Fort Pierce Westwood JROTC’s Annual Cadet Ball

On Friday, April 19th, the Cadets from the Fort Pierce Westwood Army JROTC put the lid on a long and demanding year of extracurricular commitments and teamwork-based missions with their Annual Cadet Ball, held at the historical 500 Orange Event Hall in Fort Pierce. Over 150 Cadets and guests were in attendance, including the Principal of FPWA, Mr. David Alfonso as well as Assistant Principals Dr. Eddie Robinson, Ms. Nicole Smith, and Mr. Derek Gordon. We also welcomed fellow Cadets from Fort Pierce Central HS Army JROTC, Port St. Lucie HS Army JROTC, and Treasure Coast HS Air Force JROTC for the … Read More

Fort Pierce Westwood JROTC Cadets Keep Port St Lucie Beautiful

Let’s give a big shout-out to our Army JROTC Cadets who participated in the Port St. Lucie 29th Annual “Caring Community Clean-Up Day” on Saturday, 13 APR. Our Cadets provided a helping hand to the “Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful” organization which strives to improve our quality of life through environmental education, area beautification, urban transformation, and litter control. They worked from 7:30 am until 1 pm in various parts of Port St. Lucie, collecting HUNDREDS of pounds of litter. These young leaders continue to display their commitment to the local community through selfless acts, teamwork, and dedication. We are … Read More

Young Floridian Winners from Fort Pierce Westwood Academy

Congratulations to our Young Floridian Winners from Fort Pierce Westwood Academy! The Young Floridian Scholarship Ceremony was held this past Sunday, and Fort Pierce Westwood was able to snag 3 of the 10 categories as wins: Chelsea Gill – DRAMA Elania Guerro – HISTORY / SOCIAL STUDIES Chase Shingledecker – Mathematics / Technology  

Westwood FFA Parliamentary Procedure at Board Meeting

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy students and FFA members Lilly Revels, Berkley Barnes, Elizabeth Rufo, Jayden Weil, Alyssa Coppock, and Laila Chastine presented Parliamentary Procedure at the monthly School Board Meeting. Westwood’s proud Principal Alfonso, Assistant Principal Gordon, and Agriscience Instructor Jenna Blakenbaker cheered them on as well as St. Lucie Public Schools Career and Technical Education CTE Director Aliesha Seitz.

Westwood FFA Horse Judging Competes

The Fort Pierce Westwood Academy FFA Horse Judging team competed at the University of Florida FFA State Horse Judging contest against the best horse judging teams in the State of Florida. They had to pass the preliminary online test and be a top 15 team at the State Fair to be eligible to even compete at the State contest. Westwood’s team placed 6th in the state with 3 freshman and only one veteran judger. Wow! Team members consist of Zoey Thomaselli, Abigail Brickley, Madison Curtis and Adrianna Spotts. Congratulations!

CTE Student Entrepreneurship Showcase

Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from middle and high schools across St. Lucie Public Schools participated in the CTE Student Showcase. The Showcase was all about entrepreneurship, the entrepreneurial mindset, and the resilience needed to be an entrepreneur.  The CTE classroom is a perfect place for teaching these skills since CTE teachers already cover many lessons and projects in entrepreneurship. Across the board, CTE has produced many small business owners in St. Lucie County and across the State of Florida.  Many of the Showcase participants someday want to own a business and be an entrepreneur. Thank you to our … Read More

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy Band Superior at States

Congratulations to the Westwood band on their performance at State Solo and Ensemble this past Friday. The Westwood Indoor Guard earned a rating of Superior for their performance students performing: Breauna Daniels-Cook Jamarri Moody Shamarri Simmons Serinity Smith Destin Wilson Shamarri Simmons earned a superior rating for her dance solo Kenneth Solano earned a rating of excellent for his solo. Janiel Figueroa earned a rating of superior for his solo. Charles White earned a rating of Superior for his solo. For a total 8 superiors and 1 excellent.

Westwood FFA on Top at District Horticulture Contest

Congratulations to our Fort Pierce Westwood FFA students competing at the District Ornamental Horticulture contest. Emma Chancey- artistic arrangement 3rd place Saigence Holguin and Lilyana Gonzalez- Landscape 3rd place Toby Miller- Production

Westwood Wins State FFA Veterinary Assisting

Congratulations to the Fort Pierce Westwood Academy students who competed in the FFA Vet Assisting contest in Plant City! They placed FIRST in the state with Jayden Weil being the high individual of the whole contest. The team members (pictured) Briana Plaza, Samuel Rogers, Jayden Weil, and Ella Stark will be recognized during the State FFA Convention in June and then continue on to compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October! Woo-hoo! Great job, Panthers!

Fort PIerce Westwood FFA

FFA at Fort Pierce Westwood Academy Wins Big at the St. Lucie County Fair

As the St. Lucie County fair wraps up for the Fort Pierce Westwood Academy FFA Chapter, we are so proud of each of you! Some of you being your last year and others their first! You worked hard in and out of the ring and we are proud to call you Panthers! You all worked so hard and we are excited to see your successes! The total for the year was 14 buckles and 20 titles received by our exhibitors. Beef Breeding Results: Grand Champion Heifer- Reed Blankenbaker Reserve Champion Heifer- Elizabeth Rufo Grand Champion Cow/Calf Pair- Paige Cruse Reserve … Read More

Fort Pierce Westwood Students Attend Career Fair at Fort Pierce Yacht Club

Students from Fort Pierce Westwood Academy attended the Chart Your Course Maritime and Marine Career Expo at the Fort Pierce Yacht Club on Thursday, February 22nd. Students learned about a variety of career opportunities in Fort Pierce and the Treasure Coast, highlighted by hands-on activities, panel discussions, and demonstrations from a variety of local businesses and the U.S. Coast Guard. Lots of useful job and career expectations and opportunities were shared with all.

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy Going to States for State STEM Fair

On February 16, 2024, 16 students from Fort Pierce Westwood Academy participated in the 36th Annual STEM Regional Fair hosted by IRSC. The students demonstrated exceptional skills in presenting their projects and justifying their research to the judges. At the subsequent STEM Fair Award Ceremony held on February 21, 2024, eleven participants were chosen for one or more awards. One of the students, Alexander Delamarter, a 9th-grade student, was selected to proceed to the State STEM Fair and represent the school. Here are the winners and the awards they received:

Fort Pierce Westwood New Nurses Aides

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy New Certified Nurses Aides

Please help us congratulate the following Fort Pierce Westwood Academy students who passed their state certification on 02/14/2024 and are now Florida state-certified nurses aides! Marie Sainvil, Katalin Gonzalez-Cardona, Cournecya Harris, Jodian Johnson

Fort Pierce Westwood JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge Camp

Fort Pierce Westwood JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge Camp

Huge praise goes out to the (18) Cadets from our Army JROTC Program who attended the annual JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge Camp at the Tanah Keeta Scout Reservation in Jupiter from 17-20 FEB.  Over (250) Cadets from multiple Treasure Coast High Schools converged on the Camp for (4) days of rigorous training and team-building exercises to help them become tougher and more efficient leaders.  Cadets slept in tents (in a wilderness environment) and had very limited comfort resources at their disposal. They endured over (18) hours of continuous rain on Saturday and Sunday, in addition to weather ranging in the … Read More

Westwood FFA Sweeps Competitions

Congratulations to West Prep FFA students who swept the local FFA contests in Okeechobee, winning every category! 1st place Creed- Laila Chastine 1st place Prepared Public Speaking- Berkley Barnes 1st place Extemporaneous Speaking- Anna Paige Cruse 1st place Safe Tractor Driving- Reed Blankenbaker 1st place Parliamentary Procedure- Lilly Revels, Berkley Barnes, Elizabeth Rufo, Laila Chastine, Jayden Weil and Alyssa Coppock Best wishes as these students move on to district competitions in late January.

CTE High School Nursing Assistant Students Participate in Skills Lab and Tour at IRSC School of Nursing

CTE high school students from Fort Pierce Central High School, Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, Port St. Lucie High School, and St. Lucie West Centennial High School participated in a School of Nursing Day at Indian River State College.  The high school students are a part of their high school’s Nursing Assistant program at their respective school.  Students participated in a campus tour, simulated wound care lab, IRSC and School of Nursing informational session, and opportunity to view current nursing students in action in the new simulated hospital at the IRSC Pruitt Campus.  Thank you to IRSC’s staff and College of Nursing … Read More

Sunshine Kitchen Cook-off

St. Lucie Public School Culinary Programs competed at the Sunshine Kitchen in Fort Pierce.  Five outstanding high school culinary students along with an Indian River State Culinary Institute student formed teams and competed at the Sunshine Kitchen Cook-off. Judges included Chef Mike Febre, True Roots Catering, Guytano D’Anna, Bonefish Macs, Leslie Moyers, Sunshine Kitchen, Jacques Larson, Cathy Townsend, St. Lucie County Commissioner.  The winning team was Aristhene Thelisnort, Fort Pierce Central High and Justin Stolaj, Indian River State Culinary Institute each winning a $1,500 scholarship.  Big thanks to Gina McCants, St. Lucie County Tcerda Research Park, Chef Deb Midkiff, IRSC Culinary Institute, … Read More

Middle School Students Virtual Field Trip to Agriscience & Veterinarian Technician Programs at Fort Pierce Westwood Academy

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) department hosted virtual field trips as a platform to connect students to opportunities within SLPS high schools and increase awareness of college and career pathways.  Middle school students within the district and their teachers went on a virtual field trip to Fort Pierce Westwood Academy: The WEST Prep Magnet.  The students learned about the career opportunities and pathways available to them including Animal Science, Agriculture Mechanics, and Veterinarian Assistant.  Each program engaged students with virtual demonstrations, classroom and lab tours, and a question-and-answer segment with students in the program.   A special thank you to … Read More

Justice Jam! Indian River State College and Criminal Justice Students

Indian River State College presented Justice Jam! for Criminal Justice students from Fort Pierce Central, Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, St. Lucie West Centennial, and Treasure Coast High Schools.  The Career and Technical Education department assisted the Indian River State College Criminal Justice department in getting over 100 students to IRSC for this event.  The Justice Jam was unique as the lead hosts were Mr. Dewey (Indian River State College and SLPS Criminal Justice Advisory Board Member) and Captain Milo Thornton (Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, IRSC Board of Directors appointed by Governor DeSantis, IRSC Alumni, Fort Pierce Westwood Alumni) and … Read More