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West Florida Public Libraries will be serving free lunch for youth 18 years of age and younger at all library locations from Wednesday, May 24 to Wednesday, August 9, 2023. Meals must be consumed at the library. This program is sponsored by Feeding the Gulf Coast. Disabled individuals 19 years of age and older who participate in a public or private non-profit program during the school year are also eligible to receive meals. Meals are available Monday through Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Bellview, Molino, Pensacola, Southwest, Tryon, and Westside Libraries. Meals are available from Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Century Library. Any questions regarding the program can be directed to Stevie Thomas, WFPL Youth Services Coordinator, at 850-436-5067.

Rhino Encounter at Gulf Breeze Zoo

The Gulf Breeze Zoo is celebrating a new Indian Rhino Encounter. Now guests can meet Soman, a rare male greater one-horned rhino, also known as an Indian Rhino. The approximately 20-minute session allows a limited number of participants to spend time with one of his keepers alongside his habitat. There you will learn about how the zoo cares for our rhinos, get a closer look at the beautiful “armor-plated” appearance that the greater one-horned rhino is known for and enjoy a unique photo opportunity. Offered daily, 3 p.m., weather permitting. Cost: $40 per person. Reservations can be made at www.GBZoo.com.

Global Corner’s Annual Explorers’ Luncheon & Silent Auction

Join us Wednesday, June 7, at 11 AM at Pensacola Yacht Club for Global Corner’s for the Annual Explorers’ Luncheon & Silent Auction. Guests will be treated to a unique silent auction, Philippine cuisine, and a chance to see our team of teachers in action!

Come join us and learn how The Global Corner is bringing the world to life for the children of our community.

Since its founding in 2008, The Global Corner has led local elementary school-aged students on over 90,000 “virtual international adventures” to countries around the world. This past year was focused on the Philippines, and over 5,500 children in Escambia and Santa Rosa schools learned all about the culture and language of this Southeast Asian archipelago. Visit https://theglobalcorner.org/gc_event/explorers-luncheon-silent-auction/ for more information.

Boys & Girls Club Presents June Jam

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast annual community celebration will be held on June 24, from 11:00 am-2:00 pm at the Boys and Girls Club of Pensacola (2751 North H Street). Join us for a FREE family-friendly event and enjoy music, carnival games, community resources, food and more. Find us on Facebook.

Freedom Run

Flora-Bama’s 3rd Annual Freedom Run will take place on Saturday, July 1st, at 8:00 am. This patriotic run will feature two courses: The 4-Mile Run/ Walk Course or the 1-Mile Fun Run/ Walk. Break out your best red, white and blue attire and join us. Please visit www.florabama.com/freedom-run.

Elementary Students Honored As Shining Stars

WSRE recently hosted the Shining Star Awards, honoring outstanding fifth grade students who have demonstrated exemplary citizenship and leadership, as well as demonstrating the core values of the Escambia County School District.

This is the 26th year that WSRE has hosted this awards ceremony, previously with the Greater Escambia Community Foundation and now in partnership with the Escambia County Principals Association which raised the funds to purchase the bicycles and also coordinated the event.

The 2023 Shining Stars are: Jim Allen Elementary — Bella Jenkins; Bellview Elementary — Chloe Syverson; Beulah Elementary — Mi kayla Gill; Blue Angels Elementary — Javier Perez; Bratt Elementary — Jonah Carter, Brentwood Elementary — Ashley Harrigan; Hellen Caro Elementary — Annina Lathrop; N B Cook Elementary — Ava Westley; Cordova Park Elementary — Elijah Chaston; Ensley Elementary — Mia Figueroa; Ferry Pass Elementary — Kacey Hadley-Coble; Global Elementary — Princena Saint Fleur; Holm Elementary — Brandon Lester; Kingsfield Elementary — Harper Hamilton; Lincoln Park Elementary — Delcie Pasaska; Lipscomb Elementary — Emery Truitt; Longleaf Elementary — Braylen Fenelon; McArthur Elementary — Amiir Thomas; Molino Park Elementary — Lola Chavers; Montclair Elementary — Kamari Pettiway; Myrtle Grove Elementary — Jesse Stripling; Navy Point Elementary — Jada Bush; Oakcrest Elementary — Sophia Gibson; Pensacola Beach Elementary — Anna McPherson; Pine Meadow Elementary — Levi Mccranie; Pleasant Grove Elementary — Dylan Roy; Scenic Heights Elementary — Chloe Currie; OJ Semmes Elementary — Amaya Scott; Sherwood Elementary — Madeline Shank; Suter Elementary — Joslynn Robins; Warrington Elementary — Lianna Reed; Weis Elementary — Terriona Fountain; West Pensacola Elementary — Dumarian Hawkins.

Discover Day Camp has been developed to address the real needs of students in a safe environment as they are prepared for the upcoming school year. The daily schedule includes instruction in math and reading skills for discovery with fun interactive plus experiments, planetarium field trips, computer adventures, robotics, virtual tours, and for those who have just completed Grades 1– 6

East Hill Eagles Baseball Skills Camp

Looking to grow your skills out on the diamond this summer? Join the East Hill Eagles for one of our Baseball Skills Camps! These camps, offered in the months June, July, and August, offer in depth baseball instruction to develop all players, from beginners to advanced. These camps will help your player prepare for competitive level baseball while fostering a Christ-centered approach to the game and sportsmanship. Learn more and register today at www.easthill-bc.org.

Montessori School of Pensacola Field Trip

Montessori School of Pensacola Upper Elementary students went on a field trip went Winn Dixie grocery store where students were put into groups with money to budget, so that they could buy items for Manna Food’s wish list. Winn Dixie had some of their top reps there to answer any questions. They also gifted each of the students a bag to take home. The students then took their donations to Manna Food Pantries. Manna is a local grassroots organization fighting hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. They provide groceries directly to individuals and families in need. The MSP class purchased 195lbs of food, which will create 220 meals for those in need. Part of Montessori education is finding ways to give back with community service. After dropping off their goods at Manna, they went to Mess Hall and practiced some of the science skills they have been studying this year. Pensacola Mess Hall offers hands on science experiences to inspire curiosity and creative problem solving through exploring math, engineering, and science.

Strike Out Cancer Game Raises $28,000 As Tate Hosts West Florida

The Tate High School Strike Out Cancer game raised at least $28,000 with funds raised by both Tate and West Florida high schools, and other including the umpire’s association. During the game, the Lady Jaguars defeated the Lady Aggies 6-1.

Montessori School of Pensacola Welcomes Visitor

A Primary classroom at Montessori School of Pensacola was visited by a special reptile visitor. Students got an up-close look at a turtle. The class has studied the parts of the turtle in their Zoology lessons, including drawing and labeling the parts of the turtle. As children sat around the line, a teacher brought the turtle around to “meet them and say hello.” Montessori Cultural curriculum includes Botany and Zoology topics, such as the study of animals and their habitats and habits.

ReadyKids! Celebrates $30,000 Grant

Local nonprofit ReadyKids! celebrates the award of a $30,086 grant from The Sunstone Project. This one-time grant supports ReadyKids! programming related to ReadingPals and family engagement – including but not limited to expansion to two additional ReadingPals sites and creation of a fourth Born Learning Trail – all with a focus on increasing kindergarten readiness in Escambia County.

ReadingPals is a Pre-K mentoring program that activates and equips community volunteers to get hands-on in helping our youngest learners with academic and socialemotional success. The ReadingPals program is designed to impact students with the highest need as early as possible with the goal of increasing kindergarten readiness. Last year, only 42% of Escambia County students came to kindergarten “ready” to learn as assessed by the Florida Department of Education. Visit ReadyKidsFL.org or contact Kristy Craig at Kristy@ReadyKidsFL.org.

Pensacola High Competes in NAQT

The Pensacola High School’s Academic Team recently competed in Florida’s state-level National Academic Quiz Tournament (NAQT) held on the University of Florida’s campus. The 5 member team consisted of Kelsey Miller (12th-IB), Roman Bassett (12th-IB), Tristan Martinez (11th-IB), Alice Zhang (10th-IB), and Maverick Marley (9th-IB). They fought hard against dozens of schools across the state and placed a strong 2nd in the tournament. This placement opened an invitation for them to advance to the NAQT national-level tournament being held Memorial Day weekend in Atlanta, GA. They will be among 288 schools invited to compete for a national title. In addition to the above team, Pensacola High was invited to bring two additional competition teams to participate as standby teams during the national tournament. These teams will include Ben Cherek III (12th-IB), Ryan Zhang (12th-IB), Ben Pratt (12th-IB), Megan Smith (11th-IB), Preston Chew (11th-IB), Annabelle Apel (11th-IB), Bennett Guttery (11th-Scholars), and Sean Fang (9th-IB). All teams are coached by their academic sponsors including Mrs. Lisette Guttery, M.Ed, Dr.