AT&T Grant Funds ‘Harvest For The Hungry’ At Tate High School
February 10, 2012
Thanks to an AT&T “STEM at Work” grant, 350 students at J.M. Tate High School will have the opportunity to learn how what they are studying in the classroom will be used in various occupations.
AT&T Florida provided $120,000 to challenge Florida’s district-wide local education foundations to create STEM workplace experiences throughout the State through a grant to the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF). The project’s aim is to provide students with hands-on experiential learning opportunities outside the classroom that are directly linked to their coursework in science, technology, engineering and/or math.
Escambia County Public Schools Foundation has partnered with Tate High School for its project “Harvest for the Hungry.” In addition to the $2,000 provided by AT&T and CFEF, the J.M. Tate FFA Alumni Foundation is providing $2,000 in matching funds.
“Through the AT&T ‘STEM’ at Work’ grant, basic scientific, technology and mathematics skills will be applied to basic agriculture principles. This gives students real-life, hands-on experience. In the next 50 years, we will need more industry leaders than ever before, and agriscience education is providing the next generation of leaders with real-world experience,” said Austin Courson, Agriscience Program assistant and liaison for Tate FFA Alumni Foundation.
“As a student, this will give us hands-on learning that will allow us to advance our knowledge of the industry of agriculture,” says Tate student Megan Gibbs. “At the same time, this will allow us to provide basic needs to community members through our ‘Harvest for the Hungry’ project.”
Students will develop a clear understanding of the principles of soil science and plant nutrition using proper equipment and technology, learn the importance of water quality by taking water samples, and collaborate with a local irrigation supplier and the Natural Resources Conservation Service in evaluating proper irrigation systems designed for water conservation. Students will design and install an irrigation system and grow a vegetable garden; food produced during the project will be sent to a local food bank. The project began in January 2012 and will continue through May 2012.
“We are pleased with this partnership because Florida’s K-12 education foundations are well positioned to be the link between schools and local businesses that can make these critical connections for students,” said Marshall Criser, III, AT&T Florida President. “By concentrating on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum, this program will provide real life experiences that can help increase the number of Florida’s students graduating high school college- and career-ready.”
Northview FFA To Present ‘The Springs’ In Concert At Blue Jacket Jamboree
February 10, 2012
The Northview FFA Alumni will present the annual Blue Jacket Jamboree on Saturday, February 18 featuring the CGMA Country Group of the Year “The Springs”.
The Springs have shared the stage with country greats like Alan Jackson, Craig Moran, Toby Keith and Reba McIntire with their high energy brand of Country/Southern Rock.
Nominated along with Steel Magnolia, Sugarland, and Lady Antebellum for the New Music Awards “Country Group of the Year”, The Springs are seen by some as the “next big thing” in country music. The all-male group has also had two Christian country number one songs.
Tickets are $20 per person which includes a pulled pork sandwich meal. The event takes place beginning at 5 p.m. rain or shine on Saturday, February 18 in the Northview High School Auditorium. The event will also include an auction.
Tickets are available now at Smith Tractor Company in Jay and Atmore, Century Pharmacy and Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino. For more information, visit BlueJacketJamboree.com.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com, Cat Country, 98.7 and Your Country 102.7 WXBM.
The Northview FFA Alumini uses proceeds from the event for scholarships for eligible seniors and transportation for FFA members to state and national conventions.
Coming up soon on NorthEscambia.com — we’ll introduce you to The Springs and we’ll have tickets to giveaway.
Standing Strong: NJROTC Annual Inspection Held (With Photo Gallery)
February 9, 2012
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held Wednesday at the school, with cadets undergoing face to face scrutiny.
The inspecting officer was Captain Maria Majar, MSC, Executive Officer for the Navy Medicine Operational Training Center in Pensacola. Accompanying her was the Command Master Chief, HMCM (SW) Timothy Perkett.
The day’s events began with a personnel inspection, drill demonstration and a pass-in-review in the school gym. Other events Wednesday included a financial record review, briefings, administrative inspections, supply inspections and more.
“I was absolutely impressed with all of the cadets,” Majar said. “They should all be very, very, extremely proud of themselves.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
About half of the cadets were recognized as “outstanding” in their uniforms. Those receiving the Outstanding Personal Appearance Award were: Jordyn Dunsford, Brittany Martin, Dylan Cartwright, Talia Syria, Haley Maddox, Andrea Miles, Victoria Wright, Kasie Braun, Kira Cartwright, Courtney Jones, Jeniya Odom, Lakelynn Parker, Tori Jordan, Dakota Craft, Kelsea Cohen, Jasmine Maher, Kayla Nahkala, Johnny Robbins, Cheyenne Godwin, Jaylen Parker, Kyle Hunter, Miranda Morris, Shauna Walker, Aaliyah Creamer, Kayla Miles, Amber Francis, Sean Allister, Natassja Scott, Ashley Joiner, Irene Stewart, Angelique Brown, Christina Donald, Jarrett Parker, Garrett Turner, Lane Carnley, Blaze Harkness, Michelle Carnley, Kent Smith and Cari Thompson.
Pictured: Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection Wednesday morning at the school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Saturday Double Dedications: Health And Hope Clinic, Lloyd Barrow Field
February 9, 2012
Church Street in Century will be busy Saturday morning with two dedications planned — Lloyd Barrow Field and the Century Health and Hope Clinic.
The Town of Century will dedicate Lloyd Barrow Field next to the First Baptist Church of Century at 9 a.m. The little league field is being renamed in honor of Lloyd Barrow, a longtime Century little league coach (1958-1973). Barrow was instrumental in the construction of the park in October 2000.
The Pensacola Bay Baptist Association will dedicate their Century Health and Hope Clinic at the corner of Church and Mayo streets at 10 a.m. The clinic is available to provide health care for the uninsured in North Escambia at no cost as an outreach ministry of PBBA.
Both events are open to the public.
Pictured: The soon-t0-be named Lloyd Barrow Field (top) and the Century Health and Hope Clinic (below) on Church Street in Century. Both will be dedicated Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
National Junior Honor Society At Ernest Ward Middle Inducts New Members
February 8, 2012
About two dozen students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society Tuesday night at Ernest Ward Middle School.
The NJHS is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle school students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character.
Students must have and maintain a 3.5 GPA for honor society membership.
For a photo gallery from the induction ceremony, click here.
New seventh grade National Junior Honor Society members at Ernest Ward are: Dustin Bethea, Alyssa Borelli, Amy Branch, Dillon Clary, Hunter Cofield, Peighton Dortch, Denise Floyd, Kristen Johnson, Adrian King, Kayleigh Linam, Quentin Sampson, Ian Schneider, Mitchell Singleton, Brianna Smith, Cody Smith, Jessica Stacey, Jada Tucker, Chelsea Waters, Alston Wiggins, Hadley Woodfin, Elizabeth Wright.
New eighth grade members inducted Tuesday night were: Leah Fischer and Joshua Thomas.
Other eight grade members of the National Junior Honor Society Members at Ernest Ward are: Kaitlyn Abbott, Jadlyn Agerton, Tristan Barrett, Katelyn Born, Haley Brown, Chris Brown, Hunter Connell, Jacob Dunsford, Amber Freeman, Nathan Galvan, Hanna Ging, Gavin Grant, Dariane Guy, Jordan Helmken, Abbie Johnson, Kendral Langford, Trevor Levins, Thomas Moore, Brianna Parker, Liberty Peebles, Ben Preston, Bethany Reynolds, Savanna Roux, Jordan Taylor, David Thorpe, Harmoni Till, Bradley Van Pelt, Brittney Ward, Haylee Weaver, Madison Weber, and Courtney Weekley.
NJHS officers are: Savanna Roux, president; Trevor Levins, vice president; Bradley Van Pelt, secretary; Ben Preston, treasurer; Bethany Reynolds, reporter; Hunter Connell, parliamentarian; and Thomas Moore, historian.
Pictured: About two dozen students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society Thursday night at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Program Allows Jailed Moms To Read To Their Kids
February 8, 2012
Women who volunteer to participate in the WRAP Program (Women’s Reentry Assistance Program) at the Escambia County Jail can now read books to their children during their jail visits.
The Women’s Reentry Assistance Program (WRAP) was developed and implemented in the Escambia County Central Booking and Detention Facility in January 2011. The program is eight weeks in duration and targets those women who are serving county jail sentences. The program offers counseling and case management to participants prior to release.
The idea of reading books came about when one young mother asked what she could do during the hour-long visits she had with her 2 year old son. Children are able to see their parents through a glass window, but cannot touch or play with their children during visits. She said that he would get impatient and attempt to run around the visitation area, which is not permitted. This question was brought up in the parenting class offered by Community Drug and Alcohol Council, which is one of the many classes offered in WRAP.
Books used in the lending library were generously donated by The Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County. Parents are required to complete a “book report” after each visit recording which books they borrowed and what the experience was like both for them and their child.
One mom is now reading books on every visit and said, “My child loves for me to read her books at home, so she was really excited for me to be able to do it from in here. It made me feel better as a mother to still be able to do something she enjoyed during this time.”
The benefits of reading to children are great, increasing the parent-child bond as well as increasing reading-readiness skills. If parents can make a positive connection with their child while in jail, then that will hopefully help them continue that relationship when they are released and are back with their families, according to organizers.
Culp Named Tate High Teacher Of The Year
February 7, 2012
Alan Culp has been named the Tate High School Teacher of the Year.
Culp is the chair of the science department at Tate, and he teachers AP and honors biology. He hold a BA in Education Biology and has been a teacher for 10 years, eight of those years at Tate.
Teachers of the year are chosen by the faculty and staff at each school in the county. The Escambia County Teacher of the Year will be announced at the annual Golden Apple Awards Dinner later this month.
Ernest Ward Students Of The Month Named
February 7, 2012
Ernest Ward Middle School Students of the Month for January have been named. They are (from left) Ian Schneider, seventh grade; Emily Walston, eighth grade; and Josh English, sixth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sharplesss Graduates From USMC Boot Camp
February 6, 2012
Private Aaron R. Sharpless, 20, of Walnut Hill graduated from United States Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on January 20, 2012.
Private Sharpless successfully completed 13 weeks of intensive basic training at MCRD Parris Island as one of 62 recruits in Training Platoon 1001.
Following 10 days home on leave he will report to Camp LeJeune for one month at Military Combat Training then Military Occupation Specialty School in Pensacola.
Great For The Kids: Turtle Point Science Center Open House
February 5, 2012
There was an open house held Saturday at the Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton. If you missed it, there is another chance to see the facility next month.
The next open house at Turtle Point is scheduled for March 31 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Admission is free.
For more photos from Saturday’s open house, click here.
The 3,000 square foot facility offers a touch tank for children and other hands-on exhibits. It boasts an extensive collection of wildlife specimens including many Alabama birds, nests, and eggs; a butterfly and living bee exhibit; live alligators, turtles, snakes, amphibians, and fish of the East Gulf Coastal Plain geophysical region. Also, plant lovers will find six teaching gardens and a wetland nature trail.
Bird watchers are encouraged to hike the nature trail boardwalk and enjoy the red-tailed hawk, great blue heron, great egret, pileated woodpecker, red-headed woodpecker, yellow-shafted flicker, yellow bellied sap sucker, eastern bluebird, wren, killdeer, green heron, barred owl, screech owl, and many other native birds and wildlife.
Turtle Point’s goal is to provide hands-on environmental education to students and adults in the South Alabama and Northwest Florida. Turtle Point is located at 20959 Highway 31 in Flomaton, near Hurricane Park and Flomaton High School. For more information, call (251) 296-3401.
Pictured top: The Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton. Pictured inset: A golden eagle on display at Turtle Point. Pictured below: A view of the Big Escambia Creek as seen from the nature trail at Turtle Point. Photos by Marcella Wilson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
