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Schools

Andrew Shackleford was hired as Lakewood Ranch High's director of sports performance in 2021. Shackleford and athletic director Kent Ringquist are leading the school's efforts to renovate the weight room after 24 years.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 11, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High begins fundraising to renovate its weight room

Personalized workout-tracking technology would result as part of a $100,000 fundraising effort.

  • East County
  • Sports
The RCLA Board of Directors and President Emily Walsh present Ringling College President Larry Thompson with a check for $600,000 to support the Alfred R. Goldstein Library and student scholarships.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 10, 2022
Ringling College receives $600,000 from RCLA

The funds are part of RCLA’s most recent gift commitment of $3 million to support the Alfred R. Goldstein Library and student scholarships.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River High School's Ricardo Robinson-Shinall is Florida Studio Theatre’s Write a Play educator of the year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 10, 2022
Braden River High teacher and students earn Florida Studio Theatre's Write a Play awards

Braden River students' story of snack envy leads to Write a Play award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Central Park's Skyler Vargas will graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University at 18 years old after finishing high school at 16 years old.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 4, 2022
Lakewood Ranch student graduates college at 18

Central Park's Skyler Vargas is way ahead of the curve as she graduates college at 18.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River High School JROTC rifle team members Stuart Macaulay, Christian Bell, Nathan Walmsley, Adanna Wharton and Elayna Andrews place first at the state championship for the first time in the team's history.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 3, 2022
Braden River High JROTC rifle team earns first state championship title

Hard work, dedication and Pop-Tarts lead to the rifle team's success at the state championship.

  • East County
  • Schools
Greenbrook's Bethany Carr hopes Ivybrook Academy can fill a gap for the demand in preschool education in the community. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 1, 2022
Ivybrook Academy preschool to open in east Bradenton

Greenbrook resident plans to open a new preschool with individualized education serving Bradenton, Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Schools
Second grader Abel Hilliard and his mother, Megan Hilliard, try to score as many balls in the net as possible during a game of hockey. "Maybe I should try out for the (Tampa Bay) Lightning," Megan Hilliard says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2022
East Bradenton mothers and sons compete for gold at Freedom Elementary School Olympics

The Freedom Elementary School PTO hosts mother-and-son Olympics with eight events.

  • East County
  • Schools
First graders Kingston Miller, Reghen Miller and Tomas Norwood strike a superhero pose.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2022
Superheroes take over Braden River Elementary in Lakewood Ranch

Students, teachers and parents dress as superheroes, and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention team visits for Superhero Day.

  • East County
  • Schools
Connie Dixon plans to use her love of horses to connect with students when she becomes principal at Gene Witt Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2022
Gene Witt Elementary in Bradenton names new principal

Connie Dixon has waited 20 years to be an administrator at Gene Witt Elementary School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students from Audrey Quale's fifth grade class at Braden River Elementary School reunites with their classmates and teacher outside Quale's old classroom.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 28, 2022
East Bradenton high school seniors reunite with their fifth grade classmates

Despite loss of their time capsule, former Braden River Elementary classmates enjoy a reunion.

  • East County
  • Schools
David Marshall, the principal of Gene Witt Elementary, will miss seeing and hearing the funny little things his students do every day when he retires at the end of the school year. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 26, 2022
Gene Witt Elementary principal retires after 39 years in education in Manatee County

David Marshall, the principal at Gene Witt Elementary School, says that special small moments kept him going 39 years.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 23, 2022
Tara Elementary hosts Spring Dance Luau in east Bradenton

Hawaiian dance sets the stage for luau at Tara Elementary in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Schools
Angelee Gens, left, stands with U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and fellow Sarasota County award winners Shannon Nelson and Eric Lostorto.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 20, 2022
Buchanan honors six Manatee, Sarasota teachers

The congressman has recognized educators with awards since 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Junior Samantha Rees looks over a map. Rees ended the season ranked No. 1 in the state for the female green team, which is the advanced team. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 18, 2022
LRHS's JROTC orienteering team sees success at state championship

Lakewood Ranch High School junior Samantha Rees ranked No. 1 in the state in orienteering.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 16, 2022
Incentives help east Bradenton students achieve reading goals

After Tara Elementary School students read more than 1,000 books in two weeks, Farmer Minor and his pig and pug visited the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Maddox and Lou Towery have packed up shoeboxes during the Community Holiday Shoebox Collection Drive for the last seven years.
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Kelis McGrady poses for a photo on Dec. 11 before Braden River girls basketball's home game against Manatee. The forward/guard has been the engine behind the Pirates' early-season success.
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