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East County | Schools

Olivia LaFemina, 12, and Jackson Helwege, 13, performed the duet “A Whole New World.”
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Acting Up Performing Arts Camp

Some of the East County's most talented young actors took the stage in the musical production Disney's Aladdin Jr. June 28-29, as part of the Lakewood Ranch High's 11th annual Acting Up Performing Arts Camp. Participants enjoyed exploring all aspects of the performing arts, including drama, dance, voice and art, during the two-week camp, which ran June 18-29.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Isabella Roca, 5, enjoyed getting ready with her classmates.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 10, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiddie Academy Graduation

Nearly 50 voluntary prekindergarten students donned their caps and gowns and prepared to embark on the next journey in their education during Kiddie Academy's graduation ceremony June 8. Students sang songs, performed skits and received their diplomas before enjoying cake with their family and friends.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nick Breitwieser's lone experience sailing did not leave him with fond memories, but he is eager to test out the sailboat.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 6, 2012
Braden River Pirates ready to set sail

Graduate Nick Breitwieser and fellow students have constructed two sailboats, dubbed The Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman.

  • East County
  • News
Freedom Principal Jim Mennes and fourth-grade teacher Amanda Hirst got drenched with slime.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 6, 2012
Freedom family 'slimes 'em for soldiers'

Administrators and teachers at Freedom Elementary School couldn't escape being doused in green slime Wednesday, May 30, as they showed their support for U.S. military members serving overseas.

  • East County
  • Schools
Eleven-year-old Cesar Sandelis put extra time and effort into building his model rocket. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 6, 2012
McNeal students blast off with year-end project

The project, which has become an annual project at McNeal, served not only as a fun way to close out the school year, but also as a way to prepare the students for their class trip to NASA June 4.

  • East County
  • News
Ten-year-old Dylan Welch couldn’t contain his excitement as he snuck up on one of his teachers with a water bottle.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Elementary Water Day

Fifth-graders at Gullett Elementary enjoyed a cool and refreshing end to the school year during their Water Day June 4. Students enjoyed water slides, a dunk take, a balloon toss and other games and more. Integrated voluntary prekindergarten students also spent the morning playing outside on bounce houses.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kaylah Gunst didn't stop smiling as she went down the inflatable slide.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Inflatables Day

Overcast skies and drizzles of rain didn't keep students s at Braden River Elementary School from beaming with delight June 5, during the school's "Movin' and Grovin'" Inflatables Day.

  • East County
  • News
Ryan Agabani led the senior processional.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Graduation

Fifty-six seniors bid farewell to The Out-of-Door Academy during the school's Fourteenth Commencement Ceremony June 2 at the Petrik Thunderdome.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch students enjoyed watching a class video as part of opening ceremonies for commencement.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: LRHS Graduation

Seniors at Lakewood Ranch High School enjoyed commencement ceremonies today, at the Manatee Civic Center.

  • East County
  • Schools
Angela Baldino, Catherine Kaiser, Montana Hicks and Jamie Loring
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Witt Music All-Nighter

Music students at Gene Witt Elementary School enjoyed a "Cinematic Adventure" of music June 1 during Witt's annual All-Nighter.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seventeen-year-old Garrett Vincent enjoyed watching his family and friends file into the Manatee Civic Center.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 31, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRHS Graduation

Three hundred and twenty Braden River High seniors celebrated the culmination of four years of hard work during the school's 2012 Commencement Ceremony May 31 at the Manatee Civic Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Freedom Principal Jim Mennes and fourth-grade teacher Amanda Hirst got drenched with slime.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 31, 2012
VIDEO & PHOTOGALLERY: Freedom students slime faculty

In a show of support for U.S. troops serving overseas, administrators, teachers and soldiers were slimed May 30, at Freedom Elementary School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Imagine dancers Brooke Depasquale with Hannah Tisone performed the final routine together.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Imagine, Gullett Dance Recital

Students at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch and Gullett Elementary School on May 23 showed off their dancing talents during a special dance team recital, at Gullett Elementary.

  • East County
  • News
Paulina Medrzycki and Kirsten McGlaun earned about a dozen honks with their signs.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Walk-a-thon

Fifth-grade students at Braden River Elementary School walked throughout the River Club community May 25 for a walk-a-thon fundraiser benefiting Southeastern Guide Dogs

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood's Amanda Baar pushed hard through Braden River's defense.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Powder Puff

Girls from Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools battled on the gridiron for the first time May 23, during a Powder Puff football game.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cole McLellan and Marco Scalera added a special touch to jokes told on stage.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Talent Show

Students at McNeal Elementary School wowed their friends and teachers May 24 during a special Talent Show event.

  • East County
  • News
Libby Moser, pictured with her mom, Erin, received honorable mention for her bubble-blowing project.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY & VIDEO: Gullett Science Fair

Fourth and fifth-grade students at Gullett Elementary School put their hypotheses to the test and showed off their scientific findings during the school's Science Fair May 24.

  • East County
  • Schools
Halle Acton hit the dance floor early.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 18, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River School Middle Dance

Eighth-grade students at Braden River Middle School celebrated the conclusion of their middle school days with a special dance May 18.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gary Reinstrom, of the Jacobites Pipe & Drum Band, kept the mood lively as the golfers began the tournament.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 18, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Galvano Golf Classic

East County golfers today headed to the Legacy Golf Course in Lakewood Ranch for the 16th annual Phil Galvano Golf Classic.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Braden River Middle School Pom/Hip Hop team danced to "Blow."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Dance Recital

Members of the Tara Elementary School Dance Team and Braden River Middle School Panther Dancers showed off their hard work and dancing skills May 15, with a special "Just Dance" recital performance at Braden River High School.

  • East County
  • News
Sophomore Arely Bonilla and senior Sebastian Ramirez danced the night away.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 13, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRHS Prom

Students at Braden River High enjoyed an evening Masquerade May 11, as they celebrated Prom at the Bradenton Auditorium.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Megan Dehn, Dana Catalfomo, Ashley Kinder and Rachel Hinojosa dance the night away.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: LRHS Prom

Upper classmen at Lakewood Ranch High School stepped into "an evening in the Grecian garden," May 11, as they celebrated Prom, at the Sarasota Hyatt.

  • East County
  • Schools
Isabella, Jonny and Angelina Ortiz spend most of their time on the dance floor.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Father/Daughter Dance

Girls at McNeal Elementary School enjoyed special time with their dads May 11, during the school's Father/Daughter Dance.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ava Gracia, 6, enjoys dressing up in cowgirl attire.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Art & Music Festival

Families at Bashaw Elementary School celebrated the arts and culture May 11, during the school's annual Art and Music Festival.

  • East County
  • Schools
Nicole Lopez with sisters Ermine and Demi Herard
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 11, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Cake Decorating

Children at Braden River Elementary School practiced their skills in artistic design May 11, at the school, as they decorated heart-shaped cakes from Publix for their moms.

  • East County
  • News
Nicole and Tyler Edwards
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 11, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiddie Academy Mother's Day Tea

Children at Kiddie Academy celebrated their mothers with a special Mother's Day Tea May 10, at the childcare center.

  • East County
  • Schools
Six-year-old Emily Carius was eager to spend time with her mom Mayra Gaitan.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 10, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Elementary Mother's Day Tea

Kindergarten students at Gullett Elementary School honored their moms during a Mother's Day Tea May 9. Students presented their moms with gifts and special songs before sitting down for refreshments.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 10, 2012
Project T.E.A.C.H. educates children about career options

The Manatee County Chamber of Commerce hosted its Teach Everyone About Career Horizons program May 4.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 9, 2012
Mother's Day: Sweet Sentiments

As the East County prepares to celebrate Mother's Day this weekend, the East County Observer took a few minutes to speak with children in Lakewood Ranch High School's Mini Mustangs voluntary pre-kindergarten program to find out what they thought about their own moms.

  • East County
  • Schools
Robert Navarro, 5, raced down the slide with his friend, Jonathan Centeno, not pictured.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara FCAT Fun Day

Students at Tara Elementary School celebrated the end of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, better known as FCAT, with a special day of outdoor play on inflatables and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jordan Ehmke and Ashley Burnett checked out clay artwork.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch High Art Gallery Night

Students at Lakewood Ranch High School showed off their artistic talents May 3, at the Polo Grill and Bar's Gallery Night, featuring work from the Lakewood Ranch High School Fine Arts Department.

  • East County
  • Schools
Many students had fun playing poker.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Prom

Juniors and seniors at the Out-of-Door Academy danced the night away April 28 during the school's Prom, held at The Founders Club.

  • East County
  • Schools
Second-graders Jessica Hernandez and Maria Vega enjoyed seeing all of the different artwork.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 27, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY:Gullett Elementary Art Show

Students at Gullett Elementary displayed their artistic talents during the school's Third Annual Art Show April 25. The show featured a variety of art mediums, including clay, pastels, painting, sketching and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Taylor Kolbe and Madison Bumbara are in the fifth grade.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 27, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Family Science Night

Families at Bashaw Elementary School learned how fun science could be during the school's Family Science Night April 26.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 26, 2012
School Board meeting cancelled

Tonight's Manatee County School Board meeting has been postponed.

  • East County
  • News
Six-year-old Andrew Boudreau and his older brother Matthew, 8, enjoyed a visit with Orthodontists of Lakewood Ranch’s Super Tooth.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 22, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY:Nolan Nights on Main Street

Afternoon thunderstorms didn't keep dozens of Nolan Middle School students and their families from enjoying an evening of musical entertainment, fun and games during Nolan Nights on Main Street April 21. Guests enjoyed musical performances by Nolan's band and choral students, drama performances, live and silent auctions, games, vendor booths, face painting a 50/50 raffle and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
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