April is the Month of the Military Family in Florida, and we are asking everyone to PURPLE UP on Wednesday, April 15th in recognition of the sacrifices the military children and their families make in service of our great country. Wear all the purple you own on Wednesday, April 15th and let's PURPLE UP!
Hosted by Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas, the Academic Team Challenge was established to showcase and celebrate Florida’s top student scholars. Over the years, the competition has evolved to include more teams and increasingly demanding questions, requiring students to not only be intelligent, but able to work as a team as well!
Their success is a reflection of their dedication and intellect, but also of the preparation and support behind the scenes. We are beyond proud of the way these students represented Walton County and showcased their academic prowess right alongside their professionalism!
The Walton County School District Academic Team has made it to the FINAL ROUND of the Commissioner's Academic Challenge in Orlando! Since 1986, the Commissioner's Academic Challenge has been a place for teams from across the state to strut their academic prowess. Held each spring, players answer questions from the areas of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, the fine arts, world languages (French and Spanish), physical education, health, and technology. New questions are written each year by educators from high schools throughout the state. They will compete in the finals tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9am ET. Want to watch and cheer them on from home? Check out the link below - other PUT SOME LOVE IN THE COMMENTS!
https://academic-challenge.org/division-3-live-stream/
Thank you to all of our AP's, TSAs, and Deans for all the work you do!
This weekend, members of the Walton County School District family took the stage to perform Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (“Resurrection”) with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. Symphony No. 2 is one of the largest symphonies ever written and involves more than 200 musicians—including the addition of a full chorus. Two of our choral directors, Michaela Moore (Walton Middle School) and Andrew Moore (Walton High School), sang in the choir, and Public Information Officer Dr. Joshua Bledsoe has been a member of the orchestra since 2012.
Experiences like these highlight the value of real-world engagement. When educators and staff remain active in their fields, they bring deeper insight back to the classroom, strengthening the connection between learning and life beyond school.
#MusicInOurSchoolsMonth
The Rosemary Beach Foundation has released the names of the winners of the 2026 Music in Pictures! Each year students from across Walton County put brushes to brains and create incredible artwork inspired by some of the world's most beautiful and inspiring music. The artwork of the winners will be on display throughout the county at the Freeport Library, Coastal Library Branch, Sacred Heart Emerald Coast and Amavida Coffee in Rosemary Beach. We hope that you will go visit these establishments and check out the incredible artwork of our talented students. Mark your calendars for April 16th at 5pm at Freeport High School to come see the final awards ceremony!
Congratulations!
Judges Awards
Kindergarten: Kahmori McDonald - West DeFuniak Elementary School
First Grade: Emily Mentzel - Dune Lakes Elementary School
Second Grade: Chloe Ovalle - Freeport Elementary School
Third Grade: Caroline Budden - Dune Lakes Elementary School
Fourth Grade: Rudy Reinle - Freeport Elementary School
Fifth Grade: Maeve Mitchell - Seaside Neighborhood School
Sixth Grade: Jane Mosley - Seaside Neighborhood School
Seventh Grade: Kate England - Emerald Coast Middle School
Eight Grade: Bianca Matias - Freeport Middle School
Ninth Grade: Isabella Carter - Freeport High School
Tenth Grade: Katelyn Lindsey - South Walton High School
Eleventh Grade: Calypsa Benson - Magnet Innovation School
Twelfth Grade: Keyla Donis - WISE
Chairman Awards
Kai Sampson - Dune Lakes Elementary School
Harper Mulcahey - Maude Saunders Elementary School
Mila Giang - Van R. Butler Elementary School
Kimberly Samiu - Paxton Elementary School
Rae Burson - Mossy Head School
Jack Kennison - Walton Middle School
Reed Cavazos - Freeport Middle School
Sophia Torp - Walton Middle School
Brooklyn Irons - WISE
Samuel Lopez-Delgado - South Walton High School
Zharick Conde - Walton High School
Autumn McConnell - Paxton Secondary School
Owen Thompson - South Walton High School
John Dorsey - Seacoast Collegiate High School
Destiney Waggoner - Walton Academy
Best in Show Selections
Maeve Mitchell
Bianca Matias
Calypsa Benson
Now is the time to register for Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year! Register on-site at your child's zoned school.
Thank you to our network of supporters! We could not do what we do without you!
(Pictured: Last week Florida Power & Light Regional External Affairs Manager, Bernard Johnson, in partnership with the Walton Education Foundation, presented a check to Walton County.)
Walton High School
Edward O' Daniels
Nevaeh Messer
Julie Laviolette
WISE
Aaliyah McCullough
Freeport High School
Larae Smith
Helena "Lainey" Pitts
Davis Goodwin
Magnet Innovation Center
Michael (Gabe) Griffin
Brent (Beau) Melancon
Grace Petty
Paxton
Grace Tyner
Teghan Araneo
Forrest Geoghagan
South Walton High School
Joseph Gilmore
William Justiss
Sophia Mijatovic
