A non-profit based in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, Food for Thought has worked to fight child hunger throughout Walton and Okaloosa Counties since 2010, providing 3,000 backpacks weekly that are filled with healthy ingredients for students who are dependent on free or reduced school meals.

With the support of a three-year $125,000 grant from the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Food for Thought launched its Full Circle Kitchen program in September of last year. Offered to high schoolers enrolled in Food for Thought, the program introduces students to fundamental cooking skills through classes taught by community restaurant partners and local chefs.

Walton Academy High school senior Lucy Lopez and junior Donnell Reed are two students benefiting from the program’s efforts to provide youth a foundation for basic cooking skills and access to kitchen equipment in a safe learning environment.

You can read more at: http://emeril.org/spotlight-full-circle-kitchen-students-lucy-lopez-and-donnell-reed

Submitted by David Schmidt

On Friday, May 11^th students from Mrs. Gina Ealum’s WDE class participated in the Special Olympics at ECMS. Students placed in many events and we are proud to announce the following awards:

Autumn Patterson (4^th grade) – 1^st place 50m dash; 1^st place 100m dash; 6^th place shot put

Tyler Penn (5^th grade) – 1^st place Long Jump; 3^rd place 50m dash; 3^rd place 100m dash

Demonte’ Clark (3^rd grade) – 1^st place 50m dash; 1^st place 100m dash; 2^nd place softball throw

Congratulations to these students for their amazing accomplishments!

Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.

On May 9^th and 10^th Freeport Middle School students participated in the inaugural FMS Algebra 1 Boot camp to prepare for the EOC. Over the course of two days, students rotated among three sessions to help prepare them to be successful on the EOC. Collectively the students completed around 7,000 problems over the course of the two days. Students ended the boot camp with a pep talk, and words of encouragement from Principal Harrison.

The WHS baseball team recently got to watch a Northwest Florida State College baseball game and go to FCA to listen to guest speaker Darryl Strawberry. They had a great time and represented Walton High well!

Submitted by Christy English