Student Spotlights – April 2025

At a recent School Board meeting, and to celebrate Black History Month, three Ferry Pass Elementary students educated those in attendance about the incredible career and local impact of Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James.
These amazing students, Lucy Grise, Myla Webster, and Lillian Coates, focused their research on “Gen. Daniel ‘Chappie’ James Jr. – Rights and Responsibilities.” Their exhibit shared the obstacles faced and accomplishments achieved by Chappie James, which have made him a local hero.
The students worked during the school day and visited the UWF library on a Saturday to complete their research. They presented their project at this year’s Escambia County History Fair. Their proud teacher, Mark Goolsby, was also in attendance.

Students from Pensacola High School’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America visited the School Board workshop and shared details of their program and its real-world benefits.
These outstanding students explained the value of this chapter in their educational and vocational journeys. They regaled those in attendance with their stories of opportunities to compete, travel, earn industry certifications, participate in community service projects, and so much more.
Here at ECPS, we are equipping some outstanding young people with technical skills needed to be successful in the workplace and in life.

On Wednesday, February 12, second grade students at Bratt Elementary shared a Presidents Day program today, in which some even dressed as past and present presidents. There were specials guests like the Obamas, the Bidens, and the Trumps. Students also learned about the presidents throughout our nation’s history.

R. C. Lipscomb Elementary School hosted a ‘Leader in Me Community Learning Day’ on Thursday, February 13. Students shared their Leadership Portfolios with teachers and administrators from other schools. Student Ambassadors gave tours around the school and discussed their various ‘Leader in Me’ initiatives. Additionally, students discussed the impact ‘Leader in Me’ has had on the school and answered questions from teachers and administrators. Finally, teachers and administrators were able to visit a class and watch as a teacher delivered their ‘Leader in Me’ lesson.

The horticulture class at Escambia Westgate School is learning job skills with the help of the local garden community.
Westgate’s horticulture class is a vocational course with four students, ages 18 – 22, with developmental disabilities. They study various topics, including what plants need to grow, identifying parts of a plant, and beneficial wildlife for gardens. They also have a hands-on garden time that includes growing plants from seed/plugs in their greenhouse, maintaining a butterfly garden, pulling weeds, watering plants, and pruning shrubs/plants as needed.
Westgate received a grant through the Grants for Excellence program this year and are expanding their program by purchasing supplies to build a “Garden Shop” in their classroom and creating a larger planting area for their raised bed garden classroom.
The shop will help students learn job skills by participating with storekeeping tasks such as cash tendering, inventory, and customer service. Also, they will build social skills with their peers in the school who come to shop in the classroom.
In the Fall, the students filled trays with soil and planted winter flowers by seed. When the plants grew large enough, they repotted the seedlings into 4-inch pots. When they were ready to plant, teacher Darlene Bonelli reached out to our local County Extension agent, Beth Bolles, to see if the Master Gardeners would be interested in coming to the school for a plant sale.
They said yes! On Monday, February 3rd, Westgate held a plant sale at their gazebo. Students were given the opportunity to practice cash tendering on their cash register with customers from the public. They all did a fantastic job and the shoppers were very appreciative, while the students were learning new skills.
Over $100 was raised for classroom horticulture supplies, so the students can grow more plants! Westgate’s Horticulture program hopes to continue holding more community plant sale events with local groups in the future.

For the second year, Pensacola Catholic High School students participated in the Tim Tebow Foundation’s ‘Night to Shine’ Prom held on February 7. Students from our sister school, Mother Clelia Morning Star High School, also attended and everyone had a fantastic time.

Ten Seniors were announced as the latest inductees into the Catholic High School Student Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was first created by the CHS Student Council in 1982 and its purpose is to honor students who show outstanding personal achievement and integrity through their attitude and service. The criteria for nomination and induction into the Hall of Fame include: an unweighted GPA of 2.0 or higher; good conduct, good citizenship; eligibility in light of the Academic Integrity Policy; performance of service to school and community; demonstrated leadership and a positive attitude; and active involvement in school organizations. The Senior Class, athletic teams, clubs, and extracurricular organizations nominate eligible Seniors for consideration. After nominations are compiled, the faculty and Senior Class make the final selection through an anonymous balloting process. On February 21, inductees were recognized for their status as exemplary Crusaders as they were announced during a ceremony in which their families joined them as their names were revealed during a student body assembly.
Congratulations to this year’s inductees to the CHS Hall of Fame: Front Row – Molly McCarthy, Julia Frosch, Emma Lacour, Morgan Smith, and Emma Thompson; Back Row- Aidan Baker, Jack Barter, Tucker Adams, Jeremiah Shelby, and Ace London.

The student-led Rally Club organization at Pensacola Catholic High School recently finished its latest fundraiser to raise money and awareness to help fight childhood cancer. With guidance from the Rally Gulf Coast affiliated with the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital and their Club Moderator, Keith Haynes, who also serves as the CHS Communications Director, the students sold 760 tickets for a raffle “basket”/Yeti cooler valued at over $1,700 and filled with all sorts of goodies that were 100% donated by local businesses and friends of Catholic High. Ticket sales culminated at the recent CHS Boys Basketball “Goldstrong Game” game against Milton High School. Helene Donovan was the lucky winner of the Yeti cooler, but all ticket purchasers were winners to the Rally Club as they contributed to the $3,126 raised. With the $1,000 raised during the Fall “Goldstrong Game” added to their total, the Rally Club is very close to their year-end goal of $5,000. Stay tuned for more details as they get poised for another Spring “Goldstrong Game” to bring in the remainder of funds for their worthy cause against childhood cancer.

MSP brought the Mardi Gras spirit to life with a festive parade led by our amazing music teacher, Fred Domulot. Our students joyfully marched, danced, and played instruments, enthusiastically embracing this lively tradition. Adding to the excitement, The Village Brass joined forces with our very own MSP Band, filling the air with music and energy. It was a celebration to remember, bringing our school community together in the true spirit of Mardi Gras.

Creative Learning Academy’s annual Middle School Retreat provided students with an unforgettable educational adventure. Held from March 5th to March 7th at the Alabama 4 H Center in Columbiana, Alabama, this three-day, two-night experience was packed with opportunities for learning, team-building, leadership development, and outdoor exploration. Students in grades 5-8 participated in this retreat, which blended fun with hands-on education in an awesome natural setting.
Alabama’s 4-H Center featured an exciting lineup of activities that focused on teamwork, critical thinking, and curiosity. One of the highlights was the Herpetology Exploration, where students had the chance to interact with reptiles and amphibians native to Alabama while learning about their habitats and behaviors. Another standout activity was the Amazing Race Challenge, a team-based competition that tested problem-solving skills and fostered collaboration. Students also participated in canoeing, hiking, and survival-themed challenges, making every moment an opportunity for learning and adventure. Evenings at the retreat were just as fun as the daytime activities. Students gathered around campfires to make s’mores and participate in events like “skits and bits,” which was fun, light and hilarious. These moments allowed students to bond with their classmates and the 4-H counselors.
CLA’s annual Middle School Retreat exemplifies the school’s commitment to nurturing experiential learning. By stepping outside the classroom, students not only gained new knowledge but also strengthened their interpersonal skills and strengthened peer relationships. This unique outing is a shining example of how CLA inspires its students to learn, lead, and become the creative problem solvers of the future.

On January 31, Escambia County Public Schools announced Kelly Reed as the 2026 ECPS Teacher of the Year. She was honored at tonight’s School Board Meeting.
Ms. Reed is a kindergarten teacher at Global Learning Academy and is dedicated to helping her students, particularly those in exceptional student education, reach their full potential. She teaches a diverse group of students, including those with various physical and developmental challenges, as well as those from low socio-economic backgrounds. Upon entering her classroom, one can observe her extensive experience with ESE students, as it is filled with active engagement and a genuine sense of joy among her students.
The learning gains Ms. Reed has achieved in reading and math underscore her exceptional ability to inspire and educate a diverse group of learners. She is not only well-loved by her students and their families, but she is also a valued member of the ESE team, providing mentorship and guidance to aspiring teachers of students with disabilities. Ms. Reed’s passion for her students and her commitment to helping them achieve their goals position her as the ideal representative for Escambia County and the State of Florida as the 2026 Teacher of the Year.
Ms. Reed’s contributions to Escambia County Public Schools exemplify the dedication, adaptability, and innovation necessary for the preparation of our students’ successful and meaningful futures. She is truly an invaluable asset to her students, her school, and the wider community.
Ms. Reed will now move on to represent Escambia County Public Schools in the state Teacher of the Year competition.

Pensacola Christian Academy (PCA) recently welcomed Dr. Elias Gonzales, a dentist at Pensacola Family Dental Associates and PCA alumnus, to speak to the first-grade students about the importance of dental health. The exciting and interactive presentation taught students valuable lessons about taking care of their teeth.
Dr. Gonzales covered a variety of topics, including how many teeth children have, the proper amount of time to brush their teeth, and how often to visit the dentist. He also introduced the students to the concept of fluoride and shared helpful tips on how to prevent plaque buildup and cavities. The presentation was both informative and fun, capturing the students’ attention and making learning about oral hygiene an enjoyable experience.
In addition to gaining important knowledge about dental care, each student received a brand-new toothbrush. It is always great to see PCA alumni investing in the community and our future graduates.

MathCounts is an after-school club offered to our 6th-8th grade MSP students. During the Northwest Florida MathCounts competition, their skills were put to the test, and they delivered incredible results. We’re thrilled to share that two of our 8th graders placed 2nd and 4th in the individual competition, and the entire MSP team took home 1st place, earning a spot at the state competition.