Brevard Public Students Receive College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships
By Space Coast Daily // June 10, 2015
Brevard Public Schools 'News In A Minute'
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named five BPS students as winners of the College-Sponsored Merit Scholarship.
Every year, officials from each sponsor college select scholarship winners from among the Finalists in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their university.
These awards are given annually to students to finance four years of undergraduate course work.
Brevard’s winners and their accompanying school and sponsor are:
• Stephen Beale – Eau Gallie High, National Merit University of Central Florida
• Alex Melton – Edgewood Jr./Sr. High, National Merit University of Florida
• Nicholas Peters –Palm Bay High, National Merit University of Central Florida
• Bonnie Rice – West Shore Jr./Sr. High, National Merit University of Miami
• Connor Watson – Rockledge High, National Merit University of Florida
This year, 184 higher education institutions are underwriting Merit Scholarship awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program.
These outstanding students are a part of the distinguished group of about 7,600 high school seniors who will receive National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth approximately $34 million. For more information, please visit www.nationalmerit.org.
BPS Teacher of the Year Receives New Car
BREVARD COUNTY, FLA. – Amy Parsons, winner of Brevard’s Teacher of the Year award from Tropical Elementary, recently picked up her new Honda Crosstour, courtesy of Space Coast Honda.
Since Parsons did not need an additional car, but rather wanted to turn one in, to show his appreciation, Scott DeMasso, President/CEO of Space Coast Honda, worked with Parsons to select the right car for her needs.
DeMasso and Space Coast Honda have been supporting the Florida Teacher of the Year program for the last 13 years.
Their generous contribution to the program is another example of how community organizations support BPS.
For more information, please contact the Office of Community Relations at 321-633-1000 ext. 796 or irwin.michelle@brevardschools.org.
MIHS Graduating Seniors Earn ROTC Scholarships
MERRITT ISLAND, FLA. – Seven Merritt Island High graduating seniors recently received ROTC scholarships to attend a university of their choosing.
The students receiving this honor include: Reid Elkins, Sabella Goodwin, Sean Harvey, Alicia Maldonado, Michael Martin, Michael Meholic, and Caleb Waters. The total value of these Academy appointments and ROTC scholarships is nearly $1.8 million dollars.
Individual designees of the student’s academy presented the scholarships and appointments at a recognition ceremony.
Presenters included Lieutenant Steven Koehle (Air Force), Captain John Craig (United States Naval Academy), Mr. Richard Grimison (United States Merchant Marine Academy), and Sergeant First Class Robert Aehle and Lieutenant Colonel Scott Waggoner (ARMY ROTC).
In recognition of the student’s achievements, Principal Mollie Vega said, “Each of these students is truly exceptional and represents the very best of Merritt Island and Brevard County Schools. I am extremely proud of them!”
For more information, please contact Lieutenant Colonel Scott Waggoner, senior Army instructor, at 321-454-1010 or waggoner.scott@brevardschools.org.
International Business Students Honored at Academy Awards
COCOA BEACH, FLA. – Academy of International Business students from Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island and Rockledge High Schools attended the annual Academy Awards on May 1, where Academy students were acknowledged for their academic achievements.
Hosted by the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce, the event highlighted two top students from each high school Academy noting their participation and involvement.
During the event, students enjoyed guest speakers, networked with community members and engaged in various activities.
Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High’s Academy of International Business honored sophomore students Coryn Britton for Academic Excellence and Tia Thomas for Community Service.
These winners received IAP shopping bags full of prizes and a certificate from U.S. Congressman Bill Posey. Additionally, the Academy of International Business at each school received a check for $2,000, courtesy of IAP Worldwide Services, to help fund future academy initiatives.
For more information, please contact Terri Friedlander, Academy of International Business director, at 321- 783-1776 or friedlander.terese@brevardschools.org.
Rockledge Varsity Softball Team Places 1st in Division Class
ROCKLEDGE, FLA. – For the second consecutive year, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) ranked Rockledge High’s varsity softball team as first in their division class.
The FHSAA Academic Team Champion recognition program honors teamwork not only in competition, but in the classroom as well.
To determine the winners, the FHSAA examines overall cumulative grade point average among multiple divisions throughout Florida.
Rockledge High received first in the softball class 5A division with a cumulative 3.672 GPA. Congratulations to Coach Inman and the varsity team members for this outstanding accomplishment.
For more information, please contact Bonita Holland, athletic director, at 321-636-3711 ext. 103 or holland.bonita@brevardschools.org.
Sabal Elementary Recognized as PBS Gold Medal Model School
MELBOURNE, FLA. – For the fourth consecutive year in a row, Sabal Elementary has been recognized as a Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Gold Medal Model School.
The Model School program is a sub-program of Florida’s Positive Behavior Support Multi-Tiered Support System. The program’s goal is to identify schools that best engage in the practices of positive behavior support including the:
Utilization of data to serve students
• Extension of implementation within the school community
• Prevention of problem behavior by teaching appropriate strategies
• Partnership with parents and teachers to streamline program
The program designates performing schools in three different areas (bronze, silver and gold) depending on the criterion they submit.
Sabal received the highest distinction by being named a Gold Medal School. They celebrated this achievement on May 26, by hosting a school-wide carnival of games and activities for students, parents and staff to enjoy.
For more information, please contact Tammy Culp. Title I teacher, at 321-254-7261 ext. 3015 or culp.tammy@brevardschools.org.
Jackson Middle Receives Two Awards for Recycling Initiatives
TITUSVILLE, FLA. – Andrew Jackson Middle students recently received two awards recognizing the school’s recycling initiatives during the 2014-15 year.
Ms. Ryba’s first period class who continuously engaged in activities throughout the year to educate students and community members about the importance of recycling earned the awards.
The first award was presented by the League of Women Voters who recognized the students’ ability to create and innovate ways to further implement recycling.
The students next received the 2015 Youth Recycling Award, presented by Keep Brevard Beautiful, for their efforts as a group.
For more information, please contact Annetha Jones, principal, at 321- 269-1812 ext. 1005 or jones.annetha@brevardschools.org.
Westside Student Wins 1st in Local Arts Fest T-shirt Design Contest
PALM BAY, FLA. – Westside Elementary sixth grader, Angelee Geiger, recently won first place in the Space Coast Arts Festival T-shirt Design Contest.
As a member of the Westside Elementary Modern Artists Club, Angelee has participated in many art exhibitions and competitions.
Her designs have been used for the Florida State Future Problem Solving Program Competition commemorative t-shirt, for two years in a row and she continues to grow her artistic skills.
As the winning artist of the 2015 Space Coast Art Festival Student T-shirt Design Contest, Angelee received $150 and her second festival win as she previously won the same distinction in 2013.
For more information, please contact Carline Campbell-Ceasar, art teacher, at 321- 956-5050 ext. 52813 or campbell.carline@brevardschools.org.
Tropical Elementary TK Students Hold Successful Environmental Fair
MERRITT ISLAND, FLA. – After spending weeks learning about the Earth, recycling and ecosystems, Tropical Elementary’s Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students hosted an Environmental Fair, an event that recognized and celebrated how we can positively impact the Earth, on May 20.
Beginning as a leadership service learning project, the TK students spearheaded the event by dialoguing with their community members and planning activities for the fair.
Many students wrote letters to a wide variety of businesses, friends, and families for their financial support to host the function and in response, their sponsors included: Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Lowe’s Rockledge, Rockledge Gardens, Blue Life, Florida Solar Energy Center, EEL, Waste Management, the Brevard Manatees and more.
During the event, every grade level visited the Environmental Fair where the TK students greeted visitors, engaged in activities and discussed their project findings with other students. The event was both educational and inspirational for all involved.
For more information, please contact Maria Dodier, secretary, at 321-454-1080 ext. 210 or dodier.maria@brevardschools.org.
Solution Tree Features Eau Gallie Reading Teacher as May 2015 Hero
MELBOURNE, FLA. – Eau Gallie High teacher, Robin Shaver, was selected to be a featured teacher in this month’s Solution Tree “Thank a Teacher” advertising campaign.
Solution Tree, a professional learning development organization, built and maintains the All Things PLC site as a service to teachers and helps connect practitioners with each other in an online, global learning community.
Currently, Solution Tree is running a yearlong “Thank a Teacher” advertising campaign which is designed to highlight teachers who strive to make a difference in their student’s lives.
In her featured article, Shaver explains her teaching approach that is built upon a classroom culture of respect.
She advocates that students should always be the number one priority when teaching, “People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care.”
For more information, please contact Jeremy Salmon, principal, at 321-242-6400 or salmon.jeremy@brevardschools.org.
