- November 16, 2025
Matanzas High School senior Remmika Battles has been selected as one of 12 finalists statewide for a Take Stock In Children Leaders 4 Life Fellowship.
Six students will win a fellowship which provides funds for all college-related expenses supplementing the Take Stock in Children tuition scholarship. Leaders 4 Life Fellows also receive leadership training and internship opportunities.
There have only been two Flagler County students to receive Leaders 4 Life Fellowships — Dylan Long in 2022 and his sister Chloe Long in 2024, both of Flagler Palm Coast High.
Flagler Schools announced Battles’ selection on social media.
“A heartfelt thank you to the Flagler County Education Foundation for supporting Take Stock in Children and helping students like Remmika chase big dreams,” the post said.
The Flagler County School Board honored Old Kings Elementary School at its Oct. 28 board meeting for being designated a School of Excellence by the Florida Board of Education for a third consecutive year.
To reach the distinction a school’s grade calculation must be in the 80th percentile or higher among other schools on its grade level. In Flagler County, only two schools have qualified for the designation — Indian Trails Middle School and OKES — Assistant Superintendent Angela O’Brien told the board. A school that qualifies can retain the designation for up to three years and then can renew.
Superintendent LaShakia Moore noted that OKES Principal Jessica Fries, Assistant Principal Kim Scaccia and faculty members wore “Excellence for All” T-shirts at the meeting, because the school is not only performing among the top 20% in the state, but none of its subgroups are on the federal index.
“Every subgroup of students is also moving forward academically, so kudos to you guys. We are super proud of your hard work and look forward to you being a School of Excellent for years and years to come,” Moore said.
The 2026 Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas high school graduation ceremonies will be held on Sunday, May 31 — the week after Memorial Day — at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. The facility fee is $5,000, a $1,000 increase from last year. The Flagler County School Board approved the contract at its Oct. 28 meeting.
Flagler Technical College has been awarded three grants totaling $20,000 to advance literacy through FTC’s adult education programs, FTC Director Renee Swaggery announced.
The Florida Literacy Coalition Financial Literacy Grant of $5,000, sponsored by Wells Fargo, will enhance financial literacy education, empowering students and their families with essential money management skills.
The Florida Literacy Coalition Health Literacy Grant of $5,000, sponsored by Florida Blue, focuses on improving health literacy to help students and their families make informed health care decisions and navigate health care information effectively.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grant of $10,000 will support comprehensive literacy programs at their core, Swaggerty said, allowing FTC to expand adult education opportunities.
