Here Are All The Winners From The GCA & NRYO Livestock Show

March 30, 2022

The Gulf Coast Agriculture & Natural Resources Youth Organization Annual Spring Livestock Show was held Friday and Saturday in Molino.

Youth exhibited chickens, rabbits, pigs, sheep, goats and cows. In addition to showing their animals in the show ring, youth were quizzed on their knowledge of their projects. In the show ring youth competed in two types of classes, one focused on the youth, which is known as showmanship, and the other focused on the animal in either a breed or weight class. Over the past few months and even years, these youth have poured countless hours into working and preparing these animals.

For a photo gallery, click or tap here.

Winners were as follows:

Black Angus / Registered
1st – Brooke Hoomes
2nd – Ella Gilmore

Grand Champion Black Angus – Brooke Hoomes
Reserve Champion Black Angus – Ella Gilmore

Brahman / Registered
1st - Tucker Padgett

Grand Champion Brahman Tucker Padgett

Brangus / Registered
1st – Abbie Jane Trejo
2nd - Charlotte Rease Trejo
3rd – Jack Trejo

Grand Champion Brangus – Abbie Jane Trejo
Reserve Champion Brangus – Charlotte Rease Trejo

British White / Registered
Class 1
1st – Landen Smith
2nd – Austin Manning
3rd – Channing Smith
Class 2
1st – Sarah Alexander
Class 3: registered cow calf pair British White
1st – Sarah Alexander

Grand Champion British White – Sarah Alexander
Reserve Champion British White – Sarah Alexander

Shorthorn / Registered
1st Jessie Joyner

Grand Champion Shorthorn Jessie Joyner

AOB Breeding Heifer
Class 1
1st Mallory Mahoney
2nd Mallory Mahoney
Class 2
1st Abbie Jane Trejo
Class 3
1st Tucker Padgett

Grand Champion AOB Breeding Heifer Abbie Jane Trejo
Reserve Champion AOB Breeding Heifer Tucker Padgett

Commercial Breeding Heifer
Class 1
1st Maevree McElhaney
2nd Tucker Padgett
3rd A.T. Bridgers
Class 2
1st Malarie Cooper
2nd Wyatt Allen
3rd Malarie Cooper
Class 3
1st James McELhaney

Grand Champion Commercial Breeding James McElhaney
Reserve Champion Commercial Breeding Mallory Cooper

Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer – James McElhaney
Reserve Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer – Abbie Jane

Breeding Heifer Showmanship
Jr Showmanship
1st Charlotte Rease Trejo
2nd Mallory Mahoney
3rd Malarie Cooper
Intermediate Showmanship
1st Tucker Padgett
2nd Jessie Joyner
3rd Abbie Jane Trejo
Senior Showmanship
1st James McElhaney
2nd Brooke Hoomes
Market Hog Show
Class 1/Ultralight
1st Lilly Warne
2nd Tate Chapter FFA
3rd Josh Nichols
Class 2/Light
1st Addie Manning
2nd Ellison Miller
3rd Dawson Guy
Class 3/Middle
1st Mavree McElhaney
2nd Allen Bridgers
3rd Sydney Gilmore
Class 4/Heavyweight
1st Weston Simmons
2nd Wyatt Allen
Class 5/Ultraheavyweight
1st Black Beauty

Market Hog Grand Champion – Maevree McElhaney
Market Hog Reserve Champion - Weston Simmons

Market Hog Showmanship
Senior
1st Lilly Warne
2nd Maevree McElhaney
3rd Josh Nichols
Intermediate
1st Tucker Padgett
2nd Addie Manning
3rd A.T. Bridgers
Junior
1st Ella Gilmore
2nd Sydney Gilmore
3rd Weston Simmons

Market Steer Show
Class 1:
1st Mackenzie Sims
2nd Brooke Hoomes
3rd Jessie Joyner
Class 2:
1st Weston Simmons
2nd Mary Oliver
3rd Josh Nichols
Class 3
1st MaeVree McElhaney
2nd Tucker Padgett
3rd Makayla Plato
Class 4
1st James McElhaney
2nd Malarie Cooper
3rd Grace Oliver

Market Steer Grand Champion James McElhaney
Market Steer Reserve Champion Maevree McElhaney

Market Steer Showmanship
Jr.
1st Malarie Cooper
2nd Weston Simmons
Intermediate
1st Grace Oliver
2nd Tucker Padgett
3rd Jessie Joyner
Senior
1st James McElhaney
Mackenzie Sims
Maevree McElhaney

Market Goat
1st Rylie Gibbs
Grand Champion Market Goat Rylie Gibbs

Breeding Goat Show
Class 1: 0-6 months
1st Ona Spinks
2nd Hunter Chance
Class 2: 6-12 months
1st Estella Perea
Class 3: 12-18 months
1st Andrew Fendley
Class 4: 18 plus months
1st Andrew Fendley
Class 5: Breeding Doe w/kid at side
1st Rylie Gibbs

Grand Champion Breeding Doe Andrew Fendley
Reserve Champion Breeding Doe Rylie Gibbs

Goat Showmanship
Junior
1st Rylie Gibbs
Intermediate
1st Hunter Chance
2nd Ona Spinks
3rd Estella Pere
Senior
1st Andrew Fendley

Dairy Goat Show
Class 1: Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat
1st Jessie Joyner
Class 2: Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat
1st Addison Soderlind
2nd Addisyn Ward
Class 3: Nigerian Dwarf
1st Buttercup

Grand Champion Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat - Channing Smith
Reserve Champion Nigerian Dwarf - Addison Soderline

Class 1:Nubian Dairy Goat
1st Andrew Fendley
2nd Amanda McGee
3rd Hunter Chance
Class 2: Nubian
1st Gabbie Camp
2nd Cheyenne Taft
Class 3: Nubian
1st Bella Trivison
2nd Andrew Fendley
3rd Carmen Garcia

Grand Champion Nubian Dairy Goat Andrew Fendley
Reserve Champion Nubian Dairy Goat Bella Trivison

Grand Champion Dairy Goat Andrew Fendley
Reserve Champion Dairy Goat Channing Smith

Dairy Goat Showmanship
Jr. 1st Channing Smith
Intermediate
1st Jessie Joyner
2nd Addison Soderlind
3rd Bella Trivison
Senior 1st Andrew Fendley
2nd Amanda McGee

Market Lamb Show
Class 1: 1st Austin Manning
2nd Andrew Manning

Grand Champion Market Lamb Austin Manning
Reserve Champion Market Lamb Andrew Manning

Breeding Sheep
Class 1: 1st Austin Manning
Class 2: 1st Andrew Manning
2nd Andrew Manning
3rd Austin Manning

Grand Champion Breeding Sheep Andrew Manning
Reserve Champion Breeding Sheep Austin Manning

Sheep Showmanship

1st Andrew Manning
2nd Austin Manning

Preview Steer
Class 1
1st Hannah Jerkins
2nd Austin Manning
Class 2
1st Tucker Padgett
2nd Ella Gilmore
Class 3
1st Payton Fuqua
2nd Abbie Jane Trejo
3rd Ella Gilmore
Class 4
1st Payton Fuqua
2nd A.T. Bridgers
3rd Leah Rutherford
Class 5
1st James McElhaney
2nd Jack Trejo
3rd Charlotte Trejo

Grand Champion Preview Steer Payton Fuqua
Reserve Champion Preview Steer James McElhaney

Preview Steer Showmanship
Jr
1st Malarie Cooper
2nd Charlotte Rease Trejo
3rd Ella Gilmore
Intermediate
1st Jack Trejo
2nd Abbie Jane Trejo
3rd Tucker Padgett
Senior
1st Leah Rutherford
2nd James Mcelhaney
3rd Maevree McElhaney

Rabbit Show Results
Best in Show – Estella Perea
Best Opposite Sex – Tucker Padgett

Rabbit Showmanship
Junior Showmanship (8-10) 1 Weston Simmons

Intermediate Showmanship (11-13) 1 Tucker Padgett
2 Estella Perea
3 Alyson Hoover

Poultry Show
Best of Show – Skylah Miles – Buff Polish
Reserve Best of Show – Avery Weekley, Lavender Orpington
Showmanship
Poultry Showmanship
Jr.
1st Weston Simmons
Intermediate
1st Bella
2nd Bristol
3rd Estella Perea
Senior
1st Skylah
2nd Phoenix
3rd Christian
Chick Chain
Chick Chain Showmanship
Jr.
1st Lainey Dunsford
Intermediate
1st Jessie Joyner
2nd Kennedy Ard
3rd Matt Dunlap
Senior
1st Gracie Meredith
2nd Raimi Joseph
3rd Wyatt Allen

Chick Chain Show
Black Australorps
Grand Champion Pen 1st Dash Reeves
Reserve Champion Pen 2nd Wyatt Allen
Buff Orpingtons
Grand Champion Pen 1st Jessie Joyner
Reserve Champion Pen 2nd Matt Dunlap

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Photos: GCA & NRYO Livestock Show

March 28, 2022

The Gulf Coast Agriculture & Natural Resources Youth Organization Annual Spring Livestock Show was held Friday and Saturday in Molino in conjunction with the Blue Jacket Jamboree.

For a photo gallery, click or tap here.

Results will be published Tuesday or Wednesday.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Northview High Names Students Of The Month

March 28, 2022

Northview High School has named Students of the Month for February. They are sophomore Jacquez Moorer and junior Audrey Goetter. They are pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Go Baby Go! Ascend Cares Donates New Wheels For Escambia Westgate Students

March 26, 2022

Ascend Cares donated 11 “Go Baby Go” mobility vehicles to Escambia Westgate School on Friday.

As we first told you on Thursday, “Go Baby Go” is a program that provides modified, ride-on cars to young children with disabilities so they can move around independently. The cars were created for the Westgate’s younger students and will create an opportunity for students to learn and increase independent skills.

“I think this is an amazing idea because it gives these precious children a chance to experience something they may not have been able to otherwise,” said Tiffany Amerson of Bratt. She’s the mother of Andrew, seen sporting around at the top of this page. “To be able to laugh and just have fun. They’re also a great learning tool for these kids.”

Ascend Cares and nearly 30 employees modified 11 of the cars for Escambia Westgate.

For more photos, click or tap here.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Escambia Master Gardeners Grow Endowment Fund

March 19, 2022

When Ann Luther’s friend asked in 2008 if she wanted to take Master Gardener classes through the UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County office, she had no idea it would become one of her passions.

“I don’t know why, but I’d never heard of it,” Luther said. She had, to be fair, spent years moving from place to place as a military spouse, eventually retiring in Pensacola from a career as an elementary educator and becoming a part-time CPR instructor. Naturally, the teaching aspects of the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer program appealed to her. “I had always liked to garden, but I was never in one place long enough to put much in the ground,” she added.

After completing the course and becoming a UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County Master Gardener Volunteer in 2009, Luther vowed to make people aware of the program. Her involvement grew into many areas of the county’s organization throughout the years, including as a board member.

Growing knowledge throughout Florida

The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer program provides local communities statewide with University of Florida-trained volunteers, like Luther, who are passionate about sharing their gardening knowledge. But each program, coordinated through the local UF/IFAS Extension office, also relies upon fundraising to be able to offer those educational opportunities and outreach.

To reduce the fundraising burden for its future members, the Escambia County group set on a mission three years ago to establish an endowment fund. As 2021 closed, ahead of its five-year goal and despite almost two full years of COVID pandemic-related challenges, the fund reached its $30,000 target. This investment will generate over $1,000 each year for the group’s operations.

“We had a very active Master Gardener board at the time this effort started, and they wanted to find a way for future volunteers to spend less time fundraising and more time teaching,” said Beth Bolles, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County horticulture agent and coordinator of the county’s program.

Escambia County’s volunteers help community members learn more about growing landscape and food plants successfully, sharing information at churches and public libraries, and through homeowners’ associations and garden clubs.

In a recent effort, Bolles shared, a group of Master Gardener Volunteers helped a local Native American tribe begin growing native plants with a significance to Native American culture. Luther said other projects focus on the military community and veterans’ groups; the volunteers include former military members, too.

‘It’s just my happy place’

“When we got this opportunity to ensure that the Master Gardener program continues after those of us in it now are no longer involved, we all thought that this was such an important opportunity to do something for this wonderful program,” said M.J. Ziemba, who’s been a Master Gardener Volunteer since 2018. “It’s not only wonderful for the people who are in the group; it’s wonderful for the whole community because we then take the information that we learn and help share it.”

Unlike Luther, Ziemba had learned of the Master Gardener program long before she became a volunteer. She thought of joining right then, sometime in the 1980s, but with four kids and a career in education, “I just didn’t have the time.”

“As soon as I retired in 2017, I signed up,” Ziemba said. “Working in the garden and being with my garden friends… it’s just my happy place.”

Securing continued services

Like other Florida Master Gardener Volunteer groups around the state, the Escambia County volunteers’ plant sales contribute some of their largest fundraising efforts each year.

In addition to the plant sales, though, Bolles said the group also got creative in trying to reach the endowment goal. They hosted a rummage sale, used planned speaking engagements to promote the fund and encourage donations, and created a set of educational postcards, with 100% of the proceeds going toward the endowment.

And although they’ve reached their initial goal, she added, “we know we’re still planning for the future, so we will continue to add to it.”

Read more about the Escambia County Master Gardeners Endowment at go.ufl.edu/mgvendowment.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree; Escambia Sailor Reenlisted By His Father

March 18, 2022

“I was a freshman in high school when I realized that I wanted to serve my country,” said Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary Melvin, from Escambia County, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) media department. “We had just moved to Washington state when my father had commissioned in the Navy as a chaplain and was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). I knew I wanted to have a career that I could look back at and be proud of.”

Lt. Cmdr. Eric Melvin, Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30’s wing chaplain, based at Naval Air Station North Island, California, reenlisted his eldest son Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary Melvin, on Ford’s flight deck March 9, 2022.

“It was never a question of if I should serve, but rather, when I should serve,” said Zachary. “I knew that I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my father and his father before him. I look forward to continuing that service.”
Zachary said he was not sure what branch he wanted to join and wanted to wait until he finished college to make the decision.

“I realized that the Navy was going to be the best direction for me,” said Zachary. “I began speaking with a recruiter towards the end of my senior year at Pensacola Christian College where I ended up getting my degree in theology.”

Zachary Melvin reported to the Ford in May of 2019. Since reporting, he has participated in many ship milestones, including post-shakedown availability, post-delivery test and trials, carrier qualifications, independent steaming events, Full Ship Shock Trials and a Planned Incremental Availability. Zachary said that he sees himself making a career out of the Navy and has been influenced heavily by his father’s drive and discipline.

“’He has definitely motivated me to push through various obstacles and challenges in life,” said Zachary. “It helps that he has been where I am now and I know that I would not be where I am today without his leadership. I am so inspired by my father’s dedication to our family. He has always been there for me and my siblings alike.”

Eric said that Zachary is well spoken, principled and compassionate. Saying that he has always been a leader at home.

“Zach is a man of strong character,” said Eric. “I believe his empathy for the underdog story has stemmed from having a younger brother with Down syndrome. Without Zach’s leadership and care for his siblings, it would have been difficult to make it through multiple hospital visits and near-death situations with his brother. Our family dynamic would have suffered greatly without him.”

Zachary said that his favorite thing about serving on the Ford has been working with junior Sailors. Seeing them go through some of the same struggles that he endured when he first arrived onboard.

“I have been given the opportunity to have a positive, direct impact on the lives of my junior Sailors,” said Zachary. “Coming from being in various leadership roles in college to being an E-3 on an aircraft carrier has been humbling. Learning to be a good follower has prepared me for being a good leader.”

In the Melvin household military service has been a family tradition going as far back as the civil war. Zachary Melvin’s grandfathers and step-grandfather all served in Vietnam, Chief Quartermaster Robert Melvin (USN Ret.), Ronald Kirkbride (USMC Ret.) and David Curtis (US Army Ret.)

“Military life has been a family tradition for our family for over sixty-five years,” said Eric. “I raised all of my children to love our country and the Navy as a whole. Zach was exposed to Navy life for most of his childhood. I would frequently wake the children up in the morning by proclaiming ‘reveille, reveille, up all hands, heave up and trice out!”’

Eric Melvin began his military career as a machinist mate (nuclear) on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in April 1989.

“I was serving on the Roosevelt as a nuke when Zach was born,” said Eric. “The ship was scheduled to get underway on January 21, 1995. With the help of the ship’s chaplain, I was able to stay behind on leave to be at his birth. He was born two days later. With our family’s Naval heritage, I knew there was a strong chance that Zach would follow in my footsteps. I am very proud that he has chosen to become a U.S. Navy Sailor.”

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Riley McDowell.

U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Angel Thuy Jaskuloski for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

A Teachable ‘Operation’ – Byrneville Elementary Students Perform Surgeries

March 18, 2022

Students at Byrneville Elementary School performed surgery last week as they studied the human body in science.

In the “Room 41 Surgical Center’, students wore full surgical gear and called each other “doctor” as they were tasked with several surgeries. The organs were created out of playdough and the tools were toothpicks, but students were able to learn and have fun doing it.

For more photo, click here.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Late ‘Matriarch’ Of Century, Ruth Paige, Honored; The Nurse Midwife Delivered Over 2,000 Babies

March 16, 2022

The Century Town Council Tuesday night honored the “matriarch” of the town with a proclamation.

Ruth Paige passed away this month at age 100.

According to the proclamation, “Mama Ruth” was the nurse midwife for Century and surrounding areas for over 70 years and is credited with delivering over 2,000 babies “of all ethnicities”.

“She is gone from this world yet will forever be etched in the hearts of Centurions,” the proclamation from Mayor Ben Boutwell stated.