Florida’s SRO Of The Year, Ronnie Gill, Retires From Ernest Ward Middle
May 18, 2017
Ernest Ward Middle School, Northview High School, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office celebrated the retirement of Senior Deputy Ronnie Gill Wednesday morning.
Gill retired March 30 from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office after 15 years with the agency. The school resource officer has volunteered his time as a reserve deputy since March 30 to continue his service at Ernest Ward Middle School until the end of the school year.
The Ernest Ward Middle School staff presented Gill with a Canon DSLR camera for his retirement and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office presented him with a plaque and watch. On behalf of several students, NorthEscambia.com presented Gill with a few needed accessories for his new camera.
His law enforcement career spans nearly 40 years. He joined the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 2002 and joined the school resource officer program over 12 years ago.
Last year, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Florida Association of School Resource Officers Monday named Gill as the 2016 School Resource Officer of the Year for Florida.
“Deputy Gill goes above and beyond to not only ensure the safety of students at the school he serves, but to also provide guidance to the youth in his community,” Bondi said at the time. “Resource officers play a vital role in the lives of students on a daily basis.”
Bondi and the FASRO present the School Resource Officer of the Year award annually to a Florida officer who demonstrates dedication and tireless work ethic to enhance the lives of the students they serve.
Gill was also awarded the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Meritorious Service Medal for the crucial role he plays in breaking down the barriers between law enforcement and youth.
Senior Deputy Gill not only worked hard protecting the students and faculty within Ernest Ward, he also gave selflessly of his time to mentor and help students in need. Whether it was counseling students, leading the Ernest Ward “Teens for Christ” group, or showing up at community sporting events to work security on his own time, Gill built a reputation within the student population as not just a law enforcement officer, but a person they can look up to and approach.
Gill also gave selflessly of his finances. He opened his own lunch account with the school and would transfer money into needy student’s accounts on a regular basis. He has been known to provide funds for students that cannot afford trip fees and club dues. He has also taken students shopping for Christmas and has even paid a high school senior’s graduation fees. Whenever there is a need that has been identified, Senior Deputy Gill would step up and fulfill that need.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Celebrates Reading With Circus Of Fun
May 17, 2017
Students at Bratt Elementary School worked all school year to reach their goals in reading achievement.
Students read books all year long and were required to pass tests with
Students read books all year long, took tests on their reading level, and were required to pass tests with a grade of at least 85 percent in order to reach their grade level goal. In order to reach the goal, students needed to read beyond their time at school.
The 96 studetns in gradeds K-5 that reached their goal were treated to a circus of fun recently, complete with face painting, balloon animals, fish pong, a bean bag toss, ladder ball, juggling and a photo booth. Students were able to create their own clown cupcakes at the Circus Concession Stand to enjoy along with nachos and cheese, circus peanuts, animal crackers and fruit punch. Students received prizes at each station, and a special photo from the photo booth.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Alumni Named Finalist For Top State Award
May 17, 2017
The Florida FFA Association and the Florida FFA Alumni Association announced Tuesday that the Northview High School FFA Alumni is one of five state finalist for the 2017 Outstanding Alumni Affiliate award.
The Northview FFA Alumni and the other four finalist chapters will be recognized during the 89th Florida FFA State Convention on Friday, June 16 in Orlando.
Local Elementary Students Shine At Sunshine Math Competition
May 16, 2017
Over 640 students participated in this year’s Sunshine Math Competition recently at Washington High school. Those 640 students were from 28 schools and were on 54 third grade teams, 53 4th grade teams and 52 fifth grade teams.
“This was the largest Sunshine Math competition yet in Escambia County,” said Tammy Barton, ECSD Math Specialist. “We had so many compete that we had to hold the third grade awards in the auditorium and the students and their families filled the house. Then, the awards for the fourth and fifth grade teams filled the gym.”
Individual winners took home a trophy and members of the team that placed took home medals. All of the participants received certificates to mark the day.
Individual Competition Winners and team members
3rd grade
- 1st place: Kaleigh Deese—Jim Allen Elementary
- 2nd place: Ayden Crabtree—Molino Park Elementary
- 3rd place: Emily Dunlap—Jim Allen Elementary
4th grade
- 1st place: Beatrice Bunnell—McArthur Elementary
- 2nd place: Ally Richardson—Bratt Elementary
- 3rd place: Bailee Luciano—McArthur Elementary
5th Grade
- 1st place: Bentley Van Pelt—Bratt Elementary
- 2nd place: Emmalee Bordelon—A.K. Suter Elementary
- 3rd place: John Thomas Tracy—A.K. Suter Elementary
Team Competition Winners
3rd Grade
- 1st Place: Molino Park Elementary Team 2
- Alyssa Brooks, Ayden Crabtree, Austin Jackson, Mary Oliver
- 2nd Place: N.B. Cook Elementary Team 2
- Brenden Boyer, Ray Duong, Caleb Sampson, Brody Turner
- 3rd Place: Scenic Heights Elementary Team 2
- Christopher Tompkins, Mylo Cox, Faiza Chowhury, Benjamin Riley
4th Grade
- 1st Place: Scenic Heights Elementary Team 1
- Zachary Loftus, Freyja Van Hoose, Kevin Jones, Abby Urnowey
- 2nd Place: McArthur Elementary Team 2
- Beatrice Bunnell, Bailee Luciano, Heidi Lynn, Megan Nolan
- 3rd Place: Cordova Park Elementary Team 2
- Wyatt Hart, Brooks Lurton, Zachary Peterson, Lucy Adams Stevenson
5th Grade
- 1st Place: Scenic Heights Elementary Team 1
- Finlee Jenkins, Makayla Johnson, Justin Casler, Coby Lin
- 2nd Place: Cordova Park Elementary Team 2
- Tony Lipnicky, William Flores, William Westerheim, Connor Kane
- 3rd Place: A.K. Suter Elementary Team 2
- John Thomas Tracy, Londynn Amos-Roberts, Madelyn Vowell, Terry Brooks
Above: Bratt Elementary team members.
Above: First place individual fifth grade winner Bentley Van Pelt from Bratt Elementary.
Above : Second place fourth grade individual winner Ally Richardson from Bratt Elementary.
Above: Molino Park team members.
Pictured above: Molino Park Elementary school winners.
Above: Jim Allen team members.
Above: Jim Allen Elementary individual award winners Kaleigh Deese. first place third grade individual, and Emily Dunlap, 3rd place third grade individual.
Above: Jim Allen Elementary team members.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
May 15, 2017
Ernest Ward Middle School recently announced Students of the Month for March. They are Makayla Garrett, eighth grade; Taylor McMinn, seventh grade; and John Michael Ward, sixth grade. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Holds Muffins For Moms
May 14, 2017
Molino Park Elementary School recently held a “Muffins for Mom” event Friday, giving students a chance to treat mom to a muffin and a special time at school.
Submitted photos by James Summerlin for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia 4-H Council Provides Ronald McDonald House Breakfast
May 14, 2017
The Escambia County 4-H County Council officer team got an early start Saturday morning. They cooked breakfast for the families of the Ronald McDonald House. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Holds Annual Banquet (With Photo Gallery)
May 13, 2017
The Northview High School FFA held their annual banquet Friday night.
The event included a somber retirement ceremony for three of the chapter’s graduating senior officers as they slowly removed their signature FFA blue jackets for the last time.
The night also included many awards for Northview FFA members and supporters. The Northview High School FFA has been continuously honored as a top chapter in Florida and the nation.
Awards and honors presented included:
Glynn Key Ruritan Scholarship – Mitchell Singleton
Jamie Hall Memorial Scholarship – Mitchell Singleton
Northview FFA Alumni Scholarship — Brandon Korinchak, Mitchell Singleton
Agriscience FFA Honor Cords – Brandon Korinchak, Mitchell Singleton
Retiring Officers
Mitchell Singleton
Brandon Korinchak
Tabitha Chavers
Honorary Members
Mr. Charles and Ruth Chavers
Courtney Solari
Eddie and Barbara Korinchak
Steven Barry
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary 5th Graders ‘On Trial’
May 13, 2017
Fifth grade students from Byrneville Elementary School had the opportunity to visit the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Center on Friday to learn about the judicial process.
They were able to meet with Judge Scott Duncan and see how trials work, learn the differences between criminal and civil and more. They also had the chance to see holding cells, a visiting judge’s chambers, meet with court reporters and learn how they type so fast and view the surveillance cameras.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Inspirational Student Hero Awards Presented
May 11, 2017
Cox Communications recently its annual Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards at the University of West Florida Conference Center.
Cox recognized 46 students from Escambia County who have overcome extreme challenges in life to serve as an inspiration to their teachers, administrators and fellow students.
The students were chosen by a committee of leaders at their school. During the event, Cox presented the students with an engraved medal and certificates of honor.
This year’s award recipients were:
Bellview Elementary — Dwight Norris
Bellview Middle — Micha Wright
Beulah Elementary — Donnell Snowden
Blue Angels Elementary — Gavin Nielson
Bratt Elementary — Ryleigh Barnes
Brentwood Elementary — Ayriana Parker
Brown Barge Middle — Lindsey Wilbur
Byrneville Elementary — Leif Waters
Cordova Park Elementary — Mason Hausfeld
Ensley Elementary — Shamira Young
Ernest Ward Middle — David Lamb
Escambia Charter — Nira James
Escambia High — Arianna Moore
Ferry Pass Elementary — Jordan Luckie
Ferry Pass Middle — Zack Causey
Global Learning Academy — Kaleb Hart
Hellen Caro Elementary — Meadow Edgar
Holm Elementary — D’Maya Lewis
Jim Allen Elementary — Gage Brooks
Jim Bailey Middle — Daichi Greene
Lincoln Park Elementary — Rashan Bolar
Lipscomb Elementary — Emma Markham
Longleaf Elementary — Sariya Lewis
McArthur Elementary — Tyquan Montgomery
Molino Park Elementary — Ella Kizer
Montclair Elementary — Nicholai Gragg
Myrtle Grove Elementary — Dayton Gregory
N.B. Cook Elementary — Ge’Khiya Brown
Navy Point Elementary — Brianna Fogleman
Northview High — Daysha Kite
O.J. Semms Elementary — Chloe Jones
Oakcrest Elementary — Angel Spears
Pensacola High — Joseph Gort
Pine Forest High — Brooke Kaderly
Pine Meadow Elementary — Caleb Greene
Pleasant Grove Elementary — Sarah Pittman
Ransom Middle — Dawson Guy
Sherwood Elementary — Ethan Powell
Tate High — Zach Fontenot
Warrington Elementary — Zachary Pavkovich
Warrington Middle — Jania Ward
Weis Elementary — Jeremiah Danzot
West Florida High — Belinda Senabre
West Pensacola — Colin Gallagher
Woodham Middle — Kendal Kicklighter
Workman Middle — Bryson Brown