The Pensacola News Journal’s Student of the Week poll put four high school nominees from Escambia and Santa Rosa County in front of readers this week, with voting set to close Friday at noon. The poll, posted each Tuesday at pnj.com, asks readers to choose the student they believe is most deserving of the top honor.
Among the nominees was James Christopher, a 12th-grade student described as diligent, dedicated, motivated, focused and passionate. He has participated on student councils and led student events, while also maintaining A/B grades. Another nominee, Chriszaven Jones, also a 12th-grader from Pensacola High School, stood out on the varsity baseball team as a three-year letterman, team captain and one of the state’s top stolen base leaders.
The weekly poll is built around nominations from school officials, with each district allowed to put forward up to six students each week. This week’s field was smaller, with four candidates competing for one top Student of the Week recognition. The poll featured nominee profiles rather than a winner announcement, leaving readers to decide which student’s record best matched the honor.
That format is what gives the poll its shape: the recognition is local, but the competition is public, and the final call rests with readers before the Friday deadline. For students in Escambia and Santa Rosa County, the week’s spotlight is brief, but the nomination itself puts academic effort, leadership and extracurricular success in front of a wider audience.
