Jay Mathews, author, education columnist and blogger with the Washington Post, has ranked Niceville High School #280 out of the Top 300 schools across the United States. Mathews created the annual Challenge Index rankings of high schools which were released on April 30.
The Washington Post Challenge Index score is the number of college-level tests given at a school in 2019 divided by the number of graduates that year. Niceville High School is the only school in the district to reach the top 300 schools (top 2 percent) out of America’s 22,000 high schools.
Here is the link to the entire list of the 2020 Top 300 Schools Index: https://jaymathewschallengeindex.com/. For more information about programs, visit www.nicevillehighschool.org.
In a show of national unity, the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds have been honoring front line workers in the COVID-19 pandemic with joint flyovers in locations such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. and Atlanta as a tribute to health care workers, first responders, military and other essential workers there. “Our nation’s healthcare workers and first responders who are on the frontlines combatting COVID-19 are a representation of American resolve and the American spirit. They are an inspiration for the entire country during these challenging times. We were filled with joy when we saw the outpouring of love and excitement from these heroes and the many other Americans as they watched the flyover. We can’t thank them enough for their hard work and dedication during this difficult time in our nation. We’re in this together. America Strong!”
Toms Bayou Bridge construction crews are working to build the new northbound (Eglin AFB to Niceville) bridge in Valparaiso. This work is part of the $8.5 million project that includes replacing the aging northbound bridge across Toms Bayou with a new structure that will accommodate two travel lanes, an eight-foot outside shoulder and a five-foot sidewalk. The southbound bridge has been widened to include an eight-foot outside shoulder and a five-foot sidewalk in its final configuration.
All travel lanes continue to be shifted to the southbound bridge to allow for demolition and reconstruction of the northbound structure. The traffic shift means that John Sims Parkway over Toms Bayou has been reduced from four to three travel lanes. While traffic volumes are low on John Sims Parkway, two southbound (Niceville to Eglin AFB) lanes and one northbound (Eglin AFB to Niceville) lane will remain in place. The “reversible” lane will not be implemented until further notice.
Eglin Federal Credit Union presented $25,000 from their C.A.R.E.S (COVID-19 Attack Relief Efforts) fund to assist United Way Emerald Coast with their COVID-19 relief efforts in our local communities. United Way’s COVID-19 Relief Fund has totaled over $276,000; eight local non-profit organizations have received grants to help residents meet immediate needs for food, shelter, and healthcare.
Designed for kids and teens with Autism and related developmental differences, Westonwood Ranch is offering Ranch Round Up Camp again this year June 15-18 and day camp from 9-12 p.m. or 2-5 p.m. Space is limited to 8 individuals per time slot.
Westonwood Ranch is also offering two weeks of Horse Camp in July, one week for younger-aged kiddos (2-5 p.m.) and the other week for teens (9-12 p.m.). Space is limited to nine riders per camp. Each week is $150. For questions or to reserve a spot, email info@westonwood.org or call 850-880-2220.
Freeport Area Youth Sports is offering 2020 FAYSA Annual Football/Cheer and Activities Camp. Email faysabulldogs@gmail.com for the registration form. Camp is open to ages 4 to 14. Guests this year include Vernon HS Football, NWF Cheer, Sowal Elite wrestling , Atwells MMA, Bend The Bar Cross Fit and so on. Registration is FREE for 12U Middle school aged (ages 10, 11 and 12) Football along with FREE Registration Sideline cheer and competition cheer (ages 10 thru 14).
At Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA), this time of year is normally filled with Grasses in Classes field trips. Excited students would be jumping off the bus ready to explore the Bay and plant their smooth cordgrass that they took care of all year long. But their hard work was not in vain. CBA staff picked up all of their grasses and are taking care of them so they can still become part of a salt marsh! CBA staff and our AmeriCorps members are working hard to plant these grasses at restoration sites around the Bay. It takes a community to maintain fishable, swimmable waterways. To learn more about what you can do for the Bay, visit basinalliance.org.
Our local United Way Emerald Coast and its community partners have provided COVID19 relief funds for those in need: 183,000 lbs. of food, 3,920 adults served, 55 children served, 139 prescriptions filled, 9 families remained in stable housing, five families avoided utility disconnection, 1,360 volunteer hours coordinated.
Donors include: Gulf Power, Beach Community Bank, Beast Code, Florida Blue, Truist Foundation, Wind Creek Hospitality, Wells Fargo and more than 30 individual donors.
Community Partners Impacted: Bridgeway Center, Catholic Charities, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Mental Health Association, and Sharing & Caring.
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) donated $21,600 to children in need through its COVID-19 Relief Fund launched to assist its network of Northwest Florida children’s charities who were experiencing additional strain on their resources due to the pandemic. The relief fund, which launched April 6, raised over $20,000 and will be distributed to three organizations in the form of grants to assist in their sustainability:
Opportunity Place: $1,800, Food for Thought: $9,900, Youth Village: $9,900
Note: Grants from the COVID-19 Relief Community Children’s Fund are separate from the annual funding that each charity receives from DCWAF.
DCWAF is one of the nation’s premier fundraising organizations, donating more than $21 million to children in need in Northwest Florida since its inception in 2005. Its largest annual fundraiser, the Destin Charity Wine Auction has been rescheduled for Aug. 21-22. DCWAF is currently ranked #5 on the list of “Top Charity Wine Auctions in the U.S.” by Wine Spectator Magazine.
Selected among numerous outstanding youth, Jacinda Rassa has been named the Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. Jacinda will go on to contend for the Florida Youth of the Year title and a $2,500 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Jacinda’s involvement over the last four years with the Keystone Club, including serving as president, has been instrumental in her leadership development. In the wake of Hurricane Michael, she worked with other Club members to make and distribute hygiene kits to families affected by the storm. After graduation, Jacinda plans to attend Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Fla., and then transfer to the University of Florida.
