Fifth grader Ashley Wear (facing the camera) shows off the flower lollipop she made at one of the craft stations, with the help of teacher Donna Borders (far right). During the Crafty Celebration, students also voted on their favorite to win the Super Bowl: the New England Patriots!

Rolan Milligan committed to Jacksonville (FL) University. The JU Dolphins play in the Pioneer Football League under Head Coach Kerwin Bell, a former University of Florida quarterback.

Daquand Marion signed to play with the Vikings of Missouri Valley College, in Marshall, Missouri. Missouri Valley’s football team has won 17 conference championships, a small college national title, two national runner-up finishes and 13 national bowl games.

Ladarian Wilson and Antwan Hadley signed with Grizzlies of Butler (Kansas) College. Butler plays in the Jayhawk Conference, and ended the 2011 season with a No. 2 national ranking among schools its size.

Lamar Welch and Eddie Chadwick committed to the Yellowjackets of Graceland (Iowa) University. (Olympic Decathlon 1976 gold medalist Bruce Jenner attended Graceland on a football scholarship before a knee injury forced him to switch to track. Graceland’s outdoor track and sports complex is named in Jenner’s honor.)

The signing ceremony took place at 8 a.m. Wednesday in the Lake Wales High media center. Players were surrounded by friends, family members and coaches.

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PHOTO #1: LWHS football players (l-r) Daquand Marion, Antwan Hadley, Ladarian Wilson, Lamar Welch, Rolan Milligan and Eddie Chadwick are all smiles on National Signing Day.

PHOTO #2: Head Football Coach Rod Shafer, far right, is “still coaching” players (l-r)  Lamar Welch, Rolan Milligan and Eddie Chadwick as they line up for photos during the National Signing Day ceremony at Lake Wales High School.

PHOTO #3: Before the ceremony, LWHS players waiting to sign scholarship commitment papers were (l-r) Eddie Chadwick, Daquand Marion, Antwan Hadley, Rolan Milligan, Ladarian Wilson and Lamar Welch.

Students were treated to the free concert as part of the Lake Wales Arts Council’s education outreach program. Pandolfi played pieces by Chopin, Gershwin and Joplin. He also talked about his studies at the Julliard School of Music and his world travels.

“These experiences help shape our students into well-rounded, contributing young people in our community,” said Micky Caban, music teacher at Janie Howard Wilson.

The signing ceremony will take place at 8 a.m. Wednesday in the Lake Wales High media center. According to Head Coach Rod Shafer, commitments are expected from:

• Roland Milligan
• Ladarian Wilson
• Antwan Hadley
• Marvin Wright
• Dequand Marian
• Lamar Welch
• Eddie Chadwick

The 2011 Highlanders advanced to the state regional playoffs in late November before being eliminated.

Parents will learn when and how their students will be tested for the FCAT, Florida’s Comprehensive Assessment Test. Bok teachers will explain how the FCAT is changing, and what Bok Academy is doing to prepare students for the test.

Teachers from math, reading, language arts and science classrooms will share tips that parents can use to help their middle school students prepare at home.

The FCAT writing test is scheduled for the end of February and early March. Other FCAT tests take place in mid- to late-April.

Bok @ the Moon is an outdoor event designed to take advantage of the school’s location on the shores of Crooked Lake. A traditional bonfire will be burning near the lake where friends, family and teachers can relax and roast marshmallows. Visitors can go to the iPad showcase, listen to the steel drums, learn how to help their children with academics, play a variety of games, stop by the photo booth, and more.

Principal Damien Moses has issued a challenge to Bok students. He will give a reward to the grade level with the highest attendance and participation in the “color challenge” during Bok @ the Moon. Each grade level has a specific color: sixth is blue for water; seventh is green for land; and eighth is orange for citrus.

Bok @ the Moon is a free event, which is open to the community. Visitors should bring folding chairs, picnic blankets and jackets. The PTO will be selling food and drinks during the event.

Bok Academy is located at 13901 Hwy. 27 South, across from Warner University.

PHOTO #1: Richard Ramirez digs in.

PHOTO #2: Jasenia Madrigal and Jacaree Taylor add toppings to their pancakes.

PHOTO #3: Classroom mother Shelly Booth makes pancakes for students.

PHOTO #4: Savannah Ivey and Desyre Henry enjoy their pancakes.

Destiney competed against and beat more than 2,000 third and fourth graders in the county-wide contest, which is sponsored by the Polk County Community Relations Advisory Council. Students based their essays on the prompt “What does the dream mean to me?”

“Aida is a hard worker in the classroom and is a leader at Janie Howard Wilson,” said Steven Whitaker, lead administrator. “She makes sure to follow our school expectations, which are to be Responsible, Respectful and Safe.”

Aida is pictured with (l-r) Kiwanis member Larry Tonjes, teacher-on-special-assignment April Barnhardt, and Kiwanis member Barney Moore.

Terrific Kids is part of a Kiwanis International program to recognize outstanding, responsible elementary students.

The Highlanders finished first, beating teams from Frostproof, Fort Meade, Lake Region, McKeel and Winter Haven.

Team members include (front l-r) coach Allison Kapphan, Maxine Bartkovich, Alexandra Pass, Erick Castillo; (back l-r) Zeke Hayes, Ethan Whitworth, Mason Branscome and coach Yufonda Kinsler.