Mother’s Day Times 5: Tate Juniors Were Florida’s First Quintuplets
May 13, 2012
Mona Baker went from no children to mother of five in about 90 seconds back in 1995. Now, on this Mother’s Day, she’s still facing the trials and the joys of being the mom of Florida’s first surviving quintuplets.
“It’s expensive,” was Baker’s first answer about being what it’s like being the mother of quintuplets. It’s also very time consuming. Our interview was scheduled at her first free time of the day — 10:30 p.m., just before she headed out from the family home near Cantonment to Walmart for a late night grocery run.
Marcus, Ian, Elizabeth, Tristan and Evan Baker were born January 30, 1995, about 10 weeks premature, at Sacred Heart Hospital. The first few weeks of life were rough for some of the quints, including Elizabeth, born at 1 pound, 12 ounces. She was the last to leave the hospital nearly six months later.
Now, the five are juniors at Tate High School, where they all just recently attended their prom. Prom costs times five — there was that expensive comment again. The five kids did raise about half the money needed for prom doing odd jobs like babysitting and yard work.
The early years were filled with all the usual expenses and parenting jobs like diapers, multiplied by five.
“But the challenges now are more intellectual, where they used to be more physical,” Baker, a single mom for the past 11 years, said. “They are at five different stages of learning.”
There’s homework most nights from five different math books and five different math courses, ranging from integrated math to calculus. There’s homework from five different courses, and the challenges of making sure each has ample driving practice time behind the wheel.
The five get along remarkably well, Baker said. And the four brothers are protective of their sister.
“Elizabeth says she is so special that God sent her four bodyguards and four servants to take care of her,” she said. “But seriously, they are all very loving, very affectionate children.”
Baker said she owes a lot of their church, Lathram Chapel in Barrineau Park. “They have really done a lot for us over the years.”
On this Mother’s Day, Baker said she is proud to be the mother of one of just few sets of quintuplets in the entire state.
She’s also facing a senior year, and the realization that her five children could fly away from the nest next year after graduating Tate. But she anticipates that she won’t be alone, with at least a couple of the children considering local college options.
Despite the challenges, Baker said she would have changed only one thing about having quintuplets — she would have wanted them all born on time and without the health problems associated with being weeks premature.
Other than that, she’s a proud mom of five.
“I’ve never known anything different,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Pictured top: All dressed up for the recent Tate High School prom are the Baker Quints — (L-R) Marcus Baker, Ian Baker, Elizabeth Baker, Tristan Baker and Evan Baker. Pictured top inset: Mom Mona Baket with the quints. Pictured bottom inset: The Bakers were the first surviving quintuplets in Florida. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: A Dancing Circus
May 13, 2012
Young dancers from across the North Escambia area took to the stage Saturday afternoon at Flomaton High School.
“A Dancing Circus” was the annual spring recital for Heather Leonard’s Danceworks.
The recital marked the culmination of months of practice each week at the Byrneville Community Center.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the recital, click here.
Pictured: “A Dancing Circus” Saturday at Flomaton High School. NorthEscambia.comp photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, EWMS Hold FFA Banquet, Remember Late Tommy Weaver
May 12, 2012
It was an emotional night Friday at the 17th Annual Northview High School FFA Banquet as attendees stopped to honor and remember beloved FFA co-advisor Tommy Weaver who passed away March 7.
Senior Lydia Weaver was named the first Tommy Weaver Scholarship recipient.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
The annual banquet includes a somber ceremony for graduating seniors…they slowly remove their signature blue FFA jackets and hang them up for the last time on a coat rack.
One at a time, the two graduating FFA senior officers participated in the ceremony. Lydia Weaver, Brandon Chambliss and Brittany Thompson removed jackets one by one, placing them on the coat rack.
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 Doug and Vickie Godwin, Kerry Hardin, Anna Bell, Alan and Michelle Purvis and Brett Ward; they were named honorary members of the Northview FFA.
The new NHS FFA officers named for the 2012-2013 school year were: Jessica Baldwin, president; Courtney Solari, 1st vice president; Karissa Strickland, 2nd vice president; Logan Wainwright, secretary; Jeremy Stacey, treasurer; Haylee Weaver, reporter; Tiffani Cruce, Dillon Crutchfield, sentential; parliamentarian; Courtney Weekley, historian; Bethany Reynolds, chaplain; and Kaitlyn Kleinatland, photographer.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Northview senior Lydia Weaver receives the first Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship Friday night from his son, Toby Weaver. Pictured inset: Senior Brandon Chambliss reacts after hanging up his FFA jacket. Pictured below: Logan Wainwright (left) presents gifts to senior Brittany Thompson (center) and Lydia Weaver. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dozens Of Rotary Academic All-Stars Named From Four Area Schools
May 11, 2012
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized an outstanding group of area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night, including about 45 Northview High School students.
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: Amber Francis from Northview High; Branden Goddard from Escambia Academy; and Jazmine Nicole Adams, Quinston Ephraim, Jr., Taylor Rain January and Mary LaRose Powell from Escambia County High. (Photos above and below.)
The following students were recognized Thursday night as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars:
Northview High School
9th Grade
Annie Lorene Bobo, Joshua Joseph Borelli, Megan Paige Bryan, Kendal Brooke Cobb, Aaliyah Delois Creamer, Austin Blake Cunningham, Kyndall Lauren Hall, Julie Beth Hester, Jessica Leigh McCullough, Aaron Thomas McDonald, Tristan Hunter Portwood, Mallory Mason Ryan, Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless and Kelton Joe Wooten.
10th Grade
Madison Brooke Arrington, Kasie Lee Braun, Dale Wayne Brown, Audrey Leigh Byrd, Lana Leigh Clayton, Morgan Nicole Digmon, Anna Elizabeth Donald, Chloe Vanessa Leonard, Jessica Nicole Lowery, Rachel Ann Presley, Hilery Danielle Scott, Courtney Yvonne Solari, Jeremy Logan Stacey, Danielle Nichole Steadham, Lily Ann Townson, Courtney Alexandra Weaver and Victoria Anne Wright.
11th Grade
Jazzlyn Shanece Franklin, Ashton Brooke Gibbs, Justin Lance Halteman, Zachary Sean Johnson, Ashley Nicole Mooney and Julia Renee Thorpe.
12th Grade
Jamila Akilah Codrington, Josie Britt Doucette, Amber Dianne Francis, Jacob Nathaniel Gibson, Alexandra Nicole Riggs, Lydia Ann Weaver and Elizabeth Ashley Wright.
Escambia Academy
9th Grade
Scott Brantley, Claire Dawe, Bailey Godwin, Garrett Kirk, Cecily McCullough, Erin Rider, Anna Catherine Sasser and Nate Smith.
10th Grade
Abby Akins, Elaine Davidson, Megan Duncan, Grayson Emmons and Sarah Weatherford.
11th Grade
Caitlyn Bruley, Blake Clark and Page Lancaster.
12th Grade
Branden Goddard
Atmore Christian School
9th Grade
Caleb Hochstetler, Wesley Hostetler, Darren Landis, Anna Presley and Taylor West.
10th Grade
Charity Hall, Durrell Martin and Travis Smith.
11th Grade
Aimee Jurjevich, Jacinda Stahly, Narisa Wiggins and Hannah Ziglar.
12th Grade
Logan Boatwright, Casey Freeman, Frisco Gehman and Josh McDonald.
Escambia County High School
9th Grade
Rodrick Felder, Robert Henderson, Ben Hubert, Lyricia Johnson, Cheyenne McGee, Allanis Rolin, Ashleigh Simpkins and Jerome Webster.
10th Grade
Tristen Boothe, Yamilex Gutierrez, Annah Nichols, Ashley Prime, Matthew Quimby, Davontae Walker and Iva Wiggins.
11th Grade
Mariah Hinton, Charmia Hollinger, Scarlet Martin, Jazmine McGinnis, Violet Miller, Heather Taylor and Bria Willis.
12th Grade
Jazmine Adams, Lovincy Brown, Daejon Burrous, Quinston Ephraim, Jr., Amber Hubert, Keierikai James, Taylor January, Ta’Kia Johnson, Kiona Lambert, D’Asia Lockett, Ashley McKenzie, Aaron Miller, Jamieka North, LaRose Powell, Taniecha Richardson, Stacie Young and Diamond Williams.
Northview’s Braun Wins 1st Place At State FBLA Event
May 11, 2012
The Florida Future Business Leaders of America recently held their 62nd annual State Leadership Conference in Orlando Kasie Braun, a sophomore at Northview High School, won first place at the state competition in “Introduction to Business Communication”.
- Steven Shelby, third place Cyber Security, West Florida High
- Bellview MS Chapter, first place Local Chapter Activities Report
- Josh Britt, fifth place Network Design, Milton HS
Pictured: Northview’s Kasie Braun with her first place state FBLA trophy and her mother, Gine Braun. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Stolen Historic Century High Class Ring Found In Yard Sale Items
May 10, 2012
Members of the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society in Century received a bit of surprise recently when a class ring stolen from their museum years ago was unexpectedly returned.
The gold Century High School Class of 1995 ring belonged to Dick Erwin, principal during the final year at Century High School. It has been displayed in one of the historical society’s museums before it was stolen.
Jerry Fischer of the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society said the ring was discovered by an area pastor in some items he purchased at a yard sale and then returned historical society for display.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Yep – That Was A Banana Car
May 9, 2012
Bet you looked twice. Yep. That was a big banana car slipping along in Flomaton and splitting down Highway 29 through North Escambia on Tuesday. The official name of the vehicle is (are you ready for this?) – Big Banana Car.
It’s operated by two brothers that thought the idea of a car that looked like a banana was appealing. Actually they first considered a peanut, but later felt shorted by a bag of 59 cent peanuts that only contained 218 peanuts when their previous bag contained 223. Seriously, it drove them nuts.
“I wrote a stern letter to the company asking them to account for this deplorable discrepancy but never heard anything back,” said Steve Braithwaite, driver and builder. “I no longer wanted to build a big peanut car.”
Then a few days later, he picked up a banana at a convenience store and he was ripe with ideas. He’d always loved all things yellow and had fallen in love with yellow hot rods after the movie “American Graffiti”.
“As I viewed it from all sides I started to see that it would be a perfect shape for a car. I pictured where the wheels would go and where the occupants would sit. Where the engine and bumpers would fit,” Braithwaite said.
“Why not build an enormous banana car and drive it around the world?”
The Big Banana Car will peel out of the Pensacola area today, headed toward a night stop in New Orleans. By May 12, they will slide into New Orleans for the 25th Annual Art Car Parade.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Annual Letter Carrier Food Drive Is Saturday
May 8, 2012
Escambia and Santa Rosa Letter Carriers will join forces to help Stamp Out Hunger in our communities with their annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food driveon Saturday.
“This is the single most important food drive in the two counties and will largely determine how well providers will meet the needs of the hungry in the coming months,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Manna executive director.
Residents are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag of non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox prior regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 12. Escambia and Santa Rosa County letter carriers will collect food donations for local food banks.
Across the six pantries operated by Manna in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, there was 44% increase in need in 2011 compared to 2010.
In 2011, local drive organizers collected more than 200,000 pounds of food. This year, the food will be distributed at Manna Food Pantries, St. Vincent de Paul, Bay Area Food Bank, Warrington Emergency Aid, Acts Ministries of Gulf Breeze and We Care Ministries of Navarre United Methodist Church.
Escambia Honors Shining Stars
May 8, 2012
The Greater Escambia Community Foundation and WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, presented the Shining Star Award to 39 Escambia County elementary students in a ceremony Sunday afternoon at WSRE’s Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio on the main campus of Pensacola State College.
Area principals and teachers selected the winners based on good citizenship, community service and adherence to the core values of the Escambia County School District: equality, responsibility, integrity, respect, honesty and patriotism. Each winner was awarded a certificate of achievement and a new bicycle and helmet.
From the North Escambia area, recipients (pictured at bottom of page) were:
- Lydia Smith, Bratt Elementary
- McKayla McConathy, Byrneville Elementary
- Logan Nelson, Jim Allen Elementary
- Dalton Brown, Molino Park Elementary
For a photo gallery, click here.
The complete list of 2012 Community Foundation of Northwest Florida and WSRE Shining Star recipients is as follows:
- Connor Queen, A.K. Suter Elementary
- Katelynn Barber, Bellview Elementary
- Bethany Faucett, Beulah Elementary
- Kristian “Nealy” Ard, Blue Angels Elementary
- Lydia Smith, Bratt Elementary
- Kiara Betts, Brentwood Elementary
- McKayla McConathy, Byrneville Elementary
- Gregory Posey, C. A. Weis Elementary
- Lillian Wiggins, Cordova Park Elementary
- Kyla Homewood, Creative Learning Academy
- Abdul Alsubaie, Ensley Elementary
- Allee McDonald, Episcopal Day
- De’Aveon Fisher-Primm, Escambia Christian
- Sara Siler, Ferry Pass Elementary
- Scarlett Nguyen, Global Learning Academy
- Mallory Mott, Hellen Caro Elementary
- Michelle Luther, Holm Elementary
- Logan Nelson, Jim Allen Elementary
- Aronje Palmer, Lincoln Park Elementary
- Alisha L’Orange, Little Flower Catholic
- Avery Resmondo, Longleaf Elementary
- Cason Forst, McArthur Elementary
- Dalton Brown, Molino Park Elementary
- Kayla Therrien, Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Trinity Holmes, N. B. Cook Elementary
- Michael Young, Navy Point Elementary
- Tejaun Browne, O. J. Semmes Elementary
- Kimberly Anguilu, Oakcrest Elementary
- Carlee Amberson, Pensacola Beach Elementary
- Madeline Markham, Pensacola Christian
- Natalie Gandy, Pine Meadow Elementary
- Rhapeepan Antrim, Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Griffin Pearce, R. C. Lipscomb Elementary
- Erin Meszaros, Redeemer Lutheran
- Dalton Wulzer, Scenic Heights Elementary
- Morgan Jacobs, Sherwood Elementary
- Helen Driscoll, St. Paul Catholic
- Ritchie Knutie, Warrington Elementary
- Exiquio Enriquez, West Pensacola Elementary
Above: Lydia Smith, Bratt Elementary.
Above: McKayla McConathy, Byrneville Elementary.
Above: Logan Nelson, Jim Allen Elementary.
Above: Dalton Brown, Molino Park Elementary.
Photos courtesy WSRE for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Final Results: GCA & NRA Livestock Show (With Gallery)
May 7, 2012
The 19th annual Gulf Coast Agriculture and Natural Resources Association annual Spring Livestock Show was held recently at the Langley Bell 4-H Center on 9 Mile Road in Beulah.
The show provides an opportunity for local 4-H and FFA members to show their steers, swine, goats, lambs, heifers, rabbits and poultry. In addition, many of the steers and swine in the program were auctioned off.
For a photo gallery from the steer and swine shows, click here.
For information about grand champions and auction prices, click here for an earlier story.
Complete results were as follows:
YOUTH SWINE SHOW
Grand Champion Swine
- Matthew Smith
Reserve Grand Champion Swine
- Dylan Livingston
Lightweight Swine
- Samantha Cote
- J. Wesley Hardin
- Rachael Coswell
Middleweight Swine
- James Reeves
- Jared Boswell
- Allie Warren
Light Heavyweight Swine
- Petra Miller
- Jake Scott
- Jessica Baldwin
Heavyweight Swine
- Matthew Smith
- Dylan Livingston
- Eva Miller
Junior Showmanship
- Eva Miller
- Davis Warren
- Jayme Smith
Intermediate Showmanship
- Petra Miller
- Matthew Smith
- J. Wesley Hardin
Senior Showmanship
- Mallory Smith
- Austin Pfeiffer
- Thomas Aliff
RABBIT SHOW
Grand Champion Rabbit
- Kerrigan Scott
Reserve Grand Champion Rabbit
- Virginia Montgomery
Clover Bud Rabbit
- Elizabeth Tourney
Junior Rabbit
- Ami Rodgers
- James Gruenwald
- Ami Rodgers
Intermediate Rabbit
- Kerrigan Scott
- Jonathon Rodgers
- Donnie Dixon
Senior Rabbit
- Virginia Montgomery
- Elli Ellard
POULTRY SHOW
Grand Champion Poultry
- Joshua McLamb
Reserve Champion Poultry
- Klaire Ann Ellard
Junior Poultry
- Klaire Ann Ellard
- Klaire Ann Ellard
- Klaire Ann Ellard
Intermediate Poultry
- Andrew Fendley
- Jonathan Rodgers
- Wyatt Oliver
Senior Poultry
- Joshua McLamb
- Jereme Johnson
BEEF BREEDING
Registered Angus Class I
- Ashley Cunningham
Registered Angus Class II
- Austin Cunningham
- Willow Foxworth
- Donald Cunningham
Registered Angus Class III
- Tyler Simmons
Grand Champion Registered
- Ashley Cunningham
Reserve Champion Registered
- Austin Cunningham
Commercial Heifer
- Ashley Cunningham
Supreme Champion Beef Breeding
- Ashley Cunningham
Reserve Champion Beef Breeding
- Austin Cunningham
Junior Showmanship
- Tyler Simmons
Intermediate Showmanship
- Willow Foxworth
Senior Showmanship
- Donald Cunningham
- Ashley Cunningham
- Austin Cunningham
MARKET STEERS
Lightweight Steers
- Ethan Cunningham
- Kyle Livingston
- Brant Worley
Middleweight Steers
- Donald Cunningham
- Parker Cunningham
- Austin Cunningham
Heavyweight Steers
- Ashley Cunningham
- Tyler Vines
- Luke Nunley
Grand Champion Steer
- Donald Cunningham
Reserve Grand Champion Steer
- Ashley Cunningham
.
Junior Showmanship
- Brant Worley
- Ethan Cunningham
Intermediate Showmanship
- Blake Worley
Senior Showmanship
- Donald Cunningham
- Tyler Vines
- Luke Nunley
Prospect Steer
- Donnie Dixon
GOAT AND LAMB
Prospect Market Goat
- Donnie Dixon
- Donnie Dixon
- Ethan Thorne
Meet Breeding (3-5 months)
- Izzy Kent
- Madison Fendley
- Hanna Thorne
Meet Breeding (6-8 months)
- Carly High
- Donnie Dixon
Meet Breeding (9-12 months)
- Jereme Johnson
- Ebony Morgan
- Maronica Grier
Meet Breeding (12-14 months)
- Donnie Dixon
Grand Champion Meet Breeding
- Izzy Kent
Reserve Grand Champion Meeting Breeding
- Jereme Johnson
Breeding Lamb
- Jessica Baldwin
Junior Goat and Lamb Showmanship
- Izzy Kent
- Madison Fendley
- Jamie Gruenwald, Hanna Thorne, Ethan Thorne
Intermediate Goat and Lamb Showmanship
- Donnie Dixon
Senior Goat and Lamb Showmanship
- Jessica Baldwin
- Jereme Johnson
- Amber Reeves