Northview Thanks Poarch Creek Indians, Students Win Bikes
May 22, 2013
Northview High School took a moment to stop and say “thanks” Tuesday to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for their ongoing support of the school, and employees from Century Correctional Institution gave away a few bicycles just to add to the excitement of the event.
During this school year, notable contributions from the Poarch Creeks to Northview, including items in a $56,594.66 grant, were use of their buses, minor sports uniforms and equipment, laptops, projection mounts, contributions to different groups for expenses to attend the Class 1A State Championship football game in Orlando, and two “workhorse” copiers. Visitors to the school will see the PBCI logo affixed to the copiers and technology items.
“On behalf of the entire Northview Chiefs’ family, I would like to thank the Poarch Band of Creek Indians who have been overwhelmingly supportive,” NHS Principal Gayle Weaver said Tuesday. “All of us are most appreciative. Their contributions and support enabled the students to have an enhanced quality education.”
During Tuesday’s Poarch Creek appreciation event at Northview, five students received new bicycles courtesy of Century Correctional Institution. The winning students were chosen from those nominated as “most improved” in particular areas, including behavior, grades, attendance and class participation.
Winners were seniors Zach Bradley and Demontra Mitchell, junior Matt Cayson, sophomore Jessica Brewton and freshman David Godwin.
Pictured top and inset: Northview students and faculty showed their appreciation to the Poarch Creek Indians on Tuesday. Pictured below: Bicycles were award to Jessica Brewton, David Godwin, Matt Cayson, Zach Bradley, Demontra Mitchell. Pictured bottom (courtesy photo): The bicycles for “most improved” students were donated by Century Correctional Institution employees and delivered by Lt. Matthew Jackson, Sgt. Dale Henderson and Warden John Whitehurst. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
On The Hill: Molino Teen Serves As House Page
May 22, 2013
A young man from Molino recently spent a week serving as a page in the Florida House of Representatives. Mitchell Singleton, an eighth grader at Ernest Ward Middle School, served as a page for Rep. Clay Ingram.
“My experience working as a page for the Florida House of Representatives gave me a perspective of government that most people don’t get to see. I was able to be in the chamber and work with the representatives first hand,” Mitchell said.
Pages and messengers are students who work one week at the Capitol during the 60-day Regular Session. Each of Florida’s 120 representatives may sponsor one page (ages 12-14) and one messenger (ages 15-18).
Being selected to serve is considered an honor and privilege. Pages and messengers assist the representatives and their staff during the Capitol’s busiest time of year while observing state government in action.
The page and messenger program is a long-standing tradition in the Florida House, with journals making mention of them as far back as 1865. Singleton and each page and messenger will have their name appear in the official Journal of the House as an official record of their time spent serving in state government.
Pictured top: Mitchell Singleton, serving as page in the Florida House of Representatives, in the desk of Speaker pro tempore Marti Coley during a mock session. Pictured inset: Singleton with Gov. Rick Scott. Pictured below: Singleton (just left of center) with his House page group. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hadley, Baggett Awarded Gandy Memorial Scholarships
May 22, 2013
The Gandy Memorial Scholarship, established by the Gandy Family at Poplar Dell Baptist Church in Byrneville, recently honored two local seniors with $500 scholarships. Both students were selected based on their involvement in church and community activities and grade point averages. The Gandy Memorial Scholarship was established several years ago in memory of J.L. Gandy, Louise Gandy, Solon Gandy and Elmira Gandy Crapps who were longtime and active members of Poplar Dell.
Haley Hadley, a graduating a senior at Flomaton High School, is the daughter of Eric and Teresa Gohagen. She has been a member of various clubs, including Future Business Leaders of America, BETA and FFA. She has been a member of the Flomaton High School marching band for six years and has also participated in Chamber Ensemble Band and Jazz Band for three years. She has been a part of District Honor Band, All State Honor Band and SEUS Honor Band. After graduation, she plans to attend the University of South Alabama where she will study pharmacy.
Northview senior, Corry Baggett, is the son of Garry and Vicki Baggett of Bratt. Corry is involved in FFA, Rho Kappa Historical Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was a starting linebacker for the Northview Chiefs Class 1 A State Football Champions, a former regional weightlifting qualifier, Pensacola Sports Association’s Scholar Athlete for weightlifting, a MIRA Award recipient for woodworking, a Boys State representative, and is a dual enrollment student with Pensacola State College and Tallahassee Community College. Corry plans on attending Pensacola State College this fall and then transferring to the University of West Florida or Troy State, where he will complete his business degree.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Students Collect Over A Half Million Pop Tabs
May 21, 2013
Molino Park Elementary School students collected over a half million pop tabs — those little pull tabs off the tops of aluminum drink cans — to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida.
MPES students collected 377 pounds of the pop tabs this year that have been delivered to the Ronald McDonald House. The money from recycling the tabs are used by the facility to help pay their utility bills for the 26-bedroom house on Bayou Boulevard.
Ronald McDonald House Volunteer Services Manager Ariana Murray and Director of Marketing Susan Brady presented the pop tab trophy for the medium size school category Monday afternoon at Molino Park. Molino Park’s 377 pounds of pop tabs were more than were collected by any of the other 64 schools that participated.
During the presentation, Brady invited students and faculty that had stayed at any Ronald McDonald house to join her on the stage. Three staff members and eight students said they had an experience with the Ronald McDonald house in Pensacola and other cities due to premature babies, spinal issues, brain tumors and open heart surgery.
According to the Ronald McDonald House, there are 1,430 tabs per pound — meaning Molino Park’s 377 pound donation would contain an estimated 539,110 tabs. Monday, Molino Park Principal Alice Woodward challenged each of the students to collect a pound of pop tabs over the summer for an early start on earning next year’s trophy.
Pictured top: Ariana Murray from the Ronald McDonald House and Principal Alice Woodward with a group of Molino Park Elementary School students and staff personal touched by Ronald McDonald House. Pictured inset: April Pawless (left) and Melanie Dix delivered 377 pounds of pop tabs from Molino Park Elementary to the Ronald McDonald House recently. Pictured below: Molino Park’s 1st place pop tab trophy. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Heather Thomason Awarded Scholarship
May 21, 2013
Heather Thomason Tate High School has received an Academic Excellence Scholarship from Alabama Southern Community College in Monroeville, Ala. She is the daughter of Pat and Kim Thomason.
To date, the college has awarded more than $2.2 million in scholarships to this year’s high school seniors within the ASCC community.
Century Presents Donation To Cancer Society
May 21, 2013
Monday night, Century Mayor Freddie McCall presented the town’s Relay for Life donation to Sally Cary of the American Cancer Society. The town council voted earlier this year to donate $1,000 to the Cancer Society. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Update: Stolen Gear Returned, Molino Kart Racer Wins
May 20, 2013
Just days after his stolen gear was returned by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Jarrett Parker of Molino was the big winner in his division at a weekend kart race in Mississippi.
Parker was the Senior Pro Clone Winner at Checkered Flag Speedway in Stateline, MS, pocketing the top prize money of $1,000. His sister, Lakelynn, took third her her class.
Last week, Sheriff’s Investigator David Preston returned about $16,000 worth of stolen kart racing gear back to the Parker family. The items were stolen during a burglary at the family’s workshop on Gibson Road on May 4. A 2012 Elite Triton kart, five motors, cases of MAXXIS tires, tools and other items were taken.
After a story about the thefts appeared on NorthEscambia.com on May 6, the Sheriff’s Office and family began to receive tips that led to the recovery of the racing equipment.
Preston said arrests are forthcoming in the case, but has declined to provide further details about the suspects.
Pictured top: A practice lap at the Checkered Flag Speedway in Stateline, MS, on Saturday. Courtesy photo. Pictured below: Molino teen Jarrett Parker with about $16,000 worth of stolen kart racing gear returned last week by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
New Book Offers Glimpse Into Local Church Histories
May 20, 2013
A newly transcribed book offers a glimpse into local history through the documents of local Methodist churches during the 1800’s. “Methodist Episcopal Church South, Pollard Circuit (Revised to Powelton Circuit) 1878-1897″ was transcribed by Jacqueline Freisinger of Molino.
It is the ledger of the many circuit riders in the Powelton Circuit during that time period. Powelton was in the vicinity of the Gonzalez area on the west side of Highway 29. The Methodist movement in that area came out of the large campground and meetings held there where Lathram Church in Escambia County and Clearsprings Church in Baldwin County were organized.
The book includes information about church memberships, infant and adult baptisms, marriages, and deaths.
The Methodist churches listed are Byrneville, Canoe Station, Clearsprings, Crabtree’s, Ferry Pass, Lathram’s Chapel, Muscogee (Marvin), Myrtle Grove, Oak Grove, Pollard, Powelton (Shephard’s), Rehobeth (Hendrix), and Walnut Hill.
The book sells for $20 and includes a copy of the ledger. For more information, contact Freisinger at (850) 587-2247 or email jacque12162@frontier.com.
Photo Gallery: ARTmore Celebrates The Arts With Gallery Night
May 19, 2013
A few dozen artists from South Alabama and Northwest Florida took part in the inaugural “ARTmore” gallery night event in Atmore Saturday evening. The event gathered artists, photographers, potters, crafters, musicians and more on the streets of Atmore.
For NorthEscambia.com ARTmore photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Saturday evening’s “ARTmore” gallery night in downtown Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Ernest Ward Hold Annual FFA Banquet
May 18, 2013
The Northview High School FFA held their 18th annual banquet Friday night along with the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA.
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 Sheila Holland, Billy Johnson, Bill Welch, and Arty and Pam Kleinatland. The five were named honorary members of the Northview FFA.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Some of the other awards and scholarships presented Friday night included:
Blue and Gold Awards: Dillian Crutchfield, Gene Hassebrock, Bethany Reynolds, Jeremy Stacey, Karissa Strickland, Kaitlyn Kleinatland and Grady Rigby.
Outstanding Freshman and Star Greenhand: Haylee Weaver
Outstanding Sophmore: Tiffani Cruce
Outstanding Junior: Courtney Solari
Outstanding Senior: Jessica Baldwin
2012-2013 Officer Leadership Awards: Photographer-Kaitlyn Kleinatland, Chaplain-Bethany Reynolds, Historian- Courtney Weekly, Parliamentarian- Tiffani Cruce, Sentinel – Dillian Crutchfield, Reporter-Haylee Weaver, Treasurer- Jeremy Stacey, Secretary- Karissa Strickland, Vice-President – Courtney Solari, President – Jessica Baldwin
High Point Award: Jessica Baldwin
American Degree: Lydia Weaver
State Degree: Jessica Baldwin and Dillian Crutchfield
Chapter Degree: Tiffani Cruce and Karissa Strickland
Greenhand Degree: Katelyn Born, Kamryn Brock, Codie Calloway, Ciara Campbell, Lane Godwin, Gene Hassebrock, Ricky Jones, Kaitlyn Kleinatland, Trevor Levins, Moriah McGahan, Ben Preston, Laurie Purdy, Bethany Reynolds, Savanna Roux, Levi Solomon, Haylee Weaver and Courtney Weekley
FFA Alumni Scholarship: Jessica Baldwin and Dillian Crutchfield
Thomas E. Weaver Memorial Scholarship: Jessica Baldwin
Glynn C. Key Scholarship: Jessica Baldwin
Jamie Hall Memorial Scholarship: Lydia Weaver and Mitchell Singleton
The new Northview FFA officers named for the 2013-2014 school year were: President – Courtney Solari, Vice President – Courtney Weekley, 2nd Vice President – Haylee Weaver, Secretary – Bethany Reynolds, Treasurer – Moriah McGahan, Reporter – Kaitlyn Kleinatland, Sentinel – Tabitha Chavers, Parlimentarian – Mitchell Singleton, Historian – Hunter Kite, Chaplian – Tamara Barrows, Photographer – Jessica Stacey, and Public Relations – Tiffani Cruce.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
