Bloomingdale/ FishHawk
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November 2025 Volume 24, Issue 11
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CELEBRATING 23 YE ARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS
TWO ATHLETES INDUCTED INTO BLOOMINGDALE HALL OF FAME
By Nick Nahas
ROCKIN’ THE SCHOOL AND THE STAGE: RANDALL PRINCIPAL LEADS WITH MUSIC AND HEART
By Logan Walz
A.J. Romano (class of 1993) is considered one of the best Bloomingdale soccer players of all time.
South Region honors. “I was very small in stature in high school, but I had a big heart and played very hard as a smaller individual at the time,” said Romano who continued to grow and play in college. Crouse was a multisport athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball. As a junior, he led the entire state in strikeouts as the team’s ace. That same year he helped his team get to the program’s first-ever state championship appearance. In his senior year, he led the basketball team in steals and herded the Bulls football team to the playoffs. “It means a lot that someone thought of me and did this for me,” said Crouse. “These are some of my best memories, my time here with baseball and other sports. When I think about my sports career, this is what I look back on. It’s awesome to come back here and celebrate.” Later on, he accepted a baseball scholarship to Florida State University but decided to go pro after being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of high school. He went on to play three seasons in the minor leagues before suffering a career-ending injury. Crouse went on to play one season as a tight end for the Southern Illinois University football team. After his athletic career, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the 82nd Airborne Division, completing various combat missions in Afghanistan.
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Two former Bloomingdale High School standout athletes were inducted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame on September 26. A.J. Romano (class of 1993) and Logan Crouse (class 2015) were recognized in front of the homecoming crowd before the football game. The inductees were selected by a panel of coaches, athletic boosters and administration. Romano is considered one of the best Bloomingdale soccer players of all time, helping the school win its first and only soccer state championship in 1993. “I’m so excited, it’s been a long time. I’m the old guy in the group now,” said Romano. “It means a lot to me, it means a lot to my family and the players I have here with me. We had a great run, we won a state championship, so this is very special for me.” The former team captain and center midfielder is a two-time All-Western Conference selection and recipient of the Michael Dodd Memorial Scholarship. In his senior season, he was named Most Valuable Player of his team. Romano continued his soccer career at the University of North Florida, where he was eventually inducted into the school’s hall of fame in 2011. He graduated as the school’s all-time leader in career points with 92 and goals with 37 and ranked in the top 10 for matches played, assists, shots, shots on goal and game-winning goals. He was a two-time All-Sunshine State Conference selection and earned NSCAA/Umbro All-
Logan Crouse (class of 2015) was a multisport athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball.
Most middle school The band played principals spend their their first show in May evenings preparing for 2023 and has since campus events and anthen played another swering emails. Howevhalf dozen shows while er, for Randall Middle continuing to write and School Principal Colin record more songs. Gerding, his nights are The band’s single, “I often spent with a guiHear You,” has more tar in hand under the than 20,000 streams stage lights, leading his on Spotify, and Gerding band, Colin Gerding and said it’s been exciting The Chase. to see how far his muGerding’s love for sic reaches. music began at an ear“It’s a real kick to ly age. “My dad played see how many people, several instruments, in- Randall Principal Colin Gerding is also the and where in the world cluding guitar, so there lead singer of Colin Gerding and The Chase. they are listening,” he was that early said. “It’s alinfluence at ways nice to be home,” he said. appreciated.” By middle Gerding school, Gerding stated that was discovwhile his music ering his own hasn’t necessound, and he sarily changed has now been the way he writing for leads, it has more than 35 grown his conyears. nection with students. “They get a kick Though one might think balancing a out of finding me online, or hearing me on school and a band would be difficult, Gerd- streaming platforms,” he said. “They’ll ask ing said music is what keeps him centered. me when the next single is dropping or tell “Music is what helps me find release in me they’re following me on Spotify.” a stressful, demanding job. I don’t think I The band’s next concert is scheduled for would be as effective a principal if not for Friday, December 12, at New World Music having music as an escape,” he explained. Hall in Tampa. “We’re working on new muColin Gerding and The Chase first came sic in rehearsals,” Gerding said. “We expect together during the pandemic. With more to add a couple of new songs to the set and time at home, Gerding picked up the guitar, might be going back into the studio soon.” learned to play the piano and began writYou can learn more about Colin Gerding songs. After some time, he connected ing and The Chase through Instagram @ with a longtime friend and other musicians, colingerdingmusic or the band’s website a which led to the recording of their album, https://linktr.ee/colingerdingmusic. In This Moment, in 2022.Gerding plays bass and does lead vocals alongside his bandmates, Earl Henning, who does drums and vocals; Mike Nelson, who does guitar and MENTON DINNER................................PG 3 vocals; and John Hicks, who does keyboard DRIVE-IN MOVIES.............................PG 8 and vocals. “The formation of the band was not part WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA...PG 16 of any plan,” he said. “But we are happy JROTC BINGO NIGHT.....................PG 20 with the way things have progressed.” EYE ON BUSINESS................SECTION 2
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Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a dazzling, family-friendly holiday spectacular that combines a Broadway-style show with contemporary circus arts. The annual event features live singers, original music, and creative twists on holiday classics and will be at RP Funding Center in Lakeland on November 28.
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$40 OFFOFF BRAKES $40 Includes Brake Inspection Any AirFree Condition Repair Not to be combined with any other offer. Only valid at Riverview, FL - Boyette location.
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