Tate High Wind Ensemble Achieves Straight Superior Ratings
March 25, 2025
The Tate High School Wind Ensemble achieved a straight superior rating at the District 1 Music Performance Assessment (MPA) earlier this month at Fort Walton Beach High School based upon their dedication, musicianship, and hard work of the students and directors.
As a result of their success, the wind ensemble will perform at the State Concert Band Evaluation on April 29, 2025,at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. Performance times and additional details will be announced as soon as they become available.
In addition to this success, six Tate High School students have qualified to perform at the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) State Solo Evaluation in Tallahassee on Saturday, March 29, at Leon High School. These talented musicians earned a superior rating on a Grade 5 or higher solo at the district evaluation.
Those band students are:
- Carter Hayden
- Mason Soto
- Kendra McDonald
- Gracie Ferlo
- Jax Hardnack
- Jaren Ridgon
In addition, the Tate High School Jazz Ensembles will take the stage at Troy University’s Mic Check Conference April 24-25. This event is a significant opportunity for students to showcase their talents with top ensembles from across the region. Students will also have the chance to participate in master classes led by professional performers and theTroy University jazz faculty.
“The Tate High School Music Department extends its gratitude to the students, parents, and supporters who continue to champion the arts and music education,” Tate High Director of Bands Ronald Gray, Jr. said.
Ernest Ward Middle Names Students, Employee Of The Month
March 23, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their employee and student of the month for February. (L-R) Pictured with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger are students Connor Weekley, sixth grade; Sawyer Odom, seventh grade; and Shelby Riffenburg; and Kevin Knowles, science teacher and coach. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Prom Promise Demonstration Shows High Schoolers The Reality Of Drunk Driving
March 20, 2025
A realistic DUI crash demonstration involving students gave Flomaton High School students a dose of reality on Wednesday morning.
One student, the DUI driver, was arrested. Two were transported to the hospital — one by helicopter in critical condition.
One student did not survive.
The demonstration was all part of the school’s Prom Promise program, encouraging the students to not drink and drive.
For a more photos, click here.
“You can talk about something all day long and it doesn’t set in their minds,” Flomaton Police Chief Dereck Lowry said. “When they see something in person, and they see the blood, or they see the people being put in the ambulance, they see the people being put on life flight, they see the people getting put in a hearse, it brings it home a little bit more for them, makes it a little more personal.”
Multiple agencies took part in the student demonstration Wednesday, including the Flomaton Fire Department, Flomaton Police Department, Century Station of Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Department, Newmans Ambulance, MedStar Aircare 2, Williams Funeral Home. Peach Ford/Chevrolet Wrecker Service, Lambeth Fire Department, and Brewton Fire Department.
Photos by Katie Fowler for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Th
e demonstration was all part of the school’s Prom Promise program, encouraging the students to not drink and drive.
FFA Members Attend ‘Ag On The Hill’ In Tallahassee
March 20, 2025
Florida FFA members took part in the 2025 Ag On The Hill day in Tallahassee this week.
FFA members from Northview High School were among those taking part.
Members met with their state representatives and senators to discuss key issues impacting Florida FFA and agricultural education.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
March 19, 2025
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their February Students of the Month.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Bailee Griffis and Stevie Grace Scott
- 1st Grade: Jayceon Jackson and Braelyn Smith
- 2nd Grade: Deylan Burt and Arayah McCall
- 3rd Grade: Camden McPhaul and B.J. Cooley
- 4th Grade: Eastyn Wiggins and Chaplin Grassia
- 5th Grade: Deliah Fantroy and Breanna Greenwell
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local FFA Member Named Finalist For ‘Stars Of Florida’ Program
March 16, 2025
The Florida FFA Association recently selected 25 student members — including one from Escambia County — as finalists in the highly coveted “Stars of Florida” award recognition program.
Isabelle Jenkins, who attends the Pensacola High School IB program and is a member of the Florida Virtual FFA chapter, was the only local student to be named a finalist.
The program symbolizes the highest competitive recognition for FFA members and their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program(s) in seven different categories. Each candidate will be interviewed by a team of FFA, industry and agriculture education representatives to determine the winner in each area. Each finalist, their family and agriculture instructor(s) will be recognized at the Fourth General Session of the 97th Florida FFA Convention to be held at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Project Provides Free Dictionaries For All Jim Allen Third Graders
March 11, 2025
Members of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Cantonment recently presented new dictionaries to students at Jim Allen Elementary School. Each third grader received their own copy of “A Student’s Dictionary.” The goal of The Dictionary Project is to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Donations Provide New Keyboards For Bratt Elementary Students
March 10, 2025
The music program at Bratt Elementary recently received new keyboards.
The keyboard were purchased with donations from the Bratt PTA and the Blues Angel Music Foundation. The students helped assemble the benches and stands for the new Keyboards.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Concert, Symphonic Bands Showcase Upcoming MPA Performance (With Gallery)
March 7, 2025
The Ransom Middle School Concert and Symphonic Bands showcased their talents in a pre-MPA performance Thursday evening.
The event was preparation for their upcoming music performance assessment (MPA), during which they will be evaluated on their musical proficiency and ensemble performance.
Under direct of Lee Rigdon and Steven Kershaw, the students performed a preview of the pieces they will present at the official MPA performance next week.
Phoso for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
March 6, 2025
Northview High School recently named their February Students of the Month. They are Sophia Morris and Jack Boutwell, pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.