Student Spotlights – November ’24

Escambia County School Superintendent Keith Leonard says “I’m really excited about the 24-25 school year. We have high expectations for our students,” he said. “If you have high expectations to these young people, I believe they are going to step up and do the things necessary to be successful in school.”

Ferry Pass Elementary School’s students and staff were excited to return to school. “The smiles this morning were amazing, parents of course were happy dropping them off, but we had a great orientation great turnout, so our kids were in classes ready to go,” Ferry Pass Elementary School principal Catrene Fieg said. Escambia County Public Schools welcomed back roughly 37,000 student.

From the time the bus rolled up and the volunteers manned their posts, people started giving. Many individuals shared personal stories of having needed help at one time or another in their lives and now can give back. The business community also made a very strong showing of support. Supply donations and check presentations happened throughout the day. Teachers and educational support staff who are on the front lines and see the need every day were giving too. Thank you to all of the angels who showed their support.

Seniors at Aletheia Christian Academy pair up with Kindergarteners every year for “Senior Buddies.” This sweet tradition helps connect our Upper and Lower School students and reinforces a major mission of Aletheia, to be like a family. Seniors enjoy time playing, reading, and getting to know their Kindergarten buddies throughout the year. At the end of the year, seniors present their young friends with a stuffed lion at our “Legacy of the Lions” ceremony honoring seniors.

Two former students are motivating and inspiring youth in Pensacola. By All Means is the driving force behind the success of 26-year-old twin entrepreneurs, Jamari and Jamal Sharp. “BAM, B-A-M, those three letters, or that word, stands for By All Means,” said Jamari Sharp, author and owner of BAM. “You can do anything, By All Means. Whether you want to get that job, get that girl. Whether you want to write a book, start a business, make more money, impact more people. Whatever you want to do, you can resonate with those three letters, three words — By All Means.”
After high school Jamari did a tour in the Air Force and Jamal got his degree in public relations from Florida A& M University. The brothers opened the BAM Snowball Shop and they offer job opportunities and chances to young people who might not find them elsewhere.
Jamal and Jamari love volunteering in the schools and have recently written a book, “Unleash Your Inner Hero”, that is available on Amazon. The Sharps have also started a non-profit organization called Mindset Matters, whose goal is to change the narrative, to further their efforts to reach more youth and have an even greater impact in the community. They are truly an inspiration.

Last month, Aletheia Christian hosted a Family Science Night for its student body. The Pensacola MESS Hall brought their hands-on science stations and parent and staff volunteers helped to make the night a success. The school also hosted an I:55 Book Fair that was open for shopping that evening.

Present and former students joined us at the School Board workshop in September to share the great things happening within the Cox Telecommunications Academy at West Florida High School.
From certifications, to paid internships, to Electro Car racing, to successful real-world careers, all present were extremely impressed by this program, its students, and its dedicated leader, Mr. Connors.

Tanessa Schulte, a 5th -grade teacher at Global Learning Academy has been selected for the Florida Department of Education 2024-25 High Impact Teacher Corps. Teachers are selected for this prestigious program based on their student learning results over the course of several years.
The High Impact Teacher Corps is a year-long professional learning opportunity for participating teachers to receive the recognition they deserve, and to further equip these teachers with knowledge, leadership skills, and networks necessary to extend their impact beyond their own classroom. The intent is also for their work to support other teachers in producing similarly positive student achievement outcomes.
“The Educator Quality team is dedicated to making sure all Florida students, especially the most vulnerable, have access to great teachers like these” stated Dr. Sunny Chancy, Deputy Chancellor for Educator Quality. “By providing them with knowledge, leadership skills, and networks, we aim to help extend their impact beyond their classroom and support other teachers in achieving positive outcomes for their students.”
“We are fortunate to have Ms. Schulte at Global Learning Academy,” said Global Principal Lalla Pierce. “Her commitment to high achievement for all students is admirable; we are thrilled for her to receive this recognition and support to further her impact in our school and beyond.”
Ms. Schulte will travel to Central Florida for two face-to-face sessions, participate in monthly online meetings, and then participate in a program graduation in May.

East Hill Athletics has had a busy fall! Our Cross Country teams showcased their talent at the Panhandle Christian Conference, competing against various Christian schools in the area. The girls’ team finished in second place and the boys placed third, demonstrating exceptional athleticism and teamwork throughout the race. As the season progresses, we look forward to seeing how our runners continue to improve and compete.

In partnership with the Escambia Children’s Trust and the Pensacola MESS Hall, students at Holm Elementary, Global Learning Academy, city resource centers, and the YMCA at the Vickrey Center are experiencing high-quality, STEM-based programming during their after-school programs.
Students have the opportunity to be exposed to 25 weeks of hands-on activities that will be biology and chemistry focused. Students will look at subjects like human hygiene, genetics, molds, bacteria, parasites, and forensic science, just to name a few. With our activities, this partnership hopes to increase students’ confidence in math and science, increase their comfort with failure and their ability to explore it, increase their self-sufficiency, and increase their overall interest in science and math. ECPS is so appreciative for collaborative initiatives with our community partners.

We are in our first year of launching Beyond START, which has given us the opportunity to provide school-based mentors for our alternatively certified teachers in their second year and beyond. These mentors serve as support for those teachers and help them to complete their requirements towards a Professional certificate. The idea behind Beyond START is to add an additional layer of support for our teachers that is on campus every day to foster community and culture of each school. Today, we celebrate our Beyond START Mentor and Mentee of the month, Cynthia Morrissette, Ensley Elementary and Coach Oliver, Pine Forest High School.

Success Academy’s open house/academic night was a huge success. About 100 parents, students, and staff showed up to the event held last night from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event started with Edgenuity training for parents, which taught them how to read reports and monitor their child’s progress.
Parents were also provided with copies of the PM 1 test results and were encouraged to review them with teachers or administrators. Students and parents then toured different classrooms to experience subject area activities.
Afterwards, parents and students interacted with their respective teachers. Students also shopped at the free Book Fair while enjoying popcorn and soft drinks. Students were able to select multiple books to take home. The night culminated with door prizes for the lucky parents. “I could not have been happier about the way everything turned out and about all of the parent participation,” said Principal Dawn Gibbs.

Montessori School of Pensacola is dedicated to preparing students for the future through meaningful, hands-on experiences. With fall in the air, our middle school students contribute to the community by earning service hours selling apple cider at Strong Street Studios’ 2024 Annual Pumpkin Party.

The Girls Varsity Volleyball team is making history this season with an incredible undefeated record. As they prepare to take on their next challenge, the team is gearing up for the National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) Nationals, taking place from October 22-26. This prestigious tournament will bring together some of the best teams from across the nation, and our girls are ready to show off their hard work and dedication. We are excited to see how they perform at Nationals and proud of their accomplishments so far.

From time to time, unexpected learning opportunities present themselves. This time, it literally fell from the sky. A hapless bird accidentally dropped its lavish seafood dinner onto the soccer field, allowing the students at Redeemer Lutheran to have an impromptu lesson about marine life. After being thoroughly and carefully examined, the incredibly fortunate crab was safely returned to the nearby water.

Prepare for heavenly laughter and soulful music in Sister Act JR., a divine musical comedy that will have you singing and dancing in the aisles at Dixon School of Arts & Sciences. Dixon After Hours performing arts students have been hard at work preparing for a fall production that is sure to win your heart and soul. Sister Act JR. will present three performances at Dixon School of Arts & Sciences, 1201 North H St.: Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are available online at https://www.dixondah.com/, for $5 ($10 at the door.)

Episcopal Day School’s annual 7th grade trip to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is an adventure every Episcopal Day School student looks forward to during their middle school journey—and this year’s trip certainly didn’t disappoint. Upon arrival, our 7th graders dove right into marine biology with an exhilarating squid dissection, gaining hands-on experience that truly brought science to life. Next, onboard an active research vessel, students utilized state-of-the-art marine equipment to analyze the water quality of Mobile Bay and discovered a variety of fascinating sea creatures living in the area. Excitement soared as they tossed bait fish overboard, attracting swarms of seagulls and playful dolphins, all while learning about the vibrant ecosystems thriving beneath the surface. It was a unique opportunity to witness science in action and appreciate the beauty of nature right in our own backyard.
But the fun and learning didn’t stop there. On day two, students teamed up to design and build their own underwater robots, competing to see which team’s creation could dive, turn, and retrieve objects most effectively—an exciting way to foster teamwork and creativity. Afternoon kayaking through the scenic waterways allowed our students to explore vital research and restoration projects, deepening their understanding of environmental conservation. To cap off this unforgettable trip, they took a short journey across the bay to savor Mobile’s rich culinary history at some of the oldest and best eateries in the South on the ever-popular Bienville Bites Food Tour—always a favorite with both students and teachers! With laughter shared in the dorms and memories made along the way, this trip is always a highlight of EDS students’ 7th-grade year, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating their next EDS adventure.

Montessori education teaches compassion and respect for differences through a variety of methods. Our Lower and Upper Elementary students received an interactive lesson from the Division of Blind Services. Students experienced walking with a white cane, reading braille, and, through the use of simulation goggles, gained valuable insight into what it’s like to have impaired vision.

Want to ensure that a lesson really sticks? Incorporate some snacks. Redeemer Lutheran added a fun twist to learning by using snacks to teach about classifying objects. The best part about using food as an education tool? Cleanup is a breeze.

Creative Learning Academy students always embrace adventure just across the state line on Alabama’s Dauphin Island. This year, our 6th-graders enjoyed an immersive educational journey at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), diving deep into marine science and exploration over three action-packed days. Throughout their stay, CLA students were fully engaged in challenging experiences that broadened their scientific understanding and fostered a deeper appreciation for marine ecosystems.
The adventure kicked off with DISL’s Plankton Lab, where students worked in teams to create and race plankton models. They collected real plankton samples from nearby waters and analyzed their finds using state-of-the-art classroom microscopes. A highlight of the Alabama trip was the Research Vessel excursion aboard the R/V Alabama Discovery. Students also explored the salt marsh habitat and experienced the thrill of pulling a seine net in the estuary. The importance of proper footwear was emphasized for this muddy adventure.
The following day’s adventure began with a squid dissection activity, which allowed students to work in pairs, examining preserved specimens and gaining hands-on experience with marine invertebrate anatomy. Next was the “ROVing the Gulf” activity which saw students competing with their self-built Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) in the DISL pool. This hands-on experience combined engineering skills with marine technology, giving students a taste of real-world ocean exploration techniques.
The final day’s activities were focused on the History of Dauphin Island Field Class, which brought the island’s rich past to life. Students explored historic sites and learned about the area’s significance in Gulf Coast history.
As we look ahead to 2025, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab continues to offer transformative educational experiences for students across the Gulf Coast region. These programs foster and support STEM education, and inspire the CLA’s next generation of marine scientists.

On Saturday, September 28, Catholic High School sent 487 students and parent volunteers into the community to work on 30 projects as part of their Annual Make a Difference Day. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Catholic High event. When it began 30 years ago, the day was part of a national initiative, initiated and sponsored by Gannett, through which organizations from across the country volunteered on the same day to “Make a Difference” in their communities. The national Gannett initiative ended but this annual tradition has remained a favorite for CHS students and volunteers. Make a Difference Day, affectionately called “MADD” around campus, supports the school’s Core Values – Selfless Love, Commitment to Excellence, Personal Integrity, and Commitment to Service, and provides an excellent opportunity to put those values into action.
The day began as students and parents arrived on campus at the Nickelsen Family Courtyard between 7:15 and 7:30 a.m. to check in with their project leaders and gather with friends to undertake their assigned projects. Principal, Sister Kierstin Martin, officially welcomed students and volunteers and then led a prayer service in thanksgiving for all the wonderful volunteers, the work of the organizations that were to be serviced during the projects, and the beautiful weather God had sent! Rita Lay, CHS Director of Advancement and coordinator of the event, conducted a safety briefing and then dismissed the volunteers to their projects.
Project work included clean-up and landscaping efforts in four separate cemeteries; painting, cleaning, and refurbishing at local schools and parishes. Teams also served non-profit organizations including Magdalene’s, Ronald McDonald House, Martha’s Vineyard, Rosewood Manor, Waterfront Mission, Pensacola Community Garden, Covenant Care, the Humane Society, and other locations to ‘Make a Difference.’ One team worked with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to plant sea grass in an area where tidal erosion has been an issue. Another team visited Dead’s Man Island in Gulf Breeze to help clear litter and debris from the area. Two separate project groups also held Car Washes for donations that were used to offset the expenses of the day. Students and parent volunteers worked on their projects until 11:00 a.m. till Noon before returning to the Tolan Family Student Life Center for lunch, also prepared by a team of parent volunteers. Students and volunteers alike enjoyed sharing their project stories during the lunch break and there were often comments about looking forward to next year!

Pensacola Catholic High School is honored to announced the names of the four Seniors who were recently named as a Semifinalist or Commended Student in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. Emma Thompson was named a National Merit Semifinalist and Aidan Baker, Egor George Golubev, and Aloysius ‘Ace’ London were named Commended Students. This year marks the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program and approximately 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.
Emma Thompson, as one of over 16,000 Semifinalists named, will have an opportunity to continue in the competition to earn one of the 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 M that will be offered in the Spring of 2025. To be considered and named a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.
Students earned these designations by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in the Fall of 2023. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of the U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors. Congratulations, Crusaders!