Robotics Competition Brings Out The Best In Young Scientists
November 3, 2013
Young scientists from 11 area middle and high schools — including Tate and West Florida — tested robots they built in the pressure-cooker of real competition at the sixth annual Emerald Coast BEST Robotics competition Saturday at the University of West Florida.
Each student team had six weeks to design and build a remote-controlled robot to solve a problem or perform a specific function. The year’s theme, Gatekeeper 2013, tasked robots to build a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to upgrade the BEST robot, Squeaky, to Squeaky 2.0. The students designed a prototype robot to build the mock CPU through three fabrication stages.
Each team was judged on its robot performance, marketing presentation, team exhibit, technical notebook and spirit and sportsmanship. The top two overall teams and the team with the top robot advance to regional competition Dec 7-8 at Auburn University.
Seaside Neighborhood School took the overall competition, and will be joined by Woodlawn and Woodham middle schools to represent the Emerald Coast BEST hub at Auburn.
Gulf Power Company has sponsored the BEST Robotics competition for the past six years. The event teaches teamwork, problem-solving, project management and pride in task completion.
BEST Robotics Inc. — Boosting Engineering Science and Technology — is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization whose mission is to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology through participation in a sports-like, science and engineering-based robotics competition.
“Gulf Power supports the annual competition because it provides local students the opportunity to learn practical engineering, science and math skills, which are critical for their future,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesman. “Events like the BEST Robotics competition also help promote interest in high-quality technology careers down the line for these students.”
Gulf Power has recently ramped up efforts to increase the availability of skilled technicians in Northwest Florida by helping form the Northwest Florida Manufacturers Council earlier this year. The council will help local manufacturing companies work together to compete in a global marketplace with a special emphasis on having a skilled workforce.
Area schools have been competing in BEST since 2004, when Gulf Power sponsored eight local teams to compete in the BEST hub in Mobile, Ala. The funding of hub operations depends entirely on corporate and individual sponsorships. Materials kits to build the robots are provided to the teams by the hub. No fees are paid by students or schools participating in BEST robotics.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Advancing to Regionals at South’s BEST – Auburn University on Dec. 7-8
1: Seaside Neighborhood
2: Woodlawn Middle School
3: Woodham Middle School
Robotics Award – Awarded to the teams whose machines finish first, second and third in the tournament bracket.
1: Seaside Neighborhood
2: Woodlawn Beach Middle School
3: Tate High School
BEST Robotics Finalist – Awarded to the team whose machine finished 4th
Pine Forest High School
Founders Award for Creative Design – awarded to the team that makes best use of the engineering process in consideration of offensive and defensive capabilities in machine design; awarded in recognition of BEST founders Steve Marum and Ted Mahler.
Seaside Neighborhood
Most Robust Machine – Awarded to the team whose machine requires the least maintenance during and between matches and is generally the sturdiest machine in the competition.
Pine Forest High School
Most Photogenic Machine
Woodlawn Beach Middle School
Gulf Power Blood, Sweat and Duct Tape Award
Bethlehem School
Best T-Shirt Design
1: Woodlawn Beach Middle School
2: Sims Middle School
3: Seaside Neighborhood
Web Page Design Award – Awarded for the best team website; based on page functionality, creative use of the game theme, information about team members and community efforts.
Sims Middle School
Best Spirit and Sportsmanship – Recognizes the vigor and enthusiasm displayed by team representatives and the outward display of sportsmanship (e.g., helping other teams in need), grace in winning and losing, and conduct and attitude considered befitting participation in sports.
1: Sims Middle School
2: Woodham Middle School
3: Seaside Neighborhood
Best Team Exhibit and Interview – The purpose of this category is to communicate through a display, and through discussion with judges, information about the team’s efforts to promote BEST in the community and schools; Foster BEST spirit, camaraderie, and participation and give evidence of sportsmanship.
1: Seaside Neighborhood
2: Woodham Middle School
3: Sims Middle School
Best Project Engineering Notebook – The purpose of the notebook is to document the process the team used to design, build, and test their robot.
1: Newpoint Pensacola High
2: Seaside Neighborhood
3: Woodham Middle School
Best Marketing Presentation – Teams should view themselves as employees of a “company” that is marketing their “product” (robot) to a potential buyer (judges). This marketing team is an integral part of the engineering team that has designed a specialized robot.
1: Seaside Neighborhood
2: Woodham Middle School
3: Newpoint Pensacola High
BEST Award – The BEST Award is presented to the team that best embodies the attributes associated with “Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology” in its development which include teamwork, diversity of participation, sportsmanship, creativity, ethics, positive attitude/enthusiasm, school/community involvement and exposure to and use of the engineering process.
1: Seaside Neighborhood
2: Woodlawn Middle School
3: Woodham Middle School
Pictured top: The Emerald Coast BEST Robotics competition Saturday at the University of West Florida. Pictured inset: The West Florida High School Robot. Pictured below: Seaside Neighborhood School took the overall competition. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Government Shutdown, Debt Ceiling Debate Harm Consumer Confidence
November 3, 2013
The state’s consumer confidence fell sharply in October, exacerbated by the federal shutdown and talks of another debt ceiling debate in Congress, according to a University of Florida report.
On a scale that ranges from 2 to 150, confidence among Floridians went down seven points from September to a 71, the lowest reading since Dec. 2011.The 2011 marks were heavily impacted by a debt ceiling showdown that summer.
“Confidence among Floridians was already declining prior to any indication of a shutdown and debt ceiling debate,” Chris McCarty, director of UF’s Survey Research Center in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research, said in a release. “However, there is no doubt that confidence in September took a hit as we replayed the events of August 2011, the last time the U.S. was precariously close to a default.”
Because of the federal shutdown, the release of the state’s jobless figures for September has been delayed until Nov. 22. The university had to rely on national unemployment figures for its consumer confidence calculations. The U.S. unemployment rate was 7.2 percent in September, down from 7.3 percent in August.
“While a decline is good it appears that job creation was tepid, particularly in leisure and hospitality, an important employment category for Florida,” the report noted.
Weekend Gardening: Fill Voids In Landscape With Shrubs
November 3, 2013
Occasionally gardeners will lose a shrub in their landscapes. This typically results in an unsightly void. Or perhaps you chose a beautiful shrub but put it in a location which it quickly outgrew. Fall is the best time of the year to plant new shrubs and transplant those that may need a new home.
When planting new shrubs, take the time to choose plants that will meet your design requirement and will be the right size for your location. Trying to artificially manipulate a plant’s size or height by pruning should be avoided in the landscape, unless you are an expert at topiaries.
Another consideration when choosing shrubs is their leaf-retaining characteristics. Evergreen plants always have green leaves on the plant; however, they do drop foliage throughout the year. Deciduous plants drop all of their leaves at one time of the year, usually late fall.
Deciduous plants typically add beautiful floral displays to the landscape. Evergreen plants will provide the backbone of the design. The well-designed landscape will contain both deciduous and evergreen shrubs.
Northwest Florida gardeners can choose from a wide variety of beautiful shrubs. Some popular choices include azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas, cleyera, holly and gardenias. For more options and information, refer to a University of Florida publication titled “Selected Shrubs for North Florida.” It’s available online at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg344 or by calling your local Extension Office.
The best time to add new shrubs to the landscape is when we experience cooler weather, fall through early spring. To ensure success, be sure to follow proper procedures when planting the shrub. Correct planting and proper aftercare will prevent problems in the future.
Begin by digging a hole at least twice as wide as and no deeper than the root ball. After digging, ensure that about one to two inches of the root ball is raised above the level of the surrounding soil. Remember the old saying, “Plant it high, it won’t die. Plant it low, it won’t grow.”
Probably one of the most overlooked steps is correcting root problems prior to planting. Shrubs that are planted with circling roots will always have circling roots and can abruptly fall over in high winds. Use your hands or a knife to loosen any roots that have been matted while growing in the container. Also, cut through any circling roots.
After you backfill the hole with the soil you removed, water-in the plant to release any air pockets. Mulch with three inches of organic mulch such as pine straw after planting is completed, but never on top of the root ball.
If you have decided to transplant a shrub, consider the following. Shrubs have better transplant tolerance than trees, deciduous plants better than evergreens, shallow rooted species better than deep rooted species, and younger plants better than older plants. Plants which are already in advanced stages of decline are likely to succumb to transplantation stress.
Dig as large a rootball as you can handle and follow the normal planting procedures. Aftercare is critical to a transplanted shrub’s survival, with proper watering perhaps the most important practice. Remember that sprinkler systems are not designed to establish trees and shrubs, so hand watering or a slow-drip system is recommended. Talk to your local Extension Agent for specific instructions.
You can have better success with planting or transplanting shrubs when you do it in the fall. Just be sure to follow established procedures and tend to the shrub for several months after planting.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.. Photo credit - David Marshall.
Birth: Ruth Ann Bryan
November 3, 2013
Heath and Shelby Bryan are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Ruth Ann Bryan, born October 10, 2013, at Thomas Medical Center.
Ruth Ann weighed 6-pounds, 11-ounces and was 19.75 inches long. Grandparents are Ricky and Cheryl Golson, and Terry and Sheila Bryan of Bratt. Great-grandparents are Marlene Forester and the late Curtis Forester, the late Walter Lee Golson and Doris Oline Hopkins, Pansy Bryan and the late Preston Bryan, Dillard and Rochelle Bankston, and the late Billy Macks.
Ruth Ann was welcomed home by her big brother, Forest.
Eugen P. “Pete” Godfrey, Jr.
November 3, 2013
Mr. Eugene P. “Pete” Godfrey, Jr., age 90 of Brewton, passed away Friday, November 1, 2013, in a Bay Minette hospital.
Mr. Godfrey was born in Cochran, GA and had been a resident of the Brewton area since 1979, coming from Warner Robins, GA. He served with the Merchant Marines during World War II, and was a retired civil servant. While living in Warner Robins, he served with the Fire and Rescue Squad. After moving to Brewton, he helped organize the McCall Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of Shady Grove Holiness Church. Mr. Godfrey was preceded in death by a son, David Godfrey and a grandson, Jacob Long.
He is survived by his wife of over 24 years, Mrs. Mary Nell Godfrey of Brewton; a daughter, Tracy G. (Dale) Long of Pensacola; step-sons, Christopher Lee (Janet) Byrd of Brewton, James and R. Byrd of Pensacola; step-daughter, Gwen (Buddy) O’Bannon of Brewton; grandchildren, Melissa Godfrey, Jason Godfrey, Brianna Long; step-grandchildren, Joey (Sharmon) O’Bannon, Carrie (Matt) Lambeth, Brandon Byrd, Christopher Byrd; and seven step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, November 3, 2013, from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Turner and Speaker Charles Jackson officiating.
Interment was in Beulah Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Shady Grove Holiness Church, 4451 Foshee Road, Brewton, AL, 36426.
J.D. Hadley
November 3, 2013
Mr. Hadley served in the United States Marines.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Walter, Freddy and Johnny Hadley.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Helen Hadley; his children, Marjorie (Mark), Mike (Kim), and Jeff (Melita), Marcella Wayne, Bruce (Tina) Chavers, Marianne (Don) Larson and Bobby Chavers; his siblings, Doug (Louise), Wayne (Rosie), James Edward (Toni), Lena (David) Sprinkle, Betty Pelky, Elizabeth (Buddy) Wilson, Lorraine Paul, Cheryl Jordan, Deryl (Debbie) and Rubin (Pam); numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Monday, November 4, 2013, at 12:oo p.m. at Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home with Dr. Dale Patterson officiating.
Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery in Stapleton, AL.
Pallbearers will be Rubin Hadley, Deryl Hadley, Gary Hadley, Michael Hadley, Shane Rollo and James Edward Hadley.
Honorary pallbearers will be Doug Hadley, Wayne Hadley, Mike Hadley and Jeff Hadley.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the service hour.
Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.
Glendon Marvin Jernigan
November 3, 2013
Glendon Marvin Jernigan, 88, left this world to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, November 1, 2013, at Covenant Hospice in Pensacola. Glen was born on September 20, 1925, to Marvin and Maggie (Golden) Jernigan in Jay. He was the older of two children.
Glen served in the United States Navy from 1943-1945. He met his loving bride of 65 years, Louise Woods Jernigan in Pensacola and they were married on January 10, 1948, in Brewton.
In 1955, with Louise by his side, Glen began building a successful business in the retail gasoline industry, building and operating dozens of locations in Northwest Florida and Southern Alabama. Glen loved dealing with people and through the years helped many others to start and operate their own businesses. In his spare time, he loved fishing, farming and enjoyed buying, raising and selling cattle. Glen was a lifelong philanthropist, donating to several organizations dear to his heart.
Glen is survived by his wife, Louise; daughters, Cindy (Dirk) Lundquist and Cathy (Bobby) Payne; grandchildren, Layla (Wes) Lundquist Smith, Brandon (Crystal) Payne and Megan (Drew) Payne Ard; great-grandchildren, Atakelt and Evangeline Smith; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Glen was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Raye Davis Bruckelmeyer.
The family will greet friends from 5 p.m until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at Faith Chapel North.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at Faith Chapel North at 10 a.m. with Pastor Jeff McKee officiating.
Burial will follow at Bayview Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Jimmy Wayne Brown
November 3, 2013
Mr. Jimmy Wayne Brown, age 63, of Log Cabin Lane in Brewton, passed away Saturday evening November 2, 2013, at his residence after an extended illness.
Mr. Brown was a native and life-long resident of Brewton, and was a retired carpenter and painter in the home building industry. He was of the non-demoninational faith.
He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Leila Lindsey Brown of Brewton; three sons, Caanan Brown of Jay, Seth (Katie) Brown of Cantonment, and Adam (Beth) Brown of Pensacola; two daughters, Leslie (Jason) Crawford and Christy (Bobby) Powell all of Brewton; one brother, Glenn Edward Brown of New Orleans; four sisters, Barbara (Bill) Hall, Bea Worthington, Glenda (Danny) Fleming, and Connie (Clifford) King, all of Brewton; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and special nephew, Chris Fleming of Brewton.
He is preceded in death by his father, Jepp Edward Brown.
Graveside funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at 11 a.m at Union Cemetery with loved ones speaking at the service.
Interment will be in Union Cemetery.
There will be no visitation for Mr. Brown.
Pallbearers will be Taylor White, Dalton Smith, Travis Sessions, Dwight Evans, Keith Fleming, and Tracey Mancil.
Glenda Lane Webb
November 3, 2013
Glenda Lane Webb, 88, of Pine Forest Community passed away Sunday, October 27, 2013, in Covenant Hospice at West Florida Hospital.
She was the wife of Dr. John B. Webb. She is survived by her husband of 70 years; her sister, Pat Alter of Maine; special brother-in-law and sister-in-law Adrian and Edith Webb of Pensacola; her children, Linda Smith (Rodney) of Wagarville, AL, Diane Jones (Rhett) of Mims, FL, the Rev. Mr. John Webb (Trena) of Pace, Judy Ring of Crestview, Gordon Webb (Jeannette) of Cantonment, Mark Webb (Bernadette) of Pensacola, and Jane Webb of Pensacola. She is also survived by 26 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Glenda was predeceased by her parents, James and Mary Lane; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Lillie Webb; her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Frances and Paul Weller; a grandson John Brian Webb; great-grandsons Jack and Owen Slinkard; and son-in-law David N. Ring.
Glenda Webb was a dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker. She spent many active years in volunteer work at Pine Forest United Methodist Church as a choir member, Sunday School teacher, Worship Committee Chairperson, Hospitality Chairperson, Youth Counselor, and Preschool Director. In addition, she spent as much time in her garden as she could, chasing weeds from every corner of her world. She loved getting into the dirt and growing any flower, vegetable, or fruit. Glenda was an avid cook, artist, reader, and traveler. Her interests were diverse and she loved learning. As her health began to fail her, she took up a new hobby, bird watching. Her back yard became an aviary, and she could identify the different birds as they flew in and out of the trees.
Glenda was an enthusiastic baseball fan. She and Johnny had season tickets to the Pensacola Pelican games and could be found in the stands at every home game. They became loyal fans of the Blue Wahoos when the new team came to town and Glenda could name every player and followed them faithfully.
She loved greatly and was greatly loved. She will be greatly missed.
Glenda’s memorial service was held Saturday, November 2, 2013, at Pine Forest United Methodist Church on Wilde Lake Blvd.
The family is accepting floral condolences or, if preferred, contributions may be made to Glenda’s favorite charity in her memory, St. Joseph’s Indian School, PO Box 326 Chamberlain, SD 57326.
Lewis Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.
Charles “Paw Paw Charles” Edward Banks
November 3, 2013
Charles was preceded in death by his mom and dad, Ned and Louise Banks and his younger brother, James Earl Banks.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted wife, Becky Lynn, and in this union his three children, two loving and devoted sons, Matthew (Amber) Banks and Joseph Logan Banks, and his precious baby girl, Tasha (Jordan) Melton; his grandchildren, Caleb, Seth, Tobias, Tysen, Talon and Breelyn whom were the apples of his eyes. He also leaves behind three older children from a previous union, Charles Jr, Sharie Riles and Shania Hayes and their children and grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Ethel(Lorenzo) Evans and Joyce (Raymond) Collins; one brother, Calvin (Marilyn) Jackson; two sisters-in-law, Debbie (Jerrel) Vunovich and Sandra (Paul) Adams; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends and two very special lifelong friends, Harold and Val Schyder.
Funeral services were Friday, November 1, 2013, at Spanish Trail Baptist Church in Pensacola, with Pastor Paul Adams officiating.
Interment was at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is in charge of arrangements.