Recently, 29 cadets from St. Lucie West Centennial High School Navy Junior ROTC toured Patrick Air Force Base in Cocoa Beach. In the morning, they visited the barracks, gym and souvenir shop. After lunch in the mess hall, cadets watched paratrooper squadron demonstration, toured the flight line fire station, had a briefing on education benefits, observed the security forces K-9 unit, and fire range simulator. Cadet Johanna Moody said the best part of the tour by far was the security forces because that is what she would like to have as a career. Pictured are the students by a helicopter.

St. Lucie West Centennial High School Navy Junior ROTC field meet competition team participated at a field meet in Miami Beach recently. Even though the team was missing some valuable players, the cadets overcame their disadvantage and took home 10 trophies, the most the unit has ever earned. The cadets took first place in Armed Exhibition Drill and first place in Unarmed Basic Drill, and came in third place overall out of 15 schools. Congratulations to the Black Talon Navy Junior ROTC cadets.

Each week for the last twelve years, Medical Academy students from St. Lucie West Centennial High School have had the privilege of spending part of their school day at Martin Health Systems-St. Lucie West.  The variety of health professions which they can shadow and glean career information from is unending.  For instance, pictured is Dr. Steven Parr, Martin Health System’s ER physician, instructing medical academy students in examination techniques in the Emergency Room of Martin Health Systems- St. Lucie West.  From left, are Dr. Parr, student-patient, Reinaldo Ramos, and students Marissa Russo and Jo Jo Corsi. Students throughout high schools in the United States may now … Read More

Officers with the St. Lucie County Fire Department displayed and explained the use of the department’s Air Rescue helicopter to students in Mary Higgins’ First Responder class in the Medical Academy at St. Lucie West Centennial High School during a recent visit to the fire department’s headquarters. In addition to the presentation, students also experienced a one hour practical component with the aircraft. Pictured, front row from left, are Matthew Leo, Karen Diaz, Megan DePaola, Talia Billue, Charles Pereny, and Monica Bush. Back row, from left, are Cody Trahan, Alejandro Saez, and Dominic Martin.

Students from St. Lucie West Centennial High School’s Health Occupations Students Association (HOSA) earned top honors at a recent State Leadership Conference. Centennial High HOSA members Dru’ Curtis, Lisa Pressendo, Mary Hartley, Natassha Pena-Morales, Alejandra Perez-Mercado, Michael Riley, Alexia Stewart, Kedisha Christie, Jennifer Rodriguez, Danilo Perdomo, and Tony-Ann Walker had high hopes for the competition, and were not disappointed! Lisa Pressendo won first place and Mary Hartley took fourth in Massage Therapy, Dru’ Curtis took third in Medical Terminology, and Jennifer Rodriguez won a Recognition Award for her HOSA Happenings Newsletter. Dru’ Curtis and Jennifer Rodriguez will go on to … Read More

Students in the allied health academy at St. Lucie West Centennial High School (SLWCHS) recently participated in the HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Winter Leadership Conference at Keiser University in West Palm Beach along with HOSA members from all over Region IX to determine those who would go on to state competition. Teacher and HOSA advisor Elizabeth Durkee coordinated events for the students. Pictured, from left, front row, are SLWCHS students Jalisa Smith, third place, Human Growth and Development; Michael Riley, third place, Dental Science; Tony-Anne Walker, third place, Home Health Aide; Victoria Hodges, first place, Speaking Skills. Back … Read More

Ron Parker, head football coach at St. Lucie West Centennial High School, was selected by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association to coach for the South team in Florida’s 2011 North/South All Star game in Sebring. Senior defensive back Ty Jackson, pictured with Parker, was also selected to participate in the game.      

St. Lucie West Centennial High School drama students earned five trophies, including best supporting actor overall, best supporting actress and the critic’s choice award in the district 15 One Act Drama Competition. As a result , 27 Centennial students are now on their way to perform at Morsani Hall in Tampa for the State Finals Drama Competition in March and five students will be performing in the state final individual events. Pictured, front row from left,  are Angel Martinez, Kaitlynn Torres, Courtnet Chronister, Amber Camacho, Brianna Lorenz, Valerie Burns, and Kristina Hoeffer. Second row, from left, are Justin Tardagno, Michael Ladewig, Passion Delgado, … Read More

On February 2, 2017, over one hundred 9th graders from St. Lucie West Centennial High School’s (SLWCHS) Freshman Academy visited the main campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Students visited multiple class buildings, toured the football stadium, fitness center, student union, and many other facilities associated with academia and student life, and had question-and-answer sessions with helpful FAU staff. The trip was an overwhelming success, and the kids thoroughly enjoyed the time they spent on campus. Students often struggle to maintain motivation during high school, and it is the strong belief of the SLWCHS administrative team that … Read More

The Centennial High School Flag Football team achieved a significant milestone by securing their 50th win all-time with a victory over Tradition Prep. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and hard work of coaches Brenton Kappler and Garland Heath, who have been leading the team for many years. Flag Football is a relatively new sport to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), and Coach Kappler has been a prominent advocate at the state level, championing the sport’s growth and development. His leadership and commitment have made him a key figure among local coaches, and together with Coach … Read More

St. Lucie West Centennial High School’s culinary arts students recently had the exciting opportunity to visit Oak and Ember Steakhouse in downtown Stuart, a renowned Kyle G restaurant. This field trip was an invaluable information-gathering session, during which students were able to meet and ask questions to the restaurant’s staff, including chefs, managers, and other key personnel. These interactions provided them with a deeper understanding of the restaurant industry, including the challenges and rewards of working in a high-end establishment. The professionals shared their personal experiences, offering valuable advice and inspiring the students to pursue their culinary passions. The trip … Read More

Our culinary students stepped into full creative mode last week as they explored innovation through two semi-homemade, high-impact desserts.  Each team crafted a personalized monkey bread, selecting their own mix-ins—cherry, apple, or pumpkin—to build flavor combinations that were as bold as they were delicious. They also produced rich chocolate brownie Bundt cakes finished with a glossy chocolate ganache and hand-formed Tootsie-roll roses. This fast-paced lab was designed to sharpen their familiarity with commercial-kitchen equipment, dry-storage organization, and cold-product locations, giving them the confidence to move with purpose and precision. The results were fantastic—every group worked hard, collaborated beautifully, and delivered … Read More

The St. Lucie West Centennial High School Black Talon Company competition team recently competed against 15 other Florida Navy JROTC units including two former national champs.  The cadets returned successfully from Felix Varela High School in Miami with three trophies: fourth place in Armed Basic Regulation Drill, third place in Overall Drill, and first place in  Armed Exhibition Drill Team.  The cadets are now preparing for their next competition in February.

Students face tough challenges every day, but 32 cadets from the St. Lucie West Centennial High School Navy JROTC faced a very tough one recently, spending spent four days at the U. S. Navy’s Parris Island Boot Camp.  During their visit they were treated just like any other recruit.  They learned how to follow orders with spit second response times.  They learned to pay close attention to details or suffer “extra military instruction.” Of course, they received “counseling” from their drill instructor, slept in barracks, ate in the Mess Hall, trained on the obstacle course, and drilled just like Marines.  On their … Read More

 Fifty two cadets from the St. Lucie West Centennial High School JROTC visited the Fort Pierce Coast Guard station recently.  The cadets saw the  facilities, toured the U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Blue Fin, got “underway” aboard the forty-five foot high speed patrol boat for a ride out to the Atlantic, and toured the other patrol craft the stations uses on a regular basis.  The cadets gained a real understanding of what it is like to be a member of the Coast Guard and what it means to live by their motto of “Semper Paratus,” or always ready.

Recently, 31 cadets from St. Lucie West Centennial High School Navy Junior ROTC unit toured the national Navy UDT-SEAL Museum located in Fort Pierce. Upon arrival, cadets viewed multiple Navy patrol craft, two underwater SEAL delivery vehicles, and two Apollo Spacecraft training capsules. After entering the building, the cadets were guided through a World War I exhibit by a tour guide and then toured the rest of the exhibits on their own. They saw the actual 10,000 pound, fiberglass lifeboat where Captain Richard Phillips, of the Maersk Alabama, was taken hostage by Somalia pirates and saw how the SEALs rescued … Read More

St. Lucie West Centennial High School Navy Junior ROTC Field Meet Competition Team participated at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University’s field meet in Daytona Beach, Florida earlier this month. Each cadet showed a tremendous amount of motivation and dedication throughout the long hard day at the university. The cadets brought home seven trophies including first place for personnel inspection, unarmed basic, armed basic, armed exhibition, and color guard, second place overall drill, and fourth place overall. They defeated the reigning national champion, Boca Raton High School, in five events! This field meet qualified the Black Talon Company to attend the state … Read More