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Schools

Lakewood Ranch's Joan Novak, Sarasota's Tina Backhus, Lakewood Ranch's Judy Balmer and Salwa Youssef, the manager of the Walmart off State Road 70 near Interstate 75, are excited to support Stillpoint Mission's Backpack Program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 21, 2023
Lakewood Ranch woman seeks donations for backpack program

Judy Balmer hopes to donate 800 backpacks through Stillpoint Mission to distribute to low-income families.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School's Cesar Valera and Erika Vargas are excited for graduation.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2023
Braden River High graduates look to the future

Braden River High School celebrates the graduation of 385 students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mini Mustangs' Amir Phillips, Lakewood Ranch High School seniors Britlee Yant and Grace Kelly and Mini Mustangs' Savannah Cato celebrate as both the Mini Mustangs and the seniors are graduating on the same day.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 19, 2023
Mini Mustangs graduation a big moment for Lakewood Ranch High seniors

The pre-K graduation was held on the same day the seniors, who helped teach the Mini Mustangs, received their diplomas.

  • East County
  • Schools
Out-of-Door Academy's Rhegan Duncombe smiles as she accepts her diploma from Deb Otey, the head of school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 19, 2023
Out-of-Door Academy graduates say goodbye to their 'home'

The 2023 graduates are ready to turn their tassels and take on next adventure.

  • East County
  • Schools
Wesley Hoben, a Gene Witt Elementary School fourth grader, practices with a lasso.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 18, 2023
Gene Witt Elementary hosts Florida Field and Farm Days

Students received agriculture and history during the special event.

  • East County
  • Schools
First-grader Skye Moore is assisted by Autumn McConnell, while first-grader Colton Boley works on an assignment, at Summer Success Institute.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 18, 2023
Sarasota summer learning programs keep students on track

The Summer Success Institute and Summer Learning Academies ensure students continue learning during the summer.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School's Sienna Zwizinski shows off her diploma.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 17, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High seniors move onto the next chapter

More than 600 students received their diplomas during graduation.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jason Wysong says he feels "as well prepared as anyone could be to come into a superintendent seat."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 16, 2023
Jason Wysong named Manatee County schools' next superintendent

If the contract is approved, Wysong will take the helm of the district July 1.

  • East County
  • Schools
Benny Hedgepeth, a senior at Braden River High School, has played baseball since he was 4 years old. He looks forward to continue with his passion for sports at Florida State University.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 16, 2023
Braden River High senior pursues a dream job in sports

Benny Hedgepeth's love for baseball and sports in general inspires him to pursue a career in sports law.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kelli Kennedy with the School District of Manatee County's Adult, Career and Technical Education department cuts the ribbon to Lakewood Ranch High School's upgraded agriculture lab.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 16, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High agriculture program beefs up labs

The school's agriculture lab underwent upgrades that double its beef barn and provide a new swine facility.

  • East County
  • Schools
Taltos Fuszfas, Matrick Thorpe, Cory Coyner, Danae Tran, Katie Evans, Cole Laudenslager, and Caleb Horner
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 16, 2023
Suncoast Music Scholarship winners showcase their talents at concert

The seven scholarship-winning students offered a free community performance at First Presbyterian Church.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tara Elementary School's Loreena Durrance helps chef and kindergartner Francis Lantican serve rice.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 15, 2023
Tara Elementary opens Banana Leaf Restaurant for one night only

Kindergartners took on roles within the restaurant, which served Italian, Peruvian, Thai and Vietnamese food.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ryann Hilyer, a Lakewood Ranch High School senior, shows Mallo, a heifer owned by Todd Henson.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 10, 2023
Lakewood Ranch senior ready to move onto bigger pastures

Ryann Hilyer, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, plans to continue to pursuing her love for agriculture and cows in college.

  • East County
  • Schools
Danae Tran, Kalie Martin, Jaden Osborne, Alanna Hutton, Gabriela Sanchez-Gomez, Liv Doura, Mehak Sandhu, Aleksandra Masiulis, Ocean Bruinius, Pailey Riesgo, Samantha Tanelli
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 9, 2023
Pen Women award scholarships to local high schoolers

Eleven local students won art, music and writing awards and showcased their work.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sheila Waid, the principal at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School, is excited for Anna Bunyak, a University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee graduate, to join her staff next school year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 7, 2023
Manatee schools-USF partnership encourages new teachers to stay local

The School District of Manatee County has hired 10 new teachers who graduated from USF Sarasota-Manatee’s education programs.

  • East County
  • Schools
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1
Golf pro Stephen Arnold succeeded in his goal of playing 100 holes of golf in a single day to benefit families involved with First 1,000 Days Suncoast.
  • February 4, 2026
Golfing feat makes a difference for area families
2
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
3
Chamber launches summertime internship program
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program
4
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork
5
Danny Bernardy demonstrates research with a theatrical flair to Greg Ball in Florida Studio Theatre's "The Blue-Sky Boys."
  • February 4, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre shoots for the moon with 'The Blue-Sky Boys'

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