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SCHOOL NEWS - Creative Circle Media Solutions
SCHOOL
                                                NEWS
 HAP P ENI N G S F R O M O U R C L AY C O U N T Y S C H O O L S                                                                                                   J A N UARY 2 0 2 3

RideOut’s Rosie steals the spotlight from
Dolly Parton during ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’
By Don Coble                                        Parton’s initiative to provide books has
don@claytodayonline.com                         been so widespread, one in 10 children
                                                now receives a book from her program.
MIDDLEBURG – Rosie giggled every time           Rosie, who suffered from septo-optic dys-
one of her classmates said hello as she         plasia that left her blind shortly after birth,
stood in front of RideOut Elementary after      is one of the children.
school last Friday. The outpouring of affec-        Since 1995, more than 200 million free
tion and attention has become part of her       books have been delivered to children
daily routine. Her gregarious attitude and      every month.
infectious smile made the first-grader one          “We began receiving Braille books from
of the most popular students at the school      the Imagination Library. So our daughter
months ago. And if any students didn’t          was exposed to pre-Braille and Braille and
know her, that all changed on Dec. 1 when       that is so important. I don’t know if you’re
she appeared with County legend Dolly           aware of it, but only about 10% of blind
Parton on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”            children have the opportunity to be Braille
    The show unexpectedly reached out           literate. She’s in the first grade at RideOut
to Rosie’s family and asked to do a video       Elementary School in Clay County, Florida.
interview. After the show recognized            She was reading braille and writing Braille
her expressive outlook, they invited her        before most children are reading or writing
and her mother, Liz Williams, to Universal      in print.”
Studio, California to share their story about       As Clarkson wiped away tears, Parton
receiving Braille books as part of Parton’s                                                       Liz Williams, left, talks with her daughter Rosie, Dolly Parton and show host Kelly Clarkson during the
Imagination Library.                                                                              first-grader’s appearance to highlight the success of Parton’s Imagination Library.
                                                                               SEE ROSIE, 8
SCHOOL NEWS - Creative Circle Media Solutions
Teacher of the Year Finalists

Finalists for School-Related Employee of the Year and Teacher of the Year selected
                                                                                                                                       the Year will be announced during the Ap-
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – On Wednesday,                  “This outstanding group of individuals have showcased their                        ple Awards, hosted by the Clay Education
December 14th, Superintendent David                 invaluable skills and dedication serving our schools, children, and                Foundation, on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Broskie and leadership from the Clay                families. Our finalists have truly set themselves apart from an                        The program will once again be held at
Education Foundation surprised and                                                                                                     the Thrasher-Horne Center.
named Clay County’s top five finalists for          already talented and gifted group of top ten semi-finalists."                          We look forward to honoring and
School-Related Employee of the Year and                                                                            – David Broskie     celebrating our outstanding finalists for
Teacher of the Year at each of their school                                                                                            representing all of Clay County’s dedicated
sites. “This outstanding group of indi-                                                                                                support professionals and teachers who
viduals have showcased their invaluable          truly set themselves apart from an already   Broskie.                                 work every day to help our children grow
skills and dedication serving our schools,       talented and gifted group of top ten            The winner of Clay County District    to their fullest potential.
children, and families. Our finalists have       semi-finalists,” said Superintendent David   School-Related Employee and Teacher of

School-Related Employee of the Year Finalists

                     Clay County School News is published monthly by Clay Today.
                     3513 U.S. Highway 17, Fleming Island, Florida 32003
                     For advertising information: 904-264-3200

                                                                      claytodayonline.com
2 • Clay County School News • January 2023
SCHOOL NEWS - Creative Circle Media Solutions
Pop Warner Super Bowl Champions

Oakleaf Renegades tailback Calvin Ferguson stole the show once
again after a four touchdown performance at the Pop Warner National
Tournament on Friday, Dec. 9, with three 50-plus yard scores in the Pop
Warner 10-Under National Championshp game with the Renegades
winning, 34-19, at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. The Renegades,
coached by Carlos Lowe, finished the season unbeaten and won the
championship after back-to-back 27-0 quarterfinal and semifinal wins.
See story on page 10

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                                                                                                                            SJR State is an equal access, equal opportunity organization.
                                                                                                                                         SJRstate.edu/nondiscrimination.html

SJRstate.edu
                                                                                                                                             January 2023 • Clay County School News • 3
SCHOOL NEWS - Creative Circle Media Solutions
Three Clay bands march to medals at state competition
By Lee Wardlaw
lee@claytodayonline.com

ORANGE PARK – The date: Saturday, Nov.
19.
    The setting: Broward County Stadium
at Lauderhill.
    The event: The Florida Marching Band
Championships State Finals.
    The result: the finish for the Oakleaf
High Knights.
    After a historic night in South Florida
two weeks ago, the Oakleaf High School
Golden Regiment’s 2022 season finally
came to a halt. However, it wasn’t without
a Class 4A silver-medal winning perfor-
mance for the hardworking 115 boys and
girls of the Knights band.
    The big finish didn’t come without
hardship during the final hours of the
season or in any given in between then,
though.
                                                                                                                                                                                    OAKLEAF PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHAD ROBBINS
    Here’s how it went down: after two                             The Oakleaf High Golden Regiment are all smiles for a group photo after finishing second in the Class 4A state band competition.
performances in the preliminary and
retreat rounds, the band was announced
as one of five state finalists, along with
West Broward, Oviedo, University High and
Fleming Island.
                                                                       ‘Our seniors were crying tears of joy. They were elated. They were proud. And I think that the
    Make that two for Clay County’s school                             long hours of the long season can sometimes become fatiguing, but in the end, it was worth
bands. After final scores and rankings were                            it for these kids...’
announced for each classification, Oakleaf                                                                                                                                                              – Chris Gugel
discovered it was the runner-up status,
second only to West Broward High by a
mere fraction of a point – .45, to be exact.                       ing.                                                  a statement of what has been accom-                   You want to keep that culture alive and
    Not only that, but the band’s highlight                            The Regiment met on campus at 1:45                plished, and perhaps a sign of more great             continue it for our students. I believe that
performance graded out as the No. 3 high-                          a.m. and didn’t return to the school until            things to come.                                       we have three great band programs, and
est overall score, regardless of classifica-                       4:30 a.m. the next day. That included a 625-              “It’s absolutely a statement because              hopefully, people will respond to that,
tion, among all Florida schools.                                   mile bus round trip to and from the Fort              we’ve worked hard to build the band                   including the school support team, the
    A No. 2 finish in 4A and No. 3 finish in                       Lauderdale metropolitan, the loading and              culture,” Robbins said.                               administration, the community, and so on.
the state were recorded despite an intense                         unloading of equipment and an hours-                      But that’s not all.                               Not every county in Florida or anywhere
28-hour stretch of traveling and perform-                          long wait between performances.                           With a big performance from three                 has this much going for it in terms of mu-
                                                                       But this didn’t phase fifth-year band             schools in the state finals, he believes the          sic and performance,” he said.
                                                                   director Chad Robbins.                                unique and underappreciated form of                       Following the dominant performance,
              www.drelainemartinez.com                                 “We’re out there when the football                musical competition is headed in the right            the Knights’ band consisting of both a
                                                                   team isn’t and all of the other groups                direction within Clay County lines and                dedicated mindset and strong leadership
                                                                   are done (practicing during the regular               commitment to school band programs                    had many emotions circling: elation, ex-
                                                                   season.) That (the state championship) was            should be a priority moving forward.                  citement, and more.
                                                                   a super long day, and they still went out                 “We had the third-highest overall score,              “Our students were beyond excited,” he
                                                                   and delivered. I know they’re very passion-           but Orange Park was right in the mix as               said.
                                                                   ate about what they do. They’re a resilient           well, along with Fleming Island. To have                  This was especially apparent among se-
                                                                   bunch,” he said.                                      three medalists from one county in one                niors, who were around for the beginning
     Specializing in the Dental Care of Babies,
 Children, Teens and Patients with Special Needs.                      Fleming Island was third in Class 4A,             year is incredible, and I think it deserves           stages of the transition from the previous
                                                                   while Orange Park picked up a silver medal            attention and support. It’s something                 leadership to that of the era of Robbins
1530 Business Center Dr., Ste. 1 • Fleming Island • 904-215-4221   performance in Class 2A.                              that should not be (overlooked), and                  and co-director Chris Gugel over five years
 9640 Crosshill Blvd., Ste. 101 • Jacksonville • 904-404-4444
                                                                       Robbins said the Knights’ finish was              people need to be asking ‘how can I help.’            ago.
4 • Clay County School News • January 2023
SCHOOL NEWS - Creative Circle Media Solutions
“Our seniors were crying tears of joy.         “(The seniors) kept the newer members
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                SAVE
They were elated. They were proud. And
I think that the long hours of the long
                                              in line. They were mentors and almost like
                                              big brothers and big sisters to those kids.       START                                                                                                                           $
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 100
                                                                                                MAKING UP
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  ON AN ACADEMIC
season can sometimes become fatiguing,        They were the heart of our organization,                                                                                                                                             EVALUATION*

but in the end, it was worth it for these     and they’re a huge reason for why we
kids,” he said.                               were successful,” Robbins said.
                                                                                                FOR LEARNING
                                                                                                LOSS NOW!
    Robbins said that when the seniors             The hard work was a culmination of
arrived as freshmen in 2018, the program      a long season beginning with grueling
was not anywhere close to its current state   summer practice, which includes ‘fall band
which is highly comparable to silver, but     camp’ a fully-involved two-week, 10-day              HUNTINGTON CAN HELP START THIS YEAR OFF RIGHT!
he and Gugel kept pushing them, and the       process consisting of eight hours of daily          TUTORING & TEST PREP IN-CENTER OR ONLINE
group responded with vengeance.               practice in the hot, smoldering Sunshine                             AVERAGE INCREASES
    “We kept pushing them to build a          State sun preceding the induction aca-
                                                                                                     2+ GRADE LEVELS                                                                 • K-12 TUTORING
legacy when they got here as freshmen,        demic calendar’s fall semester.                                    in math and reading**
and we set some pretty lofty expecta-              Several instruments, marching posi-                             229 POINT
tions. They came in while we were on the      tions, and other elements factor into play,                          INCREASE                                                          • TEST PREP
                                                                                                                        on SAT score***
ground floor of rebuilding a program that     with percussion, color guard, and more all
                                                                                                                    5.4 POINT                                                        • HOMEWORK HELP
we wanted to turn into a state power-         being cogs of a successful band ‘machine.’
house. So they were on board with that             Day-long practices in the Clay County
                                                                                                                   INCREASE
                                                                                                                        on ACT score***                                              • ACADEMIC
process, and it took everyone’s hard work     heat dissipate when the first whistle for                            $71,149.00                                                          PERFORMANCE
to make that happen,” Robbins said.           football season is blown, but after kickoff,                  PER STUDENT                                                                COACH
    The director said that the seniors        it’s really ‘all gas, no brakes’ for Oakleaf.                     in scholarship offers***

demonstrated to younger students their             This season, that meant marching for
positions on the field and helped them        10 games on the football field, win or loss.
perform their roles effectively and confi-    That, along with seven Saturday compe-
                                                                                              Fleming Island • 1960 E. West Parkway Suite 106, Fleming Island, FL 32003 • 904-215-1044
dently.                                       titions and their drive towards the state
    But that’s not all, with the Oakleaf      championship, is why the group strug-                  1-800 CAN LEARN                                      Personalized Attention.
                                                                                                                                                              Proven Results.
                                                                                                                                                                                                               HuntingtonHelps.com

Golden Regiment operating more like a         gled through sweltering practices in the            ©2021 Huntington Mark, LLC. Independently Owned and Operated. SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) are registered trademarks of the College Board. PSAT/
                                                                                                  NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. None of these
family unit with the underclassmen under      summer sun before the onset of the 2022             entities were involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this program. *Not valid with any other offers. **Grade level results are based on cumulative
                                                                                                  average grade level increases in reading and math for 17,445 students from 2010-2014 using the full set of available student data. ***Results are based on
the seniors’ wing, he said.                   academic year.                                      surveys of 3,289 Huntington students graduating in 2019, using their initial Huntington Academic Evaluation and final SAT/ACT test score.          HLC4159.3

                                                                                                                                                                             January 2023 • Clay County School News • 5
SCHOOL NEWS - Creative Circle Media Solutions
Student Health Expo returns
                                                                                                  to Keystone Heights High
                                                                                                  By Natalie Gilstrap                           back to all the schools in Clay County.”
                                                                                                  For School News                                   The expo was held at the high
                                                                                                                                                school’s gym for seventh through 12th
                                                                                                  KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Keystone Heights           graders.
                                                                                                  Junior/Senior High attended its first             The goal is to bring health aware-
                                                                                                  Student Health Expo since the COVID-19        ness to the students and reduce risky
                                                                                                  pandemic on Dec. 16.                          behavior before it happens. The interac-
                                                                                                       “It's an event where we are having       tive event will have tables with around
                                                                                                  community providers come and talk             20 community providers available for
                                                                                                  about topics that will affect the student’s   students to learn about health and injury
                                                                                                  health,” said Director of Community Part-     prevention. Aza Health, Clay Action
                                                                                                  nership Schools Tina Baker.                   Coalition, Emmanuel Project of North
                                                                                                       HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital,        East Florida, HCA Orange Park Hospital
                                                                                                  in partnership with Clay County District      and the Florida Department of Health are
                                                                                                  Schools organized the event to bring          some of the exhibitors that were present
                                                                                                  awareness of a healthy lifestyle to the       to educate students on topics like safe
                                                                                                  students. Its overall focus is to encour-     driving, first aid, nutrition and healthy
                                                                                                  age students to make safe and healthy         relationships.
                                                                                                  decisions while bringing awareness to             “It’s bringing it into like a clearing
                                                                                                  the local resources available.                house,” Baker said. “A one-stop location
                                                                                                       The Student Health Expo was origi-       where they will get exposed to informa-
                                                                                                  nally started in 2013 by the Florida De-      tion and resources that will help them
                                                                                                  partment of Health Clay County School         make good decisions regarding their
Students had the opportunity to meet with 20 community providers for the first time since 2020.   Health to bring health awareness and          health.”
                                                                                                  injury prevention to teens. The event was         Students were able to participate in
                                                                                                  first held at Keystone Heights Junior/Se-     a raffle drawing after completing a ques-
                                                                                                  nior High and has been rotated annually       tionnaire scavenger hunt.
                                                                                                  between high schools in Clay County               “It’s really a great opportunity,” Miller
                                                                                                  until COVID put the program on pause.         said. “If anybody has questions or would
                                                                                                       “We were scheduled to have it in         like to participate, please reach out.”
                                                                                                  2020, but Covid spread and put a hold             To learn more email about the Stu-
                                                                                                  on it.” Sarah Miller, Injury Prevention Co-   dent Health Expo email Sarah Miller at
                                                                                                  ordinator at HCA Orange Park Hospital,        sarah.miller6@hcahealthcare.com.
                                                                                                  said. “We are excited to make a full come-

                                                                                                  Clay County Farm Bureau offering scholarships
                                                                                                      CLAY COUNTY – The County Farm Bu-         beloved former agriculture teacher and
                                                                                                  reau announced it is accepting applica-       FFA advisor of Clay County. This special
                                                                                                  tions for our 2023 Scholarship Program.       scholarship will be awarded to deserving

 2022-2023 Season                                                                                     Clay County Farm Bureau awards
                                                                                                  scholarships to graduating seniors and
                                                                                                                                                recipients who plan to study to become
                                                                                                                                                an agriculture teacher.

    Register Today
                                                                                                  current college students whose parents,           Applications may be obtained from
                                                                                                  or grandparents are members of Clay           your high school guidance counselor,
                                                                                                  County Farm Bureau. This scholarship          any FFA Adviser, from the Clay County

       ArtsEdgeDance.com
                                                                                                  program is very competitive and first         Farm Bureau Facebook page or at the bu-
                                                                                                  preference will be given to applicants        reau at 2000 Henley Road in Middleburg.
                                                                                                  who will be pursuing a career in the field        Completed applications must be
                                                                                                  of agriculture.                               received by the Clay County Farm Bureau
                                                                                                      We would also like to invite students     office no later than Feb. 15. For additional
                                                                                                  to apply for the Katy Hendry Memorial         information, contact Terri Davis at (904)
                                                                                                  Scholarship. This scholarship honors a        282-0644.
6 • Clay County School News • January 2023
SCHOOL NEWS - Creative Circle Media Solutions
Students learn about financial literacy
at second Reality Check program
By Natalie Gilstrap                               “I think the kids are coming to the reali-
For School News                               zation that they are applying the skills,” said
                                              Tina Baker, director of Community Partner
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Keystone Heights           Schools. “It’s an application. They see the
High and Capital City Bank partnered to       connection and that’s the big piece of it.”
bring the second Reality Check to the             Volunteers were served lunch provided
school.                                       by Clyde’s Cozy Kitchen Café.
    The goal of the event was to teach stu-       Teachers said the event was a useful
dents about financial literacy and provide    tool for the students.
them with a better understanding of the           “I think it’s great if the kids actually get
cost of living.                               into it,” said math teacher Leah Pruit. “My
    “It kind of shows us what to expect       kids that are into it are really enjoying it.”
when we get older,” student Chloe said.           She said it’s important and recom-
    The event was held in the school’s        mends that students should participate.
gym and it attracted 55 volunteers. At the    Not only did the teachers support the
start of each period, students were given     event, but students also said it was engag-
a package that stated their job, marital      ing and beneficial.
status, family and income before being            “It’s really fun. It’s a whole learning
directed to the bank table. Then they were    experience,” student Keila said.
directed to the housing table and then to         Volunteers viewed Reality Check as an
the utility table before being allowed to     important tool and would recommend
visit the other booths like transportation,   others to volunteer.                                                                                                         PHOTO BY NATALIE GILSTRAP
grocery, clothing and insurance.                  “It’s a great experience. We’ve recom-         Student met with 55 volunteers at Keystone Hieghts High gymnasium to learn important information
    This year’s event attracted more          mended it to everybody that’s asked,” said         about managing finances during the second Reality Check program.
students who wanted to manage their           volunteers Debbie and Todd Bealls.
expenses and checkbooks.

Benavidez earns scholarship from Fortis College                                                         We're Hiring!
                                                                                                               Share your unique passion
For School News                               suing education/careers through FAPSC                       and impact the lives of young people!
                                              member schools. It presents scholarships
ORANGE PARK – Jessica Benavidez was           three times per year, in the winter, spring
                                                                                                         Full-time starting at $50k per year*
one of eight students at Fortis College to
earn a $1,000 scholarship from the Florida
                                              and fall.
                                                  Fortis Colleges and Institutes, the lead-               Teachers starting at $31 per hour                           AAly Online
Association of Postsecondary Schools and      ing nursing brand for Education Affiliates,                 Part-time starting at $15 per hour
Colleges Foundation.                          has enrolled more than 5,000 nursing stu-
     The student from Orange Park will be     dents nationwide and operates 20 nursing
able to use the money toward academic         campuses in 10 states. For more infor-                    *Competitive Salary + Great Benefits!
credits as she completes her degree.          mation about Fortis’s nursing programs,                            10% Match for 401(k) Contributions
     “We are extremely proud of the stu-                                                                          11 Paid Holidays + 13 PTO Days
                                              visit www.fortis.edu.
                                                                                                                  Competitive Healthcare Package
dents recognized by FAPSC,” said Fortis           Fortis is a post-secondary network
College Regional Vice President Jim Herbst,   of colleges and institutes that engages
who oversees the Florida campuses. “We        students in powerful learning and training                                     CLAY COUNTY BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS
are privileged to work with dedicated and     experiences, which delivers focused career               •Clay High School               •Keystone Heights Jr/Sr High   •Orange Park High School
passionate students as they work toward                                                                •Grove Park Elementary School   •Montclair Elementary School   •Wilkinson Jr. High School
                                              education programs in nursing, dental,                                                   •Orange Park Jr. High School
their career goals in the healthcare com-     healthcare, and the skilled trades at 30
munity.”                                      schools in 14 states. The Fortis network
     FAPSC serves as an advocate for de-      offers career-based certificate, diploma
gree-granting and non-degree-granting         and degree-granting programs. Program
career schools and colleges within Florida.   offerings and programmatic accreditations
Its foundation was established for the sole   vary by campus. Each Fortis campus is ac-
purpose of providing tuition assistance to    credited by a nationally recognized body.
qualifying individuals interested in pur-
                                                                                                                                                January 2023 • Clay County School News • 7
SCHOOL NEWS - Creative Circle Media Solutions
College Signings

Girgis to FSCJ
Ridgeview High senior infielder Billy Girgis has family with him during November 15 athletic scholarship
to play baseball at Florida State College-Jacksonville next season. Girgis will join a team that includes
plenty of Clay County ex-players that fueled a national junior college championship run last year.

                                                                                                                                                                                         PHOTO BY RIELLY HURLEY/FIHS
                                                                                                            FIHS lacrosse signs three
                                                                                                            Fleming Island High signed away three lacrosse athletes to continue playing next year with Jillian
                                                                                                            LaBelle, left, heading to NCAA Div. II Anderson University in South Carolina; Will Krupsky heading to
                                                                                                            NCAA Div. I Jacksonville University and Baylee Jennings heading to NAIA Keiser University in south
                                                                                                            Florida.

                                                                                                            Channell to FAU
                                                                                                            Left: Keystone Heights High senior shortstop Kiley Channell inks scholarship to play at Florida Atlantic
                                                                                                            University, an NCAA Division I softball program in south Florida.

                                                                                                            Rosie                                                      “I liked singing the most,” Rosie said. “I
                                                                                                                                                                   liked it. It felt good to sing.”
                                                                                                            from page 1                                                Then Rosie asked if she could sing a
                                                                                                                                                                   song, and she picked “The Lion Sleeps
                                                                                                            appeared to be overcome by the moment.
                                                                                                                                                                   Tonight.”
                                                                                                                “It makes it all worthwhile to hear
                                                                                                                                                                       Rosie got a book a month from the
                                                                                                            those stories to think that a little child, the
                                                                                                                                                                   program. Her favorite is “Look Out Kinder-
                                                                                                            Imagination Library, we have to have that
                                                                                                                                                                   garten, Here I Come.”
                                                                                                            on the radio, you just do not know,” I do
                                                                                                                                                                       Parton’s Imagination Library has been
                                                                                                            not know, but thank God for that child and
                                                                                                                                                                   made available by the Clay Education
                                                                                                            for you (Liz) for you coming here today to
                                                                                                                                                                   Foundation in two zip codes – 32043
                                                                                                            share that result. That makes me feel great
                                                                                                                                                                   (Green Cove Springs) and 32073 (Orange
                                                                                                            and I know my Dad would be proud.”
                                                                                                                                                                   Park, Bellair, Meadowbrook Terrace and
                                                                                                                Then Clarkson surprised Parton when
                                                                                                                                                                   Lakeside).
                                                                                                            Rosie walked onto the stage. From there,
                                                                                                                                                                       Parton’s charity recently got a $5,310
                                                                                                            she stole the show.
                                                                                                                                                                   donation from the Orange Park Women’s
                                                                                                                Rosie got hugs from Clarkson and
                                                                                                                                                                   Club.
                                                                                                            Parton and she quickly asked them to “sing
                                                                                                                                                                       Parents can sign up a child for free at /
                                                                                                            me a song.” They picked “Amazing Grace.”
                                                                                                                                                                   ow.ly/yCTN30scAVj.
                                                                                                                While they sang, Rose clutched Parton’s
                                                                                                            thumb. She responded by pulling Rosie’s
                                                                                                            hand to her cheek.
8 • Clay County School News • January 2023
SCHOOL NEWS - Creative Circle Media Solutions
Kids with heART
The Kids with heART Gallery in the Pediatric Emergency Waiting Room of Ascension St. Vincent’s
Clay County campus has a new sponsor and features artwork by Clay County students. Thank you
to Van and Sandra Royal for sponsoring this gallery. Each month a different elementary school will
be spotlighted in the gallery. The month of November features artwork by the students at Wilkinson
Elementary.                                                                                          Bike Lane Design winner
                                                                                                     Congratulations to Andrea Navarro Vazquez of Middleburg Elementary School. Andrea
                                                                                                     was announced as one of the 2022 Grand Prize winners for the Bike Lane Design contest
                                                                                                     sponsored by Florida Department of Transportation, District 2, in the grades 3-5 category.
                                                                                                     Andrea's winning design will be painted on the road in the bike lane near Middleburg
                                                                                                     Elementary School.

    Over 500 junior and senior high students in the Cambridge Program participated in the
Physics Day field trip last week at Busch Gardens. Students participated in interactive physics
stations located around the park throughout the day. Accelerometers were even mounted
on select rides for student use.

                                                                                                                                               January 2023 • Clay County School News • 9
SCHOOL NEWS - Creative Circle Media Solutions
Renegades holds off late charge for national title

                                         By Randy Lefko                                  started August 1.                               to get the championship trophy at one
                                         Sports Editor                                        “I was in Pensacola in Perdido Bay         point in the second half and returned the
                                                                                         Buccaneers a few years ago and we made          to field with the game a lot closer.
                                         ORLANDO - Following an epic 17 weeks of         it all the way to the semifinals,” said Lowe,       “Addison started to come back on the
                                         dominating football the Oakleaf Rene-           a U.S. Marine. “This was my second time         Oakleaf team, but a strip tackle and fumble
                                         gades 10-Under Pop Warner team, led by          around. We told the kids last week that         recovery by the Renegades on a Cowboy
                                         prolific tailback Calvin Ferguson’s three       this whole week was either going to be a        breakaway seemed to turn the game
                                         scores, held off a second half surge by the     fun one and we started partying after our       around,” said Prince. “That Addison team
                                         Addison Cowboys of Illinois to win a 34-19      semifinal win.”                                 was starting to make their move.”
                                         national championship title in just their            With the game seemingly in hand                The fumble; tackle by Ferguson on a
                                         third year of existence.                        behind tailback Calvin Ferguson three           breakaway run by Addison, fumble pick up
                                             “This is the first time in about 25 years   50-plus yard scoring runs and a dash from       by Antonio Hamilton, led to a final touch-
                                         that a team from the First Coast Confer-        Keonte Ayers, the Renegades bolted to a         down by Ferguson to move the score from
                                         ence in the northeast Jacksonville area, has    27-0 lead on the Addison team to go into        27-19 to 34-19.
                                         been to the championship game,” said First      the half with the same point total as their         “Calvin Ferguson did an amazing run
                                         Coast Conference President Dean Prince.         two previous wins; 27-0 in both the quar-       after that fumble to set the game,” said
                                         “The last team that got close was a team        terfinals and in Tuesday’s semifinal win        Chris Kennedy, in his first year as director
                                         from Ponte Vedra that lost a thriller in the    over Lower Perks of Pennsylvania.               of the Oakleaf Youth Sports Associa-
                                         national semifinal game.”                            Prince, involved in Pop Warner and         tion.”Our staff is full of plenty of military
                                             For Carlos Lowe, in his third year at       youth sports for nearly 30 years in the         guys that understand discipline and focus
                                         the helm of the Renegades who only              Jacksonville area, appreciated the efforts      to task. We have quality coaches that
                                         started playing in the newly-constructed        of Renegades coach Carlos Lowe and the          teach the kids good football and good
                                         Oakleaf Youth Sports, the Renegades have        Oakleaf area community, said he went into       sportsmanship and they just settled in and
                                         blistered their way through a season that       the tunnel of the Camping World Stadium         maintained the course.”

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10 • Clay County School News • January 2023
Kennedy said the team plans a Satur-                                          been a big part of giving the kids a quality
day banquet on Saturday to honor the                                              experience with all the amenities in the
team and then a Wed., Dec. 21 date with                                           Orlando area. The Oakleaf community
the Jacksonville Iceman hockey team.                                              should be commended for their fundrais-
    “The kids are excited to be on the field;                                     ing and support of the kids to make all this
the big field was a special excitement,” said                                     happen.”
Prince. “The Florida Citrus Association has

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                                                                         January 2023 • Clay County School News • 11
12 • Clay County School News • January 2023
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