NHS Prom: Generosity Provides Free Dresses
May 1, 2010
About a half dozen young ladies attended the Northview High School prom Saturday night in dresses they received compliments of a group of concerned students that worked to make sure that every girl could have that perfect dress for a magical evening.
The girls learned about the program from an April 9 article on NorthEscambia.com. Also after the article, over 30 dresses were donated.
Our original April 9 article is reprinted below.
Calling themselves the “SWANS”, the group of young ladies is collecting prom dresses that are being made available to any Northview girl headed to prom that needs a dress, no questions asked.
“Prom is big deal for girls,” said SWANS member Jessica Bloodsworth. “They want to look pretty, and the perfect dress helps them look special. It can boost the self-esteem of a girl.”
Knowing that dresses are without a doubt expensive and that the expense could keep some girls from attending their junior or senior prom, the 20-something students in the SWANS decided to go to work to create a prom dress closet of sorts. So far, they have collected just over a dozen dresses, and they have been promised a donation of about 30 more soon from someone that is closing a bridal shop.
“A lot of girls have dresses left over from other events, and there are girls that need a dress but their family can’t afford one, so it’s a perfect match,” Bloodsworth said.
The girls recently bagged groceries at a Winn Dixie store to raise money — about $200 — so they could dry clean the donated dresses. The dresses are fashionable, modern styles that are free of flaws.
“Prom is just that special night that you get dressed up and feel like an adult,” said Natalie Nall, one of the SWANS teacher sponsors. “This is the big deal for many of the girls. For the girls that don’t go to college, senior prom night is the special time in their lives until their wedding.”
Extra effort is made to make sure that no girl is embarrassed by wearing a donated dress, according to Barbara Luker, another SWANS teacher sponsor. It is all done as quietly as possible to make sure no one knows a girl took part in the program. Even for our NorthEscambia.com photo, Luker worked to make sure the dresses were presented in such a way that no dress could be identified.
Northview girls that donate a dress to the program sign a promise to not let anyone know what dress they donated.
“I promise to not let it be known that this dress once belonged to me and will hold it secret in my heart because I know that my generosity means more than the compromise of someone’s self-esteem,” the prom dress donation promise states.
Girls that receive a SWANS prom dress have the option of keeping it, or returning to the program.
The SWANS — Sophisticated Warriors Advocating Northview Self-Discovery — are also working toward a clothes swap closet at the school for everyday clothing. And they are planning a Mother’s Day tea to allow girls and their moms to get a little closer and allow the girls to meet their friends’ moms.
“It’s all about self-esteem and being a woman,” Bloodsworth said.
SWANS is actively seeking prom dress donations. Anyone can drop a dress by the school office. Any Northview student in need of a dress can contact any SWANS member at the school, or any teacher sponsor.
Pictured above: Northview SWANS member Jessica Bloodsworth with some of the donated prom dresses. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Bald Eagle Released Near Walnut Hill (With Photo Gallery)
April 29, 2010
A one-year old rehabilitated bald eagle was released back into the wild Wednesday morning near Walnut Hill.
Once injured and missing her primary flight feathers, the eagle took flight — perhaps a little low and a little unstable at first — and then majestically headed into a wooded area to join a group of eagles that live around a Highway 97A residence near Enon.
The homeowner said she frequently sees nine or ten eagles around her home, often feeding at her pond. That is why the location was chosen to release the female eagle; for eagles, apparently it’s all about social networking.
“Our eagle has had the opportunity to socialize with other eagles,” Dorothy Kaufmann, director of the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, said of the eagle that caregivers called “Eagle #3″. “But here, with the other eagles, she will get to go in and learn with the social networking for learning things like how to hunt and preparing for migration in the fall.” (Not all North Escambia eagles migrate, Kaufmann added.)
For more photos from the Walnut Hill eagle release, click here.
The juvenile eagle was rescued in Tallahassee last year with an infection and trauma to her left wing, unable to fly or fend for herself. After initial care from the St. Francis Wildlife Association in Tallahassee, she was transferred to Pensacola on July 17, 2009, for long term rehabilitation, maximum care and conditioning. Dr. Tommy Knight, a veterinarian with the Westside Animal Hospital cared for the eagle’s medical needs during numerous house calls to the facility, which included a 100 foot enclosed flight conditioning area.
Kaufmann told the property owners that they will be able to spot the rescued eagle because she will fly “a little less than perfect”, perhaps favoring her old injury.
“The ones that have been in the wild are just perfect, but ours will be different,” she said.
Eagle #3 was hooded and hand-carried for transportation by car to North Escambia. A hooded eagle is a calm eagle, Kaufmann said. The hood remained on the eagle until shortly before flight time, Kaufmann holding her with thick gloves.
“This may not be graceful,” Kaufmann said as she prepared to release the bird. “I don’t know if she’s ready, but I’m ready.”
“She’s going up in the trees. There’s another one. An adult. Go baby,” she said as the eagle dipped a little toward the ground — the ungraceful part as predicted.
“Somebody else (another eagle) just met her. Isn’t that great?”
Kaufmann said the rehabilitated eagle should be able to breed and have a normal lifespan of 30 to 45 years. She added that juvenile eagles are chocolate brown in color. They are about five-years old when the feathers on their head and tail become white and they take on that classic bald eagle look.
For more photos from the Walnut Hill eagle release, click here.
Pictured top: A juvenile eagle is released by Dorothy Kaufmann, director of the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, Wednesday morning in Enon near Walnut Hill. Pictured middle: Eagle #3. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Pictured below: This submitted file photo shows other eagles on the property.
NHS Band Awarded At Universal Studios
April 29, 2010
The Northview High School Band was honored at the Music City USA Festival at Universal Studios in Orlando this past weekend.
The band received a Superior rating in the High School Class A Jazz Band Category and also won the High School Grand Champion Award for Instrumental Music.
The rhythm section — Beni Deron, drums and Jackson Smith, bass — received an award for the best section, while Melissa Moretz received the Best Soloist Award for alto saxophone.
The NHS Band also had the opportunity to participate in a “Stars Parade” at Universal Studios.
For more photos submitted by Norma Halteman, click here.
Pictured: The Northview High School Band at Universal Studios in Orlando. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cadets Honored For Academic Exam
April 29, 2010
The Pine Forest High School NJROTC program was honored Wednesday for achieving third place on the 2010 NJROTC Academic Exam out of 1,539 teams that took part in this academic competition.
“This is another shining example of the efforts being made here at Pine Forest to increase our academic rigor and improve our academic standing both on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test and college readiness exams. In addition, this same NJROTC Unit, at the close of the 1st semester, had earned over 6,000 community service hours,” said Principal Frank Murphy.
The 100 question test covers a variety of topics including world history, American history, naval and maritime history, physical sciences, current events and more.
The five-member Pine Forest NJROTC was comprised of Cadet LTJG Sirikanya Sellers, Cadet ENS Joseph Mills, Cadet ENS Michael Core, Cadet CDR Kelly MacMurray, and Cadet CPO Robby Rudd.
Pictured: (L-R) PFHS Principal Murphy, Cadet LTJG Sirikanya Sellers, Cadet ENS Joseph Mills, Cadet ENS Michael Core, Cadet CDR Kelly MacMurray, and Cadet CPO Robby Rudd. Submitted photo by Lori Rudd for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Time’s Up For Homebuyer Tax Credit
April 28, 2010
Time is running out for home buyers to take advantage of thousands of dollars in federal tax credits for purchasing a home.
The $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and the $6,500 tax credit for repeat home buyers expire Friday. However, service members who were on official extended duty outside of the United States for at least 90 days between Jan.1, 2009 and May 1, 2010, may qualify for a one-year extension.
If a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, home buyers have until June 30, 2010 to complete the purchase.
For more information, visit the National Association of Home Builders at federalhousingtaxcredit.com.
$8,000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance
- The $8,000 tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
- The tax credit does not have to be repaid unless the home is sold or ceases to be used as the buyer’s principal residence within three years after the initial purchase.
- The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
- The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.
- The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.
- For homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, the income limits are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.
- For homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010, single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
The $6,500 Move-Up / Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance
- To be eligible to claim the tax credit, buyers must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years.
- The tax credit does not have to be repaid unless the home is sold or ceases to be used as the buyer’s principal residence within three years after the initial purchase.
- The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500.
- The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.
- The credit is available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the home purchase qualifies provided it is completed by June 30, 2010.
- Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
Source: National Association of Home Builders
Escambia’s Top Seniors Honored
April 28, 2010
The brightest high school seniors were honored Tuesday night at the Escambia County Senior Academic Awards.
The awards honor the top five students at each school plus those that have excelled in other subjects.
Those honor from North Escambia schools were:
Northview High School Top Five
- Jessica N. Bloodsworth
- Kaitlyn Caraway
- Clinton E. Davis
- Felicia Settle
- Mark A. Shipps, Jr.
Northview High Top in Subject Areas
- Candice L. Greenwell, English
- Caitlin Hall, foreign language
- Bradley J. Lowery, math
- Jackson Smith, science
- Kolbi Cobb, social studies
- Eric Ickeringill, career and technical
Tate High School Top Five
- Stevie Evans
- Christopher Hester
- Caitlin Perkins
- Rebecca Rougeau
- Allison Shiflett
Tate High Top in Subject Areas
- Allison Bailey, English
- Davin Samuel, foreign language
- Corry Bedwell, math
- Sara Woodbury, science
- Lynsey Meharg, social studies
- Karissa Kleinschmidt, career and technical
Pictured above: Northview students Jessica Bloodsworth, Clinton Davis, Felicia Settle, Mark Shipps, Jr., and Jackson Smith at Tuesday night’s Escambia County Senior Academic Awards. Submitted photo by Jill Lee for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Students Of The Month Named
April 26, 2010
Escambia County Students of the Month for April have been named by the Escambia Association for Administrators in Education. The awards are presented monthly to two students from participating schools.
The following students were named from North Escambia area schools:
- Bratt: Emilee A. Cabral, pre-kindergarten; Jeremiah D. Woods, third grade
- Jim Allen: Dove D. Tucker, fourth grade; Latoya L. Williams, fourth grade
- Molino Park: Jerry K. Calvert, second grade; Shadonavon M. Young, first grade
- Ernest Ward: Courtney B. Weekley, sixth grade; Decordic D. King, seventh grade
- Ransom: Jordan A. Lammens, eighth grade; Christopher A. Payne, eighth grade
- Northview: Tori D. Reid, 10th grade; Chad M. Smith, ninth grade
- Tate: Kaleigh L. Blackmon, 10th grade; James L. Sherrill, 11th grade
Pictured top: Tori Reid and Christopher Payne, Northview High School’s Students of the Month for April. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend In Photos: Relay In Atmore, Century; Sawmill Day; Ernest Ward Sports; EREC
April 26, 2010
It was a busy weekend across North Escambia, and our NorthEscambia.com cameras were there, bringing you the photos from Relay for Life Events in Atmore and Century, Sawmill Day in Century, the Ernest Ward Middle Sports Banquet and the EREC Annual Meeting in Bratt.
For photos from the Century Relay for Life, click here.
For photos from the Atmore Relay for Life, click here.
For photos from Sawmill Day in Century, click here.
For photos from the EREC Annual Meeting in Bratt, click here.
For photos from the Ernest Ward Middle Sports Banquet, click here.
Pictured: In one of the most unique of our weekend photos, Paula Jernigan (top) and Nadine McCaw pose at the Century Relay for Life. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Area Fights Cancer With Relay For Life
April 25, 2010
Communities from across the area joined together Saturday and early Sunday morning for Century’s Relay for Life.
The event, which benefits the American Cancer Society, was held from noon Saturday until early Sunday morning at the Old Century High School gymnasium — forced indoors by Saturday’s stormy weather.
Click here for a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event.
“It is a community joining together for a common goal — celebrating life, remembering those lost to cancer and fighting back against the disease” Paula Jernigan, Century’s Relay chairperson, said.
During Saturday’s opening ceremony, Tri-City Ledger Publisher Joe Thomas (pictured) spoke about his battle with prostate cancer during the past year — and his victory over the disease due to early intervention and technology made possible in part by the American Cancer Society.
Participating teams included the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society, Tina’s Journey, The Mud Bugs, Ernest Ward Middle School, Emerald Coast Hospice, Byrneville Elementary School, Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church, Century Correctional Institution, Students Stomping and the Century Library.
Pictured top: The Century Relay for Life gets underway Saturday afternoon with a Survivors Lap at the old Century High School. Pictured inset: Tri-City Ledger Publisher Joe Thomas speaks about his battle with prostate cancer. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Holds Relay For Life
April 25, 2010
Rain forced the Atmore Relay for Life indoors this year but did not dampen the spirit of those working to fight cancer.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Teams participating in the 2010 Atmore Relay for Life included Atmore Community Hospital, Atmore First Assembly, Atmore News, Atmore Nursing Care Center, Elaine’s Team, First National Bank & Trust, Gulf Winds, Liberty Belle’s, Masland Carpet, Poarch Creek Indians, Team Hope, United Bank, Walgreens and Winn Dixie.
The fund raising goal for this year’s Atmore Relay for Life was $65,000, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.
Pictured above and below: The Atmore Relay for Life was forced indoors Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
