We're excited to bring you a regular feature called "Good News Achievers".
The school district's Communications Team is proud to present the positive people and news happening at traditional public schools across Manatee County.
All stories were submitted by district staff or community members.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK - Tillman Elementary School
Tillman students are enjoying a beautiful fall day on the school playground.
Lakewood Ranch High School
Achiever: Assistant Principal Thomas Bellantonio
The following excerpt is from Mustangs Ahead: Assistant Principal Thomas Bellantonio has been recognized as a Champion of Prevention for 2022 for the sector of Education by Drug Free Manatee. Bellantonio will be honored at the annual Red Ribbon Breakfast on Thursday at Bradenton’s IMG Academy Golf Club. Bellantonio said, “I have always had a passion for supporting a drug-free mission. It is my goal to reduce the impact of drug abuse and addiction in our community. To do this, I participate in volunteer prevention activities."
Manatee County District Champions
Achievers: Braden River High School's Volleyball Team
Submitted by Matthew McElhiney, 4th grade teacher at Tara Elementary and Pirates' Beach & Indoor Volleyball Coach: Braden River's Volleyball team won their 2nd consecutive district championship in dominant fashion 3-0 on Thursday evening vs Port Charlotte in the Class 5A-11 Championships (25-11, 25-19, 25-13). Braden River is the only school in Manatee County to win their district this year and for back-to-back seasons! The Pirates are currently 15-7 and ranked 8th in the state in Class 5A. They will host their Regional Quarterfinals at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26th, at The River.
Stand-out players from the championship are below, but it was a total team effort from top to bottom.
Senior - Setter | Courtney Kawcak
Junior - Outside Hitter | Aryanna Spainhower
Junior - Right-side Hitter | Rylee Hinkle
Junior - Outside Hitter | Brynna Sands
Senior - Libero | Maddy Dodson
Braden River High School
Achievers: MBOP (Marching Band of Pirates)
An email from Cliff Dawson, Director of Bands, reads: "After a short delay to our season due to Hurricane Ian, the Braden River High School MBOP was finally back in action last weekend, competing at Lakewood Ranch High School, where they placed first in their Division and Grand Champion overall. If you haven't had the chance to see us yet... on November 5th, we'll be (home) for the 7th Annual Braden River Invitational."
Southeast High School
Achiever #1: Allison Steiner, junior
In a Tweet posted on October 24, 2022: "For the second consecutive year, Allison Steiner, individually qualified for the 2A girls' golf regionals." Last year, she was named to the Herald-Tribune's All-Area Girls Golf Team for Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties.
Achiever(s) #2: Lady Noles Bowling League (pictured below with Principal Ginger Collins)
In a Tweet posted on October 25, 2022: "Lady Noles made history as the one and only high school bowling league in Manatee County! They placed 9th in Districts today."
Manatee High School
Achievers: Hurricanes' Baseball Team
Principal Carol Ricks wrote: "Our students had a great time at the wiffle ball game on Saturday! A huge shoutout and thank you to the Manatee High School Hurricanes Baseball team for coming out to show our students the ropes!" The wiffle ball game was a fundraiser for Myakka City families. School business partners Carousel's of Manasota provided frozen treats for all, and Will-Yums Mobile gave out free meals to every person who brought a $10 gift card to the game.
Sugg Middle School
Achievers: Teacher Kimberley Lough, and Sugg's urban agricultural students
A tweet from Kimberley Lough posted on October 23rd: "Success = (equals) engaged, young hearts." Ms. Lough is a longtime ag teacher and FFA advisor in Manatee County. She's teaching students in West Bradenton how to plant food and ornamental crops, raise animals and more, but not without help from community partners. A group of self-proclaimed "Garden Rangers" from United Way Suncoast, often volunteer to help clean up and maintain the school gardens. Way to grow!
Mills Elementary School
Achievers: Third grade team, teachers and students
A post on the Virgil Mills Facebook page reads: "Our third grade surgeons performed a text feature transplant this morning. We are happy to report all patients are recovering well and should make a full recovery!" Kudos to them for offering such an innovative lesson. A "text feature operation" transforms the classroom into a fun learning environment as students work on locating, identifying, understanding and creating text features. Text features are all the different parts of a story that aren't the main body of text, such as title, captions, graphics, index and more.
Congratulations to everyone!
We will keep sharing stories of Good News Achievers as long as we receive them. If you want to send us a compliment or congratulations to a student, teacher, administrator or staff member from the School District of Manatee County, please email GoodNews@ManateeSchools.net.
Thanks for supporting our students and schools.