01.28.21 West Orange Times & Observer

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

An extraordinary life The Thornebrooke community remembers its crossing guard. 3.

YOUR TOWN ST. LUKE’S KICKS OFF FUNDRAISER Supporting HEARTS (formerly “Feed the Need”) is launching its first fundraising campaign to continue providing meal assistance to about 8,000 Central Florida performers currently unemployed because of the pandemic.

Supporting HEARTS is an outreach initiative through St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and was established with the mission to help distribute food and meals to Central Florida’s local arts community and entertainment professionals.

Supporting HEARTS is appealing to the community for help supporting performers, musicians, costumers, designers, characters, technicians and entertainment managers and their families.

To help, visit supportingheartsorlando.org.

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Artwork from five local students is on display at WonderWorks Orlando.

SEE PAGE 9.

Charlie Brown CFX preps for State Road 429 widening SEE PAGE 2.

SPORTS

Ocoee OKs annexation, rezoning of property The property, located at 511 Whittier Ave., is a logical extension of the city limits, leaders said.

SEE PAGE 5.

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Danielle Hendrix

After a 28-year career with the Ocoee Police Department, Chief Charles Brown made his final radio call and retired Jan. 22.

SEE STORY ON PAGE 4.

BUILDING THE VIPERS

Lake Buena Vista announced Joe Rienzi as its new coach. 11.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Expansion plans

In the first phase of the widening project — Tilden Road to Florida’s Turnpike — CFX is proposing 10 sound walls to reduce noise impacts to nearby communities.

Central Florida Expressway Authority officials hope to begin the State Road 429 widening project from Tilden Road to Florida’s Turnpike later this year.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Drivers on State Road 429 from Tilden Road to Florida’s Turnpike will notice some major construction efforts underway later this year.

Central Florida Expressway Authority is preparing to begin the first phase of its S.R. 429 widening project from Tilden Road to Florida’s Turnpike in late 2021.

The project consists of widening 13 miles of S.R. 429 to six lanes — three in each direction — between Tilden Road and State Road 414.

The project also will include wider median shoulders, or part-time shoulders, used to temporarily

FINANCING AVAILABLE

accommodate traffic during emergency responses.

The goal is to improve traffic flow and relieve congestion along the expressway in the West Orange area. The project will be done in three segments — each expected to take two years to complete — to minimize impact to motorists.

CFX officials explained Phase One of the project in more detail during a virtual public meeting Wednesday, Jan. 20. Kathy Putnam, CFX public involvement coordinator, said up to 67,000 vehicles travel this particular stretch of S.R. 429 each day. That number is expected to grow.

Because there are multiple neighborhoods and noisesensitive sites such as homes, schools, churches and recreational areas along the project corridor, the project includes 10 proposed sound walls.

Courtesy Central Florida Expressway Authority

“During design, a noise study following state and federal guidelines is conducted to determine noise impacts associated with the expressway widening,” Putnam said. “For these projects, sound walls have been considered for areas predicted to experience noise levels that reach or exceed 66 decibels, or experience an increase of 15 decibels over existing noise levels.

“Additionally, the sound wall must provide at least a five-deci-

bel reduction to be considered feasible,” she said. “The sound walls lessen the road noise. They do not completely block out the sound.”

As part of the design process, property owners identified as benefiting from proposed sound walls are asked to vote on whether they want those walls.

Currently, there are four proposed sound walls near the Emerald Ridge and Stoneybrook West communities; three sound walls

near the Bronson’s Landing and Lake Roberts Landing neighborhoods; and three sound walls by the Westfield Lakes and Windermere Crossing communities.

When construction begins later this year, motorists will need to be aware of construction workers, lane and traffic shifts, bridge widening, new signage, new energyefficient lighting, overnight work and more. Construction is expected to be complete in late 2023.

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LOCAL LEGEND AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

F

or more than a decade, Efrain Rivadeneyra Sauri donned his reflective vest, grabbed his stop sign and stood near Thornebrooke Elementary School, ready to help students safely cross the street and onto campus. He was a familiar face at the school, and students were eager to get a daily greeting from BuBu, as he was affectionately called.

Rivadeneyra, a Gotha resident, died Monday, Jan. 18. He was 92.

Efrain Rivadeneyra, longtime crossing guard for Thornebrooke Elementary School, died Jan. 18. But that last job — keeping kids safe — was one of many he performed during his extraordinary life.

LIFE IN MEXICO

LINES OF COMMUNICATION

Life was hard after the government took the land, and Rivadeneyra left home when he was a teenager.

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he returned to the United States in 1953.

At the time, non-citizen U.S. service members had the option upon honorable discharge of becoming naturalized, and so he became a citizen in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army reserves for the next seven years. After his service, he moved to Venezuela.

In 1961, he married the love of his life, Aminta Ochoa, and they had three children.

His time in the Army as a radio operator led him to a successful decades-long career in communications and television production in Venezuela, where he installed three different television networks and built the country’s entire communications system.

According to his family, he would go into a village, hire all the villagers and their donkeys and have them hack their way up to the top of the highest hills, transporting the steel beams and transmission equipment. They built each tower within line of sight of the last one.

HOMETOWN HERO

Former Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings recognized Efrain Rivadeneyra for meritorious service as a crossing guard at Thornebrooke Elementary.

Efrain Rivadeneyra received and sent coded messages for the Western Bloc during the early years of the Cold War.

Courtesy photos

The Orlando Magic honored Efrain Rivadeneyra as a Hometown Hero for his military service and his service as a school crossing guard.

Left: Efrain Rivadeneyra spent 11 years keeping families safe as they walked to Thornebrooke Elementary School.

In 1949, while visiting a sister living in New York City, Rivadeneyra’s brother-in-law offered him a job; this led him to become a legal resident of the United States.

At the time, the U.S. military still had the draft, and Rivadeneyra was

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drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951.

In boot camp, the officers discovered he could transmit 36 words a minute in Morse code, nearly double the required amount to become a radio operator. He was deployed to Karlsruhe, Germany, for the post-World War II allied occupation of the country. He was

assigned to the Army’s 17th Signal Operation Battalion, where he was in charge of a communications truck for the Radio Operation Company. During his deployment, Rivadeneyra sent and received coded messages for the Western Bloc during the early years of the Cold War. After serving two years,

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In 1992, Rivadeneyra and his family returned to the United States. He moved to Orlando in 2002.

In 2019, the Orlando Magic NBA basketball team recognized Rivadeneyra in its Hometown Hero program for his military service and his 11 years as a crossing guard with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Rivadeneyra applied for the street-patrol position at Thornebrooke Elementary School when his grandson, Shade Crampton, attended school there. He remained on the job for 11 years because he created a strong bond with the Thornebrooke families.

Everyone knew him as BuBu, the nickname Shade gave him as a toddler. He retired in 2017.

Christopher Daniels, Thornebrooke principal, fondly recalled Rivadeneyra’s years as a crossing guard for the school.

“Over his many years working at the busy three-way stop in front of Thornebrooke Elementary, Mr. Efrain worked hard in all types of weather to welcome the students and to keep them safe,” he said. “He is highly thought of and respected for his positive and caring nature. He was ‘famous,’ waving hello to every car that came through the intersection, which was often well over 100. He ‘made’ the mornings for many students with his smiles and with his waves.

“Two high school students who went to Thornebrooke as elementary-age children noted recently that ‘he was the sweetest person’ and that ‘you could easily tell he loved his job,’” Daniels said.

In addition to his wife, Rivadeneyra is survived by children, Aitza Crampton, Eric Rivadeneyra and Edwin Rivadeneyra; his grandchildren, Arianny, Edwin, Shade, Mayan and Natalia; his first grandchild, Maia, who was born on the same day he died; and four siblings.

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He was born July 2, 1928, in the small city of Motul in the Mexican state of Yucatan, where schooling ended after sixth grade. The lack of a full formal education was never a hindrance; Rivadeneyra continued learning trades and skills his entire life, starting when he was a young boy.

Rivadeneyra grew up in a large family, and his father insisted he and his siblings find a job or activity to keep them busy during their summer breaks. When he was 8, he gained experience on a typewriter and the saxophone from a man who had an affinity for teaching. He worked for a shoemaker one summer and helped a carpenter build a boat another year.

He learned Morse code at the post office and telegraph office when he was 12, explaining in a 2012 audio interview with his family that he had to train his ear to listen for the dot and the dash.

He enjoyed it so much that he and a friend stretched a line of wire between their two houses so they could communicate. From there, they spoke to other neighbors and ended up wiring about a dozen homes. His translation skills proved useful more than a decade later when he served in the U.S. Army.

Rivadeneyra’s family had two ranches full of horses, cattle, chickens, fruits and vegetables, and that’s how his father provided for the large family. When the Mexican land reform forced redistribution, the family lost everything.

In his family interview, Rivadeneyra told the story of his father trying to entertain all his children while ensuring they cleaned their plates. Their dinnerware had various animals printed on the bottom, and he chose which children he would take to the movies by calling out an animal. They had to finish their meals so they could turn over their plates.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and CEO / Matt Walsh, mwalsh@yourobserver.com Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor /Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Advertising Executives / Ann Carpenter, acarpenter@OrangeObserver.com Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com

Danielle Hendrix

Members of the Ocoee Police Department, along with Chief Charles Brown and his wife, Tammy, attended his retirement celebration ceremony.

Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

So long, chief DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

W

ith 12 years at the helm of the Ocoee Police Department under his belt, Charles Brown holds the title of the city’s longest-serving police chief.

Brown, an Ocoee resident, has spent nearly three decades serving the community he loves. Last year, though, he knew it was time to hand the reins over to someone else.

On Friday, Jan. 22, the former Ocoee chief of police hung up his uniform and made his final radio call, retiring after a 28-year career in law enforcement.

WILLING TO SERVE

Brown knew from the time he was in elementary school he wanted to be in law enforcement. After all, his entire family was service-oriented — his mother a teacher, his father in the U.S. Air Force, and one of his older brothers a police officer in the U.S. Army.

In fact, that brother inspired Brown to go into law enforcement.

Throughout his school years, he took every opportunity to learn more about criminal justice.

“If there was a criminal-law class even in high school, I took it,” he said. “If we were doing a field trip, I made sure I could go to the sheriff’s office. ... I knew what I wanted to do.”

Growing up, many police officers he spoke to over the years encouraged him to get his degree before going into the profession.

After graduating from Colonial High School in Orlando, he attended Valencia College. From there, he studied criminal justice and sociology at the University of Central Florida, from which he graduated in 1989.

Brown worked security at Walt Disney World for seven years. At that time, law-enforcement jobs were few and far between, he said.

Then, in the 1990s, many agencies were beneficiaries of the COPS grant program, which allowed them to put more officers on the street.

“It really pushed law enforcement,” Brown said. “I got to know some of the law-enforcement

officers (who) interact with the (Disney) security out there, and I believe it was there that someone told me that Ocoee was hiring.”

He was hired three months later, in November 1992. At that time, the department had about 30 officers and served 15,000 residents.

“The only four-lane road, I believe, was State Road 50 at the time,” he said. “Clarke Road was halfway under construction. Some of it was dirt, and some of it was still woods. You couldn’t go from Silver Star (Road) up to Clarcona-Ocoee (Road). There were still woods, and it wasn’t even developed. ... It grew fast, and basically, I was in the right place at the right time along the way.”

Today, the department has about 100 sworn officers and serves 50,000 Ocoee residents.

THROUGH THE RANKS

Brown was in both a community and a career he loved, and he was always prepared to move up through the ranks. In 1997, he was promoted to sergeant and worked as a patrol supervisor for all shifts while also managing the FieldTraining Program. In 1998, he was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department.

Five years later, in 2002, Brown was promoted to lieutenant and also was selected as Ocoee Police Officer of the Year. In 2006, he was promoted to deputy chief. In both of these roles, Brown worked in patrol operations overseeing the uniformed patrol function — including the traffic-enforcement unit, crossing guards and TAC unit.

Shortly after being promoted to deputy chief, the morale and experience at the department was declining, Brown said. After the chief who had promoted him was terminated, Brown believed it was important to select someone from inside the department as the next chief.

“I had multiple conversations with the city manager — he named me acting chief — and we basically explained to him that if he hired again from outside, many people would probably leave here because of the bad experience before that,” he said. “I volunteered — I was young, I’d only been here 16 years — and after a couple months of

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Toward the beginning of his career, Brown served on bicycle patrol.

seeing that I was adding some stability to the department after what we’d been through, he named me the permanent chief in 2008.”

Just as Brown had watched the city grow, he also had the task of adapting the department to shifts in technology.

“The growth adds to how you combat crime, whether it’s technology or just being able to investigate crimes that happened outside of the area,” Brown said. “Those were some of the things we had to deal with as we were growing, and technology got more and more (advanced). … Being where we’re at — we’re at the Turnpike, S.R. 50, the 408, the 429 — all of those roads intersect in Ocoee, so we don’t just deal with the people that sleep here. We have to deal with the population that moves through here every day.”

Although growth can create challenges, it also created opportunities. One of the accomplishments of which Brown is most proud is the transformation from a local police department to a stateaccredited agency in 2019.

COMMUNITY FIRST

One of Brown’s favorite parts of being chief was hiring and also watching his former squads get promoted over the years.

“When I started, I had a squad, and seeing that group of people now turning into the supervision and leadership today — from where we were when I was a sergeant — that’s really rewarding,” he said.

In fact, his last group of hires as chief all came by his retirement

celebration Thursday, Jan. 21, to congratulate him and thank him for the opportunity to serve in Ocoee.

“I’ve been community focused, and our motto at the police department — which came from me — was being approachable and responsive,” he said. “A cop should always be approachable and be responsive to the needs of the community, and if they could do that all the time, then we were better off.”

For Brown, relationships are key factors in community interactions. He loved being involved in the community and served as committee member of the city of Ocoee’s Fall Music Festival; chairman of the Ocoee Police Officers’ and Firefighters Pension Trust; city of Ocoee Police and Fire Pension Board Chair; member of the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigations; Roper YMCA board member; and a member of Rotary Club of Ocoee.

He also cultivated another relationship early in his career when he met his wife, Tammy, 27 years ago at a local Walgreens while doing a walk-through on foot patrol.

Heading into retirement, he plans to focus on himself and his wife. However, Brown said he won’t be surprised if his car automatically turns into the police department parking lot whenever he’s nearby.

“If you have a good relationship with your community, they’ll continue to trust you,” he said. “The decisions you make, they’ll understand them better if we can educate and involve the community. I think our cops are great at that.”

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SPORTS EDITOR

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During a short meeting Tuesday, n The commission approved a two-year warranty surety and Jan. 19, the Ocoee City Commission maintenance, materials and workapproved the annexation and rezoning manship agreement with Lennar of parcel of land located at 511 Whittier Homes, LLC for Arden Park North Ave. — Clarke Road extension.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 Arlow Skjegstad received a certificate of recognition from U.S. Rep. Val Demings.

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TUESDAY

To Arlow Skjegstad, Jan. 18 was just another day — never mind the fact that the World War II veteran was turning 100 years old. But to his friends and neighbors in Trailer City, it was a big day to be celebrated. Skjegstad was honored that evening at the community’s homeowners’ association meeting with a birthday cake and a framed certificate of special recognition from U.S. Rep. Val Demings.

Trailer City HOA President Jimmy Rodgers said he believes the U.S. Army veteran is the first mobile home park resident to celebrate the milestone birthday. Park Manager Miki Weaver arranged to have the award sent from the U.S. House of Representatives.

Arlow Skjegstad and his wife, Carol Skjegstad, have been winter Floridians for 21 years, and Trailer City is their home when they aren’t in Minnesota.

The couple isn’t known for staying in one place too long, having lived in several states and traveled to all 50.

They also were the owners of a fourseat Cessna airplane, which they took occasionally when they didn’t want to deal with the highway traffic. One of the highlights of traveling for Arlow Skjegstad was going to Norway to visit the original family farm, now on its 12th generation. The original home and farm sign remain on the property.

Arlow Skjegstad — a Minnesota farm boy with Norwegian roots — was born in 1921. He and his younger brother were in charge of the farm work while their father and Norwegian-born grandfather found carpentry jobs

around the country. His father was three months shy of 100 when he died.

Arlow Skjegstad remained in charge of the farm until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He trained at Fort Knox, Kentucky, before hopping a train bound for Fort Ord, California.

The cross-country trip caused his ankles to swell and delayed his amphibious training, he said. He was laid up for a week with “train’s foot.”

“I didn’t get back to my own group,” he said. “I went in with the next bunch.

So, I kind of lost all my fellows I trained with.”

After nine days and nights on a ship, the occupational forces arrived in Yokohama, Japan, to begin the cleanup and rebuild following a B-29 air raid that leveled nearly half the city.

After his service, Arlow Skjegstad returned to his family in Minnesota.

He was the owner of a fishing resort on Battle Lake when he met his second wife, Carol, through mutual friends.

They were married in 1971.

Carol Skjegstad described her husband as laid back and stress-free, and said this likely attributes to his good health.

“I think I’m fairly healthy,” he said.

He has macular degeneration in one eye, and 20-25 vision in the other. He attributes his long life to the Shaklee vitamins he takes.

Arlow Skjegstad isn’t slowing down, even at 100. His wife keeps a watchful eye on him to make sure he doesn’t stand on a chair to reach up high or go outside and start washing their home.

The two walk as much as possible, including long days at Disney World.

By living to see 100, Arlow Skjegstad has watched his family grow for many generations — with one son and five daughters, plus 45 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-greatgrandchildren. Most never left Minnesota.

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‘One singular sensation’

this saturday

January 30 at 11am

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

“A CLASS ACT” WHEN: Runs through Sunday, Feb. 7. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, and Thursday, Feb. 4 WHERE: Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden TICKETS: $35 to $40. Available by calling (407) 877-4736, Ext. 0, online at gardentheatre.org or in person at the Garden Theatre box office.

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JESUS PRAISE CELEBRATION 2021

DANIELLE HENDRIX

IF YOU GO

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Putting Our Eyes Back on The Lord Through Praise and Worship

Eight actors and actresses are bringing the story of lyricist Ed Kleban to life through ‘A Class Act’ at the Garden Theatre.

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Valerie Torres-Rosario plays Lucy and Sean Powell stars as Ed Kleban in “A Class Act.”

PASTOR BRIAN BROADWAY SWORD OF THE SPIRIT SPOKEN WORD MINISTRY DON NIE SEEGER NEW WAVE WORSHIP PASTOR TOBY COX LINDSEY MCCABE LIVING MESSAGE JOHN LUTHER MILITARY SOULJAHZ WORSHIP TEAM SCOTT CHEVALIER KING DAVID MIME KDALC PRAISE &

WORSHIP & PRAISE

Lucy, a character based on the life and personality of librettist Linda Kline, Kleban’s longtime companion who was instrumental in bringing “A Class Act” to life.

“Throughout the show, we see all of the characters kind of flash forward and back in time, but the role of Lucy in Ed’s life — aside from being a collaborator and a friend — she was Ed’s most recent love interest before his passing,” Torres-Rosario said.

“She was kind of there holding his hand through the end of his life. She is the one who is kind of at the front of or the organizer of this event, so she in a sense is responsible for making sure that Ed’s wishes come true.”

This is Torres-Rosario’s first production with the Garden Theatre.

She has loved musical theater since she was introduced to it in elementary school, and that passion stuck with her through college. She graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in musical theater and has auditioned all over Florida ever since.

“I’ve been wanting to work at this theater for quite a long time, and I’m excited that this is a show I get to do as my first show at the Garden Theatre,” she said.

Torres-Rosario said Garden Theatre Artistic Director Joseph Walsh has encouraged his cast to interpret their roles and breathe life into the characters.

“People are going to take a lot out of what ‘A Class Act’ has to offer,” Torres-Rosario said. “It’s so beautifully told. I’m really excited to put on a costume and run the show. … I love seeing it all come together because … you get to see the world that you’ve created.”

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It’s only fitting that the story of a renowned composer and lyricist’s life is told through a musical on stage.

Edward “Ed” Kleban is best known as lyricist of the Broadway hit “A Chorus Line,” but he accumulated numerous accomplishments over time — sharing a Pulitzer Prize for drama, working with Columbia Records and winning a Tony Award.

Kleban died 33 years ago, but his life story is immortalized in song via the musical “A Class Act” — a story that eight actors and actresses will bring to life through Feb. 7 at the Garden Theatre.

In the Garden Theatre’s production, Sean Powell will star as Kleban.

Also featured are Lillie Eliza Thomas as Sophie, Terry E. Thomas as Lehman Engel, Gavin Waid as Bobbie/Michael Bennett, Russell Stephens as Charley/Marvin Hamlisch, Valerie Torres-Rosario as Lucy, Tay Anderson as Felicia and Sarah Beth Ganey as Mona.

“A Class Act” is set in 1988 during Kleban’s memorial service at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre — 12 years after he won a Tony Award for his lyrics in “A Chorus Line.” His friends are gathered there to reminisce about shared performances, jobs and workshops. Kleban joins them on stage to relive the struggles, triumphs and important moments of his life. What’s more, “A Class Act” features songs written by Kleban.

Valerie Torres-Rosario personifies

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

School Board reviews district’s ESE program The Orange County School Board reviewed the district’s Exceptional Student Education program during a Jan. 19 work session.

The district provides services and support to more than 39,000 ESE students at both OCPS and charter schools. That includes 26,057 students with disabilities and 11,619 gifted students.

Board members also had the opportunity to receive clarification on budget questions and how the Florida Education Finance Program and full-time equivalent is calculated for ESE students.

In December, the district conducted an ESE parent feedback survey that collected a total of 3,622 responses.

In addition, a district ESE Parent Focus Group was created with the goal to collaborate with the ESE department to provide ongoing feedback.

Program highlights include: n The Florida Department of Education requires districts to spend 90% of the funds generated for ESE students.

OCPS spent 164% in 2019-20, 157% in 2018-19 and 156% in 2017-18. n The OCPS ESE department supports private and charter schools. n OCPS has met the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for the last five years.

JAIDA HACKARD

could inspire others like they inspired me. Sometimes, we have a literacy week where we’re given a topic … and we can write a poem or mini story that we can put in a packet of stories, so I’ve done that before.

WINDERMERE ELEMENTARY Last spring, Windermere Elementary hosted an Earth Day T-shirt design contest, with the winning student’s design printed on T-shirts and sold as a fundraiser for eco-friendly projects around campus. Fifth-grader Jaida Hackard came up with the winning artwork — a colorful flower with Earth at its center — and the Parent-Teacher Organization has now sold more than 60 shirts featuring her design. Jaida loves seeing others wear her art and is proud to have had a hand in fundraising for her school’s Earth Day endeavors.

Why do you love your school?

The teachers and staff are really nice, and they’re polite, they’re funny, they keep encouraging me to learn.

When times are tough, they help me get to my goals.

Tell us about your T-shirt design and the Earth Day contest. How did you come up with your design?

I originally got my inspiration from “The Lorax” and trees.

I thought it was a unique and beautiful design. “The Lorax” is a popular Earth Day story, and the contest was for a fundraiser to help with Earth Day projects. We could do almost anything — the only exception was no words.

How long did it take you to create your design?

It didn’t take me very long.

The teacher put on the movie, and I was like, “Oh my gosh, what am I going to do — a flower? A tree?” Then I changed it up a little bit,

REPORT CARD AGE: 11 GRADE: Fifth

added some more colors and put Earth in the middle of the flowers.

What have you learned about Earth Day? I’ve learned that we only have one Earth and we should make it the best and keep it as long as we possibly can, because it’s the only one we have, and we should protect it.

How does it feel to see people wearing your design?

It’s humbling. I laugh, and if they walk by I say, “I like your shirt.”

What was your reaction when you found out you had the winning design?

I originally found out when the teachers were doing a caravan over the summer. The teachers from my school were going through the neighborhoods, and the art teacher leaned out the window of her car and she shouted, “Jaida, you won!”

Who is your biggest role model or inspiration?

I haven’t decided on that, really. I have lots of role models and they inspire me to keep going and get to my goals even if they aren’t realistic.

My coaches, parents, teachers and other people (inspire me).

What is your favorite book you’ve read and why?

My favorite series is Percy Jackson and the Olympians. It focuses on Greek mythology and the gods. I’m fascinated by that, and I think it’s just a really neat topic.

What do you want to be when you grow up and why?

I’m not sure yet, even though a lot of other kids know, but I think it would be neat to be an author, because I

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

There are so many possibilities! I just settled on breathing underwater, because I think mankind should explore the world we have before going out into who-knowswhere in space.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to play tennis and play with my kitten. I have a Nintendo Switch, and I like to play “The Legend of Zelda” on it. I like to read.

Tell us about your kitten.

She’s a Ragdoll kitten, basically the most floppiest cat you can get. She’s white, she has a little stripe on her nose.

Her tail is gray, her ears are grayish and just her paws are brown. She’s probably fourand-a-half months old, and her name is Mim — Marvelous Mad Madam Mim. — DANIELLE HENDRIX

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

Do you have an “unsung hero” at your school? If so, please nominate him or her for our Influencer of the Week feature. Nominations can be sent via email to contact@orangeobserver.com.

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INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Wonderful creations Five West Orange-area students were selected to have their artwork on display at WonderWorks.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

As the winners of a recent WonderWorks art contest, five local students are experiencing the wonder of having their work on display at the upside-down Orlando attraction.

Last year, many people turned to art as a creative outlet for coping with the pandemic, and WonderWorks staff at its Branson, Missouri, location decided to create a youth art contest to support the masterpieces being created.

“It was super successful over there (in Branson), so we opened it here,” said Katie Taber, education manager at WonderWorks Orlando. “2020 has been really challenging for everyone. It’s really given us the time to think and create, so we gave local schools and local students a chance to get creative, think about the year and think about things in the future.

That’s kind of where the idea of the whole exhibit and the specific subject, ‘Time to Think,’ came from.”

The Orlando location accepted submissions from students throughout Florida. Staff received 250 submissions by the Dec. 18 deadline and had to narrow them down to 14 winners, including

Brandon Diehl, a fifth-grader at Keene’s Crossing Elementary, calls his piece “I Saved Time.”

Axani Turin, a sophomore at Windermere High, submitted a piece entitled “Head in the Clouds.”

Katiana Robinson, a junior at Windermere High, calls her piece “Butterflies.”

WONDERWORKS ORLANDO Katia Companioni, a sophomore at Windermere High, submitted her piece, “Tempus Fugit.”

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Dharik Ramdass, a kindergartner at Westpointe Elementary, titled his piece “The Future City.”

five from the West Orange area.

Those are: Katiana Robinson, junior, Windermere High; Axani Turin, sophomore, Windermere High; Katia Companioni, sophomore, Windermere High; Brandon Diehl, fifth-grader, Keene’s Crossing Elementary; and Dharik Ramdass, kindergartner, Westpointe Elementary.

Their pieces went on display Friday, Jan. 22, at FLO-ART: Central Florida Youth Art Gallery — located inside WonderWorks Orlando — and will be there for a year. The winners also each received four complimentary tickets to WonderWorks to visit the art gallery and see their work on display. Their artwork helps expand the illusion art gallery in a special section created to highlight youth art.

According to the School Superintendents Association, the arts play an important role in human development, enhancing the growth of cognitive, emotional and psychomotor pathways.

At WonderWorks, Taber said, encouraging both scientific and artistic exploration is the goal.

“Our theme at WonderWorks is ‘Let your imagination run wild,’ so this really gives people not only the science aspect of learning that they’re used to at WonderWorks, but now we’re exploring the arts, as well,” Taber said. “We consider ourselves STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics — at play, so art is definitely really important to us, as well.”

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01-28-21

JANUARY 28, 2021

HIGH

SPORTS

1

5

CFCA freshman Talia Kemp quickly has become an integral part of the school’s girls basketball team. Page 12.

Viper mentality

In Windermere Prep’s 72-48 win in boys basketball over Seffner Christian Saturday, Jan. 23, senior guard Zavien Williams scored 14 points in a game in which he also scored the 1,000th point of his successful high school career. In the win for the Lakers, Jayden Williams also added 19 points, while Drew Kousaie picked up 14 points.

2

A busy weekend saw competitive cheer teams from around the Observer coverage area take to the mat during the FHSAA state championships Friday, Jan. 22, and Saturday, Jan. 23, in Lakeland at the RP Funding Center. In Class 1A, Foundation Academy finished runner-up for the second consecutive year in the medium division (nontumbling), while Windermere Prep finished fourth in the small division finals.

In Class 2A, Ocoee finished fourth in the small division (non-tumbling), West Orange finished fourth in the large division (varsity), and Windermere finished sixth in the small division.

3

It was a big outing for the Windermere High girls soccer team in its 8-0 thrashing of Celebration Thursday, Jan. 21. The Wolverines were led by an incredible fivegoal night from Victoria Gonzales, who not only helped hand Windermere the win but also picked up the 100th goal of her high school career. The win pushed the Wolverines to 6-2-2 on the season.

4

In The First Academy’s 80-57 win over St. Cloud in boys basketball action Thursday, Jan. 21, senior point guard Sean Johnson had another impressive game as he picked up 23 points in the victory. Teammates Jayden Battle and Camp Magee added 22 point and 13 points, respectively, to help push the Royals to 8-5.

Troy Herring

First-time head coach Joe Rienzi hopes to build a program and culture that the new Lake Buena Vista High School can be proud of.

Former St. Cloud assistant Joe Rienzi will be the first head football coach at Lake Buena Vista High School.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

J

oe Rienzi is a man ready to lead.

Those under his guidance are yet to be determined, but he knows the new football program at Lake Buena Vista High School will be a part of something special.

Rienzi was announced as the school’s first football coach in mid-December. But when he first applied to the school, it didn’t even

have a name. It simply was called either 80-H-SW-4 or the Dr. Phillips/Freedom relief school.

“When I went in for the first interview, the school didn’t have a name or a mascot or anything,” Rienzi said. “I sat there, after the first interview, and watched when the county had everyone discussing the name and things like that …

SEE RIENZI PAGE 12

Holy Family Catholic wins flag football title The varsity flag football team took home the Catholic Youth Sports Championship in a 12-6 win over St. James.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

5

The Dr. Phillips boys basketball team dominated on its way to an 83-67 win over Evans Thursday, Jan. 21, thanks to another big night from Denzel Aberdeen — who had 25 points in the win for the Panthers. Teammate Riley Kugel added 16 points.

Courtesy photo

Standing on the football field at Bishop Moore Catholic High School, Tom McAleavey watches as the boys on his Holy Family Catholic School varsity flag football team lift up their hard-fought championship trophy.

The 12-6 win over St. James — which handed Holy Family its only loss during a 5-1 regular season — gave McAleavey his first Catholic Youth Sports Championship since he had been at the school.

After such a tumultuous year, it was everything he and his players could have imagined.

“It was a fun time,” McAleavey said. “The boys were so happy, and I was so proud of them to have stuck together. It was a great group of eighth-graders who led that team — our three captains were like coaches on the field all season — and I was so happy for them.”

Going into the game, which took place Friday, Jan. 15, the Lions — much like other teams in the SEE LIONS PAGE 12

12

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORING AND SHANNON TILL/STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Talia Kemp Despite only being a freshman on the CFCA girls basketball team, Talia Kemp is already proving to be a pivotal asset to head coach Blessing Freeman’s squad. Kemp plays at the guard position — most times she plays the 2 — and hopes to eventually play at the collegiate level.

How did you first get into basketball?

I’ve been playing basketball since I was about 8 years old.

I had an uncle (who) used to play basketball. I used to always go to his games, and I used to want to be like him, so I just started playing basketball and picked it up off of him.

THE BASICS SCHOOL: CFCA GRADE: Freshman AGE: 15 SPORT: Basketball POSITION: Guard

you’d like to achieve or see before the season ends?

Just to give it my all, and make sure everybody on my team gets at least a point before the season ends.

What was it that kept you in the game for so long?

I just love the game — it’s my passion, and I just have so much fun playing it.

Was there anything you were personally hoping to work on this season?

I want to get better at a few things, like talking more on the court — I feel like I don’t talk a lot. I’m a very quiet and laid-back person, so (probably) talking more.

What would you say is the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself since you first started?

Being a team player, learning how to talk more and shooting and stuff like that — but mostly being a team player.

What’s your first year been like on the varsity team?

It’s been very challenging but fun at the same time — it’s been a little bit of everything.

What is the hardest part about playing at the guard position?

The challenge is trying to get everybody where they’re supposed to be — trying to run the court more since I’m so quiet.

I’ve got to run the court when I play point guard.

Did you have any goals in mind for the team coming into this first season?

At my school, there are no banners — the girls have never won a championship or anything, so it’s all boys. That’s my goal this year — to put a banner in the school gym.

The regular season is almost over, but how has the season been so far?

I feel like it’s been going great — going better than I expected.

Do you have any extra goals

Do you have a highlight from your first year playing at CFCA? It was like last game, I was shooting a lot, and I kept missing. Then I dribbled down the court and shot from the volleyball line and my coach, she turned her head because she didn’t want me to shoot it, and then she saw it go in.

How do you get through — and past — a tough game where you don’t shoot well or struggle?

When I have games like that, I just pass the ball more and try to get my teammates more involved, (because) I’m not on my game. It has to be someone on my team who’s on it who will make those shots that I’m not (making).

— TROY HERRING

Rienzi ready to lead LBV CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

and I saw the people who spoke and how much that name Lake Buena Vista meant to them.

“When the district representative was giving the name to the high school and voted on Lake Buena Vista, it was something they were very passionate about,” he said. “Being in the community, you can feel it. I’ve talked with people — they’re excited — and they’re looking forward to supporting this new school.”

FINDING THE DREAM

Rienzi was never much of a football player.

During his four years at St. Cloud High School in Osceola County, Rienzi often stayed banged up before moving into the realm of sports journalism when he made the move to the University of South Florida. There, he took sports writing and editing responsibilities for The Oracle — the school’s newspaper.

“I was at football practice every day, and I was like, ‘This is all right, but this isn’t what I want to do,’” Rienzi said. “Just being around practice, I just wanted to be involved.”

Fueled by his passion for the sport and need to get involved with it, Rienzi jumped into coaching. He got started with a Little League organization in Tampa before finding his first opportunity in football at Harmony High School in Osceola County.

Rienzi reached out to thennew Harmony head coach Jerrad Butler — a former teacher of Rienzi — who let him coach the freshman receivers and defensive backs, before moving up through different roles and eventually becoming the JV offensive coordinator.

After making the move back to his alma mater at St. Cloud, Rienzi once again made his way up the coaching ladder throughout his seven years with the program. He started as the head coach of the freshman/JV team and varsity receivers coach, and ultimately ended his stint at the school as the offensive coordinator under head coach Bryan Smart.

The transition from writing about sports to coaching it has been a time of tremendous growth for Rienzi.

“Everybody thinks they have all the answers when they’re on the outside looking in,” Rienzi said. “I was still a pretty young guy at the time when I got into coaching — I was 21 when I started — and this will be my 13th year as a coach overall So at 21, 22 years old, you think you know everything and then you realize, ‘Hey, maybe I don’t.’ You have to learn about the developing relationships piece, you have to learn the delaying with parents piece and stuff like that, but again, between coach Butler and coach Smart, I had two guys who really did a good job of preparing me for this opportunity.”

Lions take crown league — had gone through the regular season with all the safety precautions that came with COVID-19. Coaches wore masks during the game, as did players when they were off the field.

Along with the safety precautions, the school also combined its junior varsity and varsity teams to form this one unit, but no one minded — they just wanted to play.

“I have never coached any of these boys before — they weren’t the same grades as my older son — but from the very beginning, they were all so happy to just play any sport because so many seasons had been canceled since last March,” McAleavey said. “From the first week we got together in October, they asked me to practice longer, so we’d practice for an hour and to hour and a half — they were so enthusiastic all year.”

During the regular season, the Lions largely dominated, sans a 12-0 loss against St. James during which Holy Family was with-

BUILDING A CULTURE

By taking the mantle of head coach — his first at the varsity level — Rienzi is being challenged in ways that are both familiar and alien.

His new school won’t be open until the fall, which means he doesn’t know who will be a part of his program, and there is currently no place for them to play.

Luckily, Rienzi is already plotting his attack.

Rienzi is working on getting his staff put together, and he will be reaching out to students zoned for the school soon so he can relay information about his program. He also plans to hold spring practices and a spring game in what he hopes will be a debut event for the school.

“We’re looking at sites near where Lake Buena Vista High School is going to be, and the players zoned for our school will be able to come out and go through spring practices and have a spring game just like at any other school,” Rienzi said.

Along with logistics, the biggest step for Rienzi is to build a culture for Lake Buena Vista High.

“I don’t want to have a culture for the football team — I want to drive the culture for the entire Lake Buena Vista campus and the entire Lake Buena Vista community,” Rienzi said. “I want it to be a culture that kind of drives everything that’s going on.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

out two starters. They followed up that regular season by beating St. Margaret Mary 20-0 in the semifinals Sunday, Jan. 10.

With a berth in the championship game clinched, the excitement around the program grew, as the thought of playing under Friday night lights loomed large for this middle school team. The Lions practiced and prepared, and then came game day.

All Friday, it had been clear and sunny, but right as the first half kicked off, a torrent of rain and gusty wind spun up.

“It’s such a passing game normally, so it’s hard to adjust suddenly to pouring down rain, where it’s hard to hold onto the ball at all,” McAleavey said. “We had the ball first, so it jumped immediately to, ‘OK, we have to change what we’re going to do.’”

During the season, the Lions averaged more than 30 points per game, but because of the weather, the championship game became a grinding affair.

Holy Family picked up its first

score on a long run by Lions quarterback Brockton Faddis.

St. James tied the game, but a big passing play from Faddis to Ivan Taylor just before the break put the Lions up 12-6.

The second half proved to be difficult for both offenses, but it was the Holy Family defense that proved to be the ultimate gamechanger. It forced two picks — including an athletic, gamesealing interception by Taylor at the Lions’ own 5-yard line with a minute left in the game.

With his first trophy in hand, McAleavey looks back on this season with appreciation, especially for the student-athletes on his team.

“They were such a treat,” McAleavey said. “This is like the sixth or seventh team I’ve coached at Holy Family for flag football, and it was definitely the most enjoyable and satisfying season, and it really was because the boys had such a great attitude.”

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FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

13

THROWBACK THURSDAY JAN. 21, 1971 The Rev. Charley Grant wrote a weekly piece that ran in newspapers across the nation. Uncle Charley’s “Epigrins” appeared weekly in The Winter Garden Times. Grant was a pastor at many churches, including St. Paul’s and Gettysburg Methodist churches and a widely known newspaper columnist. He also wrote “Uncle Charlie Says.”

85 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Newton announced the engagement of their daughter, Pauline Beatrice, to Cecil T. Dees.

Clark Griffith, owner of the Washington Senators baseball club, was in Winter Garden to inspect Walker Field, where the Albany club planned to train in the spring. He said he had never seen a finer baseball diamond.

70 years ago

Joe Hendricks, former congressman, made a speech at the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner. He discussed the war in Korea and made suggestions of things that should be done to combat communism.

The average citizen, he said, is not taking communism with its threat to the American way of life as seriously as he or she should.

50 years ago

Richard Webb purchased Pounds Pharmacy in Ocoee and has changed the name to Webb’s Pharmacy.

Mrs. J.E. Clonts and Miss Frances Thurman entertained at Mrs. Clonts’ home honoring Mrs. D.O. Thumon on her birthday anniversary. Mrs. C.M. Tucker, Miss Dewey Vick and Miss Frances Thurman assisted in serving.

FROM THE ARCHIVES To welcome these first days of 2021, here is the first photograph ever scanned into the archive of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. In this setting around 1920, townsfolk are gathering for what appears to be a parade or political rally at the intersection of Plant and Main streets. In the center is the Dillard and Boyd building, constructed in 1912. The gap to its right is where a structure currently housing the MoonCricket Grille was built afterward.

The foundation now has more than 10,000 photographs documenting West Orange County’s history. Researchers are welcome. For an appointment, call (407) 656-3244.

The mission of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is to preserve the heritage and architecture of Winter Garden while creating new cultural experiences. The Foundation also preserves the material culture of West Orange County, using it to educate the area’s youth on the community’s rich history. monkey bars. The equipment is of a sturdy variety, said committee chairman Robert Barber.

The West Orange Jaycees spotted another community need and made plans to provide playground equipment for the city park immediately west of the City Auditorium on Lake Apopka. There will be swings for toddlers and older children, slides, a merry-go-round and

20 years ago

Bert Edward Roper was selected for inclusion in the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame.

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BAPTIST

First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:30 a.m. Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11:00 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 p.m.- Awana 2nd Campus: Foundation Worship Foundation Academy High School 15304 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden (407) 730-1867 Sundays: 9:45 a.m. All Ages FoundationWorship.com

EPISCOPAL

Church of the Messiah 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 a.m., 7 p.m.

ChurchoftheMessiah.com

METHODIST

First United Methodist Church 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: Livestreaming Sunday @ 9 AM. Viewable on Facebook and Youtube

CHURCH DIRECTORY

APTIST

CHURCH OF GOD

OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Purpose Church Orlando

METHODIST 13640 W Colonial Dr. NON-DENOMINATIONAL Ste 110, FIRST UNITED METHODIST PURPOSE CHURCH OLANDO Winter Garden CHURCH 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Winter Garden (407) 654-9661 Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, Sunday Service: 10:05 a.m.

Phone – 407-656-1135 Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05 AM Sunday Web: fumcwg.orgBrazilian Service: 7 p.m.

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ULAH BAPTIST WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH or Casey Butner 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Church of God Beulah Rd, WinterOcoee Garden Windermere, FL 34786 EPISCOPAL -656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org Pastor Thomas Odom 407-876-2112 Worship times: CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH NDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee 9:00am Adult Sunday School 241 N. Main, Winter Garden NDAY SERVICE 11:00AM 10:00am Worship (407) 656-8011 Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm DNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM www.windermereunion.org www.churchofthemessiah.com ST BAPTIST CHURCH E Plant St., Winter Garden -656-2352 NDAYS 8:30 am Traditional 5 am Bible Study 00 am Contemporary DNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana MIKE YOAKUM or Tim Grosshans PASTOR w.fbcwg.org Campus: P: 407.656.1520 UNDATION WORSHIP C: 407.758.3570 NDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM ndation Academy High School 04 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden w.FoundationWorship.com -730-1867

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Register to learn more about: International Baccalaureate Diploma & Certificate Program Collaborations with MIT, The Juilliard School, and UNICEF Differentiated Curriculum (407) 905-7737

Award winning Fine Arts programs Athletic program that offers over 21 different sports for Grade 6 - Grade 12 5 and 7 Day Boarding Program offered for Grade 7 - Grade 12

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