Beulah Middle Team Headed To BEST Robotics Competition
October 11, 2021
The Beulah Middle School Robotics Team will complete in the BEST Robotics Competition on October 23 in Dothan, Alabama.
The Beulah team has met five times a week for the last six weeks to prepare for this intense competition. Each year, BEST ( Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) comes up with a real-world problem for the students to solve using robots.
The competition’s theme this year is demolition, with the robotics teams tasked to create robots that will safely complete both demolition and cleanup. A solution would allow people to remain at a a safe distance from the demolition and not breathe harmful materials.
Teams like Beulah will compile an engineering notebook, prepare a marketing presentation, show their team exhibit, spirit and sportsmanship, and the robot performance. While preparing for each of these categories, the students learn how to apply science and technology, combat real-world engineering challenges, project management, leadership, teamwork, problem solving, marketing, technical writing and fundraising.
Silas Jackson and Campbell Ross have been on the Beulah Middle robotics team for three years.
“My future career choice is to be an aerospace engineer. Robotics can help me with the career I choose because it can help me develop better collaboration skills, communication skills, and robotics can help me get more experience with technology and brainstorming,” Jackson said.
“My future career is design engineering. This year’s game theme helps my future career because design engineers design the visual look of a robot. Designing the robot helps me know what I want the robot to look like and what parts should go where to have a functional robot,” Ross said. “They have to figure out the proportions for the robot so it isn’t very heavy on one side of the robot, and this year’s game helps me get used to altering proportions and figuring out what makes the robot the most effective. This competition is an opportunity to put my skills to the test and to improve those skills as well.”
Escambia Fire Rescue Talks Fire Safety With Kids In Century, Walnut Hill (With Gallery)
October 10, 2021
Firefighters from Walnut Hill and Century visited students at the Campfire Century Youth Learning Center and the Walnut Hill Christian School.
The students were able to learn about fire safety during Fire Prevention Week. The students had a look at Walnut Hill’s Engine 15 and Century’s Engine 5, learned about when and how to call for help during an emergency and what a firefighter looks like in full gear. They also learned what to do in the event of a fire and more from Escambia Fire Rescue.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fall Tradition: Pumpkins Have Arrived At Cantonment Pumpkin Patch
October 10, 2021
It’s a sure sign of fall in Cantonment.
The pumpkins have arrived at the Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch.
Friday evening, the Northview High School NJROTC took part in a community service project to unload 2,500 pumpkins by hand and place them under the tent. And we’re told not a single pumpkin was broken.
Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available under the big tent on Highway 29 near Neal Road from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 12-6 on Sundays.
The Allen Memorial United Methodist Men have sponsored the Pumpkin Patch since 1995.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Names Homecoming Queen Darby Phillips, King Cooper McKinney (With Photo Gallery)
October 9, 2021
Friday night, Tate High School named Homecoming Queen Darby Phillips and Homecoming King Cooper McKinney. First runner-up to the queen was Rykerria Allen, and second runner-up was Danica Riddell.
Queen Phillips and King McKinney, who are real life sweethearts, took a traditional ride around the stadium in a convertible after the crowning.
(Look for more bonus photo galleries by Monday with the Homecoming Parade, cheerleaders, alumni cheerleader, student life and more.)
Members of the Tate High School 2021 Homecoming Court are:
Freshmen
Faith Etheridge
Abigale Fowler
Carlyn Ham
Hailey Locke
Laila O’Neal
Jasmine Stanger
Sophomores
Chloe Biggs
Eva Grissom
Addy Meredith
Mia Portis
Alicen Ray
Delaney Weaver
Juniors
McKenzie Alfred
Emily Brabner
Kierstin Crooke
Savannah Guilford
Paige McKinney
Anna Whetzel
Seniors
Rykerria Allen
Jenna Banta
Kristina Demarco
Sophia Jones
Darby Phillips
Gemma Zakosk
Danica Riddell
Grace Neal
Erin Johnson
Lanie Brown
Kyndell Ammons
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Dollars For Doers: Navy Federal Employees Help Give $100,000 to Nonprofits
October 5, 2021
Navy Federal Credit Unit has donated $100,000 through its Dollars for Does program.
Based on nominations from the credit union’s employees, the annual grant program awards 100 nonprofits with $1,000 grants as a way of recognizing employees’ volunteer efforts with the causes they care about the most.
“One of our core values is ‘Championing Community,’ and our team members continue to live this by how they show up when it matters most – for our members, each other and our communities,” said Jennifer McFarren, Navy Federal’s manager of corporate social responsibility. “Dollars for Doers is a program that gives us a chance to celebrate the volunteer service of our team members and the positive impact they make in our local communities.”
For the 2021 program, over 80% of the grants are going to nonprofits in Virginia and Florida, where Navy Federal has its largest concentration of employees. The remainder of the grants will be spread across the country to recognize how Navy Federal’s branch employees give back.
“It’s great being a Dollars for Doers recipient, and I love that Navy Federal does give back and gives us this opportunity,” said Emily Kennedy, one of Navy Federal’s 2021 Dollars for Doers grant recipients who nominated Autism Pensacola.
Nonprofits from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties being awarded grants include:
- A Place of Hope Small Dog Rescue
- Achieve Escambia
- Autism Pensacola
- Ballet Pensacola
- Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
- Chain Reaction of Escambia County
- Cokesbury United Methodist Church – Boy Scouts Troop 3
- Council on Aging of West Florida
- Emerald Coast Veterans Alliance
- End of Watch Foundation
- Feeding the Gulf Coast
- Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge
- Genes of Joy
- Gulf Coast Kid’s House Inc
- James B. Washington Education & Sports
- Keep Pensacola Beautiful
- Krewe du YaYas – Keeping Abreast Foundation
- Krewe of Vixens – Ovarian Cancer Awareness
- Liberty Sertoma Club
- My Brothers and Sisters
- New Generation Pink Corporation
- Northwest Florida Community Outreach
- Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue
- Open Books
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus Inc
- Pensacola Delta Enrichment Center
- Pensacola Humane Society
- Pensacola LGBT Film Festival
- Tate High School Future Business Leaders of America
- The Seven Project
Since the start of the Dollars for Doers program, Navy Federal has donated $850,000 to organizations in the communities where its employees live and serve.
Three Bratt Elementary Students Earn Perfect Scores On State Math Assessment
October 5, 2021
The Bratt Elementary School students are being recognize dfor earning a perfect score on the 2021 state math assessment.
Audrey Franklin, Olivia Garrett and Trevor Knighten each received a certificate of achievement and a letter from the governor recently.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
October 4, 2021
Byrneville Elementary School recently named students of the month for August.
They are:
Look At Those Eyes! Check Out Moth Watching.
October 3, 2021
Bird watching. Butterfly watching. Moth watching.
Moth watching? Yeah, it’s thing, and it’s moth season. There are are than more than 10,000 species of moths in the United States, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They’re not wildlife, but they are often tasty snacks for Florida wildlife.
A little more science…moths display what is called a “startle display”. When they are startled and feel threatened, several of moths unfold to reveal what looks like large eyes. It gives the little guy a chance to frighten a would-be predator.
One such moth is the Polyphemus moth (pictured above and below, except the yellow/rust colored one). It is a tan-colored moth that looks rather benign at rest. But when started, it opens its wings to reveal two large purplish “eyes”. With a wingspan that reaches six inches, it was named for the cyclops Polyphemus in greek mythology.
Many people think of moths as pests, but they are actually important pollinators for native wild plants and agricultural crops. according to FWC.
Moths can be seen in the daytime in the North Escambia area, buy many varieties can be seen after dark.
Pictured above and below: The Polyphemus moth, which has a wingspan that reaches six inches. Pictured first below is an imperial moth, about 4.5 inches wide, on a window screen. Pictured bottom: More photos of a Polyphemus moth. All photos were taken locally. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Good Grilling: Escambia 4-H Members Place At State Tailgating Contest
October 2, 2021
Five Escambia County 4-H members placed at the state 4-H tailgating contest at the University of Florida.
The winners from Escambia County 4-H were:
- Aubrie Dillon — first place, shrimp
- Taylor Anderson — third place, pork
- Kailee Dunlap — first place, pork
- Madelyn Goss — second place, beef
- Tucker Padgett — first place, beef
The top two individuals in each protein category earned college scholarship money — $1,500 for first place and $1,000 for second place. Each participant from Escambia County placed in the competition, earning a total of $5,500 in college scholarships.
Participants created table displays to show off their recipes and were judged on their grilling abilities. In addition, their knowledge was put to the test with questions from judges on food and fire safety as well as meat selections.
“4-H helps our youth gain the knowledge and skills they need for their future,” said UF/IFAS Extension Escambia Director Nick Simmons. “Whether they are interested in science, technology, food or public speaking, we have projects that will benefit everyone and help them give back to their community. The tailgating contest allowed them to think outside the box, but also taught them important food and fire safety rules. All Escambia County participants have learned so much from this competition and have taken home new skills to share with their families.”
Photos: Northview High School Homecoming Parade
October 2, 2021
A large crowd line Highway 4 Friday afternoon in Bratt for the annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade.
For a photo gallery, click to tap here. (Make sure to share and tag!)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
