Build a brain. Build a life. Build a community.

The words are catchy, but the Studer Community Institute believes they are more than that. The Institute’s work aims to make those words change Pensacola for the better.

We know it is work that is needed.

Data from the Florida Department of Education released recently tells us that only 45.77 percent of Escambia County kids who started kindergarten last fall were “kindergarten ready.”

That means of the 2,908 children who started kindergarten, 1,577 boys and girls did not have all of the basic academic skills they needed to be ready to learn to read, count, and begin their school journey primed for success.

It’s the first time since 2014 that the state has released kindergarten readiness rate data, and it shows that we as a community still have much work to do to make sure that our children get a chance for a good start in school and life.

“Kindergarten readiness is an important marker for the beginning of a child’s journey in school,” said Shannon Nickinson, Studer Community Institute’s director of early learning. “More than that, it is increasingly viewed by economists and other experts as a measurement of a community’s journey toward prosperity and a good quality of life for everyone who live there.

“Our community has made great progress in the last five years toward making Pensacola a vibrant place to work and raise a family in. But this data tells us that we have much more work to do.”

The Light Up Learning fundraiser, planned for June 21, will support the Institute’s work to build an Early Learning City where every child has a chance to make the most of their lives.

The entertainment will be circus themed and will feature a stilt-walker, a contortionist, a magician and more. If you are interested in sponsorship or attending, please contact Nicole Webb Bodie [email protected], (850) 748-2027. Tables of 8 are $1000, individual seats at $125 per person or $225 a couple. https://sci-light-up-learning2018.eventbrite.com

SCI’s work focuses on increasing everyone’s knowledge about the importance of healthy early brain development in the first three years of life.

In that critical window, 85 percent of the human brain develops, laying the basic wiring that helps make children ready to succeed in school and life.  

We do that in three key areas:

— Brain development education for Escambia County mothers within 48 hours of childbirth.

— Parent education for children living within our county’s pockets of poverty.

— Building learning into the external environment across the community.

The second annual  Light Up Learning fundraiser is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Court of DeLuna event space on Tarragona Street. The event will include music, early learning inspired food, live and silent auctions and more. It features SCI board member, Pensacola native and Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Josh Sitton, who graduated from Catholic High School. Sitton was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He was part of the Packers team that beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. He signed a three-year contract with the Bears in 2016.

The Dolphins signed Sitton, who played college football for the University of Central Florida, this year.

“My wife and I are truly blessed to be able to give back to the community that we call home,” says Sitton. “We believe the positive development of Pensacola's youth is paramount to the success of our city's future.

“We are excited to help continue the effort and investment the Studers have made in this great community,” Sitton says. “We look forward to the impact the Studer Community Institute will have going forward.”

Joining Sitton in attendance at the event:

— Fred Robbins, Tate High graduate, played for 12 years in the NFL. Robbins played at Wake Forest University and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2000. He played for the New York Giants and was part of the Giants’ Super Bowl XLII championship team. He ended his career with the St Louis Rams. His Pensacola philanthropy, Mr. Robbins Neighborhood, provides guidance and mentorship to young athletes.

— Cody Whitehair, starting center for Chicago Bears. Whitehair was a 2016 second-round draft pick who was named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team.

— Chicago Bears running back and 2017 Pro Bowler Jordan Howard, who ran for more than 1,300 yards in 2016 and 1,122 in 2017.

— 1993 Heisman Trophy winner and 11-year National Basketball Association veteran Charlie Ward. Ward was a standout quarterback at Florida State University, where he won the Heisman Trophy, and was a standout basketball player. He played for the New York Knicks from 1994-2004.

Some of the live auction items will include:

— Miami Dolphins package, including a flight for two to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, two nights of hotel, two tickets to the Miami Dolphins, on-field pregame passes; meet and greet with Sitton.

— Perfect Plain Grain to Glass Beermaking Experience. Winner and two people will have the chance to sit down with the PPBC Brewing team and come up with a custom beer recipe to be served at Perfect Plain. Those three people can also be on site to watch (and maybe help!) during the brew day for their custom beer. You will also have the chance to name your beer, which will be on display in the PPBC taproom as long as it lasts.
A few weeks later, there will be a midweek release party at for your beer with a free keg for you and your friends. You will also be able to bring some home in our 32 oz. crowlers

— Golf with Derrick Brooks. The Pro Football Hall of Famer and graduate of Booker T. Washington High School will offer a round of golf with the winner of this package at Pensacola Country Club. Brooks played for 14 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Florida State University graduate went to the Bucs in the first round of the 1995 draft. He was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times and won a championship in Super Bowl XXXVII.

— A very limited edition pink driver signed by PGA pro Bubba Watson, a native of Bagdad. Watson has won the Masters twice. He is also part owner of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, as well as a car dealership in Milton and Bubba’s Sweet Spot candy shop.

— Tons of signed merchandise from NFL players, and much more.