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Schools

School Board member James Golden, Superintendent Cynthia Saunders, Lakewood Ranch High School's mascot and Lakewood Ranch High Principal Dustin Dahlquist move dirt for the groundbreaking. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 22, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High, Freedom Elementary break ground on new additions

The new additions to the Manatee County schools will help address growth in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 22, 2022
Bashaw Elementary hosts Hispanic Heritage Festival

Students have fun dancing, doing arts and crafts and presenting projects on famous Latinos.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 21, 2022
Braden River High students host 'Night of Magic' cabaret show

The student-led cabaret show dazzles the crowd with a little magic.

  • East County
  • Schools
Heidi Gillen and Melody Filewich sell Lakewood Ranch High School Marching Mustangs merchandise during a football game. Merchandise is one way band parents raise money for the school's band program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 21, 2022
East Bradenton band parents along for the ride during marching season

Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high school parents dedicate hundreds of hours to support their students in marching band.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lola Johnson dances with the Braden River Dance Company during the second ensemble performance. The dance company danced to a remix version of "Into the Unknown." (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 20, 2022
Lakewood Ranch schools receive funding for visual, performing arts

The 1-mill property tax referendum is providing $2.5 million for visual and performing arts programs, offering more opportunities for students.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 16, 2022
40 Sarasota students named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

Finalists can ultimately win money for college.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The University of South Florida has won approval to build $39 million housing and student center on its Sarasota-Manatee campus. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • September 15, 2022
Housing heading to USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus

The university has won approval to build an approximately $39 million housing and student center on the campus.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 14, 2022
Children's musician performs for Tara Elementary students

Tara Elementary students sing and dance along to dozens of Jack Hartmann songs.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Mustangs defense could not stop Braden River junior Trayvon Pinder (7), who ran for 197 yards and three touchdowns thanks to holes like this one opened by the Pirates offensive line. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 14, 2022
Braden River retains its superiority over Lakewood Ranch

Pirates running back Trayvon Pinder runs over Mustangs with 197 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

  • East County
  • Sports
The starting salary for teachers has increased to $55,177. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 13, 2022
School District of Manatee County increases teacher pay

The starting salary for a Manatee County teacher will be $55,177, up from $52,910.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bella Rubal, a first grade teacher at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School, says it's a dream come true to be teaching at her former elementary school. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 13, 2022
East Bradenton teachers return to their former schools in the new school year

New teaching jobs created a homecoming as former East County students returned to their alma maters as educators.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 7, 2022
USF Sarasota-Manatee students pay tribute to 9/11 victims

Students put down 2,977 flags in support of the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch beach volleyball player Ashley Pater said her court intelligence and communication skills are what make her an elite player. (Photo courtesy of Lorraine Pater.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 7, 2022
Lakewood Ranch beach volleyball player conquers national circuit

Next up for Ashley Pater is the 2022 FIVB Beach Volleyball U19 World Championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 6, 2022
Students have grand time at McNeal Elementary in Lakewood Ranch

The annual Grandparents Luncheon once again a festive gathering for both students and their grandparents.

  • East County
  • Schools
The animatronics lab will teach students about engineering, coding, costume design, visual production, audio production, lighting and more. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 6, 2022
Nolan Middle fosters creativity, tech skills with new animatronics lab

Students can learn engineering, coding, videography and more with mechanical-electronic puppets, thanks to an animatronics company focused on education through imagination.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
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