: Jaxon Sparks and Lilly Harper Jacobson
5th Grade: Patton Amos and Gracie Levins
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Alabama Woman Killed In Escambia County I-10 Crash
November 15, 2023
A 55-year-old woman from Lillian, Alabama was killed in a single vehicle crash Wednesday morning in Escambia County.
The crash happened around 6 a.m. on I-10 just east of the Pine Forest Road exit.
FHP said the Alabama woman was driving a pickup truck eastbound on I-10 when she lost control of her vehicle and left the roadway. The truck then collided with a tree.
The woman was pronounced deceased on scene.
I-10 Pine Forest Road Exit Crash Slows Traffic
November 15, 2023
An afternoon wreck slowed traffic on I-10 near Pine Forest Road Wednesday afternoon.
The crash occurred about 12:40 p.m. on I-10 at the Pine Forest Road exit.
A 27-year-old Florida man was driving a dump truck pulling an excavator on a flatbed trailer traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 when he rear ended a box truck that was slowing for traffic. After this collision the dump truck entered the south shoulder of the roadway and collided with approximately 200 feet of guardrail before traveling down a grassy embankment where the trailer carrying the excavator overturned.
The driver of the box truck, a 29-year-old Mobile, Alabama man, was not injured.
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Escambia County 4-H Teams Place In Top 10 At Two Different National Contests
November 15, 2023
by Brian Estevez, Escambia County Extension
Escambia County 4-H is proud to announce that their food challenge team placed eighth at the National 4-H Food Challenge Contest and the meat judging team placed ninth at the National 4- H Meat Judging Contest. Both contests were held in October with the Food Challenge Contest being held in Dallas, TX and the meat judging contest being held at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. Both teams won their respective state contests earlier in 2023 to earn the right to represent Florida.
The food challenge team was comprised of youth ages 14-18 and included Laney Clarke, Ryan Clarke, Aubrie Dillon, and Gracie Meredith and was named “Oh Crepe and the Spice Girls!” This contest provided an opportunity for 4-H members to work in teams of 3-4 youth to create a dish using a predetermined set of ingredients and cooking utensil/equipment. Each team had 40 minutes to plan and prepare a randomly assigned dish (appetizer, side dish, main dish, or dessert) using a “mystery” ingredient while being judged on their food safety skills, teamwork, and ability to manage time and resources. Then youth presented their finished dish, delivered a five-
minute presentation, and answered questions about their dish to a panel of judges. The National 4-H Food Challenge Contest was held in conjunction with the State Fair of Texas.
The meat judging team was composed of youth ages 14-18, including Laney Clarke, GracieMeredith, and Lilly Warne. Participants had to identify 30 retail cuts, place six retail, wholesale, and carcass classes, and give three sets of oral reasons. Through the competition process, the team has developed life skills through activities to understand the processing of beef, pork, and lamb, including retail identification, factors relating to meat quality, and cookery. Meat judging participants acquire knowledge and skills in meat identification and grading techniques and then apply those basic skills to the selection process. Participants then develop an understanding and
appreciation of the basic scientific principles involved in eating and cooking quality, nutritional value, and consumer appeal of meat. 4-H members on the team also learn life skills such as decision making, problem solving, and goal setting.
During the trip to the National 4-H Meat Judging Contest, the meat judging team toured the University of Missouri’s Animal Science complex and Meat Lab and also toured the Kansas State University Agricultural Education Department, Kansas 4-H, and the Kansas State University Animal Science Department. The National 4-H Meat Judging Contest was held in conjunction with the American Royal Stock Show in Kansas City, MO and the American Meat Science Association. These 4-H judging teams would like to thank the many sponsors that helped make this trip a reality, including the Escambia County 4-H Foundation.
Rainy And Windy For Your Wednesday
November 15, 2023
Tuesday through Thursday looks soggy with widespread 2 to 4 inches of rain possible with locally heavier amounts. The heaviest rain will likely fall along the coast with less rain further inland.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Rain. High near 61. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. North wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.
ECUA Board Elects Chair, Vice Chair For Upcoming Year
November 15, 2023
The ECUA held its 2023-2024 organizational board meeting for Tuesday Officers were unanimously elected among the members to fill the positions of board chairman and vice-chair. Lois Benson, District Two, was re-elected to serve as Board Chair and Kevin Stephens, District 5 was re-elected to the vice-chairmanship. Also, by unanimous vote, Vicki Campbell, District One, was reelected to the chairmanship of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) and Larry Williams, Sr., was reelected to serve as the CAC Vice-Chair.
The Board then appointed the following citizens to serve on the CAC:
- Ronald Rivera – District One
- Dean Kirschner – District Two
- Louis Brown, III – District Three
- Larry Walker, Ph.D. – District Four
- David Gaines – District Five
- Imelda Cromartie – At Large
- Louise Ritz – At Large
Tate Senior Seth Ray Named National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student
November 15, 2023
Tate High School senior Seth Ray has been named a Commended student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program, Principal Laura Touchstone announced Tuesday.
A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to this scholastically talented senior.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2024 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2024 competition by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
“I am immensely proud to see Seth’s hard work and dedication acknowledged at the national level, “Touchstone said. “This prestigious recognition is a testament to his outstanding intellectual abilities, tireless work ethic, and commitment to academic excellence. The National Merit Scholarship Program is highly competitive, and this achievement reflects Seth’s exceptional performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. This accomplishment is not only a reflection of Seth’s abilities but also a credit to the supportive and enriching academic environment fostered here at Tate High School.”
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Five People Injured In Chemstrand Road Crash
November 14, 2023
Five people are recovering following a wreck Monday night at the intersection of Chemstrand Road and Crooked Oak Drive.
Two vehicles were involved in a crash with one vehicle crashing into a ravine. Two passengers were extricated from a pickup truck while an additional 20 minutes was required to extricate the passengers from the vehicle in the ravine. Five patients were transported to area hospitals.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
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