Essay winners recognized at school board meeting

Winners of the sixth annual Samuel S. Gaines African American History essay contest were recognized at the April 10 St. Lucie County School Board meeting. Pictured, left to right, are: Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christine Taylor; Emily Perez, St. Lucie West Centennial High School, first place high school division; Julia Genkinger, first place middle school division; Chelsea Licea, St. Lucie West Centennial High School, second place high school division; Terra Ford, Manatee Academy K8, second place middle school division; Nicole Acevedo, Manatee Academy K8, third place middle school division; Hope Johnson, Samuel S. Gaines Academy K8, first place elementary division; Christopher Piedra, Samuel S. Gaines Academy K8, second place elementary division; and Juan Gomez, Samuel S. Gaines Academy K8, third place elementary division. Back row, from left, are Superintendent Michael Lannon, Samuel S. Gaines, School Board chairman Carol Hilson, and St. Luce Education Foundation board member Brian Garcia with daughter Sadie.