Nearly 500 Students Take Part In Sunshine Math Competition
May 9, 2010
Nearly 500 Escambia County third, fourth and fifth grade students took part in the annual Sunshine Math Competition Saturday morning at Tate High School. Bratt, Molino Park and Jim Allen elementary schools participated from the North Escambia area. Hannah McGahan from Molino Park Elementary placed third in the individual third grade category. Pictured top: The third grade Bratt Elementary team. Pictured left: Hannah McGahan. Pictured below: The Sunshine Math Competition at Tate High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Holds Annual Banquet (With Photo Gallery)
May 8, 2010
It was an emotional night Friday at the 15th Annual Northview High School FFA Banquet. For the FFA teacher sponsor and the FFA president, the night was a perhaps a little more emotional and special.
Northview FFA sponsor Perry Byars and his son — this year’s FFA President Micah Byars, a graduating senior, spent four years in Northview’s FFA under his father’s leadership.
The annual banquet includes a somber ceremony for graduating seniors…they slowly remove their signature blue FFA jackets and hang them up for the last time on a coat rack.
One at a time, the two graduating FFA senior officers participated in the ceremony. Sentinel Gavin Hinote, and President Micah Byers removed their jackets one by one, placing them on the coat rack.
The night also included many awards for Northview and Ernest Ward Middle school FFA members and supporters.
Among those honored for their support of the FFA program were Northview teacher Scott Slay, Northview and Ernest Ward agriculture teacher Tommy Weaver, FFA Alumni supporters Gayle and Angus Brewton and NorthEscambia.com Publisher William Reynolds. The five were named honorary members of the Northview FFA.
The new NHS FFA officers named for the 2010-2011 school year were: Lydia Weaver, president; Allie Vidak, vice president; Stephanie Solari, secretary; Allyson Bullard, treasurer; Courtney Solari, reporter; Jessica Baldwin, sentinel; and Devin Bell, historian.
Dozens of the students in Northview’s FFA received various awards during the night.
The night also included honors and awards for Ernest Ward Middle School’s FFA members presented by chapter sponsor Cynthia Wilson.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Graduating senior FFA Sentinel Gavin Hinote, and President Micah Byers share their goodbyes. Pictured bottom: Members of the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA. NorthEscambia.comp photos, click to enlarge.
Yellow Leaves And Insects Pester Gardenias
May 8, 2010
The gardenia, with its bright white, fragrant blooms and glossy, dark green leaves, is a favorite landscape shrub in Florida.
A brief history
Gardenias originated in China, where it was cultivated for more than 1,000 years. In 1761, British naturalist John Ellis received a specimen of this plant from China and named the plant after his friend Dr. Alexander Garden, a noted botanist and physician in Charleston, South Carolina.
In the 1920s and 1930s, gardenias became highly prized as a cut flower for corsages and arrangements. Today gardenias are a favorite shrub in the Florida landscape and are acclaimed for their creamy-white blossoms and unique fragrance of vanilla, jasmine, and nutmeg, a fragrance that becomes spicier as the gardenia blooms age.
While gardenia is a lovely landscape shrub, it is not without problems.
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves are a common complaint among gardenia-growers. Yellowing, or chlorosis, may be due to a number of causes.
One of the first things to consider is an iron deficiency. Gardenias generally require more iron than other plants. In high pH (alkaline) soils, iron is not readily available. Lack of iron will result in yellow leaves.
To correct this problem, first see if your soil pH is the issue by getting a soil test. Sometimes, foliar applications of iron are effective. Follow the directions on the product label. In addition, fertilize your gardenias with an “acidifying” fertilizer.
Other causes of yellow leaves include insufficient light, over watering or poor drainage, soil temperature that is too low, nematode damage or disease.
Even though gardenias are evergreen plants, they do go through a period of leaf replacement. Some yellowing on older leaves is normal and may occur during the spring months before new growth appears.
Whiteflies
As their name implies, whiteflies are small, fly-like insects with white-colored wings. They hide on the underside of leaves, where they multiply rapidly. Whiteflies suck on plant juices and, in large numbers, can consume a considerable amount of nutrients. Like aphids, they excrete lots of honeydew, on which black sooty mold fungus grows.
The key to whitefly control is not a specific insecticide–the key is persistence. Almost any insecticide will kill a whitefly. Insecticidal soap, neem oil, horticultural oil, permethrin, bifenthrin and lambda-cyhalothrin are deadly to the insect.
Since whiteflies live under gardenia leaves, it is critical to direct your spray upwards under the leaves. Plan to spend several minutes with each gardenia, working to achieve complete coverage. One spray won’t kill all of them. Nearby plants harbor the creatures and they will move back in within a few days.
Thrips
In early summer, the gardenia will reward gardeners with fragrant blooms. However, the blooms are frequently infested with an insect known as thrips.
Thrips are very small insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts. In addition to causing discoloration of petals, they can also cause leaf malformation (distorted, dwarfed, and matted), leaf fold, leaf roll, leaf blisters, and sometimes defoliation.
To aid in detecting thrips, place a sheet of white paper beneath the leaves or flowers and shake the plant. The thrips will fall onto the paper and can be more easily observed and identified than when on the plant.
Since thrips may come in large flights over an extended period of time, insecticides which give good initial results but have a short residual effect are generally inadequate for control of thrips infestations. Systemic insecticides are highly effective and provide long-term control.
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Courtesy photos by Theresa Friday for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rotary Club Honors Academic All-Stars
May 7, 2010
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized an outstanding group of area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night, including about two dozen Northview High School students.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
Those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, were honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars: Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway, Clinton Eugene Davis, Mark Allen Shipps Jr. from Northview High School; Savannah Brown, Austin Heller and Sarah Ziglar from Atmore Christian School; Jon Dean, Robert Johnson, Perry Jones and Jake Wasdin from Escambia Academy; and Tyler Wade Boatwright, Devante Cottrell Brown, Sheena-Marie Currie*, Shar’Nell Wyneisha Flavors, Joslin Mona’ Frye, Michaela Ta’Mill Norman and Kimberly Marie Rolin.
The following students were recognized Thursday night as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars:
Northview High School
9th Grade
Jazzlyn Shanece Franklin, La’Derious Ty’Shon Franklin, Kaitlyn Brooke Gunn, Justin Lance Halteman, Marcus Trey Johnson, Zachary Sean Johnson, Skyler Ashton Macks and Tyler Dewayne Roley
10th Grade
Holly Nicole Dickson, Amber Dianne Francis, Alexander Dewayne Payne, Tyler Lindsay Randolph and Joel Nathaniel Wetzel
11th Grade
Mallory Ann Bell, Ashley Elizabeth Digmon, Laneicia Dynette Gomez, Sarah Malinda Killam, Hayley Renee Simpson and Emily Faith Vickrey
12th Grade
Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway, Kolbi Shae Cobb, Clinton Eugene Davis, Bradley James Lowery, Amber Nicole McMillan and Mark Allen Shipps Jr.
Atmore Christian School
9th Grade
Jacinda Stahly, Narisa Wiggins and Hannah Ziglar
10th Grade
Tessa de Jongh, Frisco Gehman and Mary Maud Meacham
11th Grade
Dallas Brown, Cody Mize and Deidre Smith
12th Grade
Savannah Brown, Mallorie Dunsford, Austin Heller, Zack Miller and Sarah Ziglar
Escambia Academy
9th Grade
Paige Allen, Paul Arnold, Caitlyn Bruley, Selina Dukes, Page Lancaster, Blake Quimby and Sarah Wooten
10th Grade
Jenna Brown, Miranda Caraway, Katelyn Chastang, James Dean and Brandon Goddard
11th Grade
Amber Huskey, Keaton Maher and Bailey Vaughn
12th Grade
Jon Dean, Robert Johnson, Perry Jones and Jake Wasdin
Escambia County High School
9th Grade
Jake Austin Caraway, Krista Anna Choate, Kianna Simone Clark, Shalonda Trenee Howard, Janay Louise Hunt, Scarlet Olivia Martin, La’Derian De’Andreas Peoples, Samantha Leigh Richard, Chelsie Elizabeth Schell, Heather Ann Taylor and Bria Nicole Willis
10th Grade
Jazmine Nicole Adams, Quinston Jamaine Ephraim Jr., Taylor Rainy January, Ashley Nichole McKenzie, Roger Lucas Miller, Jamieka Bessie Marie North, Mary LaRose Powell and Sarah Jessica Powell
11th Grade
Jasmine Danielle Chafin, Jordan Allene Colbert, Kristen Anne Gehman, Corleia Charzet McGinnis, Morgan Elise Nichols and Brooke Elizabeth Woolard
12th Grade
Tyler Wade Boatwright, Danitra Monique Brown, Devante Cottrell Brown, Leslie Rene Cummings, Sheena-Marie Currie, Tikeshia Latrice Dailey, Lillian Victoria Dennis, Shar’Nell Wyneisha Flavors, Joslin Mona’ Frye, Heather Sarah Hall, Whitney Vona Johnson, Kirsten Danielle Morris, Michaela Ta’Mill Norman, Karshella Jabrae Purifoy, Kimberly Marie Rolin and Jasmine Tysheike Tolbert
Pictured top: Seniors from Northview High School that were honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-Stars Thursday night. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Faithful Gather On National Day Of Prayer
May 6, 2010
The faithful from across the area gathered at Tom Byrne Park in Atmore at noon Thursday for a National Day of Prayer event.
The words of Amazing Grace could be heard throughout the park as about 75 people joined in song before those in attendance offered distinct prayers for government officials, the military, the media, business leaders, education, the church and family.
A student-led National Day of Prayer service was also held this morning at Northview High School.
A Bible Reading took place Thursday evening in Atmore as the entire Bible was read out loud by nearly 200 volunteers. The readers were spaced around the park’s walking path, reading in a normal voice. Walkers were able to hear different parts of the Bible as they walked.
Pictured top: Rev. James and Ellen Boyd of Walnut Hill pray during a noontime National Day of Prayer Service in Atmore on Thursday. Pictured below: Members of the group prayer for area families. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Train Caboose Moved
May 6, 2010
Flomaton’s train caboose at Hurricane Park was moved Wednesday to the Flomaton Welcome Center and Area Railroad Museum.
The 54-ton L&N caboose had been at Hurricane Park for a few decades, but it was decided to move it to the Welcome Center so that it could be restored and become a showplace, according to Tippy Wagner, artifacts director for the museum.
Plans call for the caboose, which was built in 1951, to eventually be open for tours, Wagner said.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the move, click here. (The gallery also contains photos taken inside the caboose.)
The caboose was moved thanks to a donation by Robert Jackson, according to Wagner. Deep South Cranes, L&L Welding, theTown of Flomaton, Flomaton Police Department, Flomaton Fire Department and Tthe Escambia County Sheriffs Office all helped make the move possible.
The Flomaton Area Railroad Museum is located at 702 Sidney Manning Boulevard in Flomaton. It is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Pictured top: Flomaton’s caboose is delivered to the Flomaton Area Railroad Museum Wednesday afternoon. Pictured inset: The caboose is moved from Hurricane Park. Pictured below: The caboose travels through Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Care Residents Celebrate With Black Tie Event
May 6, 2010
Century Care Center recently held a “Black Tie Ball” thrown by the staff for the residents.
With formal food and semi-formal wear, the residents enjoyed a great evening, Activities Director Mae Hildreth said.
“It was quite an affair,” she said.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Old Fashioned Day Was Big Success, Organizers Plan For 2011
May 5, 2010
Organizers say last Saturday’s Old Fashion Day in Jay was a huge success, and they are planning to hold the event again next year on the first Saturday in May.
Old Fashion Day at the Jay Historical Society Museum featured quilting, candle making, butter churning, corn grinding, story telling, pottery making and a petting zoo. There was also music and entertainment all day, and plenty of old fashioned games.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Names Students Of The Month
May 4, 2010
Bratt Elementary School has named their April Students of the Month.
They are:
- Pre-K: Emilee Cabral, Malonie Curryl
- Kindergarten: John Michael Ward, Dakota Peebles, Jakayla Jackson, Ashton Knicley
- First Grade: Deshawita Riley, Nona Wilson, JD Ward, Kiwianna McPherson, Gabrielle Marlow
- Second Grade:Natalee Gibson, Adam Peterson, Morgan Page, Myles Harrelson, Cheyenne Philyaw
- Third Grade: Samuel Stott, Janie Kite, Jeremiah Woods, Eric King, Kaitlin Berry
- Fourth Grade: Hunter Carter, Tara Windham, M.J. Jones, Logan Doremus
- Fifth Grade: Kylie Brook, Hanna Clarke, Kyle Ard, Zachary Maholovich, Tanner Guidry
Byrneville Students Check Out Hurricane Hunter Planes
May 3, 2010
A group of Byrneville Elementary School students toured two hurricane hunter aircraft at the Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport last week.
The Byrneville fourth and fifth graders were able to see an an Air Force C-130J and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Lockheed WP-3D Orion aircraft — the first time the two hurricane hunter aircraft were on public display together.
With hurricane season beginning June 1, the hurricane hunters pushed hurricane preparedness while teaching the students about the science of hurricanes and hurricane hunting. From dropsondes — those devices dropped from the planes into hurricanes for measurements — to millibars and eyewalls, the students learned about how the hurricane hunters measure up a storm.
The NOAA hunter hunter plane has an airspeed of 210 knots and has flown into 88 different hurricanes with 713 eye wall penetrations.
