Hester, Russell Named EREC Scholarship Winners
May 18, 2015
Escambia River Electric Cooperative has announced two local seniors as winners of the 2015 Herman D. Johnson Scholarship Awards.
The Escambia County winner was Julie Hester, and the Santa Rosa County winner was Emily Russell.
Julie Hester is the daughter of Jeff and Mechelle Hester and she is a senior at Northview High School. Julie has been a majorette at Northview for four years and majorette captain for two years. She is a member of the concert band, Northview Theatre, Battle of the Books, Beta Club and FCA. Julie has also been on the Atmore Academic All-Stars for three years. She teaches baton lessons and is an active volunteer in her community with basketball, bible school and elementary schools. She is an active member of First Baptist Church of Bratt. Julie plans to major in clinical psychology in college.
Emily Russell is the daughter of Toby and Julie Russell and is a senior at Jay High School. Emily is president of her senior class and is a member, holding officer positions, of the Student Government Association, Senior Beta and the National Honor Society. She is a member of the National Art Honor Society, Spanish Club, Christian World Order, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Art Club. She has lettered in volleyball and basketball since 8th grade and in tennis since the 9th grade. She enjoys volunteering in the community and is an active member of Berrydale Baptist Church. Emily plans to major in occupational therapy in college.
Each of these students will receive $1,000 for each of four years providing they continue to meet the scholarship criteria. The scholarships will be presented at the respective schools’ awards programs.
Pictured top: Julie Hester (left) and Emily Russell (right). Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Danceworks Photo Gallery
May 18, 2015
Heather Leonard’s Danceworks 20th annual recital was held Saturday night at Northview High School.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The Parts Of Dying No One Talks About – Esquire Magazine Features Northview Graduate
May 17, 2015
It’s not often that a local resident is featured in major national publication. The May edition of Esquire magazine features an article about Nicole Rolin Teague, Northview High School graduate.
Nicole Rolin, a native of Poarch, was a member of Northview’s first graduating class in 1996. She went on to marry Matthew Teague, and they resided in Fairhope. At the young age of 34, as the mother of two beautiful children, she received the devastating news that she she cancer. Not just cancer. But cancer everywhere in her abdomen. Everywhere.
Hundreds, thousands of us followed her battle in person, through friends, or through the internet. There were the moments of improvement, those glimmers of hope, that we saw. But in between those moments of perceived improvement and her death at age 36, were the parts where the cancer reared its ugly head, the parts of dying that no one talks about.
Matthew penned a lengthy essay for Esquire magazine about what watching his loved one dying was really like. It was not “she slipped away peacefully in her sleep”. It was not “she felt no pain”. It was not pretty.
“We don’t tell each other the truth about dying, as a people. Not real dying. Real dying, regular and mundane dying, is so hard and so ugly that it becomes the worst thing of all: It’s grotesque. It’s undignified. No one ever told me the truth about it, not once,” Matthew wrote in Esquire.
We preface the link to the Esquire article by saying this…
The article is long. You’ll want to allow time to sit, read and digest. You’ll want a fresh box of Kleenex. It will be nauseatingly painful to read; it will tear at the core of your being.
If you knew Nicole, you may not want to read it. If you didn’t know Nicole, you still may not want to read it. It is, as Matthew wrote, “the parts of dying that no one talks about”.
It is painful, it is vile, it is brutal, it is raw, it is without dignity, it is offensive, it is unbearable. It will alter your very soul.
You have been warned. Cancer sucks.
Matthew Teague’s article in the May 2015 Esquire magazine about the life stolen from his wife, 1995 Northview High graduate Nicole Rolin Teague: How My Friend Saved Me When Death Took the Mother of My Children.
Perry Receives UWF Award For Historical Writing
May 17, 2015
Tate High graduate Austin Perry has received the University of West Florida’s Carolyn A. Knefely Award for Excellence in Writing.
Perry studied history at UWF from January 2011 until graduating in May 2015. During that time, he also studied Arabic as a part of UWF’s foreign language program.
His focus in the history department was Western European history with a strong emphasis on English history and the history of the Church from the late 1300’s through the Reformation.
Perry received the Carolyn Knefely Award for his paper “Catherine of Siena: The Politics of Mysticism” that he completed as a part of Dr. Marie Therese Champagne’s Medieval Women course. His research focused on the depiction of St. Catherine of Siena by comparing her own writings with those of her biographer, Raymond of Capua, in addition to exploring the political nature of his biography.
Perry’s other historical interests include Anglo-Saxon society during the Norman Conquest, Western Christianity from the Great Schism through the early Protestant Reformation, and modern British society and subcultures. Perry plans to teach history at the high school level and eventually return for graduate school.
May Lawn, Gardening Tips
May 16, 2015
The Escambia County Master Gardeners offer the following May lawn and garden tips:
- Continue planting summer annuals. Try one or two that you’ve never grown and/or one that is not available in stores as transplants.
- Plant heat-resistant summer flowering annuals such as begonias, impatiens, coleus, salvia, marigolds, torenia, verbena, ornamental peppers and gaillardia.
- Bulbs: Caladium, gladiolus.
- Vegetables: Continue planting warm weather seeds and transplants (Shade those transplants!). Use transplants for cherry tomatoes, eggplant and sweet potatoes. Plant seeds of lima beans, okra, southern peas: purple hull, crowder, etc.
- Prune and shape spring flowering shrubs and trees now. Later pruning may destroy next year’s blooms.
- Good cultural practices help maintain a healthy lawn and discourage insects and disease. Mow with a sharp blade. Centipedegrass should be cut to a height of 1½ to 2 inches. St. Augustinegrass normal growth habit cultivars should be cut to a height of 3 to 4 inches.
- Climbing roses are pruned after they finish blooming. Blooms form on one-year-old canes, so any older ones may be removed to make them more tidy. Cut each flowering stem back to the first five leaflet stem to encourage them to bloom again.Spray with horticultural oil or malathion for mites, scale and white flies, if insects are present, before it gets too hot (85 degrees).
- Yellow leaves on azaleas may mean they need iron. Apply iron sulphate or chelated iron.
- Feed citrus plants using special citrus fertilizer. Broadcast under the tree canopy and water in.
- Begin planting palms while the weather is warm and rainy.
- Make cuttings of azaleas, hollies, camellias, and other choice shrubs as new growth becomes halfhardened.
- Take soft wood cuttings to root: alyssum, begonia, chrysanthemum, shrimp plant, dianthus, geranium, hibiscus, hydrangea, etc.
- Dig bulbs after foliage turns brown if they need to be divided or the space is needed for other plants. If the space isn’t needed, braid the foliage.
- Cut back the vines of Irish potatoes when they begin to die but leave the tubers in the ground for about two weeks longer to toughen the skin. Handle the potatoes carefully during digging, as skinned or bruised potatoes decay quickly when stored.
- Divide crowded and vigorously growing perennials.
- Promote continued flowering of bedding plants by removing faded blooms.
- Encourage coleus to branch and produce more colorful leaves by pinching off the flower stalks as they form.
- Prune poinsettias when new growth is 10-12 inches high (back to the last four leaves). Prune new growth at the base throughout the summer.
- Stop pruning after Labor Day.
- Keep roses watered, cut out weak spots, feed every six to eight weeks or at every new flush of growth, dust.
- For insect or disease problems in your garden, use the least toxic control possible.
Rotary Academic All-Stars Named From Four Area Schools
May 15, 2015
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized about 130 area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night
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 (pictured top). Every senior received a scholarship. The Four-Year Academic All Stars received a $750 scholarship, three year All Stars were awarded $350, two year All Stars received $250, and one year senior All Stars received $150.
The Randolph B. Luttrell, Sr.Scholarship, valued at $2,000, was presented to Ty’Anthony Riley of Escambia County High School. The Mary Joyner Grissett Memorial Scholarship, also for $2,000, was presented to Christin Simpkins of Escambia County High School.
All total, more than $24,000 in scholarships were awarded by the Atmore Rotary Club.
Guest speaker for the event was Russ Wood, a member of Alabama Coach Bear Bryant’s final football team and a director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“As a player he (Bear Bryant) intimidated you,” Wood said. “Coach Bryant had that mannerism that he expected so much. He wanted us to get a little better every day.”
“You are a role model,” he said, addressing the Academic All-Stars. “Getting this award, you are role model to someone. Be a positive role model.”
For a bonus photo gallery, click here.
Those honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars were:
(Four-Year Academic All-Stars are denoted with asterisks)
ATMORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
9th Grade
- Charlie Gandy
- Jasmina Stahly
11th Grade
- Madelyn Boatwright
- Cleveland Corley
- Christopher Gehman
- Ethan Heller
- Nathan Jurjevich
12th Grade
- Annie Bobo
- Caleb Hochstetler **
- Wesley Hostetler **
- Darren Landis **
- Alexandria Martin
ESCAMBIA ACADEMY
9th Grade
- Jackson Breckenridge
- Austin Williams
10th Grade
- Kallie Byrd
- Eli Godwin
- Paolo Gorme
- Bailey Lancaster
- Abby Smith
11th Grade
- Noah Blue
- Bradley Campbell
- Saige Garrett
- Kajal Patel
- Mikayla Spruill
- Jennifer Weaver
12th Grade
- Scott Brantley
- Claire Dawe **
- Megan Fournier
- Jessica Glick
- Baylie Godwin
- Garrett Kirk **
- Natalie Lassiter
- Auden Lassitter
- Cecily McCullough
- Anna Catherine Sasser **
- Nate Smith **
- Lindsey Weatherford
ESCAMBIA COUNTY HIGH
9th Grade
- Lazarrian Boykin
- Alleria Brooks
- Josaline Hollinger
- Terriana McNeil
- Adrienne Tedder
- Keyaira Wilson
10th Grade
- Jade Adams
- Anthony Beckham
- Chille’ Ford
- Tyranie Henderson
- Derik Kidd
- Triston Knott
- Justin Pearson
- Trey Price
- Wilneshia Robinson
- Ariel Whatley
11th Grade
- Brent Akins
- Daniel Currie
- Alexandria Hinton
- Xavier Leslie
- Chyla Lindsey
- Paige Martin
- Emmanuel Morris
- Gerald Norris
12th Grade
- Dominique Beckham
- Ta’Carra Black
- Alexis Clark
- Kaylee Cox
- Ashley English
- Rodrick Felder **
- O’Shea Fountain
- Robert Henderson **
- Benjamin Hubert
- Lyricia Johnson **
- Raven Lewis
- Cheyanne McKinley
- Ty’Anthony Riley
- Christin Simpkins **
- Jazmine Sinquefield
- Anissa Watson
NORTHVIEW HIGH
9th Grade
- Elisabeth Claire Amerson
- Anna Belle Barberree
- Logan Daniel Calloway
- Kayla Nicole Galvan
- Bria Ashlynn Hardy
- Bailee Brianna Hinote
- Triston Parker Long
- Hannah Mascaro
- Hannah Grace Nelson
- Sarah Elizabeth Perritt
- Jacob Andrew White
- Tara Faith Windham
10th Grade
- Alyssa Brianna Borelli
- Emily Michelle Heard
- Rachel Nickole Irby
- Adrian Daniel King
- Brandon Edward Korinchak
- Mitchel l James Singleton
- Brianna Morgan Smith
- Jada Mona Tucker
- David Conrad Weber
- Hadley Marie Woodfin
11th Grade
- Lillie Kathryn Allen
- Lawrence CW Douglas
- Sarah Elizabeth Dutton
- Leah Grace Fischer
- Abbie Elizabeth Johnson
- Trevor Dale Levins
- Moriah Renee’ McGahan
- Jason Andrew Perritt
- Benjamin Tate Preston
- Bethany Cheyenne Reynolds
- Savanna Brianne Roux
- Jordan Caroline Taylor
- Harmoni Faith Till
- Bradley Andrew Van Pelt
- Brittney Christina Ward
- Haylee Alease Weaver
- Madison Paige Weber
- Courtney Bryce Weekley
12th Grade
- Tristan Taylor Brown
- Megan Paige Bryan **
- Kristen Renae Byrd
- Matthew Ryan Chavers
- Kendal Brooke Cobb **
- Tiffani Amber Cruce
- Austin Blake Cunningham **
- Iyanna Latice Davidson
- Hannah Elizabeth Gibson
- Kaitlyn Grace Kline
- Adriann Dawn Lee
- Jessica Leigh McCullough **
- Aaron Thomas McDonald **
- Tristan Hunter Portwood
- Mallory Mason Ryan **
- Rachel Caroline Sepulveda
- Shania Lynn Wardt
Pictured top: Four year Academic All Stars honored Thursday night by the Atmore Rotary Club were (front, L-R) Christin Simpkins, Kendal Brooke Cobb, Megan Paige Bryan, Anna Catherine Sasser, Claire Dawe, Nate Smith and Austin Blake Cunningham, (back, L-R) Lyricia Johnson, Robert J. Henderson Jr., Rodrick Felder, Wesley David Hostetler, Caleb Hochstetler, Darren Landis and Garrett Kirk. Not pictured are Jessica McCullough, Aaron McDonald and Mallory Ryan. Pictured below: Many of the Northview High School recipients. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Students Shine At Sunshine Math Competition
May 15, 2015
Over 600 third, fourth and fifth grades took part in the recent Sunshine Math Competition in Escambia County. Winners of the event held at Washington High School were:
Individual Competition Winners
3rd Grade
- 1st Place: Grayson Jackson—Jim Allen Elementary School
- 2nd Place: Sierra Knight—Hellen Caro Elementary School
- 3rd Place: Nicholas Khan—Hellen Caro Elementary School
4th Grade
- 1st Place: Drake Salter—NB Cook Elementary School
- 2nd Place: Leila Owens—Pine Meadow Elementary School
- 3rd Place: Nina Burt—Brentwood Elementary School
5th Grade
- 1st Place: Wassim Khabou—Cordova Park Elementary School
- 2nd Place: Isaac Batz—Hellen Caro Elementary School
- 3rd Place: Michael Hall—McArthur Elementary School
Team Competition Winners
3rd Grade
- 1st Place: Cordova Park Elementary School- Team 2
- Aubrey Miller, Tony Lipnicky, Ava DeJong, William Westerheim
- 2nd Place: Bratt Elementary School—Team 1
- Raegan Abbott, Carsyn Dortch, Mason Edwards, Jacob Spence
- 3rd Place: McArthur Elementary School—Team 1
- Tyler Zobel, Eric Banagan, Kloey Bradley, Clay Philley
4th Grade
- 1st Place: Molino Park Elementary School—Team 1
- Alyssa Jackson, Brycelyn Woodward, Karson Brown, Ethan Collier
- 2nd Place: Pine Meadow Elementary School—Team 1
- Audra Davis, Kali Hurst, Leila Owens, Jacob Young
- 3rd Place: Pine Meadow Elementary School—Team 2
- Max Fina, Ian Delay, Katherine Bradshaw, Marina Deubler
5th Grade
- 1st Place: Hellen Caro Elementary School—Team 1
- Lauren LaCour, Alexis Orr, Christian Hall, Isaac Batz
- 2nd Place: Jim Allen Elementary School—Team 1
- Alyssa Daniels, Ryan Dykes, Christian Meadows, Jaxson Stafford
- 3rd Place: A.K. Suter Elementary School—Team 1
- Tommy Bucco, Maria Grissett, Ibby Green, Gavin McKeon
Pictured top: The Molino Park Elementary School 4th Grade Math Team earned first place in the Escambia County Sunshine Math competition. Pictured are: (L-R) Alyssa Jackson, Brycelyn Woodward, Karson Brown and Ethan Collier. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Crawfish Festival Planned
May 14, 2015
Plans are underway for the Molino Crawfish Festival on Saturday, May 30 from 11 a.m. until.
The event will be held at 6490 Highway 29 in Molino, next to Jimmy’s Grill. The family-oriented event will include games, bounce houses, plenty of crawfish and more. Vendor spaces are still available. Call Van at (850) 232-6473 to reserve a space.
Proceeds benefit the Molino Historical Society and area churches.
Fallen Law Officers Honored
May 14, 2015
Fallen offices were honored across Florida this week.
Fifteen Escambia County deputies have died in the line of duty — the first in 1923 and the most recent, Lt. George Hura, Jr., in 2004. A memorial service honoring them was held Wednesday, with roses placed on a law enforcement memorial (top photo).
Santa Rosa County honored fallen officers on Tuesday (pictured left).
And Secretary Julie Jones and members of the Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) leadership team Wednesday honored fallen correctional officers and employees during a wreath laying ceremony at Wakulla Correctional Institution (pictured below). “Each day thousands of brave men and women put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of Florida families,” Secretary Jones said. “Today, and every day, we honor and remember the bravery of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the State of Florida.”
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
50 Named To Tate High Showband Colorguard
May 13, 2015
Fifty members have been selected for the Tate High School Showband of the South Colorguard for 2015-16.
The program has grown dramatically in the past few years. There were 18 that auditioned in 2000, while 62 auditioned this year.
Tate High Colorguard members for 2015-16 are:
Kiera Armour
Katie Dupre
Celina Dyess
Navi Hawkins
Breanna Langley
Megan Leonard
Katie Luebke
JoJo O’Steen
Madison Philley
Kera Randall
Savannah VonStein
Imani Allen
Madison Bowers
Audrey Bush
Caroline Bruns
Elizabeth Durazo
Tara Elder
Kaylee Everett
Tatiana Floyd
Libby Guy
Cody Istre
Michaela Overbey
Brinnan Repine
Jessie Stanfill
Kelsey Strength
Makayla Tainter
Virginia Vaughan
Kirsten Carter
Taylor Downing
Rebekah Dwyer
Haley Goodman
Skylar Hawkins
Nishea Hendricks
Julia Jimenez
Abby Lane
Carly Lawrence
Alysha Lollie
Kendall Lombardo
Jyanna McCants
Chloe Montgomery
Jasmine Quarells
Lauren Rawls
Kenzie Ricardy
Cordia Shaw
Skylar Smith
Julie Stanton
Olivia Starnes
Sarah Stephens
Raegan Tainter