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East County | Schools

    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 21, 2022
Emotional farewell to Lakewood Ranch High graduates

Rain delays graduation a day at LECOM Park in Bradenton, so seniors are primed for their big day.

  • East County
  • Schools
This year's Lakewood Ranch High graduating class will have to wait one more day to graduate as the School District of Manatee County makes scheduling changes due to weather.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 19, 2022
School District of Manatee County makes graduation changes due to weather

The Lakewood Ranch High graduation moved to Saturday, and Braden River High's graduation is set earlier than previously scheduled.

  • East County
  • Schools
Toquya Jones, a food service worker, prepares lunch for students at Braden River High School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 18, 2022
Manatee School District works to address cafeteria, custodial staff shortages

More cafeteria and custodial staff are needed to ensure quality for the district's students.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 15, 2022
World of Wonder Academy showcases students' art in Lakewood Ranch

After finishing each book, the class worked on an art project based on its theme.

  • East County
  • Schools
Olivia D'Orazio, a Lakewood Ranch High School senior, has always wanted to serve in the military, so she joined the school's JROTC program. Now she plans to attend Auburn University for its ROTC program. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 13, 2022
Lakewood Ranch students earn big money in scholarships

Lakewood Ranch High's Olivia D'Orazio and Braden River High's Gabriel French are among the top students who strike gold with their academic work.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kindergartner Emmet Johnson checks people out after purchasing their food. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 12, 2022
Restaurant event serves lessons to Tara Elementary kindergartners

Josephine Johnson's students run a one-night restaurant to test their math, science and social skills.

  • East County
  • Schools
Andrew Shackleford was hired as Lakewood Ranch High's director of sports performance in 2021. Shackleford and athletic director Kent Ringquist are leading the school's efforts to renovate the weight room after 24 years.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 11, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High begins fundraising to renovate its weight room

Personalized workout-tracking technology would result as part of a $100,000 fundraising effort.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River High School's Ricardo Robinson-Shinall is Florida Studio Theatre’s Write a Play educator of the year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 10, 2022
Braden River High teacher and students earn Florida Studio Theatre's Write a Play awards

Braden River students' story of snack envy leads to Write a Play award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Central Park's Skyler Vargas will graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University at 18 years old after finishing high school at 16 years old.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 4, 2022
Lakewood Ranch student graduates college at 18

Central Park's Skyler Vargas is way ahead of the curve as she graduates college at 18.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River High School JROTC rifle team members Stuart Macaulay, Christian Bell, Nathan Walmsley, Adanna Wharton and Elayna Andrews place first at the state championship for the first time in the team's history.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 3, 2022
Braden River High JROTC rifle team earns first state championship title

Hard work, dedication and Pop-Tarts lead to the rifle team's success at the state championship.

  • East County
  • Schools
Greenbrook's Bethany Carr hopes Ivybrook Academy can fill a gap for the demand in preschool education in the community. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 1, 2022
Ivybrook Academy preschool to open in east Bradenton

Greenbrook resident plans to open a new preschool with individualized education serving Bradenton, Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Schools
Second grader Abel Hilliard and his mother, Megan Hilliard, try to score as many balls in the net as possible during a game of hockey. "Maybe I should try out for the (Tampa Bay) Lightning," Megan Hilliard says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2022
East Bradenton mothers and sons compete for gold at Freedom Elementary School Olympics

The Freedom Elementary School PTO hosts mother-and-son Olympics with eight events.

  • East County
  • Schools
First graders Kingston Miller, Reghen Miller and Tomas Norwood strike a superhero pose.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2022
Superheroes take over Braden River Elementary in Lakewood Ranch

Students, teachers and parents dress as superheroes, and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention team visits for Superhero Day.

  • East County
  • Schools
Connie Dixon plans to use her love of horses to connect with students when she becomes principal at Gene Witt Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2022
Gene Witt Elementary in Bradenton names new principal

Connie Dixon has waited 20 years to be an administrator at Gene Witt Elementary School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students from Audrey Quale's fifth grade class at Braden River Elementary School reunites with their classmates and teacher outside Quale's old classroom.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 28, 2022
East Bradenton high school seniors reunite with their fifth grade classmates

Despite loss of their time capsule, former Braden River Elementary classmates enjoy a reunion.

  • East County
  • Schools
David Marshall, the principal of Gene Witt Elementary, will miss seeing and hearing the funny little things his students do every day when he retires at the end of the school year. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 26, 2022
Gene Witt Elementary principal retires after 39 years in education in Manatee County

David Marshall, the principal at Gene Witt Elementary School, says that special small moments kept him going 39 years.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 23, 2022
Tara Elementary hosts Spring Dance Luau in east Bradenton

Hawaiian dance sets the stage for luau at Tara Elementary in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Schools
Angelee Gens, left, stands with U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and fellow Sarasota County award winners Shannon Nelson and Eric Lostorto.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 20, 2022
Buchanan honors six Manatee, Sarasota teachers

The congressman has recognized educators with awards since 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Junior Samantha Rees looks over a map. Rees ended the season ranked No. 1 in the state for the female green team, which is the advanced team. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 18, 2022
LRHS's JROTC orienteering team sees success at state championship

Lakewood Ranch High School junior Samantha Rees ranked No. 1 in the state in orienteering.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 16, 2022
Incentives help east Bradenton students achieve reading goals

After Tara Elementary School students read more than 1,000 books in two weeks, Farmer Minor and his pig and pug visited the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 15, 2022
Crowning moment as Braden River High's prom returns in style

Hyatt Regency in Sarasota hosts Braden River High's 2022 prom.

  • East County
  • Schools
Elise Brownell, a middle school student, works on a lesson in class.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 12, 2022
Woodland Community Academy adds middle school facility to campus

The Lakewood Ranch school now serves infants through seventh grade with plans to add eighth grade next school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
(Back row) Madison Kelley, Leah Buehler, Cristal Trejo, Kelisa Morgan, Julianna Chupp, Aurora Skuba, Rachel Walmsley, (front) Ashley Beck, Adanna Wharton, Elayna Andrews and Haylee Hogan place first in female platoon exhibition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 12, 2022
Braden River High School JROTC drill team passes down keys to success

Drill team leaders prepare underclassmen to continue legacy of success after winning more state championships.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School's Gabriel Cortez strikes a pose while performing a song from "Chicago."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 11, 2022
East Bradenton students return to the stage for theater performances

After two years of not having in-person performances, Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high school students are thrilled to perform live.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 9, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High School students hit the dance floor once again

Juniors and seniors flood the dance floor for "Puttin' on the Ritz" prom.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 9, 2022
Sarasota and Manatee have 25 National Merit finalists

The national program rewards students with high achievement scores on the PSAT and other criteria.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Aaron Watkins, a coach for the Circus Arts Conservatory, helps junior Emily Peterson understand how she can juggle multiple balls at once.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 7, 2022
ODA high schoolers learn hands-on physics from circus performers

Sarasota Circus Arts Conservatory performers teach Out of Door Academy students how physics applies in the real world.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jayden O'Neal and Sarah Dipasquale, who are seniors at Braden River High School, look forward to going to prom together after the school not being able to host a prom for the past two years due to the pandemic. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 5, 2022
East Bradenton high schoolers excited to be hosting proms once again

Lakewood Ranch High and Braden River High students are thrilled a traditional prom is back.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ricardo Acevedo, a college and career counselor, addresses seniors who received a $10,000 scholarship. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 2, 2022
Nine Lakewood Ranch students get a boost with $10,000 scholarships

Picerne Family Foundation presents grants to Lakewood Ranch High School seniors.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Jacob and Grace Lopez will be part of the inaugural class at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 1, 2022
Families excited about new opportunities at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy

The K-12 charter school, which opens in August, already has a waitlist for every grade it offers.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School junior Abby Newton plays in unison with others in the Indoor Percussion Ensemble.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 29, 2022
Manatee Arts Education Council hosts Arts Alive in Lakewood Ranch

Arts Alive showcases students' talent at Grove in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Schools
Samantha Sokolis, an Advanced Manufacturing student, adjusts a robot. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 24, 2022
MTC receives state funding to fast-track students into the workforce

Manatee Technical College will continue its rapid credentialing project that places graduates into high-demand jobs.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kinley McCaw, a sixth grader at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, studies the phenotype of fruit flies to see the dominant and recessive genes. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 23, 2022
East Bradenton students qualify for state Science and Engineering Fair

Mona Jain, Nolan and Braden River middle school students create experiments that lead to the state fair.

  • East County
  • Schools
Melanie Stern, a director of human resources for logistics for Bealls, shares information about herself to show the importance of first impressions.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 15, 2022
Project TEACH teaches east Bradenton fourth graders to dream big

Freedom Elementary students learn about new careers and think about their futures during Project TEACH.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, reaches a settlement agreement with the Education Practices Commission. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 11, 2022
Manatee schools superintendent settles with Education Practices Commission

School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders is fined for alleged graduation rate inflation scandal.

  • East County
  • Schools
Izzy Tapia, a cosmetology student at Manatee Technical College, loves seeing people's reactions when she's done working on their hair or makeup.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 7, 2022
Manatee Technical College students advance to SkillsUSA state competition

MTC cosmetology students among medal winners in SkillsUSA competition in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Latest in East County

1
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  • December 3, 2025
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2
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  • December 3, 2025
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3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
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  • December 3, 2025
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