Nona Magazine: Volume 2 Issue 8

LAKENONASOCIAL.COM | NONA MAGAZINE | 2

WELCOME

LAKE NONA SOCIAL MAGAZINE VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 7

Publisher Omar Hickman

Graphic Designer Magazine Editor Deneé Hickman

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER Omar Hickman Publisher

Contributing Writers Deneé Hickman

In honor of Women's History Month, this issue is focused on the women of Lake Nona. With careers of all ranges, we get to know a little about them through their articles. We've also featured Lake Nona's very own wakeboard hall of Famers, Emily Durham, and Shaun Murray.

Maxine Sudarma Juliana No

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CONTENTS 18 The Wonder of Coming of Age Novels

12 EXCERPT: You Had Me at Goodbye

9 AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Katherine Weiss

3 Publisher's Note 6 New Doctor: Dr. Ovalle Jr. 07 Women of Lake Nona 9 Amazing professional women in Lake Nona 10 Hot Topic: The Naked Cupcake Get to know Sandra Shorter, the owner/creator of The Naked Cupcake 18 Home & Garden: Island Home Interiors Explore part one of a bachelor home makeover.

19 Health & Fitness: Lenneia Baptiste Meet the newest fitness instructor in Lake Nona.

21 People of Lake Nona: Wakeboard Hall of Famers Congrats to Emily Durham and Shaun Murray 22 People of Lake Nona: Northern Mutual Razell Smart

20 The Naked Cupcake Get to know the creator/owner of The Naked Cupcake concept.

23 Things to Do: calendar LAKENONASOCIAL.COM | NONA MAGAZINE | 4

HOT TOPICS | NEW DOC IN TOWN

MEET DR. OVALLE JR. T

his led him to double major in Biochemistry and English while attending Rice University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with Phi Beta Kappa honors.

Dr.Ovalle completed his medical school training at the prestigious Vanderbilt University as a Dean's MeritScholarship recipient.

During medical school, Dr. Ovalle's commitment to academic excellence led him to complete an additional year-long research fellowship at the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

P

reviously voted Orlando's #1 Medical Group, Mid Florida Dermatology & Plastic Surgery has been a proud member of the Orlando medical community for more than 30years! The practice has expanded to more than 30 locations throughout central Florida, including Lake Nona.

Their talented staff creates a comprehensive approach that allows patients to experience a seamless transition between diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, providing a continuity of care from a team they know and trust.

An exceptional level of consideration for the safety and care of their patients is a standard carried across all of Mid Florida Dermatology & Plastic Surgery.

Located primarily in Lake Nona is Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Fernando OvalleJr. Fluent in English and Spanish, Dr. Ovalle has established his presence in the central Florida region, where he continues to provide excellent care for the surrounding communities.

Raised in the Southeastern U.S., he developed an early passion for science and medicine, balancing art and literature.

Plastic surgery proved to be the field in medicine with the perfect blend of art and science. Dr. Ovalle completed residency training in Integrated Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he served as administrative Chief Resident during his final year.

Dr. Ovalle has presented at numerous local, regional, and national conferences throughout his career and is published in multiple scholarly journals and textbook chapters. His commitment to personalized patient care only exceeds Dr. Ovalle's academic and technical dedication.

He strives to listen thoughtfully and uses the entire breadth of reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery techniques to assist his patients in accomplishing their goals to improve both form and function.

Dr. Ovalle performs a wide range of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, eyelids, nose, breasts, body, and hands and offers non-surgical procedures including Botox, facial fillers, chemical peels, and various laser treatments. In addition, we also provide a variety of Dermatological services at our Lake Nona location.

Mid Florida Dermatology & Plastic Surgery would like to thank their patients and community for partnering with them on their health and wellness needs. Please call us at (407) 299-7333 or visit us at midflmed.com to book your appointment today!

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HOT TOPICS | WOMEN OF LAKE NONA

WOMEN OF LAKE NONA By: Deneé Hickman I had the pleasure of chatting with Suzie Yang, the general manager for the new Wave Hotel in Lake Nona. Suzie has lived in Lake Nona for about a year and two months, intentionally moving from California to Florida, more specifically Lake Nona.

She has an impressive amount of experience in the industry with over 25 years in hospitality, operating within Coral Tree hospitality. This management company specializes in more than 20 luxury boutique hotels.

Sitting with Suzie in Lake Nona's living room, I can feel the calm but stern spirit around her as she spoke with endearment about her position at the Wave Hotel. Suzie's innate passion has always been helping other people. She's not just a general manager; she is a great friend and mentor, a provider of experiences for people while being inspired by giving to others.

She goes on to speak about the delight she feels in her role," What I enjoy about it is, they're always changes, and you meet so many diverse people. The most rewarding part of managing as a female leader in the hospitality industry is seeing team members progress in their careers. "I love it when they get accolades. I feel like on the "work mom" here. "I get overjoyed when guests tell me what an individual did to make them happy.

When I go home, I know that I'm meant to be a hotel general manager.

While speaking on the joys of being a woman in a managerial role, we talked about its straits. "Being a female in this industry where there's not many, sometimes you have to prove yourself to be more assertive and work a little bit harder to build respect amongst my peers." She has overcome these straits by seeking advice from other industry leaders and female friends. With hard work comes a reward; this would be in the form of time off!

Having a good work community that you trust to ask for advice is also how you persevered.

Travel is another Love in Suzie's life. Soon, Suzie's thirst for travel and learning about other cultures will be satisfied on her next trip. And living in a community close to the airport is another plus.

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HOT TOPICS | WOMEN OF LAKE NONA

DR. VONDA WRIGHT

STEPPING INTO LAKE NONA

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HOT TOPICS | WOMEN OF LAKE NONA

"If you're willing to work harder than everyone else, and you have a purpose in doing it, you can get through anything." Seeing her patients get back the joy in their lives that they lost makes Dr. Vonda Wright is an orthopedic surgeon and president of Hughston Orthopedics South East and the founder of Precision Longevity Experience. I feel Doctor Wright's profession is highly underrated. Talking to her about her process of becoming an orthopedic surgeon is quite interesting.

H

er adventure began; growing up on a smalltown farm in Kansas. "It did not seem like kids were directed into anything except medicine."

The smart kids went to medical school and were separated into two categories—students who think like medical doctors and students who think like surgeons."

Dr. Wright was well on her way to becoming an ortho surgeon, thanks to the growing up on a farm tactical acumen was developed.

D

r. Wright's decision to become an ortho surgeon is because she wanted to save people's mobility. Mobility has a positive effect on thirty-three chronic diseases.

"Whether it was to relieve them of pain, help them regain mobility, get back to work, or even get back to competing, in using the power of mobility as a tool, I'm actually saving people from the ravages of chronic diseases."

Getting to this point in her very accomplished career did not come without strife. "Medical school is hard, surgical residency is hard." 1 of 6% of all orthopedic surgeons were women during Dr. Wright's time in med school ". I did not expect it to be easy. If it were easy, it would not be worth it." While in training, the percentage of women orthopedic surgeons has doubled, showing progress in the field.

Using her tremendous work ethic, she preserved through her trials and tribulations as a female surgeon. She believes that challenges are opportunities and views change as being normal.

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HOT TOPICS | WOMEN OF LAKE NONA

sweet

a r d n Shaorter S

Sandra Shorter is what I'd like to believe to be Lake Nona's favorite baker! This wife, mother of two, and Lake Nona area resident recently opened a storefront located across from the Lake Nona Publix.

Sandra's bakery, The Naked Cupcake, had such humble beginnings. Sandra started as a home-based business and then became mobile with her first cupcake truck named "Trixie."

Baking cupcakes with flavors that can stand on their own is the base of "The Naked Cupcake." Sandra's concept for the naked cupcake began six years ago due to Sandra herself being a picky eater. She affectionately refers to herself as a "baking nerd," which is how she often creates new flavors and combinations.

This concept gives her customers the option of selecting a new creation or customizing their own, making each cupcake unique. So stop by and add a little sweetness to your day; the Naked Cupcake experience is terrific for all ages, especially since this shop has a party room. Great for indoor gatherings, just in time for the rainy season!

Photos by: Aubrey James Photography LAKENONASOCIAL.COM | NONA MAGAZINE | 10

HOT TOPICS | WOMEN OF LAKE NONA

DR. SONITA KHAN

D

r. Khan is undoubtedly on the right path,

with many accomplishments, including being the first physician in her family. She became really empowered going through being a woman in the medical field while inspiring other women in medicine as well. "During the journey, there's always enough points of self-doubt." Still, she

Keeping in theme with Women's History Month, I was able to sit with Dr. Sonita Khan of OneMed clinic here in Lake Nona. We talked about her journey in medicine and why Lake Nona was the best move for them. This wife and mother of two have settled down in our community for three very valid reasons.

She wanted to take advantage of what Medical City had to offer, meeting other medical professionals to learn and exchange valuable information from one another. The incredible "A" rated schools with a strong sense of community. And close proximity to the airport for necessary travel conferences.

As a child, Dr. Khan enjoyed science and

overcame them by reminding herself of her goals even when dealing with her male counterparts, proving knowledge and education is gender fluid. "Focusing on the silver lining will get you out of any negative thoughts or negative experiences ."Following that course had its rewards, "I love being a good role model for my children, other family members, and young adults in the community ."

While she loves her career, she definitely strives to keep a healthy work-life balance. She enjoys family movie nights, exploring new places, reading, and cooking in her downtime.

Embodying Onemed's philosophy, take care of your entire being, mind & body.

always knew her career would lead to the medical field. At the age of 15, tragedy struck Sonita and her family. Doctor Khan's father's battle with heart disease had ended, but this was the turning point for her. Sonita's love of science drove her to chase the field of medicine. She wanted to learn about the cause and effects of diseases.

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HOT TOPICS | WOMEN OF LAKE NONA

"If it was not for the community's help, my community church, and the available resources, I honestly don't know I would not be here today."

Weathering through that storm made Monica want to help others get the help they need when they are struggling."I want others to know they belong no matter what and that they have a purpose beyond imagination."

MONICA DIAZ

As a Latino woman working in a male-dominated field, "you can easily struggle with identity. Society

A

nother interesting person I had the pleasure of

meeting at an event is Monica Diaz. This Mother of 3 and military spouse of 18 years works as a Senior Executive Director in the Federal Government, leading the national program to end Veterans' homelessness in the United States.

Monica and her family are California transplants.

Their decision to reside in Lake Nona derived from a visit to the area a few years prior, and they fell in love with the community.

M

onica has been in the Executive field for over 15

years. She's always loved leadership positions and the opportunity to have a broader influence. Monica pursued this current field, leading the national efforts of ending Veterans Homelessness approximately four years ago.

The route to her current position came from an unimaginable struggle about ten years ago.

has unrealistic expectations of what women should do and be". She prioritized God and choosing not to become hopeless despite any challenges.

V

ulnerability and authenticity; bring a sense of

freedom that helps us be wiser, fearless, and resilient.

Fear and self-doubt are some of our biggest enemies.

The vulnerability allows us to recognize them as our enemies. From there, we can claim the war and win over them.

"Be patient; you have all the time in the world. Be selfless, seek opportunities, and don't let your fears or others' expectations limit your potential."

T

he most rewarding part of her career is knowing

that Veterans are being taken off the streets and given a place called home. We provide services and care to be the change in people's lives! Being the change is the comfort I feel when I'm with the ones I love, whether it's on the beach or just enjoying the sights of beautiful Lake Nona.

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HOT TOPICS | WOMEN OF LAKE NONA Speaking on her roles and daily routines, I asked what advice Dr. Bhavsar gives her younger self and young women coming into the medical field. "I would remind them to look at the bigger picture rather than worry about small steps, imperfections, or failures. No life plan is perfect, and you will have some bumps along the road, but you keep going and push through. That's what will get you towards the goal you want to achieve. "

DR. SONIYA BHAVSAR

S

onyia Bhavsar is an Internal Medicine Physician at AdventHealth, UCF Lake Nona, and partner Florida Integrative Modern Medicine, LLC in Lake Nona. Sonyia completed her residency at the University of South Florida, studying Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Being in the medical field and having a passion for all types of medicine is where Soniya can extend her knowledge and wellness skills.

Being able to help people in even the slightest way by sharing the knowledge she has gained over the years to make a difference. Having job security the confidence that you can take care of yourself and your family is an additional reward. And being able to provide that to my community is the second most rewarding part of what I do.

Having harmony has given Dr. Bhavsar more time to enjoy the things she loves, working out, spending time with my family and kids, and indulging in anything Disney.

With her years of training, Soniya is well trained in diagnosing complex medical problems while continuing the ongoing maintenance of those chronic illnesses and patients with more than one disease. Being an Internal Medicine physician, she applies knowledge and clinical expertise to diagnose each patient to provide treatment and compassion for adults with complex, chronic illnesses and more.

We briefly spoke about the trials and

tribulations of being a woman in medicine.

"Juggling being a new mom and being a caring physician can be emotionally draining. Being a first-time mom while being a full-time physician can be mentally and physically draining at first.

Learning how to delegate tasks makes a difference when trying to excel in all roles. Once everything falls into place, once you create a sound system that works for your family, your patients, and yourself, there's nothing that a woman can't do!"

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HOT TOPICS | WOMEN OF LAKE NONA

JUST A CLICK AWAY!

D

enee Hickman is a long-term Lake Nona resident of over thirteen years. Moving from Windermere to Lake Nona was a no-brainer after Deneé and her husband viewed the master plans of this growing community. Selling their home and quickly relocating had its challenges, especially with three children. Luckily, new neighbors helped them settle right in!

Being a stay-at-home mom was rewarding, but not how she imagined spending her days. Taking some knowledge from her passion for photography, this graphic designer had other plans. She began to take online courses during the week and shadow veteran photographers on weekends. Colonial Photo and Hobby became her hang-out spot. Here is where she would get advice on photography, equipment, and software.

Deneé began to build her portfolio and brand in an industry that at the time was male-dominated.

"Booking photography sessions were often challenging, so many people were used to seeing male photographers. It's like they didn't think a woman could do it." She had to prove herself to clients and industry professionals alike.

Overcoming the stigma of photography is for males.

"If I knew then what I know now, I would have told myself to hurry up and fail." I think all who are entering this industry or trying to accomplish anything different should take that advice!

Working hard to prove her worth while trying to break down barriers of gender and color was no easy task, but with the support of her loved ones and friends, she established her dream.

Although the industry changes every day, she appreciates moments where her clients are filled with joy from their gallery or grateful for her knowledge, time, and patience. Or even getting a little cuddle time with a newborn client while working.

Deneé

HICKMAN

@aubreyjamesphotography

“The idea is not to live forever; it is to create something that will.”

Andy Warhol

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DR. G

HOT TOPICS | WOMEN OF LAKE NONA

MORE THAN A PHYSICIAN! As an example and mentor to many women, we wanted to pick her brain on a few things for Women's Month.

We asked about the new upcoming season, her response was, "Spring is the perfect season for letting go and embracing something new. We, as professionals, have had a difficult time fighting the Pandemic. With lower cases, it is time for businesses to offer new services and invest in marketing strategies to bring patients back".

A

s a successful woman building the Kidsville Pediatrics clinics, we asked her the most significant challenges she encountered in the process? Being a cheerful woman as she is, she gave us the solution instead of the problem mentioning how obstacles are not significant challenges "when you have a vision and work towards accomplishing it before it becomes a challenge. In other words, "prevention/anticipation."

By: Juliana No

W

e interviewed Dr. Francelis Gonzalez, more known as Dr. G., a businesswoman and well-known philanthropist in Central Florida this month.

Words of Encouragement: "As an entrepreneur myself, the first thing to accomplish is to become an expert in your specific field. Read books that will enhance your knowledge of your area of interest, get close to people that can give you good advice based on having similar businesses as yours. Be resilient, stand up if you fail and keep trying, be persistent and have a positive attitude, and success will follow".

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HOME & GARDEN | ISLAND HOME INTERIORS

ISLAND HOME INTERIORS

Joelle Banks @islandhome_interiors his client came to us by referral with the intention to only T renovate his Kitchen and his 2 Bathrooms. He gave us the design freedom to create a home that reflected an elevated feeling with his must-haves of navy blue, not be too coastal, love of Nature, animals, and the mountains.

Throughout the course of this project, our client loved the design direction so much that he wanted us to capture a few other areas in the design as well.

We approached this design from the lens of creating a space that added luxe elements to a masculine room. We always aim to be innovative and stay away from things that are typical, trendy things. Infusing timeless, classic, and modern elements will stand the test of time.

U

sing darker wood tones and contrasting brass metals throughout worked well for this space. Balancing that with organic materials allowed us to soften what could easily be too harsh and brought a feeling of warmth into each room.

This renovation allowed us to maximize each space and create a better flow for his home. In the end, we were able to achieve a cohesive look that feels both resolved and innovative and creates a home he will enjoy for years to come.

Stay tuned for part two in the next issue.

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HEALTH & FITNESS | NEW LAKE NONA INSTRUCTOR

PASSION FOR FITNESS

LENNEIA BATISTEELMORE Lenneia Batiste is Lake Nona Nona Social's favorite group fitness instructor.

She is also a NASM certified personal trainer.

Prior to making her to Lake Nona as a fitness instructor, one of her many accomplishments was being a professional NBA dancer. Her love for dance transferred into a passion for group fitness.

With a concentration in group fitness and women's fitness, she truly enjoys helping people reach their personal fitness goals, no matter their age or ability.

When Lenneia has is not teaching, you can find her on Nona-TV. Updating Lake Nona on the latest news, eats, and new businesses or exploring Lake Nona with her husband, two daughters, and dogs. @lenneiabatistetv

@cycleprolenneiab LAKENONASOCIAL.COM | NONA MAGAZINE | 19

ON THE SCENE: LUNAR NEW YEAR. GALENTINE'S BRUNCH

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LOCAL HALL OF FAMERS WAKEBOARDING EDITION

By: Maxine Sudarma Did you know Orlando, Florida, is the wakeboarding capital of the world?

The world of wakeboarding and wake surfing is so much fun, especially when you live in a place where it's consistently warm, you can enjoy this sport all year round!

I recently had the opportunity to interview some dear friends of mine, Emily Durham and Shaun Murray. Our very own Lake Nona residents who recently got inducted into the Wakeboarding Hall of Fame!

Both Emily Durham and Shaun Murray started life on the water at a young age. With Emily going pro at 16 years old and Shaun at 19. Both went on to compete in many championships. Shaun's most memorable accomplishments were winning the Wakeboard World Championships and the Vans Triple Crown series.

Emily's most memorable accomplishment was winning the X-games gold medal. "It was something I worked hard for, and it was such an honor to get the gold finally.

Now that they have slowed down a bit, Shaun enjoys getting on the water with their family, eating "Hot Taco is one of my faves these days."

Some of Emily's loves favorite things to do, grab a coffee from Vanessa's, beach volleyball meetups at Boxi Park, and dine at one of her Lake Nona restaurants, Maki Hibachi, Park Pizza, Don Julio's, or Bosphorus.

Super Congrats to our Lake Nona Wakeboarding Hall of Famers Shaun Murray and Emily Durham!

We wish you the best!

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RAZELL Smart After college, Razell began his professional career as a military aviator in the US Air Force from 2009 until 2019. His passion for helping families secure their financial future compelled him to join Northwestern Mutual in 2018.

Mr. Smart had the time and honor of being the top-producing advisor in the Orlando office for 2020 and 2021. In 2020 he was ranked the #3 advisor in the Southern Region and #8 advisor nationally amongst his peers. 2021 also included top 10 finishes amongst his peers.

Razell's expertise includes, but is not limited to, military personnel, pilots, medical professionals, and business owners. Razell is a family man who understands financial literacy.

Razell, his wife Sara, and their two children, Roman, four, and Stirling, who's 11 months have lived in Lake Nona since 2017 and have loved every minute of it.

TEAM SPOTLIGHT LAKENONASOCIAL.COM | NONA MAGAZINE | 22

THINGS TO DO | COMING UP

BALANCE LNS Club Members

Health Expo DRIVE SHACK

HAVEN LOUNGE 7pm - 10pm

10am - 2pm

LNSS Members ROOFTOP EVENT 7pm - 9pm

UNCH BR w/ Tiana Eagle Creek 10:30am - 12:30pm

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