Student Spotlights – July 2025

Tate High School recently hosted its 2nd annual FAST Fest, a two-day academic celebration that engaged over 1,000 ninth- and tenth-grade students in a dynamic and interactive review of English Language Arts skills in preparation for Florida’s statewide FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) test.
The event, held on campus, transformed test prep into an exciting experience, thanks to the dedication of 16 enthusiastic teachers and 60 12th-grade student volunteers who led activity stations over the course of 2 days. Each station offered standards-based games, skill-building challenges, and opportunities for students to earn prizes—all designed to reinforce key English concepts in a fun, low-stress environment.
“FAST Fest was created to help students feel confident and ready for the FAST test, and it exceeded our expectations,” said the event’s organizer, Tate High School teacher Kristin Maum. “Not only did students enjoy themselves, but we’ve already seen measurable learning gains, with many students improving their scores from last year—some showing double-digit growth.”
Student feedback following the test echoed the event’s success. Many participants described FAST Fest as “fun” and said it “definitely helped” them perform better. One student said, “The hands-on activities really helped my memory recall for the test.” The combination of game-based learning and supportive teacher involvement proved to be both effective and inspiring.
FAST Fest is a shining example of how innovation in education can foster academic achievement while making learning enjoyable. Tate High School is proud of the hard work of its faculty and the enthusiasm of its students, and looks forward to continuing the success of FAST Fest next year.

Escambia County Public Schools have honored the best of the best in the district’s career academies, including Tate High School, Beulah Middle School, and Escambia County Farm Bureau.
The district presented the following career academy honors:
ECPS AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Middle School Student of the Year
Sophia Nunn, Digital Discoveries Academy, Beulah Middle School
Middle School Career Academy Teacher of the Year
Jessica Steele, Cyber-IT Academy, Bellview Middle School
Middle School Career Academy of the Year
Digital Discoveries Academy, Beulah Middle School
High School Career Academy Student of the Year
Caleb Murphy, Energy Academy, West Florida High School
High School Career Academy Scholar
Ryan Reid, Flight Academy, Escambia High School
High School Career Academy Student Intern of the Year
Bethany Gurley, New Media Academy, Pine Forest High School
High School Career Academy Teacher of the Year
Nancy Barger, Health Science Academy, Booker T. Washington High School
High School Career Academy of the Year
Game, Simulation and Animation Academy, Tate High School
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY PARTNER AWARDS:
Agriculture Business/Industry Academy Partner Award
Escambia County Farm Bureau (Scott Cunningham, Chapter President)
Communication Business/Industry Academy Partner Award
UWF Communication Department (Christian Garman, Instructor)
Culinary Business/Industry Academy Partner Award
UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program (Jolynn Peoples, Nutrition Educator)
Electrical Business/Industry Academy Partner Award
Casey Electric (Roger Casey, Owner)
Multimedia Business/Industry Academy Partner Award
WEAR ABC 3 News, Pensacola (Jack Canavan, Studio Manager)

Nearly 500 students from 23 elementary schools in the Escambia County Public Schools district participated in 2025 Annual Sunshine Math Competition recently. Co-sponsored by the Escambia County Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the event brought together bright young minds from third, fourth, and fifth grades for a day of spirited academic competition.

Escambia County FFA member Isabelle Jenkins of Pensacola High School has been nominated for president of the 65,000 member Florida FFA Association. With the nomination, she was automatically guaranteed selection as a state officer. After a vote at the 97th Florida FFA State Convention and Expo this summer., she will either be president or secretary of the organization.
The Florida FFA Association selected Jenkins and 11 other students as candidates for state FFA office from a field of 39 FFA members that took part in the selection process. The student members were challenged with an intense interview process, which included an individual interview, individual problem-solving activity, state degree interview, agricultural knowledge Interview, and a conversational exercise.

Cox Communications and the Escambia County Council on PTAs/PTSAs held their annual Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards and ECCPTAs/PTSAs Students of the Year Awards yesterday in Escambia County. This year, the two organizations honored 52 students who have overcome significant hardships. The ceremony took place Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the University of West Florida Conference Center.
“Cox is proud to recognize these remarkable students and celebrate their inspirational impact on their peers and school staff,” said David Deliman, vice president of Cox’s Gulf Coast market. “Despite facing numerous challenges in their young lives, they continue to maintain a positive outlook. They’re true heroes who deserve to be celebrated.”
The students were selected by a committee of school leaders to honor their resilience in the face of adversity. Whether they have overcome the loss of a family member, medical issues, difficult family situations, or other hardships, they have done so with optimism while continuing to encourage and inspire those around them.
Escambia County’s Cox Inspirational Student Heroes/ECCPTAs/PTSAs Students of the Year for 2025 are:
A.K. Suter Elementary School – Ainsley Cochran
Bellview Elementary School – Beyonce Bargaineer
Bellview Middle School – LaTrell Jackson
Beulah Elementary School – Tre’Niyah Jones
Beulah Middle School – Kaden McKahand
Blue Angels Elementary School – Otto Cohee
Bratt Elementary School – Faith Miller
Brentwood Elementary School – Robinson Choc
Brown Barge Middle School – Marquise Gary
Byrneville Elementary School – Jaxon Sparks
C.A. Weis Elementary School – Ny’Asia McClain
Cordova Park Elementary School – Barrett Lee
Ensley Elementary School – George Young
Ernest Ward Middle School – Kameron Brown
Escambia High School – Hayden Boyd
Escambia Westgate Center – Dominic DiChristopher
Ferry Pass Elementary School – Pablo Llanquileo
Ferry Pass Middle School – Winter Rose Tirado
Global Learning Academy – Jaden Crayton
Hellen Caro Elementary School – Abigail “Abby” Randall
Holm Elementary School – Davieon Reid
Hope Horizon – Elementary – Waylon Booher
Hope Horizon – Secondary – Kaden McWhite
Jim Allen Elementary School – Brycen Sigler
Jim Bailey Middle School – Summer Smith
Kingsfield Elementary School – Tevin Lane
Lincoln Park Elementary – Zaydisen Vasquez
Lipscomb Elementary School – Layla James
Longleaf Elementary School – Logan Kling
McArthur Elementary School – James Craig
Molino Park Elementary – Gemma Phillips
Montclair Elementary School – K’Jawn Washington
Myrtle Grove Elementary – Cameron Cruikshank
N.B. Cook Elementary School – Breana “Bre” Wilson
Navy Point Elementary School – Caylee Deleo
Northview High School – Brandon Odom
Oakcrest Elementary School – Emilio Garcia
OJ Semmes Elementary School – Princeton Wright
Pensacola High School – Jaden Johnson
Pine Forest High School – Tristan Johnson
Pine Meadow Elementary School – Zoey Shoemaker
Pleasant Grove Elementary School – Boonsita Sangpinich
Ransom Middle School – Dominic Gill
Scenic Heights Elementary School – Lakelyn Corcoran
Sherwood Elementary School – Tre’dale Wiggins
Success Academy – Shamar Montgomery
Tate High School – Ellen Rigby
Warrington Elementary School – Iilove Morris
Washington High School – James Boswell
West Florida High School – McKenzie Fuqua
West Pensacola Elementary School – Jayda Gaston
Workman Middle School – Aiden Renaud

Catholic High School Freshman Jordan Weaver won 1st Place in the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. CHS Art Teacher, Farley Dodson said, “This is the first time a Crusader has achieved this honor.” Her winning piece will be displayed in the Halls of Congress in
Washington, DC this Summer.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida is proud to announce sixteen local students enrolled in our mentoring programs have qualified for scholarships, providing vital support as they take the next step toward higher education. These scholarships are made possible through a remarkable partnership between Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), Florida Prepaid College Foundation and our Florida Big Brothers Big Sisters Association. In 2023, FPL partnered with the Foundation to contribute $4.2 million in scholarships for students from some of Florida’s most underprivileged areas. This initiative will provide 1,000 students with two-year scholarships over four years. FPL’s $2.1 million contribution was matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, representing the largest single investment in the Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program since its start in 2021. This statewide initiative, supported by the Florida Chamber Foundation, focuses on combating childhood poverty by expanding access to higher education.
The Florida Prepaid College Foundation and Florida Chamber Foundation partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida and other organizations to identify deserving students. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida supported local high school participants throughout the application process, and this year, sixteen were selected to receive this incredible opportunity. These recipients can use their scholarships at Florida’s public colleges and universities, as well as technical and vocational schools. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Florida Power & Light Company for their continued investment in Florida’s youth and their unwavering support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida.

Thirty-seven students represented Escambia County at the State History Fair in Tallahassee. Of the 2900 students participating across the state, 890 students with over 500 entries advanced this year to the state competition, representing twenty-seven counties. The 2025 theme was “Rights and Responsibilities in History.” Escambia County brought home two first-place and three third-place entries, along with special prizes. Our first-place winners will compete in the National History Day competition this June in College Park, Maryland.
Join us in congratulating:
Senior Individual Performance
1st Place Aya Prince
“A Court for the Creeks: How Seven Men Set in Motion a 150-Year Battle”
Pensacola High School
Teacher: Michael Jones and Blevins Rose
Senior Group Exhibit
1st Place Sudhishna Gampa and Kandala Hasini
“The ‘Thin’ White Line”
Pensacola High School
Teacher: Blevins Rose
Special Awards:
Outstanding County Award
Sarah Tanveer
“From Atrocity to Accountability: The Doctors’ Trial Impact on Medical Humanitarian Rights”
Pensacola High School
Teacher: Michael Jones

The Class of 2025, 156 students strong, participated in their Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises on May 16 and 17, respectively. The students pictured were also honored for their academic achievements at their Senior Awards Banquet on May 15. From left to right: Valedictorian- Melina Snyder, Co-Salutatorians- Emma Thompson & Emma Vislay, Fourth- George Golubev, Fifth- Aidan Baker, Sixth- Rowan Wilson, Seventh- Ace London, Eighth-Oliva Ryan, Ninth- Caroline Royles, and Tenth- Wyatt Hart. CHS Juniors Earn Bragging Rights.

The Pensacola Ice Flyer mascot, Maverick, and player Tim Faulkner #8, visited Workman Middle School’s Access Points classroom in May. Student Aiden Renaud is a huge fan and was Workman’s Cox Inspirational Student, and team representatives gladly paid a visit to his class and his classmates. They brought all students a hat and a hockey puck and presented Aiden with a personalized jersey!

Ms. Angela Adams’s second-grade class at Oakcrest Elementary School, young scholar-philanthropists, brought in over 20,000 pop tabs this school year to support the families of hospitalized children and raise awareness for the mission of the Ronald McDonald House.

In May, Hellen Caro Elementary School welcomed over 30 new kindergarten students and their grown-ups to campus for a “sneak peek.” They took a tour of the campus, visited the Media Center for a story and goodie bag, and experienced time in a kindergarten classroom. The Student Council led the students and adults through the various activities and presented them with Caro spirit bags.

Each year the Student Council at Pensacola Catholic High School hosts a trilogy of Class Competitions, including Crazy Kickball in the Fall, Conquering the Court (volleyball) in the Winter, and Crusader Dodgeball in the Spring. During this year’s competitions, the Juniors, Class of 2026, reigned as champions for two out of the three events.

Blue Angels Elementary School students learned to run their daily BAE Morning News with the support of Jackie Manning, Tech Coordinator. She has taught them to do everything on their own from start to finish. The anchors are the BAE Anchored 4Life team, which consists of students who have been selected based on their leadership abilities. These students assist with various projects at our school, which include welcoming our new students, providing tours & distributing welcome packets. They also lead the Take a Vet to School Day and various service projects. Gary Southworth, School Counselor, serves as Anchor 4Life School based leader. They also have the “behind the scenes” students that Ms. Manning has taught to run the technology. Laura Hussey, Anchor for WEAR visited on May 21st to co-anchor BAE’s news program with the kids. She serves as a role model for students who have worked so hard this year to hone their skills and can now run the show.

Congratulations to West Pensacola Elementary School scholars Hannah Mabry, Melody Daniels and Logan Josey. All three entered the VFW Auxiliary Post 706 Star Spangled Banner singing contest. Hannah took 1st place and will receive a $500 gift card; Melody took 3rd place and will receive a $200 gift card; and Logan took Honorable Mention and received a certificate and letter of achievement. The awards celebration was Sunday, May 18th at 1:00 p.m. at the VFW Post 706 located at 5000 Lillian Hwy.

Take Stock in Children and the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation awarded over $350,000 in scholarships at the May 23 “Graduation & Unsung Hero Celebration” at the Wright Place. The event honored 26 graduating seniors who received four-year tuition scholarships and a laptop computer. Also recognized were all of the volunteer mentors of our students as well as scholarship donors.
The 2025 Take Stock in Children graduates are: Escambia Virtual: Halana Werts;
Escambia High: Xandria Smith; Northview High: Genesis Scott-Johnson and Laura Laborde; Pensacola High: Michael Combs; Pine Forest High: Izaiah Cubias, Raven Falzone, Callum Fletcher, Bethany Gurley, Andrew Moles; Tate High: Caine Carter, Jayda Fillingim, Adrianna Middleton, Ceth Morris, Kaylyn Weiss; Booker T. Washington High: Retag Abdelhamid, Jayden Brown, Kyleigh Cox, Azarria McGhee; West Florida High: Allison Banks, Shynia Bowie, Nyking Curry, Landon Green, Tyrin Joiner, and Jared Long.
Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization in Florida operating locally under the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation. The program provides a unique opportunity for deserving low-income students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. Students are selected through a need-based application process in middle school, and comprehensive services continue through high school and include the students’ transition into college. Students receive a college scholarship, a caring volunteer mentor, and college readiness skills. Scholarships are funded through a unique public-private fundraising model in which local scholarship donations are matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation when scholarships are purchased each year. Laptops are donated through a program founded by Nick & Nathan Gupta and currently coordinated by Walton Buckley. Donations come from businesses, community organizations, family foundations, and individuals. Take Stock in Children – Escambia currently has 168 students across all county middle and high schools, 90 enrolled in college, and 159 college graduates to date.

A team of students went to Michigan in May to compete in the Odyssey of the Mind World Championship. These outstanding students placed 7th in the World out of 58 World Teams. TOP 10 in the WORLD.

Creative Learning Academy’s Rock Band Camp hit all the right notes this past month, bringing together rising 2nd through 8th graders for a week of high-energy music-making and fun. Led by the CLA’s very own Mrs. Abigail Walker and Mr. Mac Jones, campers had the chance to dive into the world of rock and roll, learning to play drums, ukulele, guitar, bass, and keyboards – even if they’d never picked up an instrument before! The camp’s “School of Rock” vibe gave everyone a chance to perform, whether they were seasoned musicians or total beginners.
Throughout the week, Rock Band Camp was slightly frenetic, as students formed their own bands, tapped into classic rock tunes, and held “jam sessions”. Mrs. Walker’s hands-on approach made learning music engaging, encouraging campers to experiment with different instruments and discover their own musical strengths. The highlight for many was the chance to perform together live, creating real rock band music for the very first time.
The response from Rock Band campers was incredibly positive, focusing on the fun, friendships, and new skills they gained. Parents really appreciated the supportive, creative environment that made everyone feel like a rock star. Rock Band Camp was a huge hit, and we can’t wait to see what next summer brings for our future musicians at Camp CLA!

The Escambia Literacy Association (ELA) proudly announces Dynita Dupree, a 10th grade Intensive Reading teacher at Escambia High School, as the 2025-26 Escambia Literacy Teacher of the Year. Ms. Dupree’s exceptional dedication, innovation, and commitment to her students and literacy have distinguished her within the district and the broader community.
At Escambia High School, Ms. Dupree exemplifies leadership by operating a model classroom, mentoring fellow educators, and serving as department chair. Her dedication extends beyond the school walls, as she volunteers as a Boys and Girls Club of America reading interventionist. The committee was particularly impressed by Ms. Dupree’s unwavering support for her students, evidenced by her focus on data-driven instruction, personalized goal setting, and engaging environment that fosters a love for reading. Ms. Dupree develops early literacy tools and resources for Pre-K to 3rd-grade students, demonstrating her commitment to foundational literacy development across all age groups – at school, home, and within the community.
The Escambia Literacy Association congratulates Dynita Dupree on this well-deserved honor. Her passion, expertise, and commitment to her students make her an exceptional Literacy Teacher of the Year.