Author: Sarah Harris

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy is proud to recognize Jae’la Bolden, a talented junior and member of the National Art Honor Society, as our Artist of the Month. Jae’la has earned this recognition through her outstanding artistic ability, dedication to her craft, and commitment to serving her school and community through the arts. Known for her creativity in mixed media and painting, Jae’la consistently demonstrates a strong artistic vision and attention to detail in every project she undertakes. Her artwork reflects both skill and imagination, making her a standout student in Westwood’s art program. Beyond the classroom, Jae’la generously volunteers her … Read More

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy shines as 48 new members were inducted into our chapter of the National Honor Society on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, in the beautiful Westwood auditorium, and two staff members were honored as outstanding NHS Alumni. The student-led program presented by the five FPWA officers, Nevaeh Brianvil, Hailey Pett, Michelle Sama, Adilelle Piedra, and Naomi Hypolite honored the four pillars of NHS during the traditional candle lighting ceremony, led all present in the NHS pledge, and celebrated the teachers on the NHS Faculty Council. Teachers respected and nominated by students pinned new members as Mr. Alfonso presented … Read More

Ms. McCargo’s Anatomy & Physiology class kicked off their study of “The Skeletal System” with an exciting day of learning! Students began by building their knowledge through focused note-taking and classroom discussion. Ms. McCargo then brought the lesson to life with hands-on activities featuring “OUR” skeleton, Mr. Bones, along with additional anatomical models. Students were able to see, touch, identify, and explore different bones while connecting what they learned in their notes to real-world examples. Anatomy & Physiology is an important first step for students interested in careers throughout the medical field. These dedicated students are building knowledge, gaining experience, … Read More

Ft. Pierce Westwood Academy’s Key Club had a busy week making a positive impact in our community! First, members spent an afternoon sorting food and nonperishable items at the Treasure Coast Food Bank. In addition to helping this important organization, students were excited to volunteer in its fantastic new facility and work together for a great cause. Then, on Saturday, several members spent the morning collecting trash along our Adopted Road, helping keep our community clean and beautiful. Key Club is already well on its way to surpassing the impressive 3,000+ volunteer hours earned last year. We are proud of … Read More

In a touching display of solidarity, members of the Fort Pierce Westwood and Legacy High School bands came together to honor the memory of Derek Phillips, an Iowa marching band student who tragically passed away from heat exhaustion following a football game last Friday. To pay tribute to their fellow musician, students across both programs wore yellow and black ribbons bearing the initials “DIFD” (Do It For Derek) and “LLD” (Long Live Derek). The heartfelt memorial also included matching yellow and black bracelets worn by many students, alongside a handmade “DIFD” sign proudly displayed to show their support. It was … Read More

Fort Pierce, Florida — September 11, 2026 — The Fort Pierce Westwood Academy Panther Battalion Army JROTC conducted a solemn 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday in observance of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The ceremony brought together cadets, students, faculty, staff, guests, and members of the school community to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, recognize the courage and sacrifice of first responders, and reflect on the lasting impact September 11 has had on the nation.  The ceremony and Panther Battalion were led by Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Angela Rivera and Battalion Command Sergeant … Read More

Fort. Pierce Westwood’s Key Club kicked off its volunteer activities with the first Adopted Road Clean-up of the year.  A great group of returning and new club members came out early Saturday morning to help keep our community looking good!  We are anticipating another busy and productive year of service!  Last school year, the Club volunteered over 3000 hours, and the goal this year is 4000.  All members will learn about a number of opportunities coming up this year at our first official meeting of the year on Wednesday, September 2, after school.  Please check Teams for all Club information … Read More

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy recently wrapped up the school year with an exciting and rewarding final Club Day, leaving students and staff with lasting memories. This PBIS-sponsored celebration recognized students who demonstrated proficiency on their state assessments, giving them the unique opportunity to participate in a dunk tank challenge—featuring none other than Principal David M. Alfonso. Cheers and laughter filled the air as students eagerly lined up for the chance to make a splash and celebrate their academic achievements in a fun and memorable way. The event offered much more than just the dunk tank. The campus buzzed with energy … Read More

From Pixels to Press: Mrs. Johnson-Braswell’s Students Bring Digital Designs to Life The hum of a heat press and the smell of fresh ink filled Mrs. Johnson-Braswell’s Digital Media classroom this week at Fort Pierce Westwood Academy as students reached the finish line of their highly anticipated “Wearable Media” project. The assignment Challenged students to bridge the gap between digital graphic design and physical production by creating their own personalized hoodies. Results You Can Wear “It’s one thing to see your art on a monitor, but it’s another thing to actually wear it down the hallway,” said Lindell Young, proudly … Read More

On April 24, the St. Lucie Public Schools District Office was transformed into a vibrant gallery showcasing the exceptional artistic talent of high school students from across the district during the St. Lucie County High School Juried Art Show. The annual exhibition celebrated student achievement in the visual arts and highlighted the creativity, skill, and dedication of young artists working in a wide range of media. The exhibition was hosted by Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, whose students and faculty played a key role in making the evening a memorable success. Guests were welcomed with culinary presentations by Westwood’s Culinary Arts … Read More

Five students woke up at 3am and sacrificed their Valentines Day Saturday to travel and conquer the West Coast Ocean Bowl, dubbed the Spoonbill Bowl.  It has been five years since we last took 1st and 2nd place on the East Coast. Jaella Jones, Mariana Ruppert, William Hussey, Ava Mendoza, and Team Captain Roslyn Tran went UNDEFEATED for 9 rounds to earn a spot in the finals.  In the end, Fort Pierce Westwood placed 2ND in the STATE to bring home a trophy, medals, and cash prizes. Next year, we will secure our schools 4th trip to the National Ocean Bowl.  Special thanks to our … Read More

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy’s Music Department delivered a phenomenal performance at the District 13 Solo and Ensemble assessment. By the numbers, students earned a total of nineteen ratings, including sixteen Superior and three Excellent. Fourteen events qualified to advance to the State level, an outstanding accomplishment for the program. Superior ratings were earned across all areas: six Auxiliary, four Percussion, and four Winds. We also celebrate a special milestone, as one of our Beginning Band students earned a Superior rating, highlighting remarkable growth at every level. Congratulations to our talented musicians and dedicated directors. Westwood On Top! Pride, passion, and … Read More

Students across St. Lucie County are shaping clay and compassion as they create handmade ceramic bowls to support the Treasure Coast Food Bank. Young artists from Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, Legacy High School, Centennial High School, and Fort Pierce Central High School are joining together for this year’s Annual Empty Bowls event. “This is such an incredible project—for the students to not only share their artwork with the public, but also for the community. They come out every year to support this event,” says Heather Blackmon-Gordon of Ft. Pierce Westwood Academy. Save the date: March 14, 8 a.m.–noon at the … Read More

The 5th Annual Sunshine Kitchen Competition brought together culinary talent from across St. Lucie County, pairing high school seniors with first-year IRSC culinary students in a sizzling showdown. Representing Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, senior Nimsi Moreno teamed up with IRSC’s Christina Theriault to compete against teams from PSL High, Ft. Pierce Central, St. Lucie West Centennial, and Treasure Coast High. This year’s challenge? Reinventing classic comfort foods—grilled cheese and macaroni and cheese—while incorporating pork loin. Nimsi and Christina wowed judges with a gourmet grilled cheese featuring four cheeses, balsamic glazed onions, candied bacon, apple slices, and candied pork loin on … Read More

Mrs. Heather Blackmon-Gordon, a dedicated 3-D Art Instructor at Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, has been awarded the 2025 Innovative Grant by the St. Lucie Classroom Teacher Retirees. Her winning proposal, Stitching Success – Empowering Students Through Sewing, introduces a hands-on program that blends artistic creativity with academic rigor. Stitching Success will teach high school students both hand and machine sewing techniques while reinforcing key math concepts such as measurement, geometry, and spatial reasoning. Through reading patterns, calculating fabric dimensions, and aligning seams, students will gain practical experience in fractions, proportions, and precision. The program is designed to support diverse learners … Read More

The Fort Pierce Westwood Academic A Team achieved an outstanding victory at the Henri Sue Bynum Brain Bowl tournament, held yesterday (October 20) at Indian River State College. Competing against 12 strong teams from across the county, Westwood secured first place with a commanding championship win, scoring 140 points to their opponent’s 50. This impressive performance showcased the team’s exceptional knowledge, quick thinking, and collaboration. Their hard work and preparation truly paid off. We proudly congratulate our brilliant team members: Chase Koehler, Roslyn Tran, Clarice Jean, Yashaira Marroquin Gomez, Iris Byrd, Mariana Ruppert, Riley Lynch, and Ava Mendoza. Your Panther … Read More

Our members have been busy showcasing their dedication, leadership, and agricultural excellence! St. Lucie County Fair Steer Weigh-In & Tagging: Members exhibiting steers completed their official weigh-in and tagging—one step closer to an amazing fair! (Pictured: Abigail Brickley & Emily Castro) CPC Conference: Chapter President Alyssa Coppock and Vice President of Strengthening Agriculture Laila Chastine attended CPC, spending two days growing their professional development and gathering valuable insights to strengthen our chapter’s success. Showmanship Clinic: Chapter Secretary Sadie Buxton and member Rylee Lynch led the goat portion of the showmanship clinic—teaching project selection, daily care, and showmanship techniques. Their guidance built confidence and hands-on skills for future … Read More

We are proud to celebrate our very first parade honoring Hispanic Heritage and the vibrant cultures that enrich our community! A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the amazing students who participated with enthusiasm and pride, to the dedicated teachers who supported the event, and to our talented band for providing the lively music that brought the celebration to life. This parade marks the beginning of a series of exciting events designed to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions, diverse traditions, and rich histories of American citizens whose roots trace back to the 21 Spanish-speaking countries. Stay tuned—more cultural … Read More