• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

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
« 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

Sponsored Content
1
  • March 23, 2026
Birthday Candles
2
When he's not painting, artist Tom Stephens makes fishing rods.
  • March 23, 2026
Sarasota artist lives the life aquatic
3
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fourth graders Leona Killion and Michael Chmielarski created business cards as a dancer and a soccer player for the Project T.E.A.C.H. activity on March 12.
  • March 23, 2026
Project TEACH volunteers work to inspire young minds in Manatee County
4
They are goons who don't understand Jesus
  • March 23, 2026
They are goons who don't understand Jesus
5
Jenna Jahn notched a pair of top-two finishes at the Eddie Starling Memorial Invite on March 13 — including a record-breaking performance.
  • March 23, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Jenna Jahn

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now