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Schools

Alexsandra Santos and Jeffrey Zamarripa
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 30, 2025
Graduates walk the stage in record numbers at Sarasota High School

The class looked back at a time of both positivity and challenges during the school's 111th graduation.

  • Graduation
Daniel Bryan-Beachler and Bryan Thomas both grew up in Indiana and have each taught for 38 years. Bryan-Beachler has been a teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School since 2001 and Thomas has been a teacher there since the school opened in 1998.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 30, 2025
Two Lakewood Ranch High teachers retire after 38-year careers

Bryan Thomas has taught at LWRHS since its opening while Daniel Bryan-Beachler has taught at the school since 2001.

  • East County
  • Schools
Although the wave off tradition has occured since 2015, this is Board Member Heather Felton's first time.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 30, 2025
Manatee school district leaders thank bus drivers the last day of the school year

The bus drivers' "wave-off" has been a tradition since 2015 in the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Libby Moser poses with her father Teddy Moser, brother and graduate Charles Moser, mother Erin Moser, sister and graduate Collier Moser, and brother Teddy Moser.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 25, 2025
Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School celebrates 2025 graduates

Over 200 students graduated at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Head of school Debra Otey congratulates co-salutatorian Josey Rubinstein on graduating. Rubinstein was honored as a U.S. Lacrosse All-Academic American, signifying excellence in academics and athletics.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 24, 2025
ODA graduates reflect on the road ahead

The top graduates of ODA were heavily involved in horseback riding, sports and stem based activities while maintaining success in the classroom.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seventh grade students at Haile Middle School Cooper Gallegos, Connor Willats, Joshua Parker, Sofia Laubacker and Amelia Cendere make up team "Charlie."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 23, 2025
East County robotics teams perform well at world championships

Haile Middle placed third in its division, and Mona Jain Middle placed second in its division for teamwork.

  • East County
  • Schools
Former School District of Manatee County Superintendent Jason Wysong
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 20, 2025
Manatee School Board fires superintendent

Mainly citing concerns over communication, the Manatee County School Board on Tuesday fired Superintendent Jason Wysong with just over 13 months remaining on his contract.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Lakewood Ranch High School Music Department has received the "Support Music Merit Award" from The NAMM Foundation in honor of its outstanding commitment to music education. The music department staff includes orchestra director Thomas Durante, band director John Wilkerson and choir director Rebekah Lester.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 20, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High honored with Support Music Merit Award

The award from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation recognizes schools that demonstrate exceptional achievement.

  • East County
  • Schools
Katherine Lo, a seventh grader in digital art, created a piece inspired by video games and titled the game she created "Knight's Revenge." She generated the background using artificial intelligence.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 19, 2025
Mona Jain Middle of Lakewood Ranch hosts its second annual Art Show

Digital and traditional art pieces were featured at the show using different mediums.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kaele Smith, Sophia Eastman, Miley Walker and Sam Baker show their excitement for graduating from Braden River High School.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 15, 2025
Commencement speaker punctuates Braden River High's graduation ceremony

Louann McCord says graduation is just a "comma" in the students' lives.

  • East County
  • Schools
Shanaia Nadesu, a fourth grader at Innovation Academy, provided an illustration.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 15, 2025
Sarasota students write letters about Florida for Virginia third grader

A letter from a Virginia third grader's class asked what life is like in Florida. Sarasota students provide answers.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kevin Spencer performs in a Fruitville Elementary classroom.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 14, 2025
Magician known for therapeutic applications of magic tours Sarasota

Kevin Spencer visited various locations in the community during a week as the Artist in Residence with the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mark Eubanks IV reads his essay “Chess with My Grandma” at the school board meeting April 29.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 14, 2025
Willis Elementary fifth grader wins contest with essay on grandma

Mark Eubanks won the Florida Retired Educators Association contest for Manatee County with his essay "Chess with my grandma."

  • East County
  • Schools
Commencement speaker Nadia Gandi makes her way to receive her diploma while waving to the crowd.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High School graduates hit the finish line

Valedictorian Olivia Spiegel compares graduation to winning a big race.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy is one of four schools in the nation to have an agreement with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) to provide high school seniors an opportunity for provisional early acceptance into the medical school.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 13, 2025
LECOM strikes deal with Lakewood Ranch Prep for future acceptance

Lakewood Ranch Prep is the fourth high school in the nation to strike such an agreement with LECOM.

  • East County
  • Schools
« 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 »
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1
Investigators in 1999 linked the burned-out van found near the intersection of Myrtle Street and North Orange Avenue in Sarasota to homicide victim Esco Hunter Jr.
  • February 17, 2026
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2
Mateau Dalmau, a senior first baseman/pitcher, has been busy on the base paths for Cardinal Mooney baseball. He's headed to Navy in the fall to compete at the NCAA Division I level.
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5
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  • February 17, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Tristan Sheffield

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