Enjoy an incredible lunch, sip elegant wines and indulge in delectable desserts, all of the must-have accessories of the season from The Jewel, door prizes, raffle items, plus more.
$175/person
Friday, February 28, 2025
Intimate dinners in stunning homes and venues with a private chef & world class wines. Limited tickets available $1,000/couple; $500/person
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Join us for world-class vintners, delectable bites, a seated lunch, expert spirit purveyors, amazing auction items and live music.
$225/person
Publisher’s Letter
The Mardi Gras season is in full swing, and here at FACES PENSACOLA, we continue our monthly publication “covering the places and faces of Pensacola” and surrounding areas. Our team has been busy covering events including runs, festivals, galas, openings, and more. Watch out for Kristina Wright, our Lead Event Photographer, along with other event photographers to be included in the next issue.
Besides event coverage, look for the Facts, and .
Please stay connected with us on social on Facebook @FACESpcola and Instagram FACESpensacola. We love Pensacola and us know about your upcoming event. We would love to include you in our calendar and cover your events.
Thank you, Pensacola, for welcoming us and including us in your events. Don’t forget to check out our advertisers and give them some love.
We can’t wait to see your faces!
photo by: Kristina Wright
Team Faces
Contributors
Hudson Aho, Distribution
Polkadot Entertainment, Photographer
Steve Barber Publisher/Editor
Jessica Graña Creative Director
Kristina Wright Lead Photographer
Ashley Byers, Bailey Drouanz, Hannah Zimmern
f & Cara Vickers
Krewe de Karnaval
Michael & HIM
Myishola Matthews
Krewe of Blues
Scott, John Stamos, Tifany Gray Mardi Gras Kick-off 12th Night
photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: Downtown Pensacola
7 Commissioner Lumon May, Kevin & Ashley Christman
8 Nick & Jennifer Saba
9 Cassi Lera, Brittany Wise
Christopher Hertzog, Jessica Jones
11 Chesley Polk, Jo Rich
12 Krewe of Karibbean
Mardi Gras Kick-off 12th Night
photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: Downtown Pensacola
Melissa Wright, Dawn Grace
Rhonda Wiggins, James Conyers
Father Pat Lapointe of St. Joseph’s, Danny Zimmern
photographer: Kristina Wright
Wilcox, Chesley Polk, Danny Zimmern, Marty Stanovich, Jo Rich, Steve Barber
Carlson, Brenda Dimos, John & Terri Misita
Faces of SerVice Q+A
How do you stay connected to your community while serving?
Never forget where your home is and know that by coming home and connecting with your community to encourage other young people about what it means to serve and give back. Serving in the military pushes you to your core and builds your
people would not think of even attempting. I myself was never challenged at a young age and joining helped me realize I could do anything if I put my mind to it.
Jason Boatwright
Military Branch: Air Force
Rank: Air Force 1st Class Years Served: 2
Was there a speci f c moment or person that in f uenced your decision to serve?
My grandfather was who inspired me to join the military. As a kid, he used to take me on base, and we would watch the
What was your favorite thing about serving?
I love helping people and I joined with the goal of being a for every opportunity given because I wanted to get as much experience as I could.
During your time in service, what was your biggest accomplishment/achievement?
I really did not get to accomplish much as I developed an eye condition that eventually led to me getting medically my brothers and sisters in arms and I still think about if I was impacted someone’s time in a positive way.
Can you share something you learned about yourself during your service?
I learned that I am not immortal and not to take life for granted. I was blind for seven years and you don’t think about disabilities at a young age. I went at 18 and didn’t expect to be discharged from the military so quickly. I did not want to leave my team and I felt that I was abandoning them by my limitations. At times I regret even going to sick call.
What advice would you give someone thinking about joining the military?
Think about the future and what you would like to do after service. Understand that you can not turn back the clock and what you learn while serving in the military can be used to better your community. I wanted to start a community-based police program to help reduce crime and build a coalition between the neighborhoods and police to show others you have nothing to fear from law enforcement.
Knowing what you do now would you join the military and serve again?
I would have joined regardless, but I would have done college with a recruiter, and I feel that things would have ended
Betty Freeney, Latreese Freeney, Kristen Harris • 10 The Gatson Family • 11 LaShana Douville, Frank Broughton, Cecily Ford
Kiara Smith, Demeturis Hale, Shauna Hale • 13 Marlesa Lynch-Philpot, Tanesha Philpot, Lillie Kent-Savage, Jennifer Williams-Robinson, Katrina Philpot, Mattie Philpot
Debutante Ball — The Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
photographer: Kristina Wright
Saturday | March 29
WSRE Jean & Paul Amos
Performance Studio
Pensacola State College
Crescent City Soirée
6PM | $125
Walkabout Tasting
7PM | $65
wsre.org/events
The 34th annual WSRE Wine & Food Classic will be a Creole-seasoned event with a walkabout tasting featuring local chefs and all that jazz! Sample food, vote for your favorite dishes, and laissez les bons temps rouler!
Event Chairs: Louise & Dr. Brent Videau
A Little Drama Never Killed Anyone...Or Did It?
While preparing for a performance with their commedia dell’arte troupe, Canio becomes enraged when he discovers that his wife, Nedda, has been having an afair. She refuses to give her lover’s name, as their castmate Beppe urges them to get into costume. During the performance, Canio returns to his jealous rage, and Nedda’s young lover, Silvio, rushes the stage to save her—culminating in a very real tragedy. Featuring one of the most well known arias of all time, “Vesti la giubba,” Pagliacci is a verismo masterpiece of dramatic proportions.
March 14 + 16, 2025 at the Saenger Theatre
Jo Rich Beauty 5th Anniversary
Location: Jo Rich Beauty
photographer: Polkadot Entertainment
Rich Beauty 5th Anniversary
Jo
photographer: Polkadot Entertainment
Location: Jo Rich Beauty
Familiar Faces Q+A
What is Pensacola to you? Would you recommend Pensacola as a place to call home to potential residents?
Answer — truthfully — being a Pensacola native, I spent a lot of my younger years sticking my nose up at my hometown. I didn’t get the hype! I wanted more. I used a few bad instances place to settle down. But after years of running away, moving realized something. Pensacola was not the problem. It was me, I’m the problem (Taylor Swift reference to those who get it, get it)! I was looking at life through a negative lens. Local apathy is real my friends. I am guilty of not seeing the forest
greatness that triples all that bad along the way. I’m blessed to call Pensacola my home, nothing compares.
Russ Moye Model, Polkadot Entertainment Nursing Student
Instagram @liamaloner
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job depends on the job in question, but to answer both: for healthcare, being able to take care of those at their most vulnerable is truly the most rewarding job. Bringing smiles and crying alongside those going through hard times is what being human is all about. It quite literally pulls the veil of life away to reveal the raw, true emotions. And it’s something I wouldn’t trade. As for modeling — it has made me more adaptable, versatile, and it’s taught me so much discipline. I enjoy making others smile and it’s a nice
Is there a “Best Kept Secret” in Pensacola you’d like to share?
Pensacola’s best kept secret — the array of culture present. It’s hidden in plain sight. As the cradle of naval aviation and with our award-winning beaches, it’s no wonder we have so much diversity. Pensacola is a blueprint of the American Dream.
moved to America for the American dream and takes pride in making all our healthcare workers looking awesome. She’s not afraid to tell you what works and what doesn’t. And I love that!
How has working in healthcare changed you?
I believe that working in healthcare has really taught me a lot about those quiet anxieties that we all have — like impending doom, or existential crises. I have seen life start and I have seen life stop and everything in between. It has taught me to stop taking life so seriously. After all, we are only here for such a very short period of time.
Cocktail or Mocktail
Digital or Analog
Vintage or Modern
Oatmeal Raisin or Chocolate Chip
CrossFit or Yoga Speed Round Picks
Do you have any advice for someone interested in going into healthcare or modeling?
For healthcare, you have got to be prepared to keep your emotions in check. Nowadays, healthcare is focused on the patient’s desires, and these desires can sometimes be against medical attention. You have got to be prepared for people. In healthcare, you are a service to the patient. You have to learn
and versatility.
Dorrian & Tony Vance
Klampfer, Kristin Stewart
Nick, Gunner, Jennifer Saba
Williams
Bricker
Wilcox, Chesley
Mardi Gras Mambo
photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: Pensacola Bay Center
7 Brian & Harriett Wyer, Herman & Millicent Flintroy • 8 Mystic Mafa • 9 Marty Stanovich, Jo Rich • 10 Samantha Newman, Amy Newman, Alex Newman, Angel Hahn • 11 Kim Randolph, Kellie Guzman • 12 Lee & Melanie Burt • 13 Anthony & Kathy Yates, Isaiah Pires, Taylor Keithahn, McKenzie Hatoot
Mardi Gras Mambo photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: Pensacola Bay Center
Jenn & Captain (Ret) Terry Shashaty • 15 Caleb Day, Bethany Lauren • 16 Cameron Johnson, Jade Hoy • 17 Tifany Gray, John Stamatelos, Christa Maxwell, Kari Scott • 18 Danny Zimmern, Brian Williams • 19 Kerri Hanley, Valerie Robbins, Carolyn House,
Melissa Molett • 20 Steve Campbell, April Glover, Cori James. Carol Anne Mackey
Mardi Gras Mambo photographer: Kristina Wright
FAces MAking A DiFFeRence
Valerie’s House Pensacola (VHP) was established in April 2021 to provide grief support for children aged 5-18 who have lost a parent or sibling, as well as their families. Starting with just 15 children and 10 caregivers, VHP now supports over 500 children and families across Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Since moving into the Gadsden Street permanent location, VHP has seen a 200% increase in the demand for grief support services.
Programs at Valerie’s House
At the heart of VHP is a Peer-to-Peer Support Model, which creates a safe, stigma-free environment where children connect with others who understand their grief, express emotions openly, and develop healthy coping skills. Each child and their families attend VHP twice a month on their assigned group night, the regular connection fosters community and an opportunity to bond with others.
VHP holds 13 group nights each month, including sessions for stigmatized deaths and sibling /child loss. These evenings help children reduce isolation, build resilience, and learn to understand and manage their emotions.
VHP takes a comprehensive approach to grief support by
Meet the Children Where They Are programs, family and junior ambassador programs, volunteering as VH family, family fun events, wraparound services, and educational initiatives. In 2025, VHP expanded to include groups for infant and pregnancy loss and young adult grief, ensuring VHP addresses the needs of diverse grief experiences.
The Growing Need
The number of children grieving in our region is staggering. The most recent data indicates there are approximately 12,700 children grieving the loss of a loved one in the region. Currently, 1 in 8 children in Escambia County and 1 in 12 in Santa Rosa County is predicted to experience the death of a parent or sibling by the time they reach age 18. Without
• 30% of Florida’s juvenile detention population has experienced the death of a parent or sibling.
• Grieving children are 5 times more likely to face addiction, depression, and anxiety.
• They are 2 times more likely to struggle academically, with memory loss, absences, and lower performance.
These risks can lead to long-term challenges, including diminished career aspirations, strained relationships, and lower resilience. At VHP the focus is on creating a nurturing space for healing and building hope for a brighter future.
How You Can Help
All VHP services are provided at no cost to families and children, ensuring no grieving child is left unsupported. In 2025, VHP expects to host over 100 grief support nights providing care for more than 400 children and over 150 caregivers. This incredible growth is a blessing, but also brings resource challenges
You can help in many ways: family, group, or business. nights. and ways you can help sustain programs.
Your support changes lives and together, we change our future community; one child at a time. Text or phone Crista pensacola to learn more.
Crista Brandt, Valerie’s House Northwest Florida Director
Valerie’s House Pensacola
1 Ashley Adams, Jessi & James Lambert • 2 Krewe of Seville • 3 Larry Van Alstine, Fredna Crouthamel • 4 Jennifer Zingotita, Lisa Chardon • 5 Krewe of Viking Mystics • 6 Lisa Embres, Teresa Gray • 7 Stephanie Kirkpatrick, Melanie Pyne, Sarah Nilsen, Jason Herring, Rachel Roedel • 8 Robert Brown, David Brown
Krewe of Blues 14th Annual Pin and Bead Festival photographer: Kristina Wright Location: Downtown Pensacola • Charity: Gulf Coast Kids House
Krewe of Blues 14th Annual Pin and Bead Festival photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: Downtown Pensacola • Charity: Gulf Coast Kids House
9 Krewe of Daisy Dukes • 10 Jennifer Beck, Heather McKelvy, Tricia Matthews-Landry • 11 Krewe of Wicked Pirates • 12 Patti Ellingson, Susan Lowery, India Sommers, Tasha Simon, Karen Phillips • 13 Krewe of Karibbean • 14 Krewe de Voulez Vous
LeaP Home
Leadership Pensacola Class of 2025 project to ‘create lasting change’ with Family Promise
The Leadership Pensacola (LeaP) Class of 2025 recently announced its class project, LeaP Home, a Family Promise of Escambia County. The assist temporarily displaced families.
“This house means a lifeline for families safety, stability, and the opportunity for a the support and resources they need to Family Promise is dedicated to
Leadership Pensacola Class of 2025 volunteers
“ Seeing these families find hope and a pathway to a better future is made possible because of this project. ”
— Jennifer Lusher, executive director, Family Promise of Escambia County
The LeaP Home is central to Family
in need. Since 2023, Family Promise has helped more than 200 families in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.
The class project is set to revitalize the and opportunity.
The LeaP Class of 2025 invites community
You can help!
The Leadership Pensacola Class of 2025 invites your support to help complete the LeaP Home. For more information about donations and sponsorships, visit LeaPClassProject.org
update the home, and the support of the Greater Pensacola community is essential to
Monetary donations can be made at should be made out to Pensacola Chamber
To learn more and lend your support
About Leadership Pensacola: Leadership Pensacola (LeaP), a program of the Pensacola Chamber Foundation, aims to individuals. LeaP is designed to help emerging leaders acquire an understanding of the issues facing the Pensacola area and them. Candidates sought come from a crosspolitical, career, educational, social, and cultural backgrounds.
The Krewe of Gatsby Girls 9th Annual Speakeasy Ball photographer: Kristina Wright
The Krewe of Gatsby Girls 9th Annual Speakeasy Ball photographer: Kristina Wright
Location: The Museum of Commerce • Charity: 4EVRDEZ
Kim Horton, Cheryl Galapavitz • 5 Ben & Kristina Zimmern, Kristi Bass, Ashley Saba, Melanie & Victor Luna • 6 Tanner Dominguez, Frances Common, Sidney Heindl • 7 Cindy Hendricks, Amy Kizziah, Lisa Embres, Hannah Antol
Facial Waxing • Lash and Brow Tinting
Eyelash Extensions • Lash Lifts
Brow Lamination
the 2025 pensacola mardi gras season presented by
pensacola
grand mardi gras parade
march 1st, 2025 downtown pensacola | 2pm brought to you by
2/28 Krewe of lafitte illuminated parade downtown pensacola | 7:30pm
3/2 krewe of wrecks beach parade pensacola beach | 2pm
