Welcome to the Pensacola News Journal’s Student of the Week poll.
The best and the brightest of Escambia and Santa Rosa County high schools will be highlighted weekly, with readers choosing the student they believe is best deserving of the top honor. All of the students in the weekly poll are nominated by school officials who know better than anyone their academic achievements.
Merely being on the list each week is an incredible feat.
Each school district is allowed to nominate up to six students weekly but are not required to nominate a specific number.
This week’s poll includes nine candidates for one top Student of the Week. To vote: Scroll to the bottom of this article.
The poll will be posted at pnj.com each Tuesday, and voting will end on Friday at noon each week.
Vote for the best of the best. Below are all the nominees.
Success Academy – Madden McKinney
Madden McKinney, 11th grade: Madden McKinney Madden has a great attendance record. He has such a good attitude and positive outlook. He willingly completes assignments without grumbling and gets along well with his peers. He is friendly to staff and an all-around great student. Madden reported that his parents helped him to be more disciplined in school, and as a result this has helped him to be more responsible at school. He reported that his future goals are to go to a trade school and learn a trade; so that he can be a productive member of society. He reported that he will graduate high school next year and he is looking forward to being able to chase his goals and dreams in life. He reported that his parents are very proud of him; he reported that his parents were proud of him when he was voted student of the month. He reported that wants to thank his parents and his brother for helping to overcome his fears and to be a more self-aware person/student.
Tate High School – Darby Walker
Darby Walker, ninth grade: Darby since the first day has consistently exhibited the willingness and determination to do her best in AP Human Geography. Darby has always turned in work that shows why she is an AP Student. She asks relevant, clarifying questions in class. Darby goes out of her way to make sure her seat partner and others in class understand the directions and material being covered. She is a wonderful, thoughtful young lady. Her intelligence and level of detail is only rivaled by her curiosity and kindness to others.
Escambia High School – Quinten Purvis
Quinten Purvis, 10th grade: Quinten Purvis is a dedicated 10th grade student at Escambia High School, currently maintaining a 3.1 GPA. He was recently nominated for Student of the Week by his Biology I Honors teacher, Mr. Harvey, who praised Quinten’s academic strengths and intellectual engagement in the classroom. “Quinten has shown extreme academic prowess in his honors Biology course this year. His ability to think critically about scientific phenomena, and his ability to express those thoughts out loud has really impressed me.” Mrs. Adams, his English teacher, also commended Quinten for his character and commitment to learning. “Quinten contributes in class discussions and always completes his work. He frequently helps other students who are falling behind and is polite and kind to others,” she said. Quinten is recognized not only for his academic achievements but also for his leadership and exemplary conduct. Beyond the classroom, he is an outstanding member of the Escambia High School Band. Band Director Mr. Navarro shared high praise for Quinten’s dedication and versatility. “Quinten is a high energy and highly motivated student. He is a force that is persistent and consistent with his concentration and self discipline within the band program. Although he is originally a trumpet player, he has also switched to being on the drumline for marching band and is now learning tenor saxophone for the top jazz band” said Mr. Navarro. Outside of school, Quinten remains actively involved in the arts as a trained classical and contemporary dancer at his mother’s dance studio. His passion, positive attitude, and strong work ethic are evident in everything he does. For his academic excellence, leadership, and broad range of talents, we are proud to recommend Quinten Purvis as this week’s PNJ Student of the Week.
Pine Forest High School – Aubrey Sumner
Aubrey Sumner, 12th grade: Aubrey is an outstanding individual who consistently excels in both academic and extracurricular pursuits. Aubrey is in the Top 10 of her class, this has been accomplished by her demonstrating an incredible level of commitment to her education. She approaches every subject with enthusiasm and diligence, consistently striving for excellence. Her ability to balance the demands of a rigorous academic schedule while maintaining such high standards is truly remarkable. Beyond academics, Aubrey is deeply involved in extracurricular activities both in and outside of school. Whether she’s participating in community service or preparing for performances with her dance team, she consistently demonstrates leadership, teamwork, and a passion for making a positive impact. As the President of the Student Government Association, Aubrey has shown exceptional leadership and dedication to improving our school community. Her role as President highlights her ability to take on responsibility, work collaboratively with others, and advocate for the student body with integrity and vision. She has been instrumental in organizing school events, fostering school spirit, and creating an environment where all students feel valued and heard. Her genuine care for others, combined with her incredible work ethic, makes her not only a role model but also a true leader.
Northview High School – Brody Hall
Brody Hall, 10th grade: Brody Hall is a stellar representative of Northview High School. Brody is a member of the football and the weightlifting teams at Northview. Though he participates as an athlete on two teams, Brody still manages to maintain an impressive GPA. Brody is kind to fellow students, always willing to help, and respectful to everyone.
Pensacola High School – Alexis Benson
Alexis Benson, 12th grade: Alexis C. Benson has distinguished herself as a scholar, leader, and community servant throughout her high school career. Alexis maintains an impressive 5.05 GPA in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and has earned recognition as a National Merit Semifinalist and AP Scholar with Distinction. Allie’s leadership spans across multiple organizations, including serving as President of the Physics Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and the Science National Honor Society. She co-founded the new Debate Team, organized the Pensacola Invitational Mathematics Competition for more than 250 local students, and was a three-time national competitor with Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), where she also helped lead her chapter to a national gold award. Allie’s academic curiosity extends to research as well. She co-authored a paper with the University of Florida’s Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience on environmental water quality, currently under review for publication. She has also been honored with numerous science fair and math competition awards, as well as the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Service Gold Medal for her leadership, exploration, and over 1,200 hours of community service. Beyond the classroom, Allie is a Youth Diplomat in the Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council where she engaged with international visitors to foster cross-cultural appreciation, participated in “Day in the Life” presentation collaboration with the Brazilian Youth Ambassadors, and earned a Dakhla Certificate for participation in Camp Global: Collab Moroccan community presentations. She is a varsity swim and dive team member and a dedicated volunteer. Allie also developed the Pensacola High Serenity Garden for her Eagle project, volunteers as a Teen Peer Counselor with Autism Pensacola, and assists at the Health & Hope Clinic. Alexis plans to continue pursuing her passion for science, leadership, and global engagement beyond high school.
West Florida High School – Bella Trivison
Bella Trivison, 12th grade: Bella Trivison is a senior in the WFHS Agricultural Biotechnology program who also participates in our Advanced Career Experience (ACE) program and has been assigned to work with and mentor middle school students who share an interest in the same field. Bella is industrious and has worked diligently to earn a 3.8 cumulative grade point average over her time on campus, but it is her kind, warm demeanor and actions that speak to her character. Over her time at WFHS, she has taken on leadership roles in FFA every year, competing, succeeding, and growing through her experiences at local, regional, and state competitions. Her US History teacher, Mr. Mertz, offers these words about Bella: “Bella was a pleasure to have in class. She was in my Honors US History class last year. The work she completed in my class was always thorough and of high quality. She collaborated with peers on a variety of projects throughout the year. No matter what was asked of her, she always completed the task to the best of her ability and in a timely manner. Her ability to be flexible and organized throughout the year was noteworthy.” We cannot wait to see what her future holds, and we in Jag Nation are proud to nominate her as our PNJ Student of the Week!
Central School – Macy Schepper
Macy Schepper, 12th grade: Central’s SGA President and Senior Class Vice President, Macy Schepper, is a true example of leadership, dedication, and school spirit. As a proud member of the Lady Jags Softball Team, Macy leads by example both on and off the field, showing her peers what it means to balance academics, athletics, and service. In addition to her leadership roles, Macy is an OJT student who is career-driven and motivated to build a successful future. While she may not have her exact career path mapped out yet, Macy firmly believes that God has placed her here to make a difference, and she trusts His plan to guide her steps. Macy’s determination, faith, and commitment to excellence inspire those around her, making her a shining example of what it means to be a Jaguar.
Navarre High School – Randy Rusell
Randy Rusell, 12th grade: NHS has nominated Randy Russell from the National Honor Society as our Student of the Week. He is an AP Honor student and is graduating as an AP Scholar with distinction. He serves as the Vice President of NHS and participates in numerous organizations. Randy is President of the Hope Squad and FCA. He is also a member of ICC Leadership and Mu Alpha Theta. Randy competes in NJROTC Armed Exhibition and Varsity Track and Field, specializing in discus and javelin. He co-founded the Navarre High Production Team and serves as the NHS mascot. Randy tutors in math for the football team and is actively engaged in his church. His goals are to make a positive impact on others and to be crowned the 2025-26 Prom King. After graduation, he plans to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, then the FA-18 flight school, aspires to be a Blue Angel, and eventually hopes to run for the Presidential office.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Who should be named Pensacola News Journal’s Student of the Week? Cast your vote
Reporting by Chemarryn Thornton, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
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