Polk County Public Schools
The Mulberry High JROTC Drill Team finished fifth nationally in the unarmed platoon regulations event at the National High School Drill Team Championship held in Daytona Beach. Mulberry was one of only 150 schools nationally invited to compete from more than 2,000 schools that applied. Mulberry brought a 18-cadet squad to nationals. Jamie Helmick, who will be a Mulberry High junior in 2008-2009, was rated the 6th-best commander in the country at the nationals. Sgt. Jerry Wooten is the squad’s instructor.
Team members are: Annabel Arevalo, Chris Assavedo, Cara Barley, Danielle Clingerman, Jessica Feldman, Ismary Figueroa, John Hayes Jr. , Jamie Helmick, Alan Langdale, Grisbel Marcos, Anthony Raborn, Jasmine Rodriguez, Derek Schussler, Jessica Stavely, Kasey Stephens, Rachel Stevens, Angelica Tann and Tanaysha Thompson.
Davenport’s Ridge Community High won numerous awards at the Florida Scholastic Press Association state convention held in Tampa. More than 1,000 student journalists entered work from school newspapers and yearbooks. Ridge Community students won three first place awards, a third place and two honorable mention awards. The awards were for computer design, layout, feature writing and photography. Stacey Creecy is the Ridge Community High teacher who advises the student journalists. Stacey has also been selected as a state director for the Florida Scholastic Press Association.
Student journalists involved with winning the awards were: Elma Albizu, Stephanie Chu, Carlos Contreras, Raymond DeJesus, Maggie Fletcher, Kaimi Howard, Anaisa Negron, Diedra Rodriguez, Nestor Rossi, Karina Veracierto and Cassidy Williams.