03.05.20 Southwest Orange Observer

SO U T H W EST O RA N G E

Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

Taste of Windermere pleases palates . SEE 7.

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 5, NO. 23

Horizon West Fest returns to Hamlin The annual event brings together residents, businesses, clubs and other organizations local to Horizon West.

FREE

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

The wheels of fortune Children’s Lighthouse families enjoyed the school’s Trike-A-Thon. SEE PAGE 8.

Ripple effect

ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

A fun-filled afternoon for the whole family is in store for Horizon West this weekend.

The annual Horizon West Fest will be making its way back to Hamlin for its second year Saturday, March 7, at the SEE FEST PAGE 4

Horizon West resident Danny Paltjon is the co-founder of Oceans of Hope Foundation, which provides individuals with limited mobility access to adaptive surfing and kayaking. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4.

Jonny Nomad Photography

OCPS hosts meeting SOCIAL after student suicide ANIMALS MEMORABLE MASQUERADE Sunset Park Elementary fathers and daughters danced the night away. 13.

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The district’s Mental Health Services department met with parents and families following the most recent tragic student death at Windermere High School.

TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

In the wake of two tragedies, a local high school hopes to see changes as it grieves and heals.

Orange County Public Schools’ Mental Health Services department gave parents a presentation Thursday, Feb. 27, at Windermere

High School about the various resources available to students and families — a response to the tragic death of a Windermere High School student.

Early in the presentation after a moment of silence, Orange County School Board District SEE NEVER PAGE 5

People and pups will have a ball at Windermere’s Pet Fest. 10.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5

YOUR CALENDAR

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

RETIRED EDUCATORS MEETING 10 a.m. Thursday, March 5, at College Park United Methodist Church, 644 W. Princeton St., Orlando. The Orange County Retired Educators Association’s March program is “Prescription Drugs with Over-the-Counter Medication Safety,” presented

by Jessica Daly. Anyone who has worked in education is invited to attend. (407) 843-6909 or ocrea-fl.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

GROCERY STORE TOUR 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, March 6, at a local grocery store to be announced. Do you know which foods are the healthiest choices? Do you know what to look for on a food label? Join an Orlando Health dietitian for a grocery store tour to learn how to navigate the aisles and make the healthiest choices for the family. Space is limited; RSVP required at (407) 407-3046.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

HORIZON WEST FEST 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Cinepolis Hamlin, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. Celebrate all things Horizon West in this “fun in the sun” event: Kid Zone, food, live music, games, giveaways, talent show, scavenger hunt and a variety of vendors. Sponsored

by Orlando Health and Healthy West Orange.

PET FEST 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. Sponsored by the Animal Clinic of Windermere and hosted1by Windermere bleed.pdf 5/29/19 5:54 PM

Parks and Recreation. Includes the Doggie Fun Zone, police K-9 demonstrations, dog games and food trucks. Attendance is free. windermereparksandrecreation. com.

MONDAY, MARCH 9

POW-HER-FUL 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 9, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. With great power comes great responsibility.

Explore the common empowering qualities of widely known women like Simone Biles, Frida Kahlo and Jane Goodall. (407) 835-7323.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

THIRD ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. The event is hosted by the Windermere Police Department Foundation Inc., town of Windermere, Windermere Brewing Company, Finnegan Academy of Irish Dance and Crooked Can Brewing Company.

Enjoy live music, food trucks, traditional Irish dance performance, activities for children and cold craft beer. Proceeds benefit the Windermere PD Foundation, a nonprofit in memory of Officer Robbie German. (407) 876-3757.

GARDEN THEATRE ENCORE 2020 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at the Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Preshow experience featuring hors d’oeuvres, a stationed dinner service, an open bar and silent auction. At 7:30 p.m., enjoy a memorable night of songs and stories with Kelli O’Hara, a performance by the cast of “Matilda the Musical” and a paddle raise benefiting the theatre. At 9 p.m. is an exclusive VIP after-party featuring a meet-and-greet with O’Hara, desserts, an open and live music. Ticket levels are $95, $225 and $350; visit gardentheatre.org/events/encore/.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

SHAMROCKS! 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Do you have the luck of the Irish? Brush up on your leprechaun folklore and be prepared for a legendary time!

(407) 835-7323.

MONDAY, MARCH 16

DREAM FINDERS HOMES LUCKY CHARM 5K 7 to 10 a.m. Sunday, March 15, at Hamlin, 14422 Shoreside Way, Suite 130, Winter Garden.

Hosted, in part, by Florida Running Company, the event is a chip-timed race and includes a T-shirt, finishers medal and St. Paddy’s Day cup. Kids race participants receive a shirt and finisher ribbon. Join in the postrace fun with food drink, music and more. Be sure to wear your green! Registration is $40 until March 3 and $45 on or after March 4. Kids race registration is $10. Tickets are available at floridarunningco.com.

GROCERY STORE TOUR 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 16, at a local grocery store to be announced. Do you know which foods are the healthiest choices? Do you know what to look for on a food label? Join an Orlando Health dietitian for a gro-

cery store tour to learn how to navigate the aisles and make the healthiest choices for the family.

Space is limited; RSVP required at (407) 407-3046.

blaze a trail into the unknown and discover what it is like to be an astronaut. Recommended for lower elementary. (407) 8357323.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

MONDAY, MARCH 30

WRITING WEDNESDAY 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando.

Structured writing time with light refreshments in the reading area.

Writers of all types and levels are encouraged to attend. (407) 835-7323.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

INTRODUCTION TO CALLIGRAPHY 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Learn about the origins of calligraphy and get introduced to some materials used to create it. Practice using this form of writing to create endless projects. Registration required at (407) 835-7323.

MONDAY, MARCH 23

FAMILY VOLUNTEERING: STEAM KITS 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 30, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando.

Upper elementary, middle, high school students and their accompanying adults are invited to help assemble STEAM kits at this two-hour community service event.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

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County to consider waivers for retail plaza The developer of the Buena Vista Village shopping center in Dr. Phillips is requesting seven waivers for the project related to design and landscaping.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Winners took a moment to pose with their art pieces after they were given their awards.

AMONG THE ARTISTS S

culptures, paintings, photographs and other forms of art lined the streets of Windermere from Feb. 29 to March 1 for the fifth Windermere Fine Arts Show. The event included a chalkdrawing contest, various vendors and musical performances. Jeffery Thamert won best of show, Dr. Terry Mamounas won first place, Shields Long won second place, and Noreen Coup won third place.

Nathan Tweeddale, Ivaldo Robles and Susan Spraker earned honorable mentions.

— ERIC GUTIERREZ Hat maker Ronia Grillos drove all the way from California to be part of the art show.

Left: Painter Vic Lee came from St. Johns County in northeast Florida to showcase his work.

A 15,000-square-foot retail plaza is coming to the Dr. Phillips area, but there still are a few hurdles to jump before breaking ground.

The Buena Vista Village project will be located on a roughly 1.65-acre property that is part of the Davis PD, north of Lake Street and east of South Apopka Vineland Road. Although the zoning and future land-use designation are already in place, the developer is requesting seven waivers from Orange County Code in relation to landscaping and general design.

During a community meeting at Sand Lake Elementary Monday, March 2, applicant Momtaz Barq presented the requested waivers to attendees. Some of the waivers are related to ground floor facades, flat roofs, street design, street and building base landscaping, building water and materials, and the use of potable water.

Another would serve to remove internal cross access between two of the Davis PD parcels. Two more waivers would revise Board of County Commissioners conditions from 2002 that required sloped tile roofs and that the rear facade of commercial buildings be designed as a front facade.

The property is part of the Buena Vista North Overlay District, which comes with existing architectural and landscaping standards that go “above and beyond anywhere else in the code,” according to Orange County Project Manager Nicolas Thalmueller.

Barq, one of the planners/engineers on the Buena Vista Village project, said his team was asking for these seven waivers in order to deliver a project that adheres to the architectural and general aesthetics most retailers today look for.

“When the PD code was written … it was basically for an architectural style that was popular back then,” Barq said. “This style is no longer something that people are

looking for. We spoke with retailers and they all … said the customers are not looking for what was being built back in the ’80s.

They want something that is a little more inviting and pedestrian friendly.”

Plans for the building still include some of the required sloped-roof elements, Barq said.

Current Buena Vista North Overlay District requirements call for tile roofs, and one of the waivers would exempt the project from this. The developer also wants to be able to use more contrasting colors — such as whites and grays, Barq said — rather than beiges to make the building stand out more.

“The other stuff we’re asking for is some modifications to the landscape code,” he said. “One of them, they required that we do buffers in the back. We have an area (there) that’s wooded, so we don’t really need to put in more plants. …

It’s small things that really don’t affect the community or the actual intent of the code, it basically just makes it more appealing if we do it that way.”

Orange County District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey said the waivers from the Buena Vista North Overlay District landscaping standards in particular are not uncommon.

“I know when they came through with those standards, they had oak trees planted so close together that if you planted all of them, a number of them would not survive because they’re too crowded,” she said. “It’s not unusual for us to see somebody come through in this area and say, ‘We need more room just so what we plant survives. …That’s something that I know we’re looking to address with our code update, too, so that we don’t have to ask for that waiver every time we come through here.”

This case is headed next to the Development Review Committee March 11. For more information, contact Thalmueller at (407) 8365603.

Coronavirus preparations underway in Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said county officials believe it’s only ‘a matter of time’ until the coronavirus arrives in Central Florida.

ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

After Gov. Ron DeSantis announced two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Florida, Orange County leaders announced they have taking measures locally to prepare for the virus.

County officials held a press conference Monday, March 2, regarding the steps being taken to prepare for COVID-19. Of the two confirmed cases of the virus in Florida, one case is located in Manatee County and the other case is in Hillsborough County. On March 1, DeSantis issued an executive order declaring a public health emergency and statewide response for the coronavirus.

A third presumptive case of COVID-19 in Florida was announced Tuesday, March 3, at press time.

Mayor Jerry Demings said it’s just a matter of time before the coronavirus arrives in the Central Florida area. He added the county began preparing for the virus Jan. 29.

“We at Orange County have been monitoring and planning for the day the coronavirus would become a public health emergency in our community, and that day, of course, is today,” Demings said.

“With two cases in Florida, but well outside of Orange County, we believe it’s a matter of time before we have a case right here in our backyard.”

Demings added that, despite the

DISEASE PREVENTION Orange County residents and visitors are encouraged to stay diligent with their personal health and hygiene to help prevent the spread of germs. Here are some tips to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, according to the Orange County website. n Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based

fast pace at which the virus has been spreading, county leaders are remaining calm and are encouraging residents to do the same. The county has been working with the Florida Department of Health to ensure local officials are ready to address the virus.

hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. n Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. n Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. n Avoid close contact with people who are sick. n Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. n Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.

“If a case occurs in Orange County, we have protocols and procedures in place,” Demings said.

ONLINE

Orange County paramedics and firefighters are prepared and have been trained for any coronavirus response. Dr. Raul Pino, health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, said 30 individuals in the county are being monitored for the virus.

These individuals have recently traveled to regions of the world where the virus is present. He added that these are “very, very low-risk individuals” and they will be monitored for 14 days.

“We are prepared to take the necessary steps from a political point of view but also from a health point of view,” Pino said.

“We have received legal advice in how to isolate (and) quarantine and (we) encourage individuals to take the precautions that they need.”

Stay up to date at ocfl.net/coronavirus

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

Giving the gift of vitamin ‘sea’ “We had training; we had nights where we met at local surf club out in New Smyrna Beach, and I remember the first training we had was a PowerPoint presentation on how to do transfers, how to talk to someone with a disability, all these things,” he said. “I remember telling the people there, ‘You’re going to change lives of so many people out there in that water, as far as participants go.’

“After our second event, one of the volunteers came up to me and was like, ‘I remember you saying this is going to change the lives of the participants,’” Paltjon said. “‘Well, I’ll tell you what: This event changed my life.’”

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

G

rowing up on the Jersey Shore, surfing and other water sports were a natural way of life for Danny Paltjon.

But when the Horizon West resident suffered a spinal cord injury in 2003, his ability to be in the water — or even on the soft, thick Jersey sands — was extremely limited.

It wasn’t until one day, when some friends of his lifted him into the water and back onto a surfboard, that he rode his first wave post-injury. It’s a feeling he said he’ll never forget, and it’s what sparked the idea for the Oceans of Hope Foundation.

WAVES OF HOPE

Paltjon and fellow Oceans of Hope Foundation co-founder Chris Sharpe started the organization to offer adaptive ocean access to people with limited mobility. This includes specialized wheelchairs or assistance to enter the sand, as well as customized surfboards and kayaks to empower paraplegics and quadriplegics to safely ride the waves or experience kayaking.

“We provide beach wheelchairs, we modify surfboards to each individual’s needs so we can get those with no mobility out in the water to ride the waves,” Paltjon said.

“We’re branching now into kayaking, so we modified a bunch of kayaks with outriggers to stabilize the kayaks so they don’t tip for those people who can’t swim or those who don’t have any trunk muscles. … It all started with the surfing. That’s what was our main sport up until this year.”

The heart of the foundation lies within Paltjon’s own experience.

Paltjon always was athletic growing up, and he was a competitive baseball player. Things went wrong during a game in 2003, though, when he slid headfirst into third base and the third baseman landed on his neck. He has been paralyzed ever since and is considered a quadriplegic.

His family, especially his wife and then-infant son, were his inspiration for fighting to recover and get back to his new normal.

“My wife was two months pregnant at the time (of the injury) with my son, and he was my motivation to get out of the hospital bed every day and try to move a finger or a toe and all that stuff,” Paltjon said. “(Years later) we’d still go to

WEBSITE: oceansofhopefoundation.org FACEBOOK: facebook.com/ oceansofhopefoundation INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER: @oceansofhopefd DETAILS: The nonprofit organization offers adaptive ocean access to those with various injuries that limit mobility, including paraplegics and quadriplegics.

HOW TO HELP: Oceans of Hope always welcomes volunteers to help with events at New Smyrna Beach. This includes check-in, serving lunch and assisting participants in the water. However, their biggest need is sponsors and donors. One hundred percent of all proceeds go back into the nonprofit and especially help with buying kayaks and surfboards, as well as making modifications to them. For more information on how to donate or get involved, visit Oceans of Hope’s website.

the beach, and it was heartbreaking (with) me on the boardwalk watching and my wife and the family down there playing with him. I couldn’t participate.”

After years of frustration, Paltjon had had enough of missing out on these moments with his family.

A few friends helped get him into the water by picking him up, and for the first time since the injury, he was back in his element.

“I was able to hop back on the surfboard and ride it, and it was like the best day ever,” he said.

“Just tasting the water, being buoyant in the ocean, it was a day

Fest set for March 7 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

vacant field near Cinépolis Hamlin. Organized by Horizon West Happenings, the Horizon West Fest is one of two annual events the organization hosts to celebrate the community.

“It’s about the people who love living here and love the vision and want to see it come to life; even beyond what the residential and commercial developers do building their buildings,” said Cynthia Dailey, the publisher of Horizon West Happenings. “They don’t do the whole lifestyle things.”

Horizon West Fest is packed with a full day’s worth of fun in the sun. Guests will get to enjoy food, games, giveaways, a scavenger hunt, beer and wine, mingling with local businesses and organizations, and live entertain-

ONE PERSON

OCEANS OF HOPE FOUNDATION

ment through a talent show, live music and other performances.

It wouldn’t be a day of family fun without a spot for the children to play, and this year’s Horizon West Fest will have that covered.

“There’s going to be an ampedup kids’ zone, so there will be a lot more things for the kids — even more than there were last year,” Dailey said. “There’s going to be a bubble pit, rock wall, a bungee jump spider, a huge obstacle course and a big game/sports center. … There’s going to be a tot lot for the little ones that can’t go do the big stuff.”

“It was so well received in the community,” said Stephanie Lang, the director of community engagement at Horizon West Happenings, referring to the Horizon West Fest. “This (event) is what residents are wanting and

Jonny Nomad Photography

Danny Paltjon is co-founder of the Oceans of Hope Foundation.

that I will never forget. … When I looked up, I saw my wife crying and my in-laws crying, and I’m thinking to myself, ‘Man, what are you guys crying about? I’m the one that just had the best time!’ But it was the first time that I realized my injury affected so many people — my loved ones — just as it affected me.”

MAKING A SPLASH

Having experienced a life-changing moment like that, Paltjon was determined to do what he could to help others with similar injuries experience the thrill of freedom in the water again, too.

When he visited New Smyrna Beach, the hard-packed sand, which allowed him to drive both his car and his wheelchair on the beach, presented a whole new freedom.

“At the time, I had a then-3year-old daughter that I was able to play with — sandcastles, digging, being able to roll right down to the water and get out of the chair and swim in the ocean myself,” he said. “To me, that was the greatest moment as far as after injury — being able to have the beach back.”

It’s what spurred him to meet Sharpe — also an avid surfer — and the two discussed bringing the Oceans of Hope Foundation to life in 2014.

IF YOU GO HORIZON WEST FEST 2020 WHEN 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 7 WHERE: Cinépolis Hamlin; 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden COST: Free DETAILS: horizonwestmagazine.com/horizonwestfest

craving, and it’s so family-oriented. We wanted to hit that aspect and make sure that we have a lot more for the kids going on and that it’s interactive for every stage.”

With Horizon West seeing much of the growth in all of Orange County, the area is filled with new residents who might be unfamiliar with the community.

One of the goals of the Horizon West Fest is to help bring Horizon West residents — both new ones and those who have lived in the area longer — together to connect

The first event Oceans of Hope hosted involved bringing people from a rehabilitation center in Winter Park to New Smyrna Beach, where the foundation provided meals and hotel rooms as participants enjoyed a weekend of assisted surfing. They had 12 volunteers at the time; during the most recent Oceans of Hope event, there were 230.

The foundation can accommodate various types of injuries and levels of ability. There are participants who broke their necks and cannot move anything, so volunteers will pick them up out of a wheelchair and work together to position them safely on the surfboard in the sand.

There are foam wedges volunteers slide under the participants’ chests to keep their heads upright, and mounted foam noodles along the surfboard act as bumpers to prevent the participants’ arms or legs from sliding off.

In the water, up to 16 volunteers are stationed every few feet to assist with keeping a participant on the right path. Other volunteers help get the rider positioned to take a wave. Every precaution necessary is taken to make it work.

To have six surfers out in the water at a time, Paltjon said, there could be up to 100 volunteers out there with them.

The foundation has changed many lives for the better, but it’s also changed Paltjon’s.

“I’ve learned so much, I’ve done so much more, it’s just brought out a better me,” he said of his injury and everything that has come since. “I was more blessed that it happened to me than it didn’t. …

The foundation gave me a motivation, a drive.”

with each other and create a sense of belonging with one another. It also gives residents a chance to connect with Horizon West businesses, clubs and other organizations.

“We want to involve the community — the people who make up Horizon West,” Dailey said. “We want it to grow every year and be bigger and better and have more of the community engaged and involved. It’s an event for people who call Horizon West home to come together and celebrate their pride in their community and embrace it, (to) understand Horizon West and how it’s unique and celebrate those things.”

“We’ve partnered with Healthy West Orange and Orlando Health for this event, and we really want to highlight the healthy living and quality (of life) here in Horizon West,” Lang added. “We really want to highlight the resources that we have … to live a healthier life.”

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

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GONE TOO SOON

“It starts with the parents. We have to say, ‘It’s in my house too,’ and then the kids can say, ‘You know what? It’s OK to talk to my friend about this, because I know they understand.’ Right now they feel like they’re the only one.”

— Kamy Moss, parent

HERE TO HELP Anyone in need of assistance during a crisis can go online to suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call 1-800-2738255.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

4 Member Pam Gould addressed the audience regarding the recent death — the second this school year at Windermere High School.

“We can’t let loss — especially loss that we can’t make sense out of in any way, shape or form — paralyze us from taking action to heal as a community and wrap around the children that are here and around the family that’s in the community,” Gould said. “Tonight is really the first action response — this is the reactive part in a very proactive way. … Really, tonight is about us standing together against a horrific illness that is happening too often in our nation, period — this issue of suicide and violence.”

Anna Williams-Jones, mental health services director for Orange County Public Schools, gave a breakdown of the various services available at elementary, middle and high schools.

At Windermere High — as well as the other high schools — Orange County Public Schools offers four to seven certified school counselors; a SAFE coordinator and school-based social worker; Kognito five-hour mental and emotional education; a mental-health counselor (for a half-day each week); an additional social worker (for one day each week); psychologists (for two days each week); and a Panorama Social Emotional Learning Survey, which allows students to express their needs.

Changes are on the horizon for Windermere High School. Art teacher Sam Andrews-Jarvis will be sponsoring a mental health club called “Where You Come First” — where students can come together and discuss the recent student deaths and their own mental health issues.

Andrews-Jarvis told the audience suicide has impacted her personally. Her high school boyfriend, her best friend from high school and her college roommate all took their own lives over the years.

“This is something I’ve been through a lot,” Andrews-Jarvis said. “I know it’s needed, and I’m not afraid to talk about it.”

She said after the meeting that she hopes the new club at Windermere High School gives the students a positive outlet.

“I hope it helps them navigate all the emotions after a suicide easier than I did when I was young and it happened to me,” she said.

Williams-Jones said staff plans to talk with Principal Douglas Guthrie and look at what personnel should be added.

“It seems that they are having students who want support that are just outnumbering their ability to respond in a quick turnaround,” she said. “We’re going to look at the data and see how we can add additional personnel to support for the remainder of the year and then look at next year and see how we need to start the year.”

After the presentation, parents shared their own reactions and thoughts on the two deaths.

Resident Valerie Mihalek said with so many students in the school, students who need help are sometimes overlooked.

“You hear every parent say over and over again that we’re in a school that is almost double its capacity and it’s three years new — that’s unacceptable,” Mihalek said.

“The question becomes, ‘What are the resources that are given to these schools once they hit capacity — which in this area seems to be the moment they open?’”

Resident Kamy Moss, who

expressed concern for her own son and his access to resources at the school, said after the meeting she hopes parents will lead the way — talking to their students about mental illness while also volunteering to help in whatever way they can in a school with a large student population. The sheer number of students at the school is a hindrance, she said, but she hopes to see that become a positive — families supporting each other with strength in numbers.

“It was encouraging to see other parents nodding and being accepting of each other and hearing that, ‘You’re not alone’ — that the experience your student is having is being felt in other homes,” Moss said. “I always try to tell my student that, ‘I bet half your friends have the same issues you do.’ … It starts with the parents. We have to

say, ‘It’s in my house too,’ and then the kids can say, ‘You know what?

It’s OK to talk to my friend about this, because I know they understand.’”

During the presentation and following conversation with parents, OCPS staff highlighted NAMI Ending the Silence — a presentation by the National Alliance on Mental Illness designed to give audience members an opportunity to learn about mental health through an informative slideshow and short videos.

NAMI Ending the Silence will be presented at a nearby high school on a date to be determined.

“We need our kids to talk to us, not be ashamed to talk to us — that’s so crucially important,” said Orange County School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs, who shared her own story of her brother’s suicide.

You’re not alone in this.”

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Never alone

The Windermere High School community still is mourning the loss of student Jessica Freeman — the second student death at Windermere High this year.

According to a fundraiser page for Freeman’s family on Facebook, the Windermere High School student was a “loving daughter, sister and friend.”

“She had a contagious smile that brightened any room that she went into,” the Facebook page reads. “Her goofiness always made everyone laugh. She always had an in-charge attitude, making sure that everyone was taken care of in her own little way.

She was always quick to defend her siblings no matter what. She enjoyed sports activity.

Most of all track. What an amazing, beautiful young lady!”

A funeral mass for Freeman is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at Resurrection Catholic Church, 1211 Winter GardenVineland Road, Winter Garden.

To help support the family, visit the Facebook fundraiser page at bit.ly/2VLOSeR.

6

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

Resident runs top-rated leadership podcast Lorenzo Flores hosts a leadership podcast that garners thousands of listeners each month.

Lorenzo Flores had a podcast studio built into his Winter Garden home when he moved to the area about two years ago.

ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

Lorenzo Flores could be considered a leader of leaders.

In fact, leadership is the central theme of his podcast, which garners thousands of listeners and downloads each month. That podcast — called “Hacking Your Leadership ” — is consistently featured in the top 12 of Apple Podcast’s management category.

“It’s a leadership podcast about all aspects of leadership, all different industries (and) really applicable conversations that people can take in and then apply to the roles that they have,” Flores said. “A lot of it is relative to retail, because that’s my background. … We speak about a lot of things that apply to retail leadership, but what we’ve been impressed with is the amount of listeners (who) are (from other industries). What we’ve seen is that the dialogue around effective communication, great listening skills, leadership through empowerment (and) inspirational leadership are themes that play out in all elements of industries, all workplaces and all work scenarios.”

Born and raised in Michigan, Flores, 42, has a background in DJing, radio broadcasting and music production. He also has

Eric Gutierrez

worked more than 20 years in retail management and leadership positions. In that time, he has garnered more than enough experience and wisdom on the subject of leadership to write a book about it — which he did after launching the podcast. It was his background in music and radio that inspired him to begin podcasting.

“In the mid-’90s — 1996 — I started DJing on turntables,” Flores said. “I ended up doing some night club (gigs) but then getting on the college radio show. … Music has always been in my life, and then

for a while there, after moving to Georgia and then to Florida, I was always doing something (musicrelated) — mostly recording or doing some production work. I ended up turning 40 a couple years ago. I said as part of my bucket list of 40 (that) I’m going to get back into some type of published audio.

I thought radio, maybe; internet radio, maybe; and then podcasting was just the thing.”

Flores first moved to Florida in 2007 but moved to his Winter Garden home about two years ago.

He works on the podcast with his

partner, Chris Stark, who is based in California. When he first started, he didn’t have much of a theme and typically discussed topics related to his interests.

“My first podcast was my introduction back into radio,” Flores said. “It was (called) the Life of Lozo podcast, and it was just me talking about all the crazy things that I’m into — hip hop, sports, MMA (mixed martial arts), small business. Anything at all that I was interested in, I would talk about. A lot of people responded (saying), ‘We love your podcast,

but you should talk about leadership, because you’ve been all over the country and you’ve worked for these Fortune 100 companies and people know you were a leader.’”

The Life of Lozo podcast led to the development of Hacking Your Leadership. Flores did an episode of Life of Lozo discussing leadership, and listeners responded that they wanted more related to that topic. Eventually, Flores and his partner decided to make a podcast all about leadership. It was an instant hit . In the month of January alone, the Hack Your Leadership podcast received nearly 90,000 downloads, and it’s received more than one million downloads in the two years it’s been active. Today, the podcast has more than 250 episodes, with many more on the way.

The Hacking Your Leadership podcast releases episodes four to five times a week. The main, longer episodes are released on Mondays and typically run about 20 minutes. The other episodes released throughout the week are about three to eight minutes each and cover other topics loosely related to leadership in different aspects.

When he’s not in his studio recording for the podcast, he works a day job as a store leader for Apple.

“When it comes to leadership and podcasts and what people want to take away, it’s not longform,” Flores said. “We wanted to do 20-minute (episodes) or less.

By building the structure that way, we got a lot of people to listen very quickly. It was, we believe, super effective, and I think that’s really what helped us with the growth of the show.”

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7

Bite night I

From left: Raul Reveron, Carl Bronislawski and Kris Michalson, of Hemingway’s Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, served guests seafood paella.

t was an evening of brews and bites at the 10th annual Taste of Windermere event on Saturday, Feb. 29. Hundreds of attendees and more than a dozen different restaurants took over The Grove Orlando in the Windermere area for an evening of food and fun. In addition to the food and drink, guests enjoyed live music, an array of vendors and mingling with fellow foodies. The event, organized by the Central Florida Women’s League Foundation, is a fundraising event for the group’s scholarship programs and various charitable donations to local nonprofits.

Nicole Edelstein, also known as Nicole Macaron, served her delectable sweet treats for guests craving a little dessert.

— ERIC GUTIERREZ

Left: Jeffrey Hileman, of Bar 17 Bistro at Loews Aventura at Universal Orlando, served up crispy pork belly with a side of rice and kimchi.

German Collazos played relaxing tunes on his acoustic guitar during the event.

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Tikes on trikes

Damian, 5, and Kelly Urbanik spent their Saturday afternoon at the Children’s Lighthouse event.

Laura Pepin; Juliana Pepin, 5; Gabrielle Pepin, 2; Matt Pepin; Mikayla Kantati, 3; and Kayla Kantati had a blast at the Trike-A-Thon.

I

— TIM FREED

The People of Faith praise band performed a setlist of worship songs at the family event.

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Johanna; Ethan, 3; and Sophia Irish, 7, cooled off with some Italian ice.

t was an afternoon of family fun on wheels during the Third Annual St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Trike-AThon Saturday, Feb. 22, at Children’s Lighthouse. The event capped off a month of fundraising at Children’s Lighthouse to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Children rode their bikes and tricycles around a track in the parking lot, enjoyed Italian ice and heard music from the People of Faith praise band.

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Who let the dogs out?

The Animal Clinic of Windermere will present its fourth annual Windermere Pet Fest.

BIANCA MORALES

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STAFF INTERN

The town square in downtown Windermere is about to be transformed into a pet wonderland.

The fourth annual Windermere Pet Fest is hosted by the Animal Clinic of Windermere and promises to offer a fun time for every member of the family.

There will be a kid zone with games, face painting and nobake- treat making for both dogs and their humans.

Children will also have the opportunity to be “mini vets.”

“Kids can dress up as doctors and treat teddy bears,” Animal Clinic of Windermere Operations Manager Nati Wiggins said.

“They can also do belly surgeries on the teddy bears to find candies and prizes inside. They will also learn about the things animals can’t eat.”

Attendees can expect a doggy fun zone with an obstacle course, doggy musical chairs and a boneand-spoon race. The obstacle course gets busy quickly, Wiggins said, so the humans are encouraged to get their number early if they’d like their dogs to run the course.

There will also be a K-9 demonstration held three times during the day.

IF YOU GO WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7 WHERE: Downtown Windermere INFO: Visit bit.ly/32QpENF.

“The officer gets thrown down by the dog,” Wiggins said. “People really like those demonstrations.

It catches everyone’s attention.”

A raffle will take place at the event, and all the proceeds will be distributed to different rescue centers in the area.

Some rescue groups will also make an appearance at the event, including Homeward Bound Horses and Hounds Animal Rescue Inc., Candy’s Cats and The Pixel Fund.

Wiggins said this year’s Windermere Pet Fest is the largest yet.

“We had to add an hour to accommodate everything,” Wiggins said. “It was until 2 p.m. last year — it’s until 3 p.m. this year.

We expect to be even bigger next year.”

For those looking for a variety of pet products, 70 vendors will make an appearance this year, including Woof Gang Bakery and Pawsitively Pure Dog Food.

And for the humans, Accents by Renee will have its own selection for bipeds.

There will be food trucks selling seafood, Cuban food, Brazilian bites, snow cones and lemonade, while the Animal Clinic of Windermere will be offering free tag engravings for everybody who attends.

WE’RE IN THE

ZONE EVERY THURSDAY

With Observer School Zone, we celebrate the achievements of the students and educators at all our West Orange schools and provide unparalleled news coverage.

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FEATURES INCLUDE: • School News • Photo Galleries • Upcoming Events

OBSERVER

SCHOOL ZONE MARCH 5, 2020

Second-grader Olivia Richter sang “Into the Unknown” from “Frozen II.”

Fourth-grader Gabriela Juron and fifth-grader Jackson Rifenberg did their best Sonny and Cher impressions with a performance of “I Got You Babe.”

WINDERMERE’S

GOT TALENT!

Third-grader Isabella Bakker posed for a photo with hosts Michael Crocetti and Stuart Sheffield after winning the judge’s choice award for singing “Sayonara” from “How to Eat Like a Child.”

S Fifth-graders Jack Peagram, Carter Papa, Gustavo Campos and Colton Berry sang “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys.

Seventh-grader Lucia Lu performed “Unsullied” on the guzheng.

tudents from Windermere Preparatory School showcased their talents and left the audience cheering for more at The “W” Factor Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Cypress Center for the Arts. The school talent show included 10 different acts followed by a voting period by judges and audience members. Third-grader Isabella Bakker won the judge’s choice award for singing “Sayonara” from “How to Eat Like a Child,” while fifth-graders Colton Berry, Gustavo Campos, Carter Papa and Jack Peagram won the audience choice award for singing “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys.

— TIM FREED

Senior Harry Sandbrook sang “All Star” by Smash Mouth using a variety of character impressions.

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School district gives update on COVID-19 Orange County Public Schools is in constant communication with the Florida Department of Health regarding the spread of COVID-19. As of March 3, Florida had three presumptive cases of the disease.

OCPS is taking the threat of COVID-19 seriously and is dedicated to ensuring proper protocols are in place to protect staff and students. The district’s current cleaning products are proven effective against the coronavirus (the virus that causes COVID-19). When respiratory or gastrointestinal outbreaks occur, schools are disinfected.

If a student or staff member exhibits symptoms, he or she will be encouraged to stay home.

WHAT IS THE CORONAVIRUS? A virus that causes diseases of varying severities, ranging from the common cold to serious respiratory disease HOW DOES IT SPREAD? n Between people who are in close contact (within 6 feet) n Cough or sneeze droplets n Touching your eyes, nose or face with hands after touching an object containing the virus WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? n Fever n Cough n Shortness of breath n Severe illness Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing thoroughly under nails and between fingers ­— especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

For more information on coronavirus, visit bit.ly/32JeASp.

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

12

MAUREEN MILLER

GOTHA MIDDLE SCHOOL Maureen Miller has been a critical aspect of changing the school culture at Gotha Middle. She is valued at the school for the projects she takes on to promote kindness around campus and has even had a hand in projects with worldwide impacts. She recently completed a project partnering with a nonprofit organization in Africa. As a teacher of eighth-grade students, students in sixth and seventh grade look forward to the possibility of having her class.

What do you love most about your school?

I love the energy, focus on kindness and the atmosphere of growth that has been created. At Gotha, we are always challenging ourselves to improve. We work hard not only to teach the students the content they need to be successful but also to help them grow as people to change the world. We’ve fostered an environment that is based on kindness, and that makes it an incredible place to work and learn.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

My class is focused on teaching students about citizenship and service projects. I love that I can provide my students a chance to learn about societal issues, examine other perspectives and help them make a difference in our school, community and the world.

What made you want to take on this job?

I have loved doing “random acts of kindness” for years, and the idea that I could take a course and create content that inspires change, fosters

REPORT CARD POSITION: Eighth grade Service Learning teacher TIME AT SCHOOL: Seven years

kindness and influence others for good was very intriguing.

What motivates you and pushes you to do your best?

I always want to be better today than I was yesterday. I want to make a difference and am blessed to have that opportunity by working with students.

What’s the nicest thing a student or faculty member has done for you?

I had a former student create a scrapbook, which she gave to me just prior to her high school graduation.

She updated me on her and other former students’ lives since I taught them in eighth grade, sharing their successes in high school and goals for the future. She included a letter about the impact I had on her life, and it was incredibly moving.

What’s your favorite place to eat?

I love Pannullo’s in Winter Park.

Italian food is my weakness.

If you could take a vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why? I would love to go on a Mediterra-

nean cruise. I studied in Italy during college, but I would love to see other countries in the Mediterranean and eat all the delicious food.

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

I would love to fly. I imagine it would be the most incredible experience and would love to be able to visit family so easily.

Cats, dogs or some other pet?

I have one dog, Reese. He’s a miniature Australian shepherd. I was never a “dog person” growing up, and he wiggled his way into my heart, taught me so much and changed me forever.

What was your favorite book growing up?

I loved “Where the Wild Things Are.” I think the magic that Maurice Sendak created just captivated me.

I’ve been told I requested it to be read to me over and over again.

— ERIC GUTIERREZ

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.

W I N D E R M E R E P R E PA RATO R Y S C H O O L

PROSPECTIVE FAMILY

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Stop by our Theatre Performances, Baseball Game, Softball Game and more!

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Learn more about Windermere Prep at our Prospective Family Open House & BBQ. Mingle with current families, enjoy a delicious bbq, bounce house, campus tours and WPS events around campus.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Bruna, 7, and Bruno Borra had a great time together.

KaiLani, 10, and Jay McGowan were spotted at the dance.

Nirvana, 7, and Pablo Rodriguez danced the night away.

Masked mayhem

F

Evee, 7; Gracie, 5; and Bobby Hart made masks for the dance.

Eric Berretta; Sophia Berretta, 7; Adrianna Evans, 7; Braelyn Evans, 5; and James Evans all had a great time together.

— TIM FREED

Get in the groove!

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Join the Conversation!

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O NL IN E

athers and daughters from Sunset Park Elementary School made special memories together at a masquerade-themed father/daughter dance Friday, Feb. 21, at Horizon West Middle School.

Fathers and daughters enjoyed a DJ, a photo booth, cotton candy and a craft station where they made their own masks.

Observer School Zone_030520.indd 1

2/26/20 9:20 AM

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Courtesy photo

Student Government Association adviser Ashley Hoffman and her Windermere High students celebrated raising $103,103.23 at the Feb. 29 dance-a-thon.

Six-figure shindig T he Wolverines of Windermere High School gathered in the gymnasium Saturday, Feb. 29, for an eight-hour dance-a-thon to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network and Orlando Health’s Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. A total of $103,103.23 was raised during the afternoon and evening.

The top five fundraisers were Madison Hayes, $2,619; Ashley Hoffman, $2,483; Drew Siegel, $2,432.74; Macy Hayes, $2,296; and Ryan Athay, $1,748. The executive board raised more than $20,000.

The two biggest sponsors were KSA Events, with $1,500; and Unicorp, with $1,000.

“I think some people may think we get huge donations, but that is not the case,” said Hoffman, adviser of the Student Government Association. “The kids gave 100% effort for $100,000.”

Students played games, raced through inflatable obstacle courses, danced and even jailed their friends.

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SGA adviser Ashley Hoffman and Assistant Principal John Linehan sang their hearts out during a karaoke version of “You’re the One That I Want.”

Khristian Padilla, Cody Arnold and Zachary Perez worked to raise enough money to get out of jail during the dance-a-thon.

— AMY QUESINBERRY

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MARCH 5, 2020

HIGH

SPORTS

1

5

Windermere High School’s Natalia Velez is enjoying her final year in a Wolverine uniform. Page 16.

The road less traveled

The Legacy Charter High School baseball team is on an impressive pitching streak; the Eagles have thrown three consecutive no-hitters. Senior Andrew Birko and sophomore Colby McClure threw a combined no-hitter in the Eagles’ game against Umatilla Monday, Feb. 24. A day later, the Eagles shut out Umatilla again, when senior Justin LaGasse was one walked batter away from a perfect game.

The Eagles also blanked Ocala Christian Friday, Feb. 28, when Birko, Jack Firestone and Kyle DiSabatino threw for a combined no-hitter.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

2

In The First Academy’s 13-1 win over The Villages Charter in softball action Friday, Feb. 28, Royals pitcher Hannah Harper pitched a gem as she threw a complete game highlighted by eight strikeouts. Teammate Rachel Sheridan led the way at the plate by going 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs.

3

Despite falling 5-4 to Apopka on the baseball diamond Thursday, Feb. 27, West Orange’s Jimmy Duncan went 2 for 2 with two RBIs for the Warriors.

Teammate William Ross picked up eight strikeouts through three strong innings of work on the mound.

4

The Olympia boys tennis team continued its early dominance as the Titans took care of Windermere in a 6-1 victory Thursday, Feb. 27. The Titans saw wins from Samuel Oropeza (8-3), Mac Foster (8-5) and Nicholas Galochkin (8-4). Meanwhile, for Windermere, Franklin Parra picked up the Wolverines’ lone win (8-5) in No. 3 singles play.

5

In Olympia boys water polo’s 21-3 victory over Windermere in Dr. Phillips High School’s fourth annual Ian Supra Memorial Tournament Wednesday, Feb. 26, Touma Mack led the way for the Titans as he picked up a whopping seven goals, two assists and three steals.

E He didn’t go straight from a D1 school to the NFL, but former West Orange star Roman Tatum is playing primetime ball with the XFL’s Los Angeles Wildcats.

very time Roman Tatum steps foot onto a football field, it’s a testimony — his testimony.

Life and sports have a tendency of being reflective of one another — there are high highs and low lows — with more of the latter than the former.

Although Tatum — a Winter Garden native and West Orange High alumnus — is now playing for the newly formed LA Wildcats of the XFL, he knows the struggles of trying to achieve the difficult task of making it to the NFL. “I went through some really dark times to get to this plan — I didn’t have it the easy way, man,” Tatum said. “I came from semi-pro — that’s literally where I started at. This road for me has not been easy ... it’s been a journey for me.”

Photo Courtesy of LA Wildcats

STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM

When Tatum graduated from West Orange in 2013, things were looking bright. He had dominated on the SEE TATUM PAGE 16

Krystal Thomas coaches with love for the game Thomas just finished her first year as assistant coach of the Foundation Academy girls basketball team — the latest journey in her long history of basketball.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

In 2019, Krystal Thomas decided it was time to make a change in her life.

For going on nine years, she had played on the highest level of basketball in the WNBA and had played overseas during the offseason.

By the end of the 2019 season with the Women’s Korean Basketball League — where Thomas played for Asan Woori Bank Wibee — she knew that now was the time to retire and put her efforts into the next generation of players. It was something she was completely at

peace with, Thomas said.

“With the ending of my career, the three main focuses that I wanted to have were focus on my faith, focus on my family and then focus on giving back to the youth,” Thomas said. “One of the best ways to work with youth — and be able to impact youth in the way that I was impacted — was through working for a school.”

Thomas, a graduate of The First Academy, first landed a job as a substitute teacher at Foundation Academy before taking a job as the middle school physical education teacher. Given her basketball background, she also picked up jobs serving as the head coach of the middle school team and assistant on the varsity team.

File photo

Krystal Thomas has found a home at Foundation Academy.

SEE BUILDING PAGE 16

16

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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Tatum takes on the XFL

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Natalia Velez

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

football field for the Warriors his junior and senior seasons and had earned first team all-metro and all-conference honors as a senior cornerback.

His talents landed him a scholarship at the University of Delaware to play for the Blue Hens football team. But there — during his freshman and sophomore years — he spent most of his time as a backup and only managed to start one game. That’s when Tatum decided to transfer and finish his collegiate career at Southern Illinois University.

At SIU, Tatum found playing time as a consistent starter for the Salukis. Despite the success, it wasn’t enough to help Tatum make it to the pros.

“I went to a couple of really nice D1 schools, but out of college, it wasn’t easy for me,” Tatum said. “I didn’t get a shot right out of college to go to the NFL. I did a bunch of workouts, but no team brought me in.”

After playing at the semi-pro level, Tatum moved to the West Coast, where he found a home with the Wenatchee Valley Skyhawks of the American West Football Conference. Tatum didn’t stick around long, and he moved back home to Florida to play for the Orlando Predators during the summer of 2019.

Natalia Velez is a senior on the Windermere High softball team, where she has played the last three seasons for the Wolverines out in centerfield. Although she is in her final year with her team, Velez will be continuing her time in softball at Palm Beach Atlantic University in the fall.

How did you first get into softball?

I started playing softball when I was 9 or 10, and I was actually outside with my dad and his friend and we were throwing a football, and his friend was like, “Oh, she had a good arm, you should put her in softball.” Then I played softball and stuck with it.

THE BASICS SCHOOL: Windermere High GRADE: Senior AGE: 17 SPORT: Softball POSITION: Centerfield

confidence in myself no matter how I am playing, because I am my hardest critic.

What has kept you in the sport for so long?

I just enjoy working for the sport. There are a lot of sports that you put work in, and you just don’t really enjoy putting the work in. But I genuinely like to work for this sport, and it’s a lot of fun, and my teammates are really nice.

When you hit a hard streak, how do you mentally overcome that?

Honestly, I pray. I pray a lot.

Then I just do my best to fix it — I just try not to harp on one mistake and just move past it.

She (Hannigan) always tells us, “Have short-term memory loss during a game.”

What has been your favorite thing about playing softball at Windermere?

I’ve grown up playing with a lot of the players. We’ve all played together — whether it be Wildfire or Windermere Little League — so playing with my best friends again, because we kind of grew apart as we got older and went to different teams. But we all unite here at high school, which is a lot of fun. And then I love our coach (Eileen Hannigan) — she just has a lot of experience and knows what she’s doing. You don’t get a lot of high school coaches like that.

What is the most challenging part of playing centerfield?

Your favorite part?

I’d probably say the hardest part is just knowing who is beside you — who is in left and who is in right — because you need to know your ground.

With different people you have a different amount of ground to cover, depending on how far they can get to — it varies.

My favorite part is I just love my position. I have a strong arm, so I love having plays where I have to throw someone out — that’s my favorite.

CITY OF ANGELS

Since being taken by the Wildcats with the first pick of the fourth round, Tatum has a routine he now lives by.

He wakes at 6 a.m. to eat breakfast, then takes in morning meetings before practices start. It’s a busy — but simple — schedule to keep, but it didn’t come without early struggles.

“The (environment) is completely different than Florida,” Tatum said. “When I first got out here, my breathing was a little different — even though I was conditioned — and I was training in a much different environment.

“But the time difference, that was probably the biggest thing — I was jet-lagged the first couple of days, waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning and not getting a lot of rest,” he said.

Tatum also had to adapt to the differences in the game itself.

The XFL is slightly different than

Building a foundation For both teams, the early message from Thomas was that the 2019-20 season was going to be different from the past. A mindset change was going to happen, but in order to do that, Thomas had to teach them what she knew without confusing them.

“It’s very different to translate what’s going on in my brain — what I’ve learned at all the levels that I’ve played at — to a middle school or high school level,” Thomas said. “I got very good at demonstrating and talking slower.”

Do you have a highlight moment for you during your time thus far at Windermere?

I don’t know about a highlight moment, but I know an award that has stuck out — I got allconference last year, so that’s something that is going to stick with me.

What are the best words you have been given about softball?

She has definitely helped me is to grow my confidence in myself, so I think a big word that has stuck with me ‘confidence’ and ‘adjust’ — adjusting to whoever we’re playing, and then

It also was during that time that Tatum received an email inviting him to a showcase in New York for the newly formed XFL. “I had a game on that Saturday, but the showcase was on Friday — so I flew out to New York on Thursday morning, did the showcase Friday, flew back and played my game,” Tatum said.

MS. WORLDWIDE

Before Thomas found success at the professional level, she was a dominant force on the TFA girls basketball team.

She led TFA to two straight Class 2A state titles, was tapped as the 2007 Gatorade State Player of the Year and landed several top honors — including being named a McDonald’s All-American.

And all of that success didn’t just stop at TFA — it continued on when she arrived in Durham, North Carolina, to play for the Duke University women’s team.

There, the 6-foot-5 center found herself adjusting to a game that

— TROY HERRING

was faster and more physical than any high school game she had played in.

“When I played at Duke, every single game was intense — we had no games off, and there were no days off,” Thomas said. “We were ranked as high as No. 5 in the nation, so we were always really good and the target was always on our backs.”

By the end of her four years, Thomas had become the team’s leading rebounder and blocker.

Thomas’ work ethic and size led to her being picked up in the 2011 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm in the third round (No. 36 overall).

Despite being drafted, her chances of actually making the team — given how few make it — was essentially 0 %, Thomas said.

She was just there to participate in training camp. Despite the odds, Thomas worked hard and managed to land one of two open spots on the team.

Thomas would spend half a season in Seattle before being waived and then immediately picked up by the Phoenix Mercury. It was there in Phoenix when Thomas recalled having her breakout moment.

NFL and even more so than the arena football he had been playing. He also had to switch from the defensive specialist position — a spot specifically played in arena — to the corner and nickel positions for the Wildcats.

By the time of the Wildcats’ inaugural game against the Houston Roughnecks, which aired primetime on FOX, Tatum was ready and knew the significance of the moment.

“It was definitely surreal,” Tatum said. “We worked all year just to be in a situation like this — to have this opportunity. I had to remind myself, ‘Don’t let the moment be too big for you.’”

Tatum spent time on both defense and special teams that game, and although he didn’t rack up much in stats, he finally had found his place on a national stage playing the game he loved.

Now halfway through the season, there is still plenty of football to played. For Tatum, that means more opportunities to win and prove himself.

“I’m excited to go out there and compete every game, because I love this game and I love to compete,” Tatum said.

“The main goal is to win the XFL championship. And I want to put myself in the best position to be seen by the NFL. That’s everybody’s goal — to get to the league or get back to the league.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

“I went in and scored two baskets right away,” Thomas said. “I got some real consecutive minutes, and we were winning and I was playing with Diana Taurasi.

Taurasi was passing me the basketball and I’m scoring and got an and one, and she came up and gave me a chest bump.”

For the next several years, Thomas would continue to make her mark in the WNBA with the Mercury, Indiana Fever and Washington Mystics, while also finding success in the offseason with teams in France, China, Spain, Turkey and South Korea.

While those fun, yet hectic, days are now behind the 30-year-old Thomas, she can now enjoy focusing her attention on her teams — who have already provided her with incredible memories, she said.

“The best moment for me was when they realized they could win districts,” Thomas said. “There was a game, and afterwards there was just a look on their faces that showed me they realized they could do something special at this school that hadn’t been done in a long time.”

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TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

It was a tough outing for four local teams, as Ocoee High School, Windermere High School, Windermere Preparatory School and Central Florida Christian Academy each lost in the regional finals.

The following is a roundup of the last basketball action of the year.

WINDERMERE’S SEASON ENDS IN 70-51 REGIONAL FINAL LOSS TO OAK RIDGE

Going into Friday night’s Class 7A, Region 2 championship game, everything had been going in Windermere’s favor.

The Wolverines (21-9) had dismantled Osceola 69-55 in the quarterfinals before sneaking past Wharton in the semis. Unfortunately, things were much different when the Wolverines met the buzzsaw that was Oak Ridge Friday, Feb. 28.

OTHER SCORES Class 2A, Region 3: CFCA 49, OCP 60 Class 3A, Region 1: Windermere Prep 53, Andrew Jackson 54

Consistent shooting and offensive rebounds helped the Pioneers (21-8) put an end to the Wolverines’ season with a 70-51 victory.

“Out of the gate, we didn’t play very well, and they did — credit them, they took it to us a little bit,” said Windermere head coach Mark Griseck. “They hurt us on the boards. … We didn’t match their physicality and didn’t match their intensity.”

Things couldn’t have started out worse for Windermere early as the Wolverines struggled to hit shots, while the Pioneers took advantage of second chances off of offensive rebounds — resulting in a 18-6 lead for the away team seven minutes into the game.

The Wolverines finally found their footing in the last minute of the quarter as they cut the lead to 21-15, before trimming it down to just three points at 26-23 with 3:30 left in the half.

Just as the Wolverines found their way, the Pioneers went on a 9-0 run before the half — making it 35-23. The Wolverines never recovered from that run, and the Pioneers pushed their lead to 26 points with fewer than five minutes to go in the game.

Despite the loss, Kanye Jones finished with 14 points, while Jaden Golston had 10 points.

For Griseck, it was a disappointing game to end the year, but it wasn’t a season without its successes.

“There’s so much to be proud of — I’m so proud of our guys,” Griseck said. “We didn’t play well

SAYERS by Zhouqin Burnikel; CROSSWORD NEIGH Edited by David Steinberg

©2020 Universal Uclick

1 Desert plants 6 Hayek of “Desperado” 11 Scholarship consideration 15 Brush-___ (dismissals) 19 Poe’s middle name 20 It’s often set at bedtime 21 Folklore brute 22 “The Daily Show” host Trevor 23 *Got juice from (first letter + last 4) 25 *Bread with a swirly pattern (first 3 + last 1)

27 Contact spot 28 Sped 29 Tracking chip acronym 31 Hill assistant 32 Galileo or Fibonacci 33 Principal water pipe 34 CD precursors 35 Knight with the Pips 37 *Made ecstatic (first 4 + last 1) 43 Persia, today 44 Grand ___ National Park 46 Fine wool 47 Cleveland baller 48 Stated with parental authority

64-60, Ocoee was forced to foul, and David Green consequently fouled out of the game after putting up 22 points on the night.

After Seminole missed the first half of a one-and-one, Ocoee cut Seminole’s lead to two on a layup from Alston Andrews with 38.6 seconds left in the game.

Seminole made three of its next four free throws, but a three from Jason Coronado made it 67-65 with 16.9 seconds to go. Ocoee fouled right after the ball was inbounded, and Seminole made one of its two free throws.

With 8.4 seconds left, Ocoee inbounded the ball, but it was tipped out of bounds. Then, with 4.1 seconds, Ocoee turned it over.

“It came down to a couple of possessions,” Siers said. “We had the lead with three minutes to play, turned it over three times in a row.

Can’t do that against a good team on the road.”

The game had a sold-out crowd at Seminole High School — the first in its history.

“We handled it very well until the end,” Siers said of playing in front of a huge crowd on the road.

“Our guys being able to hear us and communicate was tough, but we handled it until the last three minutes.”

For the Knights, a historic season comes to an end. With 11 seniors on the team, they won 22 games and the metro conference.

“They’ve established themselves as the best basketball team in the history of Ocoee (High School),” Siers said. “Most wins, first metro championship (and the) farthest run in the playoffs.

So they’re the first but they won’t be the last. We’re going back to the lab and we’re going to be good for a long time coming. These guys will always be the first.”

Troy Herring

tonight, but what a great season.

Like I told them, a lot of people wish they were sitting in the locker room tonight instead of sitting and watching our game.”

KNIGHTS FALTER LATE IN 68-65 LOSS TO SEMINOLES IN REGIONAL FINAL

A 10-0 run by the Seminole High School Seminoles late in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference as the Ocoee Knights lost 68-65 in the Class, 7A Region 1 championship game Friday, Feb. 28.

After a back-and-forth first half, Ocoee (22-8) went into halftime up 37-35 on a three-pointer 1 + last 3) 93 Ominous last words 95 Seek information 96 Capital with a country in it 97 Injures badly 98 Up to the job 100 Indefinable vibe 101 Leash chain?

102 Respond to a bad call 105 *Caribbean music ensemble (first 4 + last 1) 108 Behave boisterously, or a hint to the starred answers 111 Jacket 112 An airbrush may cover it up 113 Surfaced 114 Harmon of “Law & Order” 115 Calligraphers’ supplies 116 Good buy 117 Big rigs 118 Fence supports

from Johnny Taylor.

In the third quarter, Ocoee’s lead got all the way up to nine, but a late run by Seminole (26-4) trimmed the lead to 53-49 after three.

“We did a good job of controlling the tempo,“ Ocoee head coach John “Sarge” Siers said. “That was the key.”

Seminole’s run continued into the beginning of the fourth quarter as it took a 54-53 lead with 7:12 left in the game.

The Knights responded with a 7-0 run to lead 60-54 with 3:59 remaining. Then, the Seminoles regained the lead with 2:47 left on a three. After the lead went up to

37 Silly acts 38 Poppycock 39 It’s often pulled apart after Thanksgiving 40 “Born Sinner” rapper 41 Sahara relief 42 Designer Saint Laurent 43 “Insecure” actress Rae 45 Tic-___-toe 49 Oktoberfest mug 51 Bovine chew 53 Slightest noise 55 Crumbly apple crisp topping 61 Timber decay 62 Home to Montana Tech 63 Emily Dickinson, for one 64 La ___, Wisconsin 65 Giant in online quizzes 66 Country south of Nicaragua 67 Look bad together 68 Del ___ (canned fruit brand) 70 Whisper tenderly 72 Some sneakers DOWN 73 Lead-in to couture 1 Superhero’s garment 74 Help for the needy 2 Partner in battle 75 “Thunderstruck” rockers 3 Fingerprint, perhaps 76 Performed adequately 4 Present label 5 Bergman of “Casablanca” 77 What spice adds 78 Boggy spot 6 Sorry sort 79 Objects of worship 7 Visitor from space 81 Tasty bite 8 Get, as a gig 9 “The A-Team” muscleman 86 Layered Austrian pastry 88 Chin beards 10 Lacking scruples 91 People who work a lot?

11 Grammy night hopeful 92 Nebraska natives 12 “Heavens to Betsy!”

94 Sullen fusion genre 13 Blunder 50 White Rabbit chaser 71 Prefer ___ to answer 97 Soccer great Lionel 14 Society newcomer 52 “It’s possible” 72 “I solved it!”

98 Loads and loads 15 Inexact lunch hour 54 *Low-altitude sky sight 75 Lotion additive 99 Cardinal’s bill 16 Focus or Fusion (first 2 + last 2) 76 Key & Peele, for 100 Kristen voiced her in 17 Dunaway of “Network” 56 DVD precursor example “Frozen 2” 18 Doe or ewe 57 Yale Bowl fans 77 *One may be centered 101 Teen’s big dance 58 Small batteries around an ingredient (first 24 Like most well-designed 102 App glitches products 59 Guinness Book suffix 2 + last 2) 103 “I’ll do that!”

26 One may sleep while 60 Like Sen. Angus King 80 Surefire 104 Appreciative poems you’re out 61 Black widow’s tangled 82 Peter of “Casablanca” 105 Physics, e.g. (Abbr.)

30 Got on tape creation 83 Cause of yawns 106 Rotten to the core 32 Zoo animal native to 62 Honey bunch?

84 Period that starts in 107 Alphabetically first China 63 Punctures Mar. playing card 33 Lowly subordinates 65 Beer pong target 85 Major Black Sea port 109 Mined matter 34 “Peanuts” character 67 “You’re not serious!”

87 Latin line dance 110 Peace activist Yoko 35 Persona non ___ 69 Med. drama locales 89 Feed-bag feed 70 USCG rank 90 *Toyota Prius rival (first 36 Bears’ hangouts

— NATE MARRERO

CELEBRITY CIPHER

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“WZKTU C WKP RCEXOV TXL UKGZV EZ PYZ XNNXSPOTKPA PX YZIN NZXNIZ LYX SZCIIA TZZM KP, ZVNZHKCIIA HYKIMSZT.” – IKXTZI EZVVK “D PY P LBAT IXODCDLB CFDJUBA, PJE D CFDJU CFPC DO GFPC FBSIO YB CFB YXOC DJ EDVVDNMSC YXYBJCO.”

– AXHBA VBEBABA

Puzzle Two Clue: M equals U

West and Southwest Orange schools went 0-for-4 Friday night in regional final contests.

EJ Yorke flies to the basket against the Oak Ridge defense.

Puzzle One Clue: G equals V

Basketball season comes to an end for local schools

ACROSS

17

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

OrangeObserver.com

©2020 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

©2020 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

03-05-20

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THIS WEEK’S PUZZLES SOLVED This week’s Crossword answers ©2020 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Being a bit famous now gives me the opportunity to help people who really need it, especially children.”

– Lionel Messi Puzzle Two Solution: “I am a very positive thinker, and I think that is what helps me the most in difficult moments.”

– Roger Federer

This week’s Sudoku answers

2020

WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

18

RANDY ALAN DOLLAR DIED SUNDAY, FEB. 23, 2020.

Randy Alan Dollar, of Ocoee, Florida, passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, at the Health Central Park in Winter Garden, Florida surrounded by close family.

Randy was born in Winter Garden, Florida, on June 8, 1954. He grew up in Winter Garden and graduated from Lakeview High School in 1972. He is preceded in death by his parents, Olin Harrison and Rosalee (Jones) Dollar; and Morris Glen Brimer (fatherin-law).

Randy married Glenda Renee Brimer Dollar, of Ocoee, Florida, on April 23, 1976. They were able to celebrate 43 years of marriage prior to his death. He is survived

by Glenda and their two children, Michael Alan Dollar, of Ocoee, Florida, and Amanda Renee Dollar Williams (Mark), of Ocoee, Florida. Four grandchildren, Ashlyn Renee Williams, Alyssa Paige Wil-

liams, Emily Rosalee Dollar and Alexandra Reese Williams. Also by his mother-in-law, Betty Jean Scarboro Brimer, brother-in-law, Glen Brimer, (Susie), Steve Brimer, (Marilyn), sister-in-law, Cendy Love, (Dale), brother-in-law, Jerry Brimer, (Patsy), brother-in-law, Danny Brimer, (Letty), plus many nieces and nephews.

Randy was hired by the city of Winter Garden Fire Department in November 1974 as a Fire Inspector.

He rose through the ranks from a Fire Inspector, Firefighter, Lieutenant and then Captain. In 1984, he was a Division Commander, promoted to Assistant Chief in

1985 and was appointed as the city’s Fire Chief in July 1994 — a position he held until his retirement. Randy retired in January 2002, after more than 27 years of service to the Department and the city of Winter Garden. He was very passionate about the Fire Department, everything it involved and helping others.

The family of Randy Dollar cordially invites you to join in celebrating his life Saturday March 7, 2020, at Evolve Church, 10564 Second Ave., Ocoee, FL 34761. The family will receive visitors from noon to 1 p.m. to share stories and remember a life lived to the fullest.

The celebration will start promptly at 1 p.m., with refreshments to follow. To pay tribute to Randy and his courageous medical battle, in lieu of flowers, the family humbly asks that you consider donating to help with end-of-life expenses at gofundme.com/f/shzp47-celebration-of-life. Flowers are welcome but not necessary.

JOHN BOSTON DIED FRIDAY, FEB. 21, 2020.

©2020 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Crossword answers

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Quarter Horse Association.

He was inducted into both the Metro and West Orange Sports Hall of Fame.

He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Linda.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, of Leesburg, Florida; son, Christopher (Ayanna) of Brooklyn, New York; and grandsons, Kingston and Channing of Winter Garden, Florida.

A celebration of John’s life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at West Orange High School, 1625 Beulah Road, Winter Garden, Florida.

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Service includes: Front or Rear Pads, Expires 3/31/19.

Not valid with any other offers.

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Garage/Moving/Estate Sales

HUGE CHURCH Rummage Sale! 125 N Lakeview Avenue // First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden. Saturday, March 7th from 8 AM to 3 PM. Special deals throughout the sale! kb 3/5

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Custom measured, designed, manufactured and installed by shutter experts.

WE BUY JUNK CARS WE BUY SCRAP METAL

Financing

$

4

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With the best warranty!

STRESS

179.95 BMW 5 Series $199.95

3 59

/ sq . ft.

en, FL 34787 881 S. 9th Street • Winter Gard

$

3.3" x 1" starting at $25.00 3.3" x 2" starting at $30.00 3.3" x 4" starting at $50.00

$

WATERPROOF

AUTO SERVICE

E BRA KE PAD SAL BMW 3 Series Mercedes C-Class

Fully LAMIN A Inst alle TE d Fr om...

. ft. / sq

Fully Installed From...

301025

-FAMILY OWNED &

$...

ET

RP

CA

301021

AIR CONDITIONING

LV11098

CTORY - BUSINESS DIRE HERE’S MY CARD FLOORING

301035

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301014

OBSERVER

301017

22

WEST ORANGE TIMES &

MathTrekTutoring.com mathtrektutoring@gmail.com (407) 269 - 2037

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Just enter your email address in the subscribe here box at the bottom of our home page at: www.OrangeObserver.com

(407) 739-2337 PoolRepair1120@gmail.com Specializing in leak detection and heating Call tod ay for y FREE es our timate

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7 quarts of Full Synthetic Oil. Tax and recycling fees are extra. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 3/31/20.

330896

89.95

$

Professional Math Tutor

330910

$

INFO & RATES: 407-656-2121 • Fax: 407-656-6075 • EMAIL: classifieds@wotimes.com • ONLINE: www.wotimes.com HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm • DEADLINES: Classifieds - Tuesday at 10:OOAM • Service Directory - Friday at 10AM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

179.95 Mercedes E-Class $199.95

179.95 BMW 5 Series $199.95 $

Windermere Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in Windermere Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with town codes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

BMW 3 Series Mercedes C-Class

CLASSIFIEDS

BRAKE PAD SALE

www.puppydreams.com

407-656-2121

Delivered directly to your home or business

We provide Medical Marijuana in a variety of forms such as tinctures, pills, pain patches, vapes, concentrates, buds, vape shatter pills, dry flower & much more!

You NOW get the dry flower to

SMOKE!

Help Wanted

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – Managing database and admin help. High school + 2 years of experience required. Mail resume: Aaction Scape, Inc., 7512 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Suite # 50-206. 3/5, 12 as

20

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

Get screened for colorectal cancer today.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re making it easier than ever to get screened. If you’re over the age of 45, doctors recommend you get a colonoscopy to detect any potential problems. Symptoms usually stay hidden until it is too late, but more than 90-percent of cases are curable if diagnosed early. So, join the march on colon cancer today.

M RCH ON COLON CANCER Visit GetScreenedToday.com to learn more, or call 407-605-3630 to schedule an appointment.

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