Latest news with #SurfsideAcademy
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Washington County marks 200 years with bicentennial celebration
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Florida became the 27th state in 1845, 180 years ago. Washington County beats that by 20 years. County officials and residents are celebrating the 200th Anniversary this weekend. The bicentennial event kicked off this evening in Vernon. The celebration kicked off with the Vernon High School JROTC presenting the colors. There was free popcorn and cotton candy for attendees, as well as a bounce house for the kids. While day one is primarily meant to kick off Washington County's Bicentennial celebration, it is also serving as a way to commemorate the history of the park's namesake, an elementary school for African Americans. Surfside Academy in Panama City Beach hosts Special Needs Prom 'So we are standing on the site of the Shady Grove Elementary School. It ran from 1952 to 1968. So we're celebrating their history here on this site, which is now a public park,' Tourist Development Council Director Heather Lopez said. The schoolhouse was disassembled when Washington County integrated their schools. The celebration continues Saturday all around downtown Vernon. There will be a parade, as well as food, live music, and more. The celebration takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All of the events are free. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Surfside Academy in Panama City Beach hosts Special Needs Prom
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – Surfside Academy in Panama City Beach is making sure all students have a prom they'll never forget. Surfside hosted its second annual special needs prom on Friday at Captain Anderson's. Dozens of students enjoyed music from a DJ, dancing, food, a photo booth, and a day filled with joy. The academy consists of four classrooms with over 25 students, from kindergarten to age 22, with intellectual disabilities. Students from the best buddies program were also invited. Bay County candidates discuss city's future at First Friday Surfside's doors have only been open for two years, but staff has already made an impact on the student's lives. 'To see these kids happy. They have so many hardships in life that some of them don't even recognize they have. But there's just to see that kid smile and enjoy the moment, enjoy where they are and the adults they're around, I mean, that's priceless. You can't get that anywhere else,' Surfside Middle School/Academy Principal Matt Pitts said. The school honored its only senior at the prom by naming him prom king. The school staff hopes to continue this tradition of creating memories for the students. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
