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 five 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.
West Florida High School – Emma Bradford
Emma Bradford, 12th grade: Emma Bradford is a senior in the WFHS Pre-Nursing program and has maintained a 3.5 unweighted and a 4.25 weighted GPA while packing her schedule with AP and honors classes. In addition to her academic success, Emma has earned five industry certifications, including Certified Patient Care Technician, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Specialty Certified Medical Assistant, Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist, and Certified Home Health Aide. In addition to participating in the WFHS ACE program where she works at a dentist’s office, she works after school at another dental practice. She has assisted with HOSA activities and played volleyball throughout her high school career. Her ACE Supervisor, Mr. Truncale, shares, “Emma is a fantastic student who is intrinsically motivated to succeed! She has clear goals in the future to work in dentistry, and has furthered those goals this year by successfully interning with a local dental office.” Her Pre-Nursing instructor, Mrs. Ewing, adds, Emma is an exceptional pre-nursing student whose work ethic is far beyond what is typically expected at her academic level. She consistently approaches her coursework with focus, discipline, and a genuine desire to learn. Her commitment to excellence is evident in the quality of her assignments, her engagement in class discussions, and her ability to balance academic responsibilities with her personal and professional commitments. Additionally, Emma is remarkably responsible and dependable. Whether she is completing an assignment, participating in group work, or helping peers, she can always be relied upon to follow through and exceed expectations. Her maturity and reliability will undoubtedly serve her well as she continues her journey into the nursing profession.” Emma’s plans to attend Pensacola State College to pursue her nursing degree. Jag Nation proudly nominates her for this award!
Pensacola High School – Sa’nya Olds
Sa’nya Olds, 12th grade: Sa’nya Olds is a standout scholar at Pensacola High School who pairs her academic dedication with impressive professional credentials. She has already earned two significant industry certifications: the Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) certification—covering financial management, marketing, and business planning—and the WordPress Industry certification. Her technical proficiency extends into the arts as well; she is a student in the Creative Photography program, recently earning an Honorable Mention in Digital Portrait Photography at the Anna Society: PCS 2025 Annual Juried High School Awards Exhibition. Sa’nya’s commitment to service is best seen through her extensive work with Chain Reaction, a local teen leadership institute. Currently serving as Vice President, she acts as a Youth Ambassador, recruiting new members and ensuring her peers remain engaged in meaningful service-learning. She is particularly passionate about her service project that encourages a love of reading in younger students. Furthermore, Sa’nya is an active member of Key Club, where she embodies the core values of leadership and compassion through various community service initiatives. What truly sets Sa’nya apart is her remarkable character. Teachers describe her as a “calm, enjoyable presence” who maintains a positive attitude regardless of the challenges she faces. She has overcome significant personal obstacles with a level of resilience that earns the immediate respect of both faculty and peers. In the classroom, Sa’nya is known for her work ethic and integrity. Even in challenging environments, she remains focused, often staying after the bell to finalize her projects or seek clarification to ensure her work meets her high standards. Whether she is volunteering to photograph school events or leading a nonprofit meeting, Sa’nya approaches every task with a sweet, respectful nature and a determination to succeed. With her rare blend of professional certification, artistic talent, and executive leadership, Sa’nya Olds represents the best of Pensacola High School. Her ability to thrive under pressure while remaining a dedicated servant-leader makes her an ideal candidate for PNJ Student of the Week.
Success Academy – Micah Underwood
Micah Underwood, 10th grade: I am nominating Micah for Student of the Week because his reliability and “can-do” attitude really set him apart. He has impeccable attendance and is incredibly self-motivated, always diving into his assignments with a work ethic that doesn’t quit. On top of that, he is genuinely kind-hearted and polite to everyone he meets, making him exactly the kind of person you want representing our school. Micah reported that he is very proud of the grades that he is making this school year. He reported that he is most proud of being on the A/B honor roll. He smiled and reported that his favorite subject in school is history; because he likes learning about the past historical events and how those events impact our future. Micah reported that he plans to go to college and major in computer science or engineering. He noted that has not ruled out going into the military upon completion of high school. In addition to making good grades in school, Micah reports he has developed an interest in learning about religion and how his spiritual well-being impacts his life. He reported that his mother is his inspiration to be successful in life; she has suggested that he learn a trade or go to college (with a focus in computer science), or join the military upon completion of high school. Micah reported that his favorite teacher is Mrs. Morris, who taught 4th grade math at Brentwood Elementary, because she was a really kind and awesome teacher. It was a pleasure to interview this student for the Pensacola News Journal Student of the Week.
Pine Forest High School – Courtia Blankenship
Courtia Blankenship, 12th grade: Courtia Blankenship is the described as intelligent, caring, friendly, high achiever, supporter and so much more. This is seen in her academics by maintaining a 3.98 weighted gpa while taking several honors courses. She is also active in the ROTC program on campus. She assists where needed as an office internship assistant and often takes initiative taking care of tasks without being asked. She holds the respect of her classmates and staff by being inclusive of all and helping fellow classmates that may be struggling in courses. These are just a few reasons why Courtia is deserving of Student of the Week.
Northview High School – India Edwards
India Edwards, 10th grade: India Edwards is an active student at Northview High School. As a member of the NJROTC cadets, she demonstrates leadership and teamwork. She has also attended the National Flight Academy, where she gained valuable experience and expanded her knowledge and skills. India is responsible and does well academically. In addition, she plays on Northview’s Flag Football team. All these details show India as a driven student, deserving of her recognition as Northview’s student of the week.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Who should be named PNJ’s Student of the Week? Cast your vote
Reporting by Chemarryn Thornton, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
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