Music Suite At Ransom Middle Named For Late Band Director Janie Newbold Walker
May 19, 2022
The music suite at Ransom Middle School has been named the “Janie Newbold Walker Music Suite”.
She was honored this week by the Escambia County School Board, with a board resolution accepted by her husband Chris Walker, son Andrew Walker and mother Kathy Newbold on behalf of her family.
Walker passed away in May 2021 at the age of 47 after complications from surgery.
Walker started her teaching career in the fall of 1997 when she became the band director at UMS Wright Preparatory School in Mobile. While living in Mobile, she played in the Mobile Pops Orchestra.
In the fall of 1999, Walker moved back to Pensacola and became the band director at Ransom Middle School. During her time at Ransom, her symphonic and jazz bands received consistent superior ratings at District Music Performance Assessments, and she had 18 students selected for participation in Florida all state bands. She also served as guest conductor for Middle School Honor Bands in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. She was selected as the Ransom Middle School Teacher of the Year for the 2020-2021 school year.
She was born March 26, 1974, in Pensacola and attended Cordova Park Elementary, Workman Middle School, and Washington High School. Walker and her family were active members of First Baptist Church in Pensacola where she was baptized and married and she served as a Children’s Camp Counselor. She also played the trumpet in the church orchestra.
Following graduation from high school in 1992 with honors, she attended the University of Alabama where she received a Bachelor of Music Education in 1997. While at Alabama she was a member of the Million Dollar Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Quota Brass Quintet and Mu Phi Epsilon. Walker and her future husband, Chris Walker, met at Alabama and they were both members of the Million Dollar Band.
Several of Walker’s former students are in teaching positions at middle school and high school band programs in the Florida Panhandle, and several former students are professional musicians.
Walker began her career with the Escambia County School District in 1999. She service in multiple capacities including Ransom Middle School band director and music department chair, lead middle school band director for the Escambia County Fine Arts Department, and guest conductor for middle school honor bands in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
She was posthumously awarded the Oliver Hobbs Award by the Florida Bandmasters Association. which recognizes FBA members who have consistently done an exceptional job year after year in the position of band director.
Northview Alumnus Graduates From Marion Military Institute As A Second Lieutenant
May 16, 2022
Northview High School alumnus Colby Morris graduated this past weekend from Marion Military Institute and was pinned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Morris was in the NJROTC at Northview, and NHS instructor Chief Jeffrey Simpkins took part in the ceremony. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Rotary Honors North Escambia Teachers Of The Year
May 14, 2022
The Cantonment Rotary Club honored Teachers of the Year from area schools at a luncheon this week.
Each Teacher of the Year from schools north of Nine Mile Road was honored. They are:
- Bratt Elementary — Mary Rackard
- Ernest Ward Middle — Katie Roley
- Escambia Westgate — Melissa Caldwell
- Jim Allen Elementary — Amanda Robar
- Kingsfield Elementary School — Jessica Phelps
- R. C. Lipscomb Elementary — Dustin Brenton
- McArthur Elementary — Lindsey Jeremiah
- Molino Park Elementary — Jessica Varner
- Northview High — Jeffrey Simpkins
- Pine Meadow Elementary — Tina Schlauder
- Ransom Middle — Angela Avery
- Tate High — Karl King
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Under The Sea: Kingsfield Elementary Holds Art Night (Photo Gallery)
May 13, 2022
Kingsfield Elementary School held “Under the Sea Art Night” Thursday night. A large crowd enjoyed a night of face painting, dancing, bubbles, clay and more fun art projects an activities.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rotary Academic All-Stars Named From Northview, ECHS, Escambia Academy, Atmore Christian
May 13, 2022
The Atmore Rotary Club has named 182 area high school students as Academic All-Stars.
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.
There were 117 Academic All-Stars from Northview High School, 23 from Escambia Academy, five from Atmore Christian School and 37 from Escambia County High School.
The Rotary Club presented over $30,000 in scholarships this year to 43 seniors. Each four-year Senior Academic All Star also received a scholarship for $1,000. The seniors who have been an Academic All Star for three years received $700, two year seniors received $600, and one-year seniors received $500. The program excludes Northview students that are full-time dual enrolled.
Those honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars were:
(Four-Year Academic All-Stars are denoted with asterisks.)
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
9th Grade
Ashton Connor Covan
Colton Ray Criswell
Beau Gavan Daw
Payton Kathleen Daw
Michael Moses Delarosa
Maddie Mae Driskell
Cody Allen Geneux
Jamison Abigail Gilman
Braden R Glick
Noah Webster Goslee
Jade Skye Howell
Mary Catherine Hughes
Aubrey Marie Jordan
Madison Ann Levins
Kaitlin Rena Lloyd
Brooke Cay Lytton
Mattie Leann McLaney
Evan Alexander Metlock
Addison Joy Miller
Ryan James Phillips
Colby Alexander Pugh
Brianna Grace Reynolds
Ally Bama Richardson
Jaden Satterwhite
Maggie Elizabeth Scott
Lilly Grace Smallwood
Mallory Kaitlyn Smith
Lauren Ashley Stinson
Jayden Kenneth White
Brian James Yoder
10th Grade
Rabekah Danielle Abbott
Raegan Michelle Abbott
Kendall Anne Alvare
Sarah Elaine Bailey
Doria Beach
Kendal Brooke Beasley
Ava McKenzie Brock
Chloe Faith Criswell
Riley Elizabeth Dawson
Carsyn Laine Dortch
Emma Lynn Doyle
Austin David Dunsford
Mayson Claire Edwards
Brandon Lee Ferguson
Raleigh Sienna Gibson
Kaylie B Glick
Maggie Rose Godwin
Makayla Jane Golson
Kylie Breann Grantham
Madalyn Marie Grimes
Ava Kate Gurganus
Allissa Leanne Hagquist
Berklee Savannah Hall
Leah Kathryn Hetrick
Ja’Niya I’Yonna Hooks
Meredith Makenzie Johnston
Sarah Kate Long
Caden Thomas Mills
Austin Minchew
Jaquez Keyshaun Moorer
Jackson Johnny Mac Parker
Daniel Tyler Riggs
Wesley Sanders
Angel Alicia Schoonover
Wyatt Alexander Scruggs
Dequan Rashad Shabazz
Mandell Levan Smith
Skyler Marie Williams
11th Grade
Clayton Mitchell Allen
Leah Kalyn Anderson
Terrell Luke Bridges
Cason Terry Burkett
Ethan Scott Collier
Drake Allen Driskell
Logan Taylor Faith
Emma Sage Gilmore
Audrey Grace Goetter
William Cross Goslee
Gabriel Kohle Harigel
Cayla Jocelyn Houston
Shelby Lynn Kent
Trent Austin Knighten
Sarah Kennedy Long
Bayllon David Matson
Megan T McGhee
Jaidyn Gaia Nordman
David Kaden Odom
Chase Randal Pugh
Wyatt Lee Ramsey
Madison Lee Rowinsky
Simeon Sanders
Dustin James Santinelli
McKenna Rae Simmons
Audrey Michelle Stuckey
Elijah-Dean Schuster Suratos
Preston Clay Wilson
Blake Richard Yoder
12th Grade
John Blake Bashore ****
Cheveyo Dasan Bingham
Hunter Shane Borelli ****
Tereasia Siamone Burt
Miyhanna Patrice Davidson
Casandra Lynn Davis
Presley Sharee Dortch
Kaitlin Hope Gafford ****
Holley Danielle Gilley
Jason Zane Gurganus ****
Ethan Riley Kilburn ****
Taylor Lynn Levins ****
Kaia Kalifa Montgomery
Travis Brock Nelson
Makayla Shana Ramsey ****
Benjamin Charles Rowinsky
Jessica Faith Stabler
Jordan Alise Stanley
Madison Victoria Watson
ESCAMBIA ACADEMY
9th Grade
Travis Andrews
Kelan Jurey
Cade Leachman
Campbell Reiley Morgan
Ana Chesley Robinson
10th Grade
Patrick Byrd
Eli Covington
Timmy Doerr
Coleman Dyess
Hannah Johnson
Caitlin Lanham
Zeke McElhaney
11th Grade
Tiffany Gookin
Abby-Kate Helton
12th Grade
Brian Brown
Braden Crysell
Emma Hall
Brady Howell ****
Jamison Janes
Lillie Lanham
Christopher Long ****
Ja’Daniel Nettles
Landon Sims
Jadon Stevens
ATMORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
10th Grade
Emmett Battles
Elizabeth Terry
11th Grade
Elliott Classen
Claire Girby
12th Grade
Caeden Battles ****
ESCAMBIA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
9th Grade
Chloe Chyanne Dawson
Brandon Kyle Dean
Charlino Comerian Johnson
Trevion Johnson
Braleigh Cheyenne Lambert
Ashley Mariel Parra
Jaylin Tyshaun Phillips
Lebron Mylik Wilis
Ariyana Gabrielle Young
10th Grade
Keonte Jorge Blue
David Auston Bouler
Jessica Velasco Cuenca
Alasianna Laniyah Davis
Evereona Symone Jackson
Ava Katherine Penner
Stephen Jay Williams
11th Grade
Hasten Randolph Dean III
Breona Lynette Gaines
MarQuise DeVontae Kirk
Tykeria Simone Lambert
Lexi Alexandria Peavy
Shamirica Dy’Neshia Rankins
Aniya Simone Redmond
Summayah Tolbert
12th Grade
Madison Marie Bouler
Tykelui Ohjanai Frye
Nyla Jadae Graves
Sky Elizabeth Gray
La’Asia Sharnae Henderson
Racquel Sarai Knight
Vanaja Jaliyah McCants
Zahria Kendronique McCants
Alyssa Reshawna McMillan
Jessica Lashea McWilliams
Aniya Nykol Stots ****
Bryson Ty-Byas Williams
Jykeria Deasia Wilson
Pictured: Four-year Academic All-Stars honored Thursday night by the Atmore Rotary Club. Photo by Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ascend Contributes $10,000 To ECSD Summer Reading Initiative
May 12, 2022
Ascend Performance Materials has made a $10,000 contribution to help support an Escambia County School District summer reading initiative.
The “Level Up with Summer Reading” program will run from May 25 to August 5. The district wide program will provide two to four summer reading books to each K-12 student, an additional two to four books for summer school students, and provide summer reading events hosted by various schools.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Awards Scholarships To Tate, Northview Seniors
May 10, 2022
The Barrineau Park Historical Society recently awarded two academic scholarships.
Northview High School senior Ethan Kilburn was awarded a $1,000 academic scholarship. He plans to attend the University of West Florida in the fall to pursue a degree in cybersecurity.
Tate High School senior Alyssa Daniels was awarded a $1,000 Stephen Jogan academic scholarship. She will attend the University of Florida in the fall and major in sports management.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Over 400 Escambia Students Take Part In ‘Battle Of The Books’ (With List Of Winners)
May 9, 2022
Over 400 students on 83 teams from 36 schools took part in a virtual Escambia County Battle of the Books competition recently.
Participating students read up to 15 titles from this competition year’s Sunshine State Young Readers book lists. Teams met before, after, and during school with their coaches to discuss the books’ themes, characters, settings, and main events. The competition included four rounds of ten questions each, culminating with a final Lightning Round to break ties for first, second or third place.
Third Grade
- 1st Place: Beulah Elementary, Team A. Coach: Dana Sharp. Students: London Farrior, Emma Nguyen, Olivia Nunn, Luke Wiggins, and Ally Wilson
- 2nd Place: A. K. Suter Elementary. Coach: Paula Stillman. Students: Tenley Brannen, Chance Evans, Rowen Gosse, Emory Henry, and Ella Hill.
- 3rd Place: Pleasant Grove Elementary. Coaches: Kristi Suarez, Kaylin Roy, Dyana Blackmon, and Juliel Simons. Students: Maycee Forbes, Sadie Sharaway, and McKenna Shedd.
Fourth Grade
- 1st Place: Bratt Elementary, Team A. Coaches: Shonna Gilmore, Sherri Carter, and Mandi Carter. Students: Zoe Jantz, Rylan Johnson, Brennan Keenan, Brylynn McGhee, and Dillan Stuart.
- 2nd Place: Cordova Park Elementary, Team A. Coaches: Darcy Morgan-Roy and Mary McDaniels. Students: Ava Florence, Quinn McKern, Corinne Saenz, Berkeley Shumpert, and Lauren Tarnosky.
- 3rd Place: Ferry Pass Elementary. Coach: Heather Horn. Students: Elizabeth Castleberry, Jaedyn Hill, Joslin Lee Wilson, and Jacob Sepe.
Fifth Grade
- 1st Place: Cordova Park Elementary, Team B. Coach: Julie Glucroft. Students: Caroline Broussard, Max Harrison, Miral Shaheen, and Aaliyah Smith.
- 2nd Place: Cordova Park Elementary, Team A. Coach: Julie Glucroft. Students: Mason Barrow, Sophia Callaway, Olivia King, and Myles Wilson.
- 3rd Place: McArthur Elementary. Coach: Jennifer Beal. Students: Adyssen King, Hadley Krantz, Christopher Peralta, Kemar Wilkie, and Aubi Wilkins.
Middle School – 6th-8th Grades
- 1st Place: Bellview Middle, Team 3. Coaches: Leigh Shannon and Michelle Lingo. Students: Jacob Glass, Olivia Moore, and Melody Nguyen.
- 2nd Place: Beulah Middle, Team 1. Coach: Hazel McCormack. Students: Colin Duarte, Tamia Smith, Cheyenne Taft, and David Thompson.
- 3rd Place: Bellview Middle, Team 1. Coaches: Leigh Shannon and Michelle Lingo. Students: Isabella Le, Milan Nguyen, and Deriona Ross.
High School – 9th-12th Grades
- 1st Place: Booker T. Washington High. Coach: Patricia Ervin. Students: Amiya Boyd, Anwyn Butler, Tychianna Coleman, Skyler Dellisanti, and Carmen Mayorga.
- 2nd Place: Pine Forest High. Coach: Lori Miller. Students: Lucian Brown, Cricket (Elizabeth) Kurland, Gianna Penaloza-Jones, and Casey Wooten
Pictured: Battle of the Books teams from Beulah, Bratt, Byrneville and Jim Allen elementary schools. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Students Create Winning EREC Meeting Posters
May 9, 2022
Fifth graders at Byrneville Elementary School took part in a poster contest to promote Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting.
The winning students received a cash award, and their posters were displayed at the meeting.
Pictured above (L-R) are first place winner Ethan Carter, second place winners Jacob Bolen and Dylen McCaw, a poster by third place winner Oliva Levins (not pictured) and EREC CEO Ryan Campbell. Pictured below: Carter’s winning poster. Photo (above) for, and photo (below) by NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sawmill Day Festival And Car Show Returns To Century
May 8, 2022
After a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Sawmill Day Festival and Car Show returned to Century Saturday.
The day included entertainment, free history museum tours, grilled hamburger meals, crafts, free exhibits, a car show and more.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
