September 2023 Student Spotlights

New teachers came together for our annual “Great Beginnings” symposium. These novice educators spent two days learning practical skills and tricks of the trade from veteran teachers and were able to hear some inspirational words from guest speakers. We are so excited to welcome these new faces to our family, and are looking forward to all of the great things they’ll accomplish and the innumerable lives they’ll positively impact.

Dr. Kimberly Thomas, principal of C.A. Weis Elementary School in Pensacola, took off with the Blue Angels this summer. Thomas said she was chosen for the flight thanks to her work as principal. She spent about 45 minutes doing some of the same moves that the Blue Angels will do themselves during this weekend’s air show. And she said she hopes to use this experience to inspire her students. “It was amazing,” Thomas said. “It was an experience of a lifetime. I really can’t put it into words. I really want our boys and girls to know they can be and do anything they put their minds to. That’s my goal is to make sure students understand that with hard work, dedication, staying focused, the sky’s the limit.”

The Northview High School FFA chapter and its members received several honors during the recent Florida FFA State Convention and Expo. The Northview FFA received second place in the state for the Chapter Advocacy Award. The Northview FFA Alumni was awarded third place Outstanding Alumni Affiliate. James Gruenwald received his State FFA Degree. Wyatt Ramsey competed in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event representing District 1. Northview FFA President Cody Pugh was elected District 1 president.

On Friday, July 28, ECPS Warehouse employees and a host of volunteers gathered to sort and pack donations of school supplies received from this year’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ campaign. We at ECPS know we are blessed to be a part of such a caring and giving community! The generosity of our citizens is having a profound impact on the students and families of Escambia County.

Art doesn’t have to be done with paint and paintbrushes. This was the lesson during the last week of summer camp at Montessori School of Pensacola. Campers explored different media that can be used for artistic creations. They used materials like string and sponges to make designs. One of the biggest hits of the week was a pendulum constructed from PVC pipe that campers used to create paintings.

Five students from Pensacola Catholic High School attended the annual Boys and Girls State conferences in Tallahassee during the summer break. The American Legion Department of Florida and the American Legion Auxiliary host these annual educational events that introduce students to the actual workings of local, county, and state governments. Roman Carro attended the Boys State event and Zoey Amjad, Natalie Biggs, Mariana Contreras-Fernandez, and Harper Hubbert attended the Girls State event, which were both held on the campus of Florida State University. During the nonpartisan week-long event students learn the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of franchised citizens. Student citizens gained hands-on experience by taking part in the political process through role-playing in civic exercises. The program’s intent is to help students to better understand their individual roles in the democratic ideals that are the foundation of our government. All students shared that their experience was very educational and they walked away with new friends. Roman was elected by his peers to the Florida House of Representatives at Boys State, and said of his experience, “I will always remember the impact we were able to make and the friends we met along the way.” Pictured: Zoey Amjad, Mariana Contreras-Fernandez, Roman Carro, Natalie Biggs, and Harper Hubbert.

“Aletheia Christian Academy students are blessed with the opportunity to participate in Student Leadership University every year. The vision of SLU is one that is optimistically looking forward towards the goal of empowering, enabling, and equipping students around the globe to rise to the call of leadership. This past summer, select Aletheia students had the privilege of attending SLU 101 in Orlando, FL, SLU 201 in Washington, DC, and SLU 301 in Europe.
In SLU 101, students were challenged to improve their leadership skills, expand their faith, and learn about Christian worldview.
SLU 201 gave students an in-depth look at the foundation of our country, its history and beliefs. Students witnessed the power of legacy by exploring national monuments, The Holocaust Museum, Arlington National Cemetery and several others as well as learned from leaders past and present.
Students who attended SLU 301 were exposed to history in a new way as they experienced such places as Normandy, Oxford University, Holy Trinity Church, and many other historical sites. They learned that all history is tied to Christ and the church. Students were challenged to study historical leadership to see that what they do every day matters.”
Pictured: Students who attended SLU 301 in Europe this summer

School days, school days, dear old golden rule days…. Classes began on the campus of Pensacola Catholic High School on August 9 with a total of 713 students. New Crusaders included 195 Freshmen and 31 upper classmen transfer students. The halls were buzzing with excitement for a great year as students made their way to their Homerooms for the first time. Student Council members and student Ambassadors helped new students find their way. Students were given their full schedules in homeroom and then for the first half-day of school, they attended all seven classes to meet their teachers, receive their course requirements, and obtain a full understanding of the course/teacher expectations. On Friday, August 11, full class days began. Full days at CHS include a Homeroom period, 5 or 6 classes, and a lunch break during which students join friends in the Student Life Center to enjoy lunch that they either brought from home or purchased from the cafeteria staff. While we are full steam ahead with the current year, activities for the Class of 2028, next year’s Freshmen, are already underway as we begin eighth-grade Visitation Days in September. Dates are also set for our Middle School Parent Open House and Placement Test. Please check our website at pensacolachs.org for additional information. The ‘Crusader Life’ is in full swing and the students, faculty, and parents are excited about the promise of another year within the halls at CHS! Pictured: Students from Mrs. Ashley Rasmussen’s Class showing off their Zoo Keeping projects.

Over 1800 participants made the 13th annual Navy Federal Credit Union 5K Run/Walk/Roll in downtown Pensacola, April 1, their biggest ever. Navy Federal Credit Union presented a check to The Foundation for $24,000. The Foundation and the Escambia County Public Schools have a great partnership with Navy Federal. The local support of education in Escambia County is at every level, as they encourage their employees to volunteer and support local education.
“The Foundation is thrilled about the generous donation from the proceeds of the Navy Federal 5K. The funds are used for Foundation Programs such as Grants for Excellence, Employee Events, and Golden Apple Awards,” said Foundation Executive Director Jo McArthur. “Navy Federal is an engaged and integral partner of Escambia County Public Schools and the Foundation. They provide volunteers, mentors, programs for Workforce Development, participate on the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors, donations of resources, and so much more. We are thrilled to have learned that Escambia County Public Schools Foundation will be the beneficiary for next year’s 5K!”
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation funds projects and programs for students, teachers and schools, including Grants for Excellence, Take Stock in Children, and most recently, the soon to be launched Teacher Resource Store. Their mission is to enhance and raise awareness of public education.
Pictured L to R: Stephen Diamond, Keith Leonard, Superintendent of Escambia County Public Schools, Jo McArthur, Executive Director, Escambia County Public Schools Foundation, Kristin Taylor, Foundation Board Chair 2023-2024, Kara Cardona, Executive Vice President, Navy Federal Credit Union, Kimberly Aderholt, Navy Federal Vice President of Greater Pensacola Operations & Foundation Board Member, Grace Doyle, Health Fitness Program Manager, Navy Federal

Reduce, reuse, recycle is a phrase that Montessori School of Pensacola reminds children to say. Ways that children can live that way of life were focused on during Going Green week of MSP Summer Camp. Children made art sculptures from items that would have been trashed. They used old newspapers to make hats. They made bird feeders to hang outside the classroom. They cooked pizza in a homemade solar oven. There were lively discussions about what items can be composted, which can be recycled, and which ones go to landfills. Campers were surprised to hear how long some items last! They even made their own mini landfill to observe throughout the week.

Over 200 kids attended NFL star and Pensacola native Martin Emerson’s First Annual Free Youth Football Camp in July. Young athletes from ages 8-17 gathered at Pine Forest High School for the opportunity to learn more about the game of football from one of the NFL’s youngest stars. “I grew up in this area, and I love it so I’m just blessed and thankful to be in my situation. And I just want to give back to my community, and just let kids know that it’s possible and that they can do whatever they want to do and be whoever they want to be in life,” Emerson said.
Emerson was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 3rd Round of the 2022 NFL Draft after his 3-year collegiate career at Mississippi State. He graduated from Pine Forest High School back in 2019. Emerson told WEAR News that when he was young he attended multiple camps held by NFL athletes, something he said he made a goal to host once he made it to the league.
It was a hot morning in Pensacola, but Emerson and his team made sure all the kids stayed hydrated as they ran drills across the same field he once dominated. Lunches were also served in the afternoon. Emerson says the most important thing is for the kids to have fun, but he also hopes they use the opportunity to learn a thing or two.

Synoma Perea, an incoming senior at Tate High School, was named the Sunshine State Scholar for Escambia County. This honor is in recognition of outstanding achievement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Perea plans to major in mechanical engineering in college.

Kindergarten teacher Tracy Eiser welcomes new students to A.K. Suter Elementary School on the first day of school on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. Students in Escambia County and Santa Rosa County Schools returned to the classroom to begin the 2023-24 school year on August 10.

The Tate High School cheerleaders held their three-day Lil Aggies Summer Camp this summer.
During the clinic, athletes learned proper stretch techniques, sideline cheers and chants, proper jump techniques, motion placements, as well as stunting and tumbling skill building. The Aggies cheerleaders are planning their next clinic for the fall.

Campers at Montessori School of Pensacola’s Summer Camp beat the heat with hands-on creative projects. Dinosaur and Geology Camp was a week of dinosaur facts, crafty creations, and science experiments. Topics covered included how big were dinosaur feet and how were fossils formed. Pterodactyl puppets provided not only artistic fun, but also a chance for performance.