Students Learn About Ag During Fresh From Florida Event
March 15, 2014
Formerly known as the “Food For America program”, the event gave students the chance to learn about agriculture first hand up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more to learn how food gets from the farm to their tables. Students were even able to make and enjoy eating their own fresh butter.
The Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” program has been honored as the No. 1 program in the state multiple times and the chapter was recently name one of the best in the United State by the National FFA Organization..
Pictured top: Students get up close with a horse during Friday’s Fresh from Florida event at Northview High School. Pictured inset: A young lady enjoys butter she made by hand with the help of Northview FFA stduents. Pictured below: A variety of exhibits at the event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Students Pitch Plans, Score Cash To Start Local Businesses
March 14, 2014
It was a friendly competition, when 15 area students pitched their business plans to some of the most prominent members of the region’s business community during Greater Pensacola’s inaugural Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) investor panel showdown.
The students, who have been refining their business plans for nearly six months, were featured on stage in a shark-tank-like format and judged based on the appeal and merit of each proposal. More than $6,000 in grants were awarded to the nine businesses that presented, with Gulf Breeze Middle School siblings – Eve Knight, 12, and Liam Knight, 13 – selected to compete in the YEA! Saunders Scholars Regional Competition with their winning business, The Spice Kidz.
“Entrepreneurs are crucial to the success of economic development within our region,” said Greater Pensacola Chamber President Jerry Maygarden. “Programs like YEA! help foster the entrepreneurial mindset in young people and give them the opportunity to pursue their dreams, which may otherwise go unrealized, by harnessing their youthful energy, optimism and creativity.”
The business pitches were judged by a panel of local investors made up of Pen Air’s President & CEO Stu Ramsey, Sandy Sansing Automotive Group’s David Sansing, Studer Community Development Group’s Andrew Rothfeder, Gulf Power Company’s John Hutchinson, Warren Averett’s Cyndi Warren, Central Credit Union’s Maggie Conaghan, Nowak Enterprises’ Peter Nowak, Chick-fil-A’s Robert Barnes, Florida SBDC’s Mike Myhre, THG Investments’ Chad Henderson and Beck Property’s Justin Beck.
“With small businesses playing an instrumental role in our nation’s economy, this program is a true testament to Greater Pensacola’s continued dedication to producing future leaders who could make significant contributions to our community,” said Global Business Solutions Inc. CEO Randy Ramos, who emceed the evening’s events.
YEA! is a national educational program that guides 6th- to 12th-grade students through the process of starting and running real businesses over the course of a full academic year. Students work in close cooperation with local business leaders, educators and community members to develop ideas and objectives that help to create their own fully-formed companies.
“One of the most interesting components of the program is the actual behind-the-scenes knowledge the students are given from local business leaders, who were at one time standing in their shoes,” said Dr. Ed Ranelli, Dean Emeritus for the University of West Florida College of Business. “Participating students are receiving a dynamic introduction to the business world, which in turn, helps to create tomorrow’s leaders.”
Pictured: Eve Knight, 12, and Liam Knight, 13 – selected to compete in the YEA! Saunders Scholars Regional Competition with their winning business, The Spice Kidz. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Elementary Students Honored As Shining Stars
March 13, 2014
The Escambia County School District’s Elementary Principals Association, in partnership with WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, hosted the 18th Awards on March 6, honoring 33 elementary school students in Escambia County for their leadership and service to the community.
In an awards ceremony at WSRE’s Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, each winner was presented with a certificate of achievement along with a new bicycle and helmet.
Area principals and teachers selected the Shining Stars based on good citizenship, leadership and adherence to the core values of the Escambia County School District: equality, responsibility, integrity, respect, honor and patriotism.
Escambia County Superintendent of Schools Malcolm Thomas, former Pensacola Mayor Mike Wiggins and DeeDee Davis, former Florida Teacher of the Year, were the masters of
ceremonies for the event.
2014 Shining Star Award Winners were:
- A.K. Suter Elementary School – Aiden Tylavsky
- Bellview Elementary School – Amaya Owen
- Beulah Elementary School – Savannah Marshall
- Blue Angels Elementary School – Margo Mason
- Bratt Elementary School – Shelby Godwin
- Brentwood Elementary School – Staci Garland
- Byrneville Elementary School – Cody Ryan Adams
- C.A. Weis Elementary School – Dantesia McIntosh
- Cordova Park Elementary School – Nathan Godwin
- Ensley Elementary School – David Geiger
- Escambia Christian School – Reed Allison Wilson
- Ferry Pass Elementary School – Dante Milligan
- Global Learning Academy – Joshua Davis
- Hellen Caro Elementary School – Landon Collins
- Holm Elementary School – Jaylen Thomas
- Jim Allen Elementary School – Christian Jacobs
- Lipscomb Elementary School – Kendall Blackmon
- Longleaf Elementary School – Kevin Davis
- McArthur Elementary School – Carly Johnecheck
- Molino Park Elementary School – Ashley Ragsdale
- Montclair Elementary School – Kamari Williams
- Myrtle Grove Elementary School – Natalie Moulder
- Navy Point Elementary School – Pedro H. Mendiola
- N.B. Cook Elementary School – Chloe Cate
- Oakcrest Elementary School – Grace Dunaway
- O. J. Semmes Elementary School – Phillip Straughn
- Pine Meadow Elementary School – Emily Stabler
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School – Ian Larrieu
- Redeemer Lutheran Elementary School – Alex Maddox
- Scenic Heights Elementary School – Nathaniel Agustin
- Sherwood Elementary School – Madison Duffy
- Warrington Elementary School – Taylor Davidson
- West Pensacola Elementary School – Destiny Rutherford
Pictured: Shining Star Awards were recently presented to 33 Escambia County elementary school students. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Television Show Highlights Northview High FFA Program (With Video)
March 12, 2014
A new Escambia County Television (ECTV) show features the Northview High School FFA.
In the latest edition of Community Crossroads, Commissioner Steven Barry turns his focus to the Northview FFA as the program teaches a variety of lessons from preparing the next generation of farmers to teaching students how to be effective leaders in a variety of areas.
The show will also be airing several times each day on ECTV, Channel 98 on Cox Cable and the Brighthouse Networks, Channel 99 on AT&T Uverse. Those without cable TV in Escambia County man watch the local access channel on the county’s web site.
To watch the 19 minute show, click here.
Pictured: Scenes from the Escambia County TV show “Community Crossroads” featuring the Northview High School FFA. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Bands Shine At District MPA Event
March 12, 2014
Tate High School’s bands performed in the Florida Bandmaster’s Association District Concert Music Performance Assessment this past weekend at Fort Walton Beach High School.
The Concert Band made its debut at the event, earning a split of Excellent and Good ratings. “They carried themselves in a professional manner and performed to the best of their ability,” said Band Director Mike Philley said. “This lays the groundwork for a bright future for this ensemble.”
The Symphonic Band earned an overall Superior rating for the third consecutive year and qualified to participate i n the Florida Bandmaster’s Association State Concert MPA in Tallahassee on April 24.
The Wind Ensemble earned straight Superior ratings for the 28th consecutive year. They also qualified to participate in the FBA State Concert MPA in Tallahassee on April 24th.
“Their performance was one of the best of the weekend and garnered all A’s from judges in every caption,” Philley said of the Wind Ensemble.
Local Students Represent India At Model United Nations Conference
March 11, 2014
Four Northview High School students recently took part in the 35th annual Florida High Schools Model United Nations conference in Orlando.
The high school conference was modeled after real debate and United Nations actions and programs.
Northview students Jessica Amerson, Moriah McGahan, Bethany Reynolds and Madison Weber, under the leadership of teacher Anna Barry, represented the assigned country of India. They learned about the government, history, current problems and other important subjects within India. Amerson and Weber were part of the committee United Nations Entity for Empowerment and Gender Equality (UNWOMEN); McGahan and Reynolds were a part of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) committee.
Students were provided with topics to debate with representatives of other countries to formulate a resolution paper to solve the problem in a way beneficial to their represented country.
Northview was the first Escambia County public school to participate in a Florida High Schools Model United Nations conference. The trip was made possible by supporters including the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, Town of Century Gas Department, Barrineau Park Historical Society, Steven Barry, Escambia River Electric Cooperative and the Northview High School Rho Kappa club.
Pictured top: Northview representatives to the Florida High Schools Model United Nations (L-R) Moriah McGahan, Jessica Amerson, Madison Weber and Bethany Reynolds. Pictured inset: Reynolds and McGahan represented India on the UNICEF committe. Pictured below: Amerson and Weber negotiate during the conference. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels Change NAS Pensacola Practice Times
March 11, 2014
The Blue Angels are changing their Tuesday and Wednesday weekly practice demonstration times onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) for the 2014 air show season. The scheduled practice demonstrations will now begin at 11:30 a.m. onboard the air station.
This change more closely matches the time the Blue Angels typically perform at air shows. The later practice time will also help alleviate some of the traffic arriving onboard the base during the busy morning commute.
The Blue Angel pilots will be at the National Naval Aviation Museum Wednesdays immediately following the practice demonstration to meet the public and sign autographs.
Public viewing of the Blue Angel practice demonstrations is available at the designated seating area behind the museum.
Pictured: The Blue Angels practice at NAS Pensacola last year. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Sherri Carter Named Bratt Elementary Teacher Of The Year
March 11, 2014
Third grade teacher Sherri Mooney Carter was named Teacher of the Year at Bratt Elementary School.
Carter has been teaching for 18 years – her first eight years as a kindergarten teacher at Century Elementary and her last 10 years at Bratt. She received her bachelor degree from the University of West Florida and earned a master’s degree from Troy State University.
Carter said she loves teaching and working with students and parents.
She was honored at the Golden Apple Awards reception recently at New World Landing in Pensacola.
Going Up: Construction Continues On New Ernest Ward Middle
March 10, 2014
Construction is making visible progress for a new $17 million Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. The new building, expected to open to students as early as January 2015, following Christmas Break 2014, will be an ultra modern, energy efficient building.
Escambia County voters played a big part in making the $17 million facility a reality, thanks to the voter-approved half cent sales tax. Escambia is one of 16 of Florida’s 67 counties where voters have approved the half cent sales tax, which can be used for construction projects.
“If it were not for the half cent sales tax, we could not do things like build the new Ernest Ward,” Escambia County Schools Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said.
For more photos showing the construction progress as of about two weeks ago, click here. NorthEscambia.com will continue to provide construction updates and photos periodically over the next year.
The oldest buildings on the current Ernest Ward campus, including the main classroom wing, were constructed in 1945 to replace a campus ravaged by fire in 1943. That old school had been constructed to replace an Ernest Ward School that first opened in a log cabin in 1896.
Pictured top and inset: Recent aerial photos of construction at Ernest Ward Middle School show the footprint of the new building, directly behind the current school. (courtesy FastAerial.com). Pictured below: Class construction. Pictured bottom: The foundation. Pictured bottom: Lunchroom foundation. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Robot Of The Future: IMHC’S Atlas Featured On CNN
March 10, 2014
The work of the IHMC Robotics team from Escambia County with the Atlas humanoid robot is featured in an episode of a new monthly CNN program, “The Art of Movement.”
To see the video, click here, or look at the bottom of this story.
The segment features interviews with IHMC scientists and extensive video shot both in the IHMC Robotics Lab in Pensacola and at the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) trials at Homestead Miami Speedway in December 2013. IHMC’s own video team shot some of the footage used by CNN, especially from the DARPA trials. The episode focuses on IHMC’s work with the two-legged Atlas robot, built by Boston Dynamics and used in the DRC competition.
The teams participating in the DRC represent some of the most advanced robotics research and development organizations in the world. They are collaborating and innovating on a very short timeline to develop the hardware, software, sensors and human-machine control interfaces that will enable their robots to complete a series of challenge tasks selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for their relevance to disaster response.
IHMC finished first in the initial stage of the DRC in June 2013, a computer simulation competition dubbed the Virtual Robotics Challenge. The robotics team followed that up with an overall second-place finish among 16 robotics development teams at the trials at Homestead Miami Speedway, featuring the actual robots. IHMC finished first among the seven teams using Atlas.
The concluding phase of the DRC is tentatively scheduled for spring 2015.
According to CNN’s website, “The Art of Movement is a new monthly show that highlights the most significant innovations in art, culture, science and technology that are helping shape our modern world. From the visually beautiful to the technically awe inspiring, from ocean tides to animal migration, from bionic limbs to ballet, The Art of Movement will showcase the latest cultural currents and scientific new waves redefining how we engage with the world.”
The Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC) is one of the nation’s premier research organizations with world-class scientists and engineers investigating a broad range of topics related to building technological systems aimed at amplifying and extending human cognitive, perceptual, and physical capacities. IHMC headquarters are in Pensacola with a branch research facility in Ocala.