Eagle Fest spreads wings across the community at Alta Vista Elementary

By Ian Swaby
| 11:25 a.m. June 27, 2025

Teacher Heather Gomez, River Marshall, 8, her sister Millie Krystyniak, 3, and student Bryan Marchan, 11, meet Scout the Eagle.

Sarasota
Schools

For students at Alta Vista Elementary, summer didn't mark the end of school — and neither was it the end of fun school activities.

The school hosted its Eagle Fest to celebrate the completion of summer school on June 26, inviting students and their families for offerings, including inflatables, face painting and other activities, and treats from Kona Ice.

Behind the event was a partnership with Southshore Community Church, whose contributions included the inflatables and helping to staff the event with volunteers, such as fingernail painters.

"It's probably about seven, eight years ago; we knew they were doing this, and we said, 'Hey, can we help take it to the next level?" said Pastor Nic Williams.

Community resources were involved as well, with organizations from UnidosNow to Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading featured at an indoor expo.

"It really is just a fun celebration for them at the end of the year," Williams said. 'They accomplished school, but they also accomplish summer school and we get to send them out with a bang, so it's a cool event."

Logan Jackson, 8, has his face painted by Valeria Branciforte, a student at Ringling College of Art and Design.

Jonah Patterson, 2 (center) attended with his parents Jordan Sullivan and Brookes Patterson

Southsore Community Church brought experiences including inflatables to the event.

Ashley Barragan-Hoil, 8, plays musical chairs.

Cory Mattox, Shae Clippard, Pastor Nic Williams, Matt Page, Hanna Miller, Domonique Smith, Steve Vickroy, Sara Fleming and Lily Clippard.

Books from the Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading were set out for students.

Monique Thornton of The Patterson Foundation represented the Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading.

Jennifer Bowman and her daughter Marley Bowman, 6.

Hannah Harden, 10, Tristan Artah, 4 and Leah Nune, 9, watch as MisterRon twists a balloon.

Luleydi del Rosario, 5, has her face paintedb by Jorja Henwood, a student at Ringling College of Art and Design.

Noah Williams, 13, Aubrie Williams, 14, their father Nic Williams, who is pastor of Southshore Community Church, and their mother Lory Williams

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.