Every month we compile a list of students and schools doing great things across our community. We have so many talented students in our area. Greater Pensacola Parents joins with these families and schools to celebrate their achievements!

379 Students Take Part in Battle of the Books

Thirty-two Escambia County public schools competed in Battle of the Books at Washington High School. A total of 84 teams with 379 students competed 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. The competition included four rounds of fifteen questions each, culminating with a final lightning round.
Winners:
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

Pensacola Sports Honors Top High School Senior Athletes

Every year, Pensacola Sports honors the top senior student-athletes in each sport from Escambia and Santa Rosa County schools for a scholarship recognition program. Schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties nominate their senior athletes for each sport.
A selection committee made of educators, community leaders, and Pensacola Sports board members reviews the anonymous applications and selects the best person’s credentials for individual sport winners as well as the overall male and female winners from the individual sport winners.
OVERALL MALE
Christopher Rembert – Catholic
MULTISPORT MALE
Jaquez Moorer – Northview
OVERALL FEMALE
Gabrielle Goyins – Catholic
MULTISPORT FEMALE
Maddie Simmons – Navarre
BASEBALL
Bray Touchstone – Tate
BOYS BASKETBALL
Darius Cunningham – Navarre
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Xander McLaughlin – Catholic
FOOTBALL
Turner McLaughlin – Catholic
BOYS GOLF
Bentley Van Pelt – West Florida
BOYS LACROSSE
Benton Lane – Catholic
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton Nolen – Pensacola
BOYS SWIMMING
Jackson Hebert – West Florida
BOYS TENNIS
(tie) Francis Smith – Gulf Breeze
(tie) Benjamin Ling – Catholic
BOYS TRACK
Zachary Hoyle – Pine Forest
BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING
Caleb Hahr – Milton
WRESTLING
Michael Mancuso – Gulf Breeze
CHEERLEADING
Finlee Jenkins – Washington
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Piper Tieman – Gulf Breeze
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Mozelle Powell – Gulf Breeze
GIRLS GOLF
Islay Benoit – Catholic
GIRLS LACROSSE
Natalie Biggs – Catholic
GIRLS SOCCER
Amelia Jacobs – Gulf Breeze
SOFTBALL
Leila Ammon – Gulf Breeze
GIRLS SWIMMING
Shelby Smith – West Florida
GIRLS TENNIS
Sara McElrath – Gulf Breeze
GIRLS TRACK
Jennifer Mims – West Florida
VOLLEYBALL
Julia Irmen – Navarre
GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING
Shannon Bryan – Pace
UWF SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Cora Helmig – Tate
Katie Kauth – Navarre
Xander McLaughlin – Catholic
KESSLER SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Kaylee Nguyen – Pensacola
Pictured: Overall male Christopher Rembert – Catholic High

Environmentally Minded at MSP Camp

Environmental Exploration was the theme for a recent week of Montessori School of Pensacola’s summer camp. Summer camps held at the MSP East Hill location focus on a different theme each week. Campers spend each week discussing a theme and creating projects that accompany their studies. By dividing recyclable items into groups, campers learned more about what can and can’t be recycled. Things that can’t be recycled can be reused, so campers created art projects with these items. A popular project this week was decorating reusable shopping bags.

Summer Excitement at Camp CLA

Summer days in Pensacola reached new heights of activity and adventure with Camp CLA at Creative Learning Academy. This innovative summer camp focuses on fostering friendships and creating a dynamic, engaging experience for all campers. Jennifer Russell, the dedicated director of Camp CLA, emphasized that the kids not only had a blast but also benefited from a thoughtfully curated blend of structured activities and spontaneous play.
In addition to sports such as basketball, pickleball, and volleyball, Camp CLA offered a wide range of activities designed to engage young minds. Campers were able to delve into the mysteries of Rainforests and Bugs, learn about fascinating places around the world, and uncover their artistic talents in themed classes. The camp also provided opportunities for hands-on learning in STEAM projects, allowing campers to unleash their inner scientist and develop critical thinking skills.
As the days unfolded, these young campers made friends, explored their passions, and created lasting memories. It was a nurturing environment where kids were happy, active, and engaged—and had an unforgettable time!

Beulah Elementary Teachers Travel to George Washington Teacher Institute

Two teachers from Beulah Elementary school recently attended the George Washington Teacher Institute at Mt. Vernon in Alexandria, VA.
Krissy Angus and Brooke Ferrara, fourth-grade teachers at Beulah Elementary School, recently had the privilege of attending the George Washington Teaching Institute at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s former home in Virginia. This enriching week-long course was dedicated to exploring his journey from soldier to commander-in-chief, providing a wealth of knowledge and inspiration they are eager to bring back to their classrooms.
The course primarily focused on George Washington’s military career during the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Angus and Ms. Ferrara had the honor of learning from nationally recognized historians, all experts on Washington’s life and times. The presentations were immersive, with some historians even dressing in period costumes to enhance the authenticity of the experience. This attention to detail brought history to life in a way that books alone cannot.
One of the highlights was a session with character actor Thomas Plott, who portrayed Washington’s personal physician. Plott’s reenactment of 18th-century medical practices and procedures was both fascinating and educational, providing a vivid window into the past.
Mrs. Angus and Ms. Ferrara also plan to incorporate web materials presented during the course to honor the indigenous people of Florida.
A personal takeaway for the teachers was a deeper understanding of Washington’s character. Despite his patient and unassuming demeanor, he was an incredibly effective leader during both wartime and as the first President of the United States. This insight into his leadership style has inspired them and will undoubtedly inspire their students.
Pictrued, From Left: Stephanie Lash-Freeman, teacher facilitator; Tramia Jackson, Director of Learning at George Washington’s Mt. Vernon; Debra Demers, Teacher Learning Coordinator at Geroge Washington’s Mt. Vernon; Kristina Angus; Allison Wickens, Vice President for Education at George Washington’s Mt. Vernon; Dr. Sarah Purcell, lead scholar; Brooke Ferrara

Cox Inspirational Student Heroes Recognized from Each Escambia County School

The Escambia County Council on PTAs/PTSAs and Cox Communications recently held their annual Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards and ECCPTAs/PTSAs Students of the Year Awards in Escambia County. The two organizations came together this year to recognize 54 students who’ve overcome extreme hardships in their lives. The students were chosen by a committee of leaders at their school, to honor their resilience in the face of adversity. Whether they have overcome the loss of a family member, medical issue, difficult family situation, or other hardship, they did so with optimism while continuing to encourage and inspire others around them.
Escambia County’s Cox Inspirational Student Heroes/ECCPTAs/PTSAs Students of the Year for 2024 are:
Aadan Adams – Ernest Ward Middle School
Aldonjra Redmond – West Florida High School
Alexander Tukes – Global Learning Academy
Alisha Ullrich – Pine Forest High School
Allyson Jones – Northview High School
Amiyah Clark – Longleaf Elementary School
Ariel Spencer – Lincoln Park Elementary School
Autumn Marie Ladd – Beulah Middle School
Brooklyn Wells – Escambia Westgate Center – Elementary School
Cameryn Forrester – Myrtle Grove Elementary School
Charles Pugh – Ferry Pass Middle School
Charlotte Smith – Pleasant Grove Elementary School
Colton Hernandez – Kingsfield Elementary School
Daniel Bishop – Hellen Caro Elementary School
David Stallworth – Bellview Middle School
Davion Williams – Escambia Westgate Center – High School
Diego Zepeda-Soto – Scenic Heights Elementary School
Elijah Curry – Warrington Elementary School
Elijah Tunstall – Sherwood Elementary School
Emilia Jara-Pineda – Navy Point Elementary School
Gavin Groff – Hope Horizon – Elementary School
Grant Nunley – Jim Bailey Middle School
Hannah Bertsinger – Brentwood Elementary School
Issac Dillard – Ransom Middle School
Jackson Shelnut – Tate High School
James Thompson – Hope Horizon – Secondary Level
Jaron Levi – Escambia High School
Jasmine Long – Bellview Elementary School
Jayden Webb – Holm Elementary School
Jo’kavious Wilson – O.J. Semmes Elementary School
Josiah Ray – Ferry Pass Elementary School
Khia Ross-Celaius – West Pensacola Elementary School
Lexi Knight – N.B. Cook Elementary School
Lilyana Perdue – Escambia Westgate Center – Middle School
Marcell Gibbs – Brown Barge Middle School
Maria Lainez – Oakcrest Elementary School
Mariah Matheny – Success Academy
Matthew Gonzalez – Beulah Elementary School
Meili Fernandez – Workman Middle School
Narayia Toles – Cordova Park Elementary School
Pedro “L.P.” Flores – Molino Park Elementary School
Raphael Rios – Ensley Elementary School
Reynaldo “Rey” Gonzalez – Washington High School
Riley Machak-Cruz – Blue Angels Elementary School
Robert “Weston” Spicer – Bratt Elementary School
Robert Minter – Pensacola High School
Saraya Johnson – Lipscomb Elementary School
Sean Hammontree – Jim Allen Elementary School
Terence Robinson – A.K. Suter Elementary School
Te’vionnah Watson – Montclair Elementary School
Treasure “Gracie” Boyer – McArthur Elementary School
Za’Cyiah “Cyiah” Soglo – Pine Meadow Elementary School
Zaylee Baker – Byrneville Elementary School
Zialah Goble – C.A. Weis Elementary School

Musical Exploration at Montessori School of Pensacola

Summer campers at Montessori School of Pensacola’s (MSP) Musical Magic Camp got to explore sounds. Felipe Munoz, owner of Empathic Practice and MSP parent, visited camp to show lots of magical ways that music can be used. Campers listened to sounds made by gongs, singing bowls, finger harps, and more. They were also given the chance to test out the instruments. Students were in awe of the different sounds and the vibrations they felt.

Animal Adventures at Montessori School of Pensacola

Animal Tales always brings an educational and exciting presentation! They did not disappoint when they visited MSP summer camp this year. Campers “met” a variety of creatures, some scaled and some winged. Campers spent the week learning about dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures, so when Animal Tales visited them, they were able to make connections with animals that exist today. For more information: https://www.animaledzoocation.com/southeast/