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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
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 15, 2022
Crowning moment as Braden River High's prom returns in style

Hyatt Regency in Sarasota hosts Braden River High's 2022 prom.

  • East County
  • Schools
Elise Brownell, a middle school student, works on a lesson in class.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 12, 2022
Woodland Community Academy adds middle school facility to campus

The Lakewood Ranch school now serves infants through seventh grade with plans to add eighth grade next school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
(Back row) Madison Kelley, Leah Buehler, Cristal Trejo, Kelisa Morgan, Julianna Chupp, Aurora Skuba, Rachel Walmsley, (front) Ashley Beck, Adanna Wharton, Elayna Andrews and Haylee Hogan place first in female platoon exhibition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 12, 2022
Braden River High School JROTC drill team passes down keys to success

Drill team leaders prepare underclassmen to continue legacy of success after winning more state championships.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School's Gabriel Cortez strikes a pose while performing a song from "Chicago."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 11, 2022
East Bradenton students return to the stage for theater performances

After two years of not having in-person performances, Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high school students are thrilled to perform live.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 9, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High School students hit the dance floor once again

Juniors and seniors flood the dance floor for "Puttin' on the Ritz" prom.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 9, 2022
Sarasota and Manatee have 25 National Merit finalists

The national program rewards students with high achievement scores on the PSAT and other criteria.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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Latest News

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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