Students and faculty at West DeFuniak Elementary will benefit from an EPIC grant that they received from St. Joe Community Foundation.   Ms. Janet Piepul, Executive Director for the Foundation stopped by to present the check to Mrs. Tammy Goodman, Media Specialist and Mr. Rodney Free, Assistant Principal.  Several eager students were also available for the photo opportunity.  The $20,000 grant will be used for books, ebooks, and iPads for the library.  St. Joe Community Foundation provides grants to nonprofit agencies in Bay and Walton Counties in the areas of art, education, healthcare, and the environment.  In doing so the local communities are healthier and it is more enjoyable for the people who live and work in both counties.  WDE is thrilled to be able to receive this grant and to be able to provide these EPIC resources to our school.

Submitted by Jessica Dawkins

South Walton High School will be sending two representatives to the State Academic Team Championship in April.  Sophomore Nadia Bock and Senior Jordan Nichols will be on the six-member team. Submitted by Barbara Stratton.

Freeport High School’s Shannon ‘Junior’ Carswell recently signed a full-ride football scholarship with the University of Southern Mississippi. Shannon is the only football player who signed a Division 1 FBS scholarship from Walton County this year. Congratulations Shannon!

Submitted by Patty Woodard.