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.
Escambia High School – Celeste Garcia
Celeste Garcia, 11th grade: Celeste “Rio” Garcia is an exceptional 11th grade student at Escambia High School, known for her positive leadership, academic diligence, and unwavering commitment to her future career. With a 3.3 GPA, Celeste consistently demonstrates a remarkable level of motivation and determination, earning praise from both her teachers and peers. Ms. Hall, her Anatomy and Physiology Honors teacher, enthusiastically shares, “Celeste (Rio) is a true go-getter! She is highly motivated and proactive in preparing for a career in healthcare. In fact, she took the initiative to establish a HOSA club at Escambia High, reviving an organization that had not been active in many years.” This reflects Celeste’s drive and her ability to inspire those around her. As she plans to pursue a degree in Pediatric Nursing, either at the University of South Alabama or the University of West Florida, Celeste’s academic performance continues to impress. Mr. Hogancamp, her Geometry teacher, remarks, “Celeste consistently participates in class with a positive attitude and consistently performs above her peers.” Her intellectual curiosity and dedication make her a standout student. Mr. Wible, her U.S. History teacher, also commends her as an “extremely well-behaved student” who consistently offers insightful answers and poses thoughtful questions that demonstrate a deep understanding of the material.” Celeste’s contributions to class discussions are invaluable and reflect her critical thinking skills. In addition to her stellar performance in core subjects, Celeste excels in her electives as well. Currently serving as Assistant Producer for a documentary about the life of a high school band student, she brings creativity and leadership to this project. Furthermore, as a member of the Volleyball 3 class, Coach Roberts praises Celeste for her growth as “an independent, self-motivating leader.” Coach Roberts adds, “Celeste has a genuine passion for volleyball and motivates her classmates to put forth their best effort. She shows kindness and patience with students who are still learning the sport, offering helpful advice and encouragement.” Celeste’s positive attitude, strong work ethic, and ability to lead by example make her an outstanding candidate for PNJ Student of the Week. Her dedication to academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement makes her a role model for her peers and a shining example of what it means to be a Gator.
Success Academy – Jasmin Sims
Jasmin Sims, ninth grade: Jasmin is a returning student at Success Academy this school year. She has returned with a renewed focus. Jasmin is on track with all her classes. Her favorite subjects are math and civics. She is always respectful and pleasant. She has a great sense of humor. Jasmin reported that she has matured over the summer and that she is taking school seriously this school year. She reported that math is her favorite subject. In addition, she states that she is focused on completing assignments in a timely manner and that she is focused on making good grades. She reported that her mother is very proud of her for being student of the month; she reported that her parents are her inspiration for all of her current success at school. She reported that she plans to graduate from high school and go to a technical college.
Tate High School – Kaidyn Gray
Kaidyn Gray, 11th grade: Kaidyn is a 100% team player who also maintains individual focus on his academics. Kaidyn always reaches out to help others whether in the classroom or on the football field. He is the most well-mannered student-athlete I have seen in quite some time, and he never hesitates to ask questions (sometimes for others) when he doesn’t understand assignments. Please recognize this hard-working young man!
Northview High School – Kaylee Moore
Kaylee Moore, ninth grade: Kaylee should be recognized as the Student of the Week for her outstanding work in Algebra 1. Kaylee has a consistent dedication to her classes and actively participates in class. She is always attentive and responsive during lessons while adding helpful answers and asking suitable questions that help push class discussions forward. Kaylee demonstrates a strong work ethic and a genuine interest in understanding the material, which not only benefits her own learning but also creates a positive example for her classmates. Beyond her academic performance, Kaylee is always willing to help others. Whether it’s working through practice problems together or explaining a concept, she is always ready to support her peers. Her helpful attitude creates a collaborative classroom environment where students feel comfortable asking for help. Kaylee’s combination of responsiveness and compassion makes her an outstanding nominee for Student of the Week.
West Florida High School – John “Jack” McAuley
John “Jack” McAuley, 12th grade: John, “Jack,” McAuley is a senior in the WFHS Sports Medicine Academy, where he has excelled since he was a freshman. In fact, his nearly perfect unweighted 3.98 GPA and his weighted 4.8 GPA speak volumes about his dedication, persistence, and innate academic abilities across the curriculum. Consistently, Jack has taken Advanced Placement and when not available, honors courses, and has earned outstanding marks in all of them. Recently, Jack was voted as the WFHS September student of the month by faculty members. While his academic accomplishments place him in the top 10 of his class, he has had to overcome obstacles to get where he is, and the path he had to tread was not a mere walk in the park. His AP Literature and Composition teacher, Dr. Valica, shared these words about Jack, “I’ve known Jack for less than two months, but during this relatively short period, I’ve been impressed by his attitude in and outside of the classroom. He’s humble, respectful, patient, and kind; in dealing not only with adults, but also with his own peers, Jack shows integrity and generosity. He’s conscientious and academically curious; his answers are thoughtful, and the connections he makes during class reflect his understanding of human nature together with his knowledge of our class material. He’s attentive to details but also to the bigger picture. He makes me want to be a better teacher.” Aside from his schoolwork, Jack is a three-sport athlete, having participated in cross country, soccer, and track since ninth grade and having lettered and contributed to all three teams’ success during both the regular and post-seasons. He also serves as the treasurer of the National Technical Honor Society, an organization with nearly 300 student members on our campus alone, and is a three-year member of the National Honor Society. Jag Nation is proud to nominate him for this award.
Pine Forest High School – Darian Blanks
Darian Blanks, 12th grade: Darian (DJ) is a great student who is mannerly and respectful. He is a great listener, team player and willing to learn. He is the kind of the student that makes you want to get up and come teach every day. He gives his very best on any tasks that is put before him whether it is regarding school or sports. This is shown by being the definition of a true and excellent student-athlete.
Gulf Breeze High School – Mia Skelton
Mia Skelton, 11th grade: Mia Skelton is an outstanding senior whose leadership and dedication shine both in and out of the classroom. As president of the Student Government Association and captain of the Gulf Breeze High School Dance Team, she exemplifies kindness, empathy, and a strong work ethic that inspires her peers and sets a positive example for the entire community.
Milton High School – Alexandra Castillo Guerrero
Alexandra Castillo Guerrero, 12th grade: This week, we are proud to recognize Alexandra Castillo Guerero as our Student of the Week. Alexandra is an outstanding scholar and leader who continues to set the bar high for excellence on Milton’s campus. Graduating a full year early with an extraordinary 4.72 GPA, she has demonstrated unwavering dedication to her academics and future goals. Beyond the classroom, Alexandra is deeply involved in student life. She serves as President of the Album Club and Vice President of the Spanish Club, where she brings creativity, collaboration, and strong leadership skills. Her peers admire her drive as much as her ability to balance her responsibilities with kindness and wit. Alexandra’s passion for science shines brightly. She plans to major in biochemistry, continue her journey to medical school, and pursue her dream of becoming a dermatologist. Her determination to achieve these goals has been clear since the very first day she set foot on Milton’s campus. What makes Alexandra truly remarkable is not only her achievements but also her character. She is known for her warm personality, her compassion toward others, and her sharp sense of humor. Whether in the classroom, in clubs, or among her peers, Alexandra embodies the qualities of a leader, a friend, and a role model. We celebrate Alexandra Castillo Guerero for her incredible accomplishments and the inspiring example she sets for the entire Milton community.
Milton High School – Loghan Wildy-Goodwin
Loghan Wildy-Goodwin, 11th grade: Loghan is currently ranked in the top 3% of her graduating class, a testament to her academic dedication and intellectual abilities. Her hard work and diligence are evident not only in her grades but also in her approach to learning. She consistently seeks out challenges and embraces opportunities to expand her knowledge, showcasing an insatiable curiosity that sets her apart from her peers. Beyond her academic achievements, Loghan is deeply involved in various extracurricular activities and clubs. She serves as the president of the African-American Cultural Club, where she has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills. Under her guidance, the club has flourished, fostering a sense of community and inclusiveness among its members. Her ability to inspire and motivate her peers is truly commendable and speaks to her strong interpersonal skills. Teachers and classmates alike describe Loghan as hardworking, kind, and diligent in her efforts. She not only strives for personal excellence but also encourages those around her to reach their full potential. Her positive attitude and unwavering support for others make her a beloved member of our school community.
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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