Escambia County Public Schools (ECPS) students, career academies, schools and partnerships were recognized at the Career Academy Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Students, teachers, individual career academies and business partners were honored in a lunchtime banquet held at Culinary Productions. Jo McArthur, Executive Director of the Foundation for Escambia County Public Schools, graciously performed as the master of ceremonies.
- “We are so fortunate in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties to have such active and robust career academies in our high schools and middle schools,” said ECPS Workforce Education Director Steven Harrell. “It is an honor to be a part of this enterprise. We are truly preparing our students for success after graduation.”
This year’s winners include:
Business/Industry Academy Partner Award – Criminal Justice
Chip Simmons, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Business/Industry Academy Partner Award – Law Office
Phil Hall P.A.
Middle School Career Academy Student of the Year: Jaiden Stanton, Technology Education & Manufacturing Academy, Ransom Middle School
Middle School Career Academy Teacher of the Year: Jessika Brown, Culinary Arts Academy, Bailey Middle School
Middle School Career Academy of the Year: Leanne Jenkins, Agriculture – FFA, Beulah Middle School
High School Career Academy Student of the Year: Jude Poller, Marketing & Entrepreneurship Academy, Booker T. Washington High School
High School Career Academy Scholar: Tyson Tang, Aviation Technology Academy, Booker T. Washington High School
High School Career Academy Student Intern of the Year: Lyric Woods, Marketing and Entrepreneurship Academy, Booker T. Washington High School
High School Career Academy Teacher of the Year: Richard “Chip” Coleman, Agriscience Academy, J.M. Tate High School
High School Career Academy of the Year: Rachel Veninga & Kristi Mead, Veterinary Science Academy, J.M. Tate High School