Friday Fest to Feature Blueberries

Friday Fest will become "Blueberry Fest" from 6 to 9 tonight along East Main Street and Central Avenue in downtown Bartow.

Clear Springs is sponsoring this month's event, which will feature live music by Band Haven and blueberry samples provided for visitors to taste.

Linda Hughes' fifth-grade class at Bartow Elementary Academy will also share experiences from a blueberry growing project they have worked on over the last year.

Also back this month is the popular water slide for kids, as well as the food and drinks, which are available for purchase.

Bring the family and come out for a great time in the community.

ABOUT FACE

One of the most rewarding things I can think of to celebrate is when students take control over themselves and their situations and turn things around.

In turn, they become an inspiration for those around them. That's the foundation for the About Face Award.

Students in Bartow, Fort Meade and all across Polk County have earned this honor for making improvements in grades, attendance, behavior, disposition and attitude toward school, themselves or others.

The students were honored at the school district's About Face Awards ceremony at the Bartow Civic Center. Students, their families and mentors, School District staff and administrators, School Board members and community members also attended the ceremony.

South Polk students receiving this honor are:

Kenitra Watkins, Bartow High School.

Aaron Szekely, Bartow Middle School.

Mauricio Popoca, Compass Middle School.

Dalton Lyon and Devon Motley, Gause Academy.

Jacqueline Whatley, Union Academy.

Kiera Wilson in middle school and Samuel Fulse in high school from Fort Meade Middle-High School.

Congratulations to these students and their families for making such a positive impact on everyone around you.

STUDENT HONORS

First Methodist School in Bartow has announced the Honor Roll for the fifth six-week period of the school year.

The A Honor Roll is:

First Grade: Elisa Joyner, Karley Lopez, Cammy McCall and Hope Peavey.

Second Grade: Bret Alfsen, Isabella Avila, Cameron Baggott and Elizabeth Roth.

Third Grade: Tyler Belcher, David Carroll and Adrianna Croom.

Fourth Grade: Megan Harrelson and Kelsianne McMillan.

Fifth Grade: Chase Alfsen and Britney Meadows.

Sixth Grade: Deanna Wodecki.

The A & B Honor Roll is:

First Grade: Emily Becerra, Harli Beerman, Jaiden Cason, Olivia Chancey, Shelby Hall, Dalton Jenkins, Madison McNelis and Ethan Parker.

Second Grade: Riley Albritton, Adriana Colon, Zachary Farrer, Drake Harden, Sam Henry, Olivia Hines, Devon Jackson, Sydney Lafferty, Josiah Patel, Nathan Presnell. Hayden Welch, Kiara Weiss and Kyle Wodecki.

Third Grade: Kasi Brannon, Melysse Hall, Ryan Holle and Mary Katherine Meier.

Fourth Grade: Noah Cole, Cassidy Collins, Ethan Jared, Lauren Layton, Caleb Lewis, Micah Patel, Dalton Sloan and Elizabeth Zucker.

Fifth Grade: Abby Heidel and Mikayle Mooney.

Seventh Grade: Kaitlyn Croom, Charlie Hancock, Alex Smith and Cody Vaughn.

Eighth Grade: Austin Hurst.

CITIZENSHIP AWARDS

First Methodist School in Bartow has announced the Citizenship Awards for the fifth six-week period of this school year.

This honor is awarded students who display exemplary school spirit and dedication to the mission of the school, along with participating in many activities around the school. Students earning the award are Riley Albritton, Jordan Belcher, Olivia Chancey, Adriana Colon, Madi Crisler, Melysse Hall, Russ Holcomb, Chloe Mitchell and Micah Patel.

[ Please send news about community events, club and church activities in the Bartow and Fort Meade area to Jamie Brown, 455 Sixth St. N.W., Winter Haven, FL 33881; e-mail jebrown@tampabay.rr.com; by fax at 863-401-6999. Photos can also accompany the items. ]