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East County | Schools

Patricia Heffner, the head custodian at Freedom Elementary School, has been with the School District of Manatee County for 26 years.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 18, 2024
Freedom Elementary custodian takes pride in 26 years with Manatee schools

Patricia Heffner's love for cleanliness shows in her work.

  • East County
  • Schools
  • By State College of Florida Advanced Technology Center
  • July 18, 2024
Youth+Innovation STEM Programs at the State College of Florida Advanced Technology Center

SCF offers a dynamic range of pre-college workshops, camps, homeschool classes, and after-school activities designed to give students a head start in STEM fields.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sponsored Content
Alec Henderson, a recent graduate of the diesel systems program at Manatee Technical College, looks over a truck engine. He's already had been offered a job at Ring Power, a local construction machinery dealer.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • July 17, 2024
Dual enrollment programs give students a head start on promising careers

East County options can suit a variety of career paths.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lauren Macri and her husband, Tim Macri, the owners of Beef 'O' Brady's Braden River, love seeing the community support through the restaurants Christmas in July partnership with Tara Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 15, 2024
Tara Elementary partners with Beef 'O' Brady's for Christmas in July

Restaurant patrons fulfill teachers' wishes before a back-to-school luncheon at Beef 'O' Brady's.

  • East County
  • Schools
Parrish's Heather Felton is running for the District 1 seat on the School Board of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 9, 2024
Desire to be an advocate inspires Manatee school board candidate

Heather Felton, a former teacher, wants to continue to help students but in a new role.

  • East County
  • Schools
East County's Mark Stanoch is running for the District 1 seat of the School Board of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 9, 2024
Resident wants to give back to the community through school board seat

Mark Stanoch says serving on the Manatee County School Board will be an opportunity to make the district better for his grandchildren and all children.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Richard Tatem was elected to the School Board of Manatee County in August 2022.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2024
Questions arise over Manatee school board seat vacancy

A former school board member has filed a lawsuit against the Manatee County supervisor of elections over the soon-to-be vacant school board seat.

  • East County
  • Schools
East County’s Evan Bouthillier receives hands-on experience in Manatee Technical College's diesel systems technician program by working on Manatee County Search and Rescue vehicles. Bouthillier hopes to become a master mechanic.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 24, 2024
MTC student says his education gives him power in the job market

East County's Evan Bouthillier is graduating from the diesel system technician program with plans to continue learning.

  • East County
  • Schools
Eagle Trace's Susan Cueto has published a children's book to help pre-K students overcome their fears of starting school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 10, 2024
Lakewood Ranch educator covers pre-K jitters in her first book

Susan Cueto hopes her book can help pre-K students overcome their fear of starting school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 7, 2024
Manatee County schools will spend $1.4 million on weapon detection screeners

Firearms detection systems will be placed at each high school and randomly at middle schools starting on the first day of school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Todd Richardson has been named the principal of the new K-8 school in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 6, 2024
Gullett Elementary principal chosen to lead new K-8 school in Lakewood Ranch

The School District of Manatee County's first K-8 school will open in August 2025.

  • East County
  • Schools
Wendell Butler
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 4, 2024
Braden River High to welcome new principal

Wendell Butler wants to create the opportunity for students to become the best version of themselves.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River Elementary to welcome new principal
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 29, 2024
Braden River Elementary to welcome new principal

Mary Oliva is ready to be a hands-on principal, engaging in all that Braden River Elementary has to offer.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ryan Abernathy is the first to accept a diploma for the Class of 2024 from Head of School Deb Otey.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 24, 2024
The Out-of-Door Academy students say farewell to high school

The school's largest graduating class looks forward to their next chapter.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County is making progress on its new K-8 school being built in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 22, 2024
More additions, renovations planned for East County schools

The future of a new high school in Lakewood Ranch is uncertain.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Nolan and Trey Naese are graduating from The Out-of-Door Academy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 21, 2024
Lakewood Ranch twins set different paths after graduation from ODA

Trey Naese is headed to Notre Dame, while Nolan Naese is going to Towson.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fourth grader Annabelle Wendell loves showing off her skills to her teacher, Jackie Blue, and her classmates.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 17, 2024
Myakka City Elementary students don't horse around with academics

Students achieved three of four quarterly goals in order to attend or participate in a rodeo.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dustin Dahlquist, the principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, congratulates Karina Lee.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 17, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High School graduates look to the future

After four years of making memories in high school, graduates are ready for the next chapter.

  • East County
  • Schools
Freedom, Braden River elementary schools to have new principals
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 16, 2024
Freedom, Braden River elementary schools to have new principals

The current principals are taking on new positions within the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Amy Kwakye-Amoah has worked with fellow teens on addressing body image, cyberbullying and other common issues.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 16, 2024
Already making a mark in her community, this teen is ready for liftoff

Self-motivated Lakewood Ranch high school senior Amy Kwakye-Amoah wraps up the high school phase of her life with a big award. She has no plans to coast into college.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River High graduate Adanna Wharton hugs Principal Carl Auckerman. Wharton will go to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 15, 2024
Braden River High graduates say farewell to high school

The road to graduation wasn't always easy, but 395 students celebrated receiving their diplomas.

  • East County
  • Schools
East Bradenton students named winners in playwright program
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 15, 2024
East Bradenton students named winners in playwright program

The three students' plays will be performed at the Florida Studio Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cristal Aguillon, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, will be the second in her family to graduate high school and the first to go to college.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 15, 2024
After family tragedy, LRHS senior refocuses to graduate

Cristal Aguillon doesn't let hardships stop her from becoming the first in her family to attend college.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fifth grader Alex Kulyk tries his best to get as much water in fifth grader Benjamin Rodriguez's bucket while fifth grader Alina Matevosova waits her turn.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 10, 2024
Willis Elementary hosts annual field day

Students were soaked after friendly competitions at the Lakewood Ranch school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jeremiah Gonzalez, a senior at Braden River High School, went from a shy, quiet freshman in Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps to serving as the program's battalion commander this year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 8, 2024
Braden River High senior's key to graduating: Keep moving forward

Jeremiah Gonzalez overcomes mental health challenges and focuses on focuses on positivity to get to graduation.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ginger Collins, the principal of Southeast High School, is thrilled to be adding Korissa Erdman, a University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee graduate, to her staff. Erdman will teach math.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 6, 2024
USF, Manatee schools partner to address teacher shortage

Eight University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee students will start their careers with the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy sophomores Kiran Kalia, Olivia Longino, Samantha Strohbach and Gianna Weldon work present "Did I Do It?" a book they wrote with their 14 classmates in Joseph Bockus' Cambridge AICE English Language class.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 2, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Prep class publishes collaborative novel

The class of 18 students work together on a self-published murder mystery novel.

  • East County
  • Schools
Progress continues on new schools in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 1, 2024
Progress continues on new schools in Lakewood Ranch

A high school is expected to open in August 2027, and a K-8 school is expected in August 2025.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kindergartners Selah Ortiz and Erick Gonzales-Dimas put their culinary skills to the test as the chefs at the Banana Leaf Restaurant.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 28, 2024
Tara Elementary kindergartners serve up smiles at their own restaurant

For one night only, Tara Elementary opened the Banana Leaf Restaurant to give students real-world experiences.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jamie Warrington, the director of transportation for the School District of Manatee County, says he and his staff are thinking of out-of-the-box ways to address transportation challenges.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 23, 2024
Manatee School District faces major transportation challenges

Population spike, driver shortage and a wide geographical coverage area are among the top problems facing Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
First grader Anna Lum blows a ball through a maze at the wind powered maze activity.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 19, 2024
McNeal Elementary hosts STEAM Night

Students participate in a variety of STEAM activities from coding to an art project and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Out-of-Door Academy upper school students and staff work on a tape mural featuring the mascots of the school's house system.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 15, 2024
Students' creativity on display during ODA's first Festival of the Arts

The Festival of the Arts featured various forms of visual arts and included interactive art projects and a fashion show.

  • East County
  • Schools
Freddie Fowler, a Marine Service Technology instructor at Manatee Technical College, has been named American Boat and Yacht Council Foundation's Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 10, 2024
MTC instructor named US boating nonprofit's Educator of the Year

Freddie Fowler, a Marine Service Technology instructor at Manatee Technical College, uses his military experience to train students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota schools’ Rachael O’Dea, Mote’s Aly Busse, the associate vice president of education, and Manatee schools’ Amber Platowski, talk about possibilities while standing in front of what will be the three learning labs at Mote SEA.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 10, 2024
Mote aquarium hopes to lead students to marine science, biology careers

The Science Education Aquarium is working with Manatee and Sarasota school districts to provide access to every K-12 student.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School sophomore Alexa Helton performs as part of a quartet. She looks forward to seeing her skills as a clarinet player grow as she continues in high school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 6, 2024
Arts Alive showcases Manatee County student talent while supporting the arts

Students from Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools perform or have their artwork work on display.

  • East County
  • Schools
Rep. Tommy Gregory answers interview questions during a public forum on March 26 at SCF. He was hired as SCF's seventh president on Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 5, 2024
Rep. Tommy Gregory accepts post as SCF president

The District 72 representative will be the seventh president of the State College of Florida.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Latest in East County

1
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager
2
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff
3
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research
4
Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
  • April 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League expands to improve accessibility
5
Gabriella Martinez Reyes, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named president of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America. This makes her the first of Manatee County.
  • March 31, 2026
LRHS junior named president for Florida's Future Business Leaders of America

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