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Points of Pride

Air Force National Drill Champions at Sandalwood High School
The Air Force Junior ROTC at Sandalwood High School defended its national title in the Air Force National Invitational Drill Championship in Washington, D.C. in March. The Silver Eagle Drill and Color Guard teams competed against 25 other teams from throughout the country.

The Silver Eagle Drill Team commanded by Cadet Phillip Robbs earned 1^st place in Inspection, 2^nd place in Regulation Drill and 7^th place in Exhibition Drill. Drill Team members included cadets Ceyda Atkins, Angela Avendano, Joe Encarnacion, Josh Encarnacion, Victoria Fort, Aerial Fowler, Cliff Kibo, Hector Martinez, Stacey Mercado, Shirley Murray, Rhaymund Osorio, David Petersen, Felipe Sanchez, and Darriel Steedman.

The Silver Eagle Color Guard commanded by Cadet Michael Horn won 1^st place in the color guard division. Color Guard members included cadets Howard Nicks, Vanessa Sheridan, and Sean West. The two teams’ combined scores earned Sandalwood High School the prestigious title of Air Force National Drill Champions, Unarmed Division, for the second consecutive year. The judges were active duty personnel from Andrews Air Force Base and Dover Air Force Base.

While in Washington, D.C., the Air Force Junior ROTC participated in a ceremony to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery. Congratulations to each hardworking cadet and to Air Force Junior ROTC Senior Instructor Col. James R. Brown!

A. Philip Randolph Students Sweep Competition
Students from A. Philip Randolph Academies of Technology won five, first place; four, second place; and two, third place medals in the Annual SkillsUSA Championships. SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. The organization was formerly known as VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America).

The SkillsUSA Championships is a showcase for the best career and technical students in the nation. Contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels. All first, second, and third place A. Philip Randolph winners will compete at the State SkillsUSA Championship in Tampa this May. Congratulations to the following students:

Donovan Bailey, 2^nd place in the Architectural Drafting – CAD category
Santford Banks, 2^nd place in the Advertising Design category
Berry George, 3^rd place in the Computer Maintenance Technology category
Bradley Grubs and Ryan Pratt, 1^st place in the Web Design Team category
James Haire, 1^st place in the Residential Wiring category
Megan Hudson, 3^rd place in the Architectural Drafting – Board category
Quoc Lieu, 1^st place in the Technical Computer Applications category
Kasey Osborn, 2^nd place in the Architectural Drafting – Board category
Morgan Perry, 1^st place in the Job Interview category
Daniel Pettitas, 1^st place in the Architectural Drafting – Board category
Kevin Zenas, 2^nd place in the Residential Wiring category

DASOTA Students Capture the “Spirit”
Two Douglas Anderson School of the Arts’ students won the 2007 Grady-Rayam Scholarship in Sacred Music and performed at The Negro Spiritual Scholarship Foundation’s Eleventh Annual World-Premiere Gala. Douglas Anderson School of the Arts’ Junior Christopher Randolph and Senior Farrin Brown, were two of only four students throughout the state to receive this prestigious scholarship.

The Grady-Rayam Scholarship Competition challenges high school singers by asking them to learn two arranged Negro spirituals—one assigned and one selected—and to sing the songs from memory before a panel of judges. Contestants are selected to continue as finalists in the categories of male and female vocalist, based upon scoring achieved at the regional level.

Christopher and Farrin were selected as regional finalists and performed during the World-Premiere Gala, where they performed a recital of Negro spiritual songs with Luctrician Hamilton and composer-in-residence Diane L. White. Congratulations on this prestigious honor!

DCPS’ Television Shows Win National Awards
Two of DCPS’ television shows won second place awards in the 28^th Annual Telly Awards. REAL School #1004, “Football Season,” won second place and a Bronze Telly Award in the Television Programs – Sports category. REAL School #1003, “Math & Science,” placed second earning a Bronze Telly Award in the Videography category. School Matters #504 won a second place Bronze Telly Award in the Television Programs – Education category.

The Telly Awards was founded in 1978 by David E. Carter, a past Emmy winner, to honor excellence in local, regional and cable television commercials and non-broadcast video and television programs. The Telly Award is one of the most sought-after awards by industry leaders, from large international firms to local production companies and advertising agencies.

Congratulations to Duval County Public Schools’ Television Production Services Coordinator Gary Daniels who produces the shows! We thank you for sharing the wonderful stories of our students, staff and programs with the community. Both award-winning programs air on Comcast Cable Channel 14 and the Florida Education Channel 9418 (DISH Network 62.5). Check your local listings for exact times and air dates.

Miss Delta Teen Pageant Winners
Eight young women took the stage at the Florida Theatre in late March to compete in the 34^th Annual Miss Delta Teen Pageant. Seven of the eight contestants were Duval County Public Schools’ students, and our students earned first, second and third place in the pageant.

Congratulations to Miss Delta Teen 2007 Monya Ayla Cashae Sharp, 1^st runner up Tiara Nicole Ricks and 2^nd runner up Azschrielle Serena Jackson! Monya, Miss Delta Teen 2007, attends Stanton College Preparatory School where she is involved with numerous clubs. She also serves on the youth usher board and as youth president at her church. Monya’s dream is to become a pediatrician. Monya impressed the audience with her expert piano playing and voice, as she sang a selection from A Raisin in the Sun. First Runner-up Tiara also attends Stanton College Preparatory School where she is active in the school’s band dance line and step team. She volunteers with HabiJax and is active in her church. Tiara hopes to become a physical therapist and business owner. In the talent portion of the pageant, Tiara performed a dance from The Color Purple. Azschrielle won second place in the pageant. She attends Douglas Anderson School of the Arts where she performs with multiple choirs through her school, as well as with her church’s choir. Azschrielle wants to attend Florida State University and major in commercial music. Azschrielle sang a song from The Wiz for her talent showcase.

DCPS also would like to recognize the four other contestants who attend local high schools:

Jasmine Bullock from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
Brittany Pressley from A. Philip Randolph Academies of Technology
Tez’ara Smith from Andrew Jackson High School
Urika Wilson from Terry Parker High School

The Miss Delta Teen Pageant began in 1973 as a pageant for teen girls to promote personal growth, development, talent and academics. The pageant is presented each year by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s local chapter, Jacksonville Alumnae.

Six DCPS Students Make Societal Debut
Jack and Jill of America recently presented ten outstanding young men during its 10^th Biennial Les Beautillion Militaire, and six of the young men making their debuts were students at several Duval County Public Schools. These young men dedicated five months of preparation for the black tie dinner and dance by participating in workshops, community service projects and social activities designed to provide cultural enrichment and inspiration. Congratulations to the following students who made their entrances into First Coast society at the Les Beautillion Militaire:

Daniel Applewhite, Stanton College Preparatory School
Quanel Deleon Key, Sandalwood High School
Dominique Broshaud Perkins, Paxon School for Advanced Studies
Trey Pigg, Paxon School for Advanced Studies
Devin Williams, Raines High School
Jackson Nigel Willis, Stanton College Preparatory School

William Bartram Art & Essay Contest Winners
Eight students from Greenland Pines Elementary School, Mandarin Middle School, and Twin Lakes Academy Middle School participated and placed in the William Bartram essay and art contest sponsored by William’s Walk at Bartram Park.

Nearly 50 students entered the contest, in which middle and high school students were tasked with writing an essay on William Bartram, accomplished artist, writer, botanist, gardener, ethnographer and explorer. Elementary school students were encouraged to use excerpts from Bartram’s travels to create an artistic display of things he may have encountered during his four year journey through the southeastern United States.

Congratulations to the following students:

Greenland Pines Elementary winners:

Cyril Johnson—1^st place for a rattlesnake drawing

Ashlee Branyan—2^nd place for a depiction of a hydrangea leave

Monica Banovic—1^st place for a colorful map of Bartram’s journey

Ritu Varde—2^nd place for a drawing of a hummingbird and rhododendron

Oshin Rui—1^st place for a portrait of a rhododendron and hummingbird

Desia Brown—2^nd place for a sketch of flowers

Mandarin Middle School winner:

Lauren Hickox—1^st place for an essay and map

Twin Lakes Academy Middle School winner:

Allison Choi—1^st place for an essay

The students’ winning projects were displayed in the William’s Walk Clubhouse.

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