Student Spotlights – June 2024

Emma Arnold, a fifth grader at Jim Allen Elementary School, is the 2024 winner of the annual essay contest sponsored by Florida Retired Educators Association (FREA) and its local affiliate EREA. Students were asked to describe an experience or experiences with a grandparent.
In Emma’s essay, “My Bright Smile Granny,” she writes, “My granny was the best person I ever knew. She always had open arms towards us. When she saw me, she had a big smile on her face. Her smile would melt your heart into pieces.”
As the winner of the contest, Emma Arnold will be honored at the annual EREA celebratory luncheon on May 23 with $50 and a framed certificate. She will read her essay aloud at that time.

Escambia County’s Literacy Association has selected Jonathan Clausell as the Escambia 2024 Literacy Teacher of the Year. Mr. Clausell is a Kindergarten teacher at C.A. Weis Elementary. His passion is teaching the foundational skills of reading and building a love of writing. He develops a classroom culture that encourages students to have a positive attitude and to persevere. Jonathan uses data to identify students in need of support and matches the appropriate intervention to their need.
He serves on the school Literacy Leadership Team, is grade level chair, contributes to district curriculum committee work, presents district sponsored workshops on teaching writing, and serves as a model classroom where teachers throughout the district come to see best practices in action.
Mr. Clausell was nominated by his peers; his application was one of three top submissions and he was subsequently selected after his interview. During his interview Mr. Clausell shared the importance of earning ESOL Endorsement to support our ever growing second language learner population and promoting family engagement to increase literacy. Mr. Clausell will submit his application for the Florida Literacy Association Teacher of the Year in the fall.

We are thrilled to share the wonderful experience in taking the Elite and Elegant ambassadors from CA Weis Community Partnership School to The District. This incredible opportunity was made possible by private grants and the generosity of The District. Chef Josh graciously spent time with the students, and they truly enjoyed spending time with him. The students, known for their respectfulness, demonstrated all the skills they have learned throughout their journey. It has been a joy to witness their growth in the program over the past three years, and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing them evolve into the exceptional leaders we know they are destined to become

Pensacola High School’s Maverick Marley was awarded “Best Steelman” in our Street Epistemology round of the 2024 Incubate Debate National Championship (hosted at The Bolles School in Jacksonville).
In the round, Maverick stood his ground and defended his beliefs on a variety of topics posed by Dr. Peter Boghossian who described Maverick as “smart, sincere, and thoughtful… These students are being trained to be informed educated citizens capable of getting beyond ideology and articulating well thought out positions across divides.”
Maverick’s coach, Krysta Wilcox (KWilcox@ecsdfl.us), worked hard this season to coach this incredible young man. She deserves enormous credit as well.

Thirty-two Escambia County Public Schools (ECPS) competed in Battle of the Books on Saturday, April 27th at the Booker T. Washington High School Gym. A total of 84 teams competed against each other to see who had the most knowledge of this year’s Battle of the Books titles. Participating students read up to 15 titles from this competition year’s Sunshine State Young Readers and Florida Teens Read book lists. Teams met before, after, and during school with their coaches to discuss the books’ themes, characters, settings, and main events.
The competition included four rounds of fifteen questions each, culminating with a final Lightning Round.
3rd Grade:
1st Place – Scenic Heights Elementary
Coaches: Janette Calder, Kaci Woodruff, and Ashlee Kinser
Team Members: Thea Woodruff, Ryker Burleson, Arthur Dunford, and Nikolai Wade
2nd Place – Pine Meadow Elementary, D.E.A.R. (Demolishers Evelyn, Allegra, Rhett)
Coaches: Michelle Williams and Cathee Edmunds
Team Members: Allegra McCaw, Evelyn Rowley, and Rhett Edgar
3rd Place – Pleasant Grove Elementary, Mind Readers
Coach: Aaron Foote
Team Members: Eve Perez-McElroy, Jaxson Cruz, Paisley Brown, Soren Dyck, and Becca Terry
4th Grade:
1st Place – McArthur Elementary, The Mighty T’s
Coach: Lori Perkins
Team Members: Ruby MacWhinnie, Boshra Yousef, Joslyn Krantz, Reagan Hillis, and Clay Kerfoot
2nd Place – Ferry Pass Elementary, Summer Knights
Coaches: Laura Hobbs and Kasey Gaines
Team Members: Ariel Vincent, Stella Kroeger, Fabiola Vallecillo-Medina, Isaiah Ray, and Lillian Coates
3rd Place – Molino Park Elementary, The Royal Readers
Coaches: Rachel Gilmore and Becky Hatch
Team Members: Sky Dupree, Sadie Fetsko, Aden Hicks, and Bradley Nelson
5th Grade:
1st Place – Pleasant Grove Elementary, Mind Readers
Coach: Aaron Foote
Team Members: Victoria Montoro, Maycee Forbes, Lily Perez-McElroy, and Ellie Napiorkowski
2nd Place – Bellview Elementary
Coach: Michelle Brown
Team Members: Jasmine Long, Stella Timmons, Justyze Hill, and Paytan Roache’
3rd Place – Beulah Elementary
Coaches: Sherry Roughton and Sara Smith
Team Members: Ryleigh Parker, Olivia Nunn, Emma Nguyen, London Farrior, and Rasha Roberts
Middle School:
1st Place – Brown Barge Middle, Team 1
Coaches: Kristy Imhof and Peggy Hamblen
Team Members: Collin Taylor, Cameron Powell, Carter Murray, Karsyn Webster, and Savannah Henry
2nd Place – Bailey Middle
Coaches: Roberta Wetzel and Linsay Whitley
Team Members: Annabelle Martin, Olivia Wood, and Victorya Fisher
3rd Place – Brown Barge Middle, Team 2
Coaches: Kristy Imhof and Peggy Hamblen
Team Members: Madelyn McShane, Peyton Vestal, Lucas Ramos, Aden Khan, and Kyleigh Dunning
High School:
1st Place – Pine Forest High School, Team 2
Coach: Mary Hangen
Team Members: Olivia Richardson, Catherine Nelson, and Lillien Williams
2nd Place – Pine Forest High School, Team 1
Coach: Mary Hangen
Team Members: Harmony DeRisio, Gianna Penaloza-Jones, and Mariah Saucier
3rd Place – Tate High School
Coach: Maryjane Gardner
Team Members: Sarah Demers, Abby Lynch, Jorja Revels, Reagan Hatcher, and Natalie Concilio

On April 23rd at Oakcrest Elementary School, Ms. Benito, Bilingual Teacher Assistant, arranged for Blue Angel Team members to come talk with the school’s 3rd-5th grade English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) newcomers. This was part of exposing this new to members of the community. Speakers included Hector Viramontes, Jose Pulagrin, Alejandro Benito, Carolina Berrio, Natalia Luchetti, Adriana Sanchez, Helbert Urrutia, Joe Cardona, John Fernandez, Jose Cruz and John Funezcruz. The students had an amazing time meeting and listening to the Blue Angels members. They also gave posters to all of the students and staff.

Pace High School Indoor Percussion traveled to Dayton, OH for the 2024 WGI World Championships – PSO Finals. They placed 7th in the Nation in Percussion Scholastic Open Class.
This amazing group of percussionists paid their own way through fundraising and parent contributions, practiced multiple evenings per week and held many Saturday Camps 8am-9pm and performed locally and regionally throughout the season, undefeated, to be invited to WGI World in Dayton.
Pace Indoor Percussion were the “underdogs” going into this steep competition and showed the country that Pace, FL has what it takes to be recognized for their talent, integrity, heart, sportsmanship, and compassion.

The library transformed into Seussville in March to celebrate Read Across America Week. The goal of RAA is to encourage children to explore the world of books and reading. Students celebrated with Seussian games, trivia contests and writing original poetry. Students experienced how Dr. Seuss’ rhymes can be set to music and tried out Seussian tongue twisters. K4 dressed up for Wacky Wednesday. K5 had a special story time with the Cat in the Hat.

Aletheia Christian Academy is constantly finding ways to better serve the student body for their holistic development. We are continuously searching for new education tools and resources that will enhance learning and assist in maximizing potential. This semester, we are participating in a pilot program utilizing an educational program called IXL. It provides thousands of exercises students can use to improve their academic skills. It also provides insights into student progress to help our students excel.

Adventure always awaits Creative Learning Academy’s eighth graders as they embark on their Outward Bound expedition in the rugged setting of Cedar Rock, North Carolina. These young adult explorers demonstrated remarkable fortitude during the 8-day immersion into the great outdoors, learning invaluable wilderness survival skills while “roughing it” in the splendor of North Carolina’s mountains. Our students’ outdoor skills were honed under the expert guidance of seasoned instructors, as they learned the ins and outs of camping, navigation, and self-reliance.
Outward Bound offers so many challenges each and every year. This year, students braved the currents of the French Broad River on white-water rafts and conquered the heights of a daring ropes course. Every activity becomes a test of determination and teamwork. The students pushed themselves beyond their comfort zones, embarking on an off-trail “bush push”; that tested both their physical endurance and mental fortitude. Yet amidst the adrenaline-fueled activities, there were also quieter moments of reflection as they experienced a solo camping night, surrounded only by the sounds of the wilderness. Perhaps the most valuable lessons were those learned around the campfire, as students bonded over shared experiences and participated in team-building exercises. Through laughter and tears, CLA’s eighth graders discovered the importance of cooperation and support, laying the groundwork for lasting bonds as classmates and friends. As they return home with a newfound sense of confidence and resilience, these young adventurers carry with them memories that will last a lifetime.

Each spring, Pensacola Catholic High School names a new group of upcoming Sophomore students to join fellow upperclassmen, who had been previously named, to serve as a Student Ambassador. Originally begun in 2006, the group was formed to provide vital functions to be the voice, eyes, hands, and ears of CHS for the many visitors that grace the campus each year. Ambassadors assist at both private and public functions that are held on campus including annual Eighth Grade Visitation Days, Prospective Student/Parent Open House, New-Student Orientation, and numerous other special events. Students are nominated by faculty members and selected through a vetting process among the administrators. Students are selected across the wide-range of diverse talents and abilities that they possess with the intent that they represent the entire CHS student body. The moderator of the CHS Student Ambassadors is Mrs. Maria Green, Math Teacher and Math Department Chairperson. This year eleven upcoming Sophomores and three upcoming Juniors were added to the ranks. Pictured front row – Lane Grissett, Abigail Barzacchini, Julianne Adams, Kate Aldridge, Addison Manning, Krissy Chatman and back row – Jayden Coleman, Ryan Fayard, Jamarion Purifoy, Vaughn Howard, Caden Jasso, Henry Boyle, Luke Juhas.

The Pensacola Catholic High School Weight Team finished third in both Olympic and Traditional categories at District Competitions. Individual winners at District included First Place finishes in Unlimited – Desjon Robertson; 179 – Alex Steigler; 169 – Thomas Sanfort; and 129 – Bryant Kyte. Four other students qualified “At Large” to compete at Regionals – Jon Flynn, Terius Mason, Aidan Murphy, and Patrick Theriot. At the Regional Competition, Desjon placed second, and Bryant, Jon, and Terius also qualified to advance to the State Competition. These four Crusaders represented CHS at the State meet and Desjon Robertson came home with the State Champion medal in the Heavyweight Division! Congratulations, Desjon, and the entire CHS Weightlifting Team for a great season!

Molino Park Elementary School took first place overall in the 6th Annual Elementary Science Olympiad recently at Washington High School. A total of 21 elementary schools sent teams of students to compete in nine different events.

The annual MSP PTO Gala event was held on April 20th at the Bayview Community Center. Parents, teachers, and supporters of the Montessori School of Pensacola came out for a fun 1980s prom-themed evening. In addition, to music and a silent auction, the annual school fundraiser, features a live auction of artwork pieces made by each classroom. The MSP students from Toddlers through 8th grade create collaborative art to be auctioned off to raise funds for the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization). The PTO provides enrichment events and purchases to MSP students each year, such as laptops and field trips. Artwork this year included, a lamp and table set, a mosaic, and a painted wooden child’s chair.

On Friday, April 5, the Catholic High Math Team competed in the 50th Annual Nicolas S. Walker Math Tournament hosted by Milton High School. Twelve teams from the tri-county area completed math problems in Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus as part of Ciphering Matches to earn points for their team. The top three teams in each discipline were awarded prizes along with the overall winner. For the 15th consecutive year, Pensacola Catholic High School earned 1st Overall. CHS also took 1st Place in the Algebra II and Pre-Calculus categories, as well as 3rd Place in Algebra 1 and Calculus. The Calculus scores among the top three finishers with only one point separating each of the places. Congratulations to our teams listed below as well as the entire Math Faculty at Catholic High School led by Department Chair, Maria Green. Algebra II Teacher, Alex Forte, joined the students on Tournament Day. Teams: Algebra I – Mackinnley Tilley, Erin Reilly, Harvey Laidlaw, Kate Aldridge; Algebra II – CJ McGowan, Kristin Gaubert, Maya Chavan, Ava Galinis; Geometry – McKenna Hindman, Ryan Fayard, Erin Reilly, Lane Grissett; Pre-Calculus – Clark Hubbert, Emma Thompson, Aidan Baker, Ace London, George Golubev; Calculus – Mariana Contreras, Emily Watson, Harper Hubbert, Nate Flores. Way to go Crusader Math Team!

PHS could not be any prouder of the hard work and dedication these amazing IB and Traditional Scholars put in to earn AP and PSAT NMSQT Honors. They are truly what makes PHS “A Step Above the Rest”.

Third graders at Aletheia Christian Academy were treated to a field trip to Pensacola Christian Academy’s planetarium after completing their unit on the solar system. This field trip not only enhanced their learning, but it also allowed the students to see some of the wonders of God’s creation under an impressive 50 foot dome. What fun!

Aletheia Christian Academy’s baseball team took home the top prize in the Panhandle Christian Conference Championship series. The PCC currently consists of 17 Christian Schools from the states of Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. The Aletheia Lions ended their season with a perfect 24-0 record. Way to go, Lions!

Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy students at Aletheia Christian Academy completed their big IMPACT Project last month. Students selected their service project based on their passions and as a way of addressing needs in their community. They chose to host a “Senior Spring Fling” at a local assisted-living facility to bring joy to a community that often is forgotten.
The students applied for a grant and hosted weekly bake sales to raise the funds necessary to pull this off. Each woman received a tiara and carnation, and the men received a boutonniere. They ate, danced, played games, made crafts, and had a grand old time! We are so very proud of these students!

Sixth-grade students at Ernest Ward Middle School care for their livestock and harvest eggs as part of the Agriculture program, supervised by Teacher Mrs. Latisa Ledbetter-Kish.

Earth Day at Montessori School of Pensacola included a special visit from author/ecologist/singer, Jo Billups. Billups has written books about protecting the planet, such as “The ABC’s of Ecology” and “The Humpback Whale and the Little Girl”. These stories can be sung as well! The overall mission of the ABC’S Of Ecology books and music is to educate children about the issues threatening the environment today in a fun and entertaining way. The goal is to motivate them through stories and songs to care for the planet and all living things. Environmental activists can have a reputation for being intense, but Billups with her guitar in hand, makes her point through song. She says her philosophy is that we are guests on this planet and we are given the task to care for it and its inhabitants for many generations to come.

Students at Montessori School of Pensacola got the opportunity to show off their talents and entertain staff and fellow students. The annual Elementary/Middle School talent show took place on April 19th. Students bravely got up in front of the audience to sing, play piano, do magic tricks, and more. There was excitement and support from those in attendance. One student performed with his puppet!

Montessori School of Pensacola teacher, Stephanie Shepard, started Hope Above Fear after she lost her son in October of 2022 to a fentanyl overdose. The mission of Hope Above Fear is to promote awareness about the dangers of substance use, to extend assistance to adolescents struggling with substance abuse, and to provide support for their families. The group gives teens in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to pursue substance-free living. With a focus on positivity, optimism, and resilience, they guide teens to choose a narrative of strength and self-discovery.
On May 7th, National Fentanyl Awareness Day, Shepard organized a free community event with dinner, auction, and speakers. MSP was one the sponsors of the event and MSP Middle School students volunteered. Now in its third year, National Fentanyl Awareness Day brings together individuals, parents, teachers, corporations, influencers, community groups, and government entities to help put an end to this emergency. Last year, over 70,000 Americans were poisoned by illegally made fentanyl. Fentanyl is now found in fake pills and street drugs, but users are often unaware that their drugs contain the potent opioid. This is an URGENT PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS that puts all of us, and our loved ones, at risk. We all must play a role in preventing further tragedies.
OVERDOSE IS NOW THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN AMERICANS UNDER 50.