Northview DCT Students Work Hard, Visit Six Flags

May 21, 2009

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The following was written and submitted by the DCT class at Northview High School.

The Diversified Career Technology/ Career Education Clubs of Florida class at Northview High School recently had a busy week. DCT is a class for students, who have jobs and who want to keep the job while attending school. The students in DCT work very hard to maintain good grades, while holding down a job. These students take core classes and then are released from school to gain valuable experience by doing on-the-job-training at work.

They receive a grade for both classroom and OJT work. Northview has a rather large class this year with 27 members. The class is led by President Jessica Mothershed, Vice President Summer Sanders, Secretary Melissa Garrett, Treasurer Amie Sutton, Parliamentarian Gretchen Boughner, and Hospitality Chairperson Kaydee Wheeler

All have done an exceptional job of keeping things running smoothly. The other members include Michelle Bellamy, Josh Black, Andrew Bowlan, Richard Braun, Brittany Brown, Tiffany Chance, Matthew Coffey, Stephanie Doucette, Whitney Flurnoy, Jasey Gibson, Jesse Grimes, Denise Hart, Blaine Jeter, Dalton Justice, Ryan Lambert, Adam Martin, Steven Meadows, Dustin Odom, Caitlin Roley, Haley Smith and Ashley Snow.

In appreciation for being a great class, our DCT Coordinator, Tommy Weaver, and our Principal, Mrs. Gayle Weaver, accompanied the class to Six Flags Over Georgia on April 25th. The trip was a blast and a great success.

Jessica Mothershed, president, said, “I had a wonderful time. I loved spending time with my friends and seeing their faces on some of the rides. It was priceless.” Ashley Snow, said, “Six Flags was really exciting and because Amie Sutton and I had flash passes we rode almost every ride.”

Summer Sanders, said, “I loved spending time with classmates and it made memories that will last forever.” Amie Sutton, said, “The trip to Six Flags was awesome and I had a great time with my fellow classmates. The memories of that day will be remembered for ever.”

The DCT class recently held the Annual Employer-Employee Banquet at David’s Catfish in Atmore. The banquet was an opportunity for the employees to show appreciation to their employers for all the employers have done for them in the past year. There was great participation by both employers and employees. After a great meal by David’s, the group was presented a program by Mrs. Paula Miller, Director of Human Resources PCI-CIE, highlighting opportunities available with PCI-CIE. It was a very informative and interesting program. The CECF Club was honored to have Dr. Michelle Taylor, Workforce Education Specialist Escambia School District, and her husband, Mr. Tommy Taylor, former Director of Workforce Education, as special quests.

The trip and banquet were great, and the DCT class of 2008-2009 is very proud of their accomplishments this year.

For more information about the DCT program at Northview High School, click here.

Local Student One Of 100 To Take Part In Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend

May 20, 2009

An eighth grade Carver/Century K-8 School student is one of just 100 young men selected to take part in the Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend this June in Dallas.

elliot.jpgArkelle Elliott was selected based upon a father-figure essay he wrote to take part in the program with comedian, actor and radio personality Steve Harvey. Elliot will attend the mentoring weekend June 18-21.

“Mrs. Harris encouraged me a lot,” Elliot said of his teacher Detria Harris. “I wrote an essay about what it was like to have a father figure.”

“He told me from the day he turned it in that he was going to pack because he was going to win,” Harris said.

The event includes a weekend of seminars and team building activities. The program is led by Harvey and is designed to build a foundation for young men, according to the program’s web site.

steveharvey.jpgThe Steve Harvey (pictured left) program “will expose young males to business professionals, athletes, celebrities and ministers that will assist them in focusing their hopes into dreams and transforming their dreams into reality,” the web site says.

The program is for young men from a family with a single female head of household.

Elliot and the other 99 program participants will take part in sessions to include “Tool Time”, “Style is Success”, “Handling Your Money”, “What It Takes To Get Into and Stay In College” and “New Ideas To Make Money”.

Pictured top: Arkelle Elliott, eighth grade student at Carver/Century K-8, is one of just 100 young men that will take part in a Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend in Dallas this summer. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Video: That Rare Cloud That Had Us All Talking

May 18, 2009

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Back on April 29, a rare cloud formation moved across North Escambia and South Alabama capturing the attention of many North Escambia residents. And now a series of photos from an area resident is giving us the opportunity to see the cloud in motion.

Forecasters at the NWS did not know exactly what to call the cloud formation, settling on calling it just an “arc cloud”. They say the cloud would have been formed by a rapid surge of warm moist air.

Matt Brook took a series of photos on Nokomis Road just off Highway 97 and put them together into a video. Click the video below to watch.

Reviewing high resolution visable satellite data, the weather service tells us that the cloud actually stretched from near Gulf Shores to Butler County, Alabama, for a brief period.

Pictured above: Walt Butler took this photo on Greenland Road in Davisville. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Communities Come Together To Honor Veterans, Military

May 17, 2009

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Area residents turned out in Atmore Saturday morning to honor those that have and are currently serving in the military during a combined Armed Forces Day/Memorial Day parade and ceremony in Atmore.

armed-forces-memorial-day71.jpgLed by the Northview High School NJROTC and the Northview Tribal Beat marching band, the parade began the day’s events that ended with a ceremony at the Atmore City Hall.

“We are gathered here today while our nation is at war,” Atmore VFW Commander Lavon Martin  said. “May God bless them for that service.”

Parade participants included the Northview band and NJROTC, the Escambia County High School NJROTC, the Pensacola High School Air Force JROTC, a unit from the Naval Aviation Technical Training Command, area fire departments, the VFW, and the American Legion.

Click here for a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the parade and ceremony.

Several NJROTC members from NHS and ECHS were honored after the parade. Click here for that story.

Pictured top: The Northview High School NJROTC leads the Atmore Armed Forces Day/Memorial Day parade Saturday morning. Pictured inset: Atmore Councilman John Garrard listens to a ceremony that followed the parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

NHS Tribal Beat Band Holds ‘Fun’ Awards Banquet

May 17, 2009

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The Northview High School Tribal Beat Marching Band held its second annual NHS Band Banquet Saturday with an emphasis on fun.

nhs-band44.jpgThe band’s second annual award, the Right Shoe Award, was presented to Justin Purvis (left), the person most improved in marching. Numerous other awards and gifts were presented to students, parents, volunteers and band boosters during the banquet at the Walnut Hill Community Center.

More “serious” band awards will be presented during award ceremonies at school during the next two weeks. But Saturday’s awards were all about fun, including such categories as “Most Like a Cartoon Character”, “Needs to Shave the Most” and “Biggest Flirt”.

Click here for a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the banquet.

The students voted the following award winners:

  • Most Talented: Jake Carlson
  • Cutest: Justin Purvis & Caitlyn Brown
  • Shyest: Chelsea Parham
  • Friendliest: Melissa Moretz and Lanie Eubanks
  • Needs to Shave the Most: Jake Carlson, Seth Turner, Hayley Simpson
  • Funniest: Wayne Marshall, Justin Purvis
  • Most Like a Cartoon Character: Devon Dries
  • Most Likely to have a Musical Career: Jake Carlson, Briana Halteman
  • Most Likely Not to Show Up: David Ford, Danny Strobaegh
  • Doesn’t Know Left Foot From Right Foot When Marching: Joseph Davis
  • Mocks Mr. Tucker The Most: Justin Purvis
  • Best Baton Twirler: Hayley Simpson
  • Best Flag Twirler: Allison Spence
  • Biggest Flirt: Allison Spence
  • Spit Valve Fills the Quickest: Devon Dries
  • Most Likely to Break Their Instrument: Lanie Eubanks
  • Most Improved: Chelsea Parham
  • Best at Marching: Briana Halteman
  • Most Photogenic: Allie Bryan, Caitlyn Brown
  • Best FSU Hair: Kolbi Cobb, Elizabeth Wright
  • Most Spirit: Elizabeth Wright
  • Most Fasionable: Wayne Marshall, Allie Bryan
  • Most Unique Style: Wayne Marshall, David Ford
  • Mr. Tucker’s Favorite: Colton Sims, Briana Halteman
  • Mr. Wright’s Favorite: Elizabeth Wright
  • Most Dependable: Briana Halteman, Lanie Eubanks
  • Best Attitude: Melissa Moretz
  • Forgot Their Black Socks Most: Devon Dries
  • Made Most Pit Stops For: Devon Dries
  • Best All Around: Briana Halteman
  • Best Color Guard Choreographer: Allison Spence
  • Daisy Dukes Award: Kolbi Cobb
  • Most Theatrical Majorette: Hayley Simpson
  • Prettiest and Cutest Smile: Caitlyn Brown, Lanie Eubanks
  • Who Should be 2009-2010 Drum Major: Elizabeth Wright, Melissa Moretz, Colton Sims
  • Who Should be 2009-2010 Assistant Drum Major: Elizabeth Wright, Melissa Moretz
  • Seniors Who Will Be Missed the Most: Briana Halteman, Jake Carlson

Pictured above: NHS Tribal Beat members pose with some of their prizes. Pictured below: Seniors  (L-R) Jake Carlson, Lanie Eubanks and Briana Halteman. Northescambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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Job Well Done: Northview Holds ESE Award Program

May 16, 2009

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Northview High School held a special ESE awards ceremony Friday afternoon, honoring dozens of students for their hard work and accomplishments during the school year.

Click here for a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event.

Students honored included:

  • Liberal Arts:
    • Math Highest GPA — Dillon Vanderman
    • Math Most Improved — James Shook
    • Math Exceptional Student — Joseph Woods
  • Environmental Science
    • Highest Academic Award — Ariel Morris
  • Social Studies
    • Most Improved Student — Daniel Paul Williams
    • Best Scholar — Chelsea Luckie
    • Most Consistent Scholar — Quinton Pittman
    • Most Congenial Scholar — Bessy Hollingsworth
    • Most Respectful — Marquita Allen
  • NJROTC
    • Most Improved Student — Daniel Paul Williams
  • Algebra 1-B
    • Most Improved Students — Gary Shook and Tammie Brown
  • English 9-12
    • Highest GPA — Marquita Allen and Daniel Paul Williams
    • One-Day Free Pass — Josh Watson
    • Most Diligent — Keith Cota
  • Math 9-12
    • Best help — Cody Chance
    • Highest GPA — Clarence Brown
    • Most Improved — Aremando Elliott
  • Reading
    • 9th Grade — Shane Bonner and Austin Rolin
    • 10th Grade — Tammie Brown
    • 1st/2nd Period Most Improved — Andrew Giveans
    • 3rd/4th Reading Best Work Ethic — Talisa Jackson
    • 5th Period Most Improved — Precious Marshall
    • 5th Period Most Improved Behavior — Lonnie Gardner
  • OJT
    • Most Outstanding OJT Student — Lisa Kuiper
    • Most Outstanding OJT Student — Damon Williams
    • Most Outstanding OJT — Willie Davis
    • Most Outgoing — Andrew Giveans
    • Best All Round Male OJT Student — Cody Chance
    • Best All Round Female OJT Student — Raven Moore
    • Most Successful OJT Student — John Handrop
    • Most Successful OJT Student — Fred Smith
  • Science
    • Outstanding Students — Josh Watson and Quinton Pittman

Day Honors Officers Killed On Duty; One Sheriff Died In North Escambia

May 15, 2009

Over 25 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty in Escambia County, including a sheriff shot to death in North Escambia.

Today is National Peace Officers Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor law officers killed in the line of duty. Members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and the Fraternal Order of Police gathered outside the department’s headquarters in Pensacola yesterday to honor the fallen officers.

Since 1923, 11 Escambia County deputies have died in the line of duty. Another 13 Pensacola Police Department Officers have been killed since 1889 and one constable was killed on duty in 1955.

An Escambia County, Alabama, sheriff was shot and killed in North Escambia near Bluff Springs on July 3, 1895.

mcmillan2.jpgEscambia County (Ala.) Sheriff E.S. McMillan was shot and killed as he and a posse searched for the notorious train robber nicknamed “Railroad Bill.” In 1893, Railroad Bill had shot and wounded a deputy sheriff who confronted him at a Bluff Springs home about not paying taxes on his weapon. He then fled and spent the next two years illegally riding Alabama freighters, robbing trains, and engaging in gun fights with lawmen.

In July of 1895, Sheriff McMillan received a tip that Railroad Bill was hiding out in Bluff Springs, Florida, and went with a posse to arrest him. As Sheriff McMillan walked along the railroad tracks, the suspect, who was hiding behind a tree, opened fire with a Winchester rifle. Sheriff McMillan was struck  and succumbed to his wounds a short time later. Railroad Bill was later gunned down by a host of law enforcement officers.

McMillan is the only officer from Escambia County, Alabama, to ever die in the line of duty.

NHS Holds Spring Performing Arts Concert

May 15, 2009

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From The Who to George Strait to Miley Cyrus, the Northview Performing Arts Spring Concert featured music from a variety of artists Thursday night. Performers included members of the chorus, guitar ensemble and jazz combo from Northview High School.

For a photo gallery from the concert, click here.

Pictured above and below: The Northview Performing Arts  Spring Concert Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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EWMS Drama Club Presents First Major Production

May 15, 2009

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The Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Club presents the play “The Picture That Was Turned to the Wall” Thursday evening.

North Escambia firefighters were invited to attend the play for free after responding to a lightning strike at the school earlier in the day.

For a photo gallery from Wednesday’s dress rehearsal for the play, click here.

Cast members in the Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Club’s presentation of “The Picture That Was Turned to the Wall” included:

  • Father Tubbs – Dezarae Turner
  • Mother Tubbs – Shalmali Bhadkamkar
  • Isadora Snapdragon – Hannah Ziglar
  • Preacher Cribbs – Kent Smith
  • Jubilee – Danielle Scott
  • Smiling Billy Tapshoes – Lily Townson
  • Mattie Busby – Lauryn Walker
  • Rudolph Von Doberman – Anna Donald
  • Diamond-Tooth Polly – Rachel Presley
  • Dizzy Esther – Chelsea Ward
  • Rags – Kristen Byrd
  • Fred – Chelsea Turner
  • Mrs. Pantheon – Audrey Byrd
  • Zenobia - Anna Fischer
  • Soldier Boy – Lily Townson

Pictured: A scene from the play “The Picture That Was Turned to the Wall”  at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Gindl-Perry Named Escambia County’s Principal Of The Year

May 14, 2009

perryewms10.jpgErnest Ward Middle School principal, Nancy Gindl-Perry, has been named as Escambia County’s Principal of the Year.

Superintendent Malcolm Thomas made the announcement Wednesday, along with announcing that Regina Lipnick, assistant principal at Bailey Middle, is the Assistant Principal of the Year.

“Our school district is blessed with a number of excellent school administrators,” Thomas said. “These are two outstanding individuals who will represent well the administrative talent we have in our schools.”

“I could not have done it without a fine faculty and staff,” Perry said. “Behind every principal are the people that make a school great.”

Known for calling Ernest Ward students as “my babies”, Perry will compete against principals from 66 other districts in Florida for state honors.

The Florida Department of Education annually honors principals and assistant principals from each of the state’s 67 school districts for their exemplary contribution to students, schools, and communities. Award criteria also include innovative leadership, dedication to academic excellence, and increased student performance.

Earlier this year, Perry received what was, without a doubt, the most unique award of her entire educational career. She was presented with the “Golden Cow Dung Award” by members of the Ernest Ward FFA. The award featured a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color. Perry received the award from the school’s FFA members as a “thank you” for supporting FFA.

Pictured: Escambia County’s Principal of the Year, Nancy Gindl-Perry from Ernest Ward Middle School. Pictured below: Perry received the “Golden Cow Dung Award” earlier this year.  NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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