The West Orange Junior Service League is hosting its 15th annual Run for the Roses, bringing the excitement of the Kentucky Derby to West Orange County. The event is at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee.
This fundraising event, the league’s largest, promises an evening of Southern charm, featur ing derby-inspired food and drinks, a women’s hat contest, a men’s bestdressed contest, and a live viewing of the race.
Beyond the festivities, the event aims to raise funds for the league’s community initiatives through sponsorships and a silent auction offering various items and experiences. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their finest derby attire and enjoy an evening of camaraderie and generosity while supporting the league’s mission.
To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, visit bit. ly/4j1x8E1.
WOHS PRESENTING “GUYS AND DOLLS”
The West Orange High School Theatre Department is staging “Guys and Dolls” this week. In addition to the school’s thespians, the show will feature members of the West Orange band and orchestra departments.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. May 1, 2 and 3; and 2:30 p.m. May 4. For tickets, visit teachtix.com/ wohs.
DISCOVER HISTORY OF LOCAL STORMS
The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is announcing the launch of its newest exhibition, “Tempests and Tornadoes,” running through July.
A VIP reception with meteorologist Tom Sorrells is open to residents from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at Heller Hall, 21 E. Plant St. Dive into the dramatic history of storms that have shaped West Orange County, including the February 1998 tornado that swept through Winter Garden. This exhibition features interactive displays, historical artifacts and compelling stories that showcase the powerful forces of nature and their impact on our lives.
While the exhibition is free to the public, donations help the WGHF continue its mission of preserving and sharing the rich history of West Orange County.
Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
Owning the catwalk
Local community leaders take the stage at Eight Waves’ Glam and Giving. SEE PAGE 3A.
Leaving his post
For 20 years, customers needing to send packages, buy stamps or pick up mail at the Winter Garden Post Office on West Colonial Drive likely walked up to Ramanand Rewah’s window. The longtime USPS employee is retiring this week. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Garden Theatre to reopen THE WORK BEGINS RIGHT NOW
Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved a business plan to reopen the theater. SEE PAGE 2A.
The Observer visits TFA, West Orange and Windermere in our first in an ongoing series on the 2025 spring football season. SEE PAGE 1B.
Amy Quesinberry Price
Roper YMCA comes alive with 2025 Healthy Kids Day celebration. SEE PAGE 7B.
City seeks theater partner
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
The Garden Theatre soon could be welcoming guests once again.
The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved Thursday, April 24, a business plan for the beloved theater.
Marc Hutchinson, economic development director for the city, said after the theater closed in October, the city opened Garden Theatre to fulfill some commitments as well as provide holiday programming, people were questioning whether the theater would be opened permanently.
“We had to sort of make a declarative statement and assertion around that the city remains committed to the theater as an ongoing mainstay for the public benefit and enjoyment of our community,” Hutchinson said.
AN APPETITE FOR PERFORMING ARTS
With Garden Theatre still under city control, staff started to research the desire for a community theater, its benefits and a business model to permanently reopen the theater.
Hutchinson said the theater can connect to the community through programming, capture the historic downtown charm and appeal to those
coming from audience spending. The arts also created and supported 2.6 million jobs in 2022.
The performing arts also “build a sense of community” and can have economic impacts to a downtown area like Winter Garden as merchants will plan activities and promotions around theater activities and programming.
In Winter Garden, the median age is 39 and the median household income is $106,000. In Central Florida, 2.8 million people attended an in-person arts event, with an average spending of $45 per person per event. Nationally, 32% of people attend live performances.
“There’s an appetite for theater, an appetite for the arts, as well as there’s also a means,” Hutchinson said.
THE BUSINESS PLAN
There are three different business models the city could have considered regarding Garden Theatre, each with its own pros and cons.
Hutchinson said the best model for the city is a presenting business model that involves a moderate risk of medium financial investment, some artistic and content control, high community and audience engagement, and lower requirement for artistic time. The plan also would include limited rentals.
with a third-party company to help with management of the facility and scheduling events.
Hutchinson said the Parks and Recreation has the infrastructure to be able to house and operate the theater while serving the community.
Having a third-party company involved also would mean the company would assume a portion of the risk and a split of revenue.
Hutchinson said to be successful, the theater would need to have a healthy balance of a variety of programs, including concerts, dances, movies, private and public rental events, and camps and classes.
The Parks and Recreation Department will prioritize city events at the Garden Theatre when scheduling events.
Due to the work that it takes to put on plays and the high production costs, Hutchinson said the city doesn’t plan to have community plays performed in Garden Theatre until the second year. The exception would be school plays.
City Manager Jon C. Williams said the city has received several requests from schools to perform in Garden Theatre, and the city would work with the schools to schedule performances.
Commissioner Colin Sharman said the city always can adjust the offerings
The proposed business plan included potential rates for the theater’s auditorium, technicians,
The next step is to find a thirdparty management company partner. Williams said the city is hopeful Garden Theatre can be reopened by the
Model citizens
Eight Waves held its third annual Glam & Giving event Saturday, April 26, at The Pines of Wind ermere. Close to 400 guests attended the fundraiser designed to support the nonprofit that improves the lives of local children.
The event included a DIY fragrance bar, bottomless mimosas, light bites, Eight Waves informational booths and a runway fashion show featuring 27 influential women in the community who fundraised to support Eight Waves and bring awareness to this event. The models wore fashions from Macy’s, Doxology, Shoo Shoo Baby Boutique and Miles to Go Fashion Boutique.
Guest speakers also shared stories of impact; and a panel discussion was held with Eight Waves representa tives Sara Meyer, executive director; Erika Feazell, operations director; and Britney Salhab, children’s director.
Established in 2019, Eight Waves provides basic resourc es to overcome barriers, empowering children with literacy focused academic assistance, and establishing mentorship settings and experiences that inspire kids to pursue future
2025 MODELS
Kellie
Jo Barsh
Jeane Boast
Tamra
Erin
Danykqua Faulk
Jeanne Fravel
Cyndi Gustafson
Nancy Janata
Erika Krivenko
Tracy Lewis
Carol Marcellini
Wanda Miglio
Danielle Newbold
Elle Probst
Rose Rivas
Shanna M. Rivas-Khayat
Erica F. Rivas-Rivera
Laura Senzamici
Shelley Stinson
Shannon Till
Sharon Williams
Oakland native seeks family members for Memorial Day ceremony
John Ward hopes to connect with family members of servicemen and women buried in the town’s two cemeteries.
MICHAEL ENG EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
Although Oakland native John Ward did not serve in the military himself, he always has held all those who served our country in high regard. Those include his oldest brother, his wife’s three brothers and former classmates from Lakeview High School.
On Memorial Day 2003, he and his wife, Catherine, visited Oakland Cemetery to place flowers on the graves of veterans. The next year, they expanded the gesture to nearby Oakland Tildenville Cemetery.
“We saw quite a few World War I, World War II and Vietnam veterans,” John Ward said. “And we even saw some from the SpanishAmerican War and a couple from the Civil War.”
In subsequent years, the Wards began marking the graves so they would be easier to find. And last year, the Wards, who now live in Jacksonville, spearheaded the first public ceremony to place flags on all the known veteran gravesites — 64 total. The couple again is planning another ceremony and hopes to include family members of the veterans this year.
“It’s an honor to pay tribute to these men and women who are in the military,” John Ward said. “The whole point is to let everyone know the history and honor the people who are buried there.”
The Wards are inviting any surviving family members — as well as the general public — to participate. This year, the ceremony will feature the flags of every military branch. Family members will be able to find their loved one’s gravesite and place an American flag there.
“Everyone is invited,” John Ward
IF YOU GO
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
WHEN: 9 a.m. Monday, May 26 WHERE: Oakland Cemetery and Oakland Tildenville Cemetery
FAMILY MEMBERS
If you are a family member of a veteran buried at either Oakland Cemetery and Oakland Tildenville Cemetery, the Wards hope to connect with you. To connect, text John Ward, (904) 891-0059.
said. “We’ll meet at 9 a.m. at the Oakland Cemetery. We’ll have the presentation of colors, then we’ll have family members come forward and proceed to their relative’s grave. We’ll walk the entirety of both cemeteries.”
The Wards also hope to begin compiling biographical information for every veteran buried at each cemetery. Eventually, they want to invite middle and high school students to teach them about the heroes.
“These men and women put their lives on the line for people like me,” John Ward said. “The least we could do is honor them and say thanks. We want the family members to know we appreciate their sacrifice.”
Last year, about a dozen locals participated in the ceremony, including Jim Holzworth, a U.S. Navy veteran, and his wife, Jan, whose uncle died in World War II; Thadd Buzan, a retired U.S. Army veteran, and his wife, Joanne; Lori Newcomb; Anne Fulton; Elizabeth Bellinger, whose aunt and uncle organized the event and whose grandparents are buried in Oakland Tildenville Cemetery; and Town Commissioner Sal Ramos. This year, the Wards are hoping for more participants and are working to secure shuttles to transport attendees from one cemetery to the other.
File photo
Ceremony organizer John Ward said it is important to honor and remember our veterans.
Colleen Smith, left, Carmen Love and Michelle McNaney, members of the West Orange Junior Service League, gathered for a photo with Sara Meyer, executive director of Eight Waves.
Lauren Brewer, left, Eriel Fields and Kayla Smith were all smiles during the Eight Waves fundraiser.
Shirley Miglio, left, Lori Welch and Katheryn Hite dressed in bright springtime attire for the fundraiser.
FAMILIAR FACES
EDITOR’S NOTE: Familiar Faces is an ongoing feature in which we spotlight people you have seen but whose stories you might not know. If you want to nominate someone for a future edition, please email Editor and Publisher Michael Eng, meng@ orangeobserver.com.
Ram Rewah
Winter Garden Post Office
Ramanand “Ram” Rewah is saying goodbye to his 20-year career with the United States Postal Service’s Winter Garden branch. For two decades, customers have visited his window to mail packages and buy stamps — and always were greeted with a broad smile and friendly service. The last day scheduled for this sales and service associate was Wednesday, April 30. He said he will miss his coworkers and his customers, many of whom he knows by name.
Rewah’s postal career spans much longer than 20 years. His first position with the post office was 35 years ago as a letter carrier in Queens, New York, where he took to heart the trusty saying, “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” would keep mail carriers from doing their job.
“They said if you’re going to deliver up north … then you can deliver anywhere,” Rewah said. “I delivered in blizzards, minus 10, minus 15 degrees.”
His city route took him from basements to high-rise apartments and everything in between.
“It’s called ‘park and loop,’” he said. “You park at the junction and then (deliver to) four blocks, go back to the (vehicle) and then go to the next junction.”
This was in the days before the postal service was automated, and every piece of mail had to be manually processed, he said.
Four years later, he transferred to the Brooklyn Processing and Distribution Center for a warmer indoor position that included mail processing, mail sorting by machine and time keeping for about 75 drivers. With a knack for customer service, Rewah moved to the window at the Midwood Post Office. Another transfer took him back to the Brooklyn P&DC for five years — and then he made the decision to move to the warmer climate of Florida.
By 2002, he was at the big MidFlorida distribution center in Lake Mary, working all hours and discovering a new natural hazard: hurricanes.
After a few years in Lake Mary and one year in Mascotte, Rewah found his postal home for the next two decades in Winter Garden. He has been at the counter of the main post office on West Colonial Drive since 2005.
Rewah has been an excellent employee — the proof is in the rows of perfect-score gold star pins on his lanyard, the folders full of commendations and certificates of appreciation, his perfect attendance award, and the multiple years-of-service letters.
“I respect this job so much,” he said. “I was able to make money, buy a house, my son got a master’s degree in health admin and daughter got a nursing degree. I was able to do that. I thank God for health and strength, and thanks to my family for the support, and then the employees and management for always making the job pleasant.”
Left: Ramanand Rewah, holding his young daughter, started his 35-year career with the United States Postal Service in Queens, New York.
Below: The United States Postal Service presented a special achievement award to Ramanand Rewah, left, for outstanding service in 1994.
Courtesy photos
TIME TO RETIRE
Retiring doesn’t mean slowing down for Rewah. He plans to engage in humanitarian work in his retirement years.
Originally from Guyana, South America, he remembers the hardships of having little access to clean water as a child.
“I am planning directly to be like a well,” he said. “People who have shortage, no clean water in any area. I would not limit it to only the United States. When I was little, 11, 12 years old, we had to walk like half a mile sometimes to get pure, clean water. So, if I can do that to help people, that would be one of my missions.”
He also is a Hindu priest and wants to give sermons in local temples.
“I used to go out and do services, and I’ll have more time to do that,” he said.
He wants to spend time with Vidya, his wife of 36 years, who he met in Guyana; as well as his three adult children.
He has an accounting degree and might put that to good use in his spare time. He also loves the outdoors and frequently can be found walking, jogging or playing soccer.
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE
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STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP
PUBLIC NOTICES
The West Orange Times meets the legal requirements to publish legal and public notices in Orange County per F.S. 50.011 USPS Periodicals Permit (USPS# 687-120)
WEST ORANGE TIMES
The West Orange Times (USPS 687120) is published weekly for $60 per year and $110 per two years by the Observer Media Group, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Winter Garden, Florida, 34787. Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida. POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to the (name of pub; i.e., West Orange Times West Orange Times & Observer or Southwest Orange Observer), Observer Media Group, 11970 Main Street, Floor 3, Sarasota, FL 34236
Amy Quesinberry Price
Ramanand Rewah has retired after 35 years as an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. Twenty of those years were spent in Winter Garden.
Celebrating Ocoee’s Centennial
2005-2015
n Editor’s note: In partnership with the city of Ocoee, the Observer is publishing a 10-week series examining each decade of the city’s history.
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE COMMUNITY EDITOR
2005-2015 was a period of growth for the city of Ocoee. Two community centers were built, including one for seniors and veterans, and the city cut the ribbon on a new downtown Ocoee project.
CENTER FOR SENIORS,
VETERANS
The Tom Ison Seniors and Veterans Center held its grand opening in August 2006, two years after breaking ground for the facility at 1701 Adair St. The purpose of the building was to give veterans and senior citizens a community center that is fun but also serves as an important place to get key information about benefits.
U.S. Rep. Ric Keller was the keynote speaker at the ribbon-cutting celebration. He said after Ocoee representatives asked for his assistance in 2002 to make the center a reality, he helped come up with $800,000.
Rusty Johnson, a city commissioner at the time, also is a Vietnam veteran. He closed the program with a tribute to former Mayor Tom Ison, who gave years of dedicated service to all Ocoee citizens and in whose honor the center is named.
One of Ison’s sayings was “Let’s make people a priority,” and that was the idea behind the center.
The reconstructed church property provides a large meeting room, office space, kitchen and smaller meeting room. American Legion Post 109 immediately arranged assistance for veterans needing to file for benefits. A Veterans Services Office also was set up, and veterans could file new claims; reopen denied claims; review old claims and appeals; and apply for increases, widow benefits, burial benefits and pensions.
Ocoee’s Parks and Leisure Services Department partners with the
social group West Orange Seniors, which started in 1978, to bring senior programs and other recreational activities at the Ison Center. Weekly programs include bingo, chair exercise, line dancing and crafts, as well as monthly luncheons.
BILL BREEZE PARK In 2008, the city embarked on a $960,000 project that brought new roads, a new drainage system and other major improvements to Bill Breeze Park on the shore of Starke Lake. The brick pavers near the old City Hall were recovered from the old brick road around Lakeshore Drive. The Starke Lake Boat Ramp was
substantially improved, making it easier to access the ramp and put boats in the water. New picnic tables, pavilions, benches and trees were installed along the lakeshore. The one-acre lawn is the perfect setting for Ocoee’s annual music festivals, other city activities and many West Orange Chamber of Commerce events.
OCOEE LAKESHORE CENTER
The former Ocoee Community Center facing Starke Lake was torn down to make way for a more modern facility that could accommodate more people and gave businesses and residents a place to rent for meetings,
NOTABLE NEWS
2005: The city cut the ribbon on the Downtown Streetscape Project at the intersection of McKey Street and Cumberland Avenue. The project was to include a complete renovation of McKey from Kissimmee Avenue to Bluford Avenue. Electric, telephone and cable lines were put underground, new streetlights were installed, decorative pavers replaced concrete sidewalks, and landscaping was added.
2009: The Colony Plaza Hotel, built at the southwest intersection of West Colonial Drive and Maguire Road in 1968 as the Ramada Inn, had fallen into disrepair after years of neglect and changes in ownership. After years of legal dealings, city officials condemned the property for code violations. By 7:15 a.m. May 9, the pink eyesore was imploded and turned to dust. Folks gathered on the facing streets to witness the grand spectacle.
2010: Producer Jerry Eisinger’s movie “The Whisper Home” was filmed in Ocoee. This movie went on to be featured in three different movie festivals and was nominated Best Screenplay at the Phoenix International Christian Film Festival.
2011: The 30-foot American flag that flew near Ground Zero was in Ocoee in February, and citizens helped sew it back together. Among the Ocoee residents was Elsie Rosado, whose daughter, Maria Isabel Ramirez, was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City. People lined up to add a stitch to the National 9/11 Flag, which became a symbol of healing as it was slowly stitched back together by local heroes and citizens in its journey through large cities and small towns in each of the 50 states. Florida’s flag patch was made up of several donated flags, including one from Ocoee that flew over the Tom Ison Seniors and Veterans Center, as well as the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
CELEBRATING A CENTENNIAL
2025 marks a major milestone for the city of Ocoee as it celebrates its 100th anniversary of incorporation, which took place May 13, 1925. The city is hosting several centennial events this year, including two key events: n Centennial Celebration 5 to 10 p.m. May 9 — Join city officials for live entertainment, food, vendors and activities at Bill Breeze Park.
n Time Capsule Ceremony 6:30 p.m. May 13 — City officials will hold a special ceremony at the Withers-Maguire House to preserve a snapshot of the city for future generations.
For information about the centennial, visit 100yearsocoee.com/ historical-timeline. Residents taking photos during the centennial events are being encouraged to use the hashtag #100YearsOcoee when posting on social media.
parties and other gatherings. The Ocoee Lakeshore Center was built in 2014 and expanded five years later. The lovely setting features several banquet rooms of varying sizes, audiovisual equipment, a commercial kitchen, bride’s and groom’s preparation room, and a dance floor. An outdoor plaza can accommodate guests on the building’s lake side.
2013: The city of Ocoee was one of many municipalities to request a piece of steel from the wreckage of the fallen World Trade Center buildings in New York City. The city held a ribboncutting ceremony to officially dedicate a small but important piece at its fire station on West Road. The square section is part of a 9/11 memorial designed and built by FX Design Group in Ocoee. The memorial includes a proclamation the city issued calling Sept. 11 “a day of prayer, remembrance and rededication to patriotism and love for our country that will be recognized forever.” The memorial is on display in the lobby of Ocoee Fire Station 25, 563 S. Bluford Ave.
2015: J. Lester Dabbs, 82, died after a long battle with lung cancer. He was well known in West Orange County for his service in both education and politics. He taught at the original Ocoee High School and was the last principal at Lakeview High School and the first principal at West Orange High School when it opened in 1976. He also served the city of Ocoee as a commissioner from 1986-89 and mayor from 1989-92.
The Lakeshore Center in Ocoee was built in 2014 and was in need of expansion by 2019.
Some photos and information are courtesy of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and Nancy Maguire’s book, “A History of Ocoee & its Pioneers.” Hundreds of West Orange County residents waited for their turn to add a stitch to the tattered 30-foot American flag that survived the 9/11 terrorist attack at New York City’s World Trade Center. Elsie Rosado, whose daughter was killed in the attack, was among the residents healing through stitching.
Helping to cut the ribbon on the Tom Ison Veteran and Senior Center in Ocoee in 2006 were, City Commissioner Rusty Johnson, left, West Orange Seniors president Fran Watts, Mayor Scott Vandergrift, U.S. Rep. Ric Keller, Tommy Ison, Pat Ison Breeze and Commissioner Scott Anderson.
LINE BY LINE: County redistricting group shares first proposed map
The Redistricting Advisory Committee held a community meeting in east Winter Garden to allow residents of District 1 a chance to voice their opinions on how two new commission districts should be carved out.
REDISTRICTING
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
The six commissioners and the mayor on the Orange County Board of County Commissioners each selected two residents to serve on the 2025 Mid-Decennial Redistricting Advisory Committee:
n Co-chairs Tico Perez and Camille Evans, named by Mayor Jerry Demings
n Erica Jackson and Bobby Olszewski, chosen by District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson
n Joe Kilsheimer and Angel De La Portilla, named by District 2 Commissioner Christine Moore
n Mark Arias and Thomas Callan, selected by District 3 Commissioner Mayra Uribe
n Rishi Bagga and David Washington, chosen by District 4 Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero
n Gordon Spears and James Auffant, selected by District 5 Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad
n Alejandro Pezzini and Jason Henry, named by District 6 Commissioner Mike Scott
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE COMMUNITY EDITOR
The Orange County Redistricting Advisory Committee has the enormous task of carving out two more districts in the six-district county — with the goal of making sure the new eight districts are drawn fairly.
According to the guidelines, the new districts must have near-equal population; adhere to the Federal AntiDiscrimination Law; and consider the traditional redistricting principles that include compactness, preservation of municipal boundaries and maintaining communities of interest.
In 2024, Orange County residents voted in favor of increasing the number of districts. The committee was formed, and those members have been meeting regularly as part of the redistricting process.
Community meetings have been scheduled in each district, including a District 1 meeting held April 24 at the West Orange Recreation Center in Winter Garden. District 1 currently encompasses the city of Winter Garden; the towns of Oakland and Windermere; the Avalon Rural Settlement; and the communities of Tildenville, Gotha, Dr. Phillips, Horizon West, Lake Buena Vista, Hunter’s Creek and Williamsburg.
This meeting was a chance for the residents of District 1 to give input on where the new district lines should be drawn. Many of those speaking live in the planned master community of Horizon West, which has Winter Garden and Windermere ZIP codes but lies in unincorporated Orange County.
District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson spoke, thanking the residents who were attending the important meeting. Her district includes Win-
ter Garden, with 47,000 residents; Oakland, with 3,500; Windermere, with 3,000; and Horizon West, with 62,000.
“As someone who has fought really hard for my smaller communities, I (implore) you to keep (that) in mind,” she said.
A majority of the residents in Wilson’s district live in unincorporated Orange County, and she wants to see her communities kept together, such as the rural districts of Gotha and Avalon, Dr. Phillips, Williamsburg and Hunter’s Creek.
When it came time for public comment, residents were lined up and ready to speak. More than 30 people took their turn at the podium, and they represented Horizon West, Winter Garden, Ocoee and Orlando; as well as neighborhoods such as Park Springs, Woodlands Village,
Woodlands of Windermere, Stoneybrook West and Lake Butler.
Among the concerns and opinions: Don’t split communities, make sure the underserved communities get fair and equal representation, at least half of the eight districts need to have a large representation by minority groups, Horizon West and historic Winter Garden should be separated because their needs are fundamentally different, keep all the villages of Horizon West together, and don’t dilute the voices of minorities.
Rhonda Coons, a resident of Horizon West, hopes to see Horizon West on its own.
“We are a young growing community full of growing families,” she said.
“Places like Winter Garden and Windermere are beautiful towns, but what they need in Orange County is not what we need. It’s too much for one
district. Many of us are made to feel like we are an afterthought in Horizon West. We’re not asking for special treatment; we’re just asking to be seen and heard.”
David Buckles has lived in Winter Garden for about 30 years.
“As much as we love Horizon West, we would really love to see the district lines separated from (the historic municipalities),” he said. “The Horizon West area has grown a lot, and it’s really not feasible to expect (a commissioner to cover that size). And please don’t split the community of Winter Garden in any way.”
Donna Brown, of Horizon West, wants fair representation in her community.
“We need strong representation, not shared representation,” she said. “We need more attention and to be the focus of the district.”
Courtesy map
The first map presented was created by committee member Mark Arias.
Ocoee resident Vivian Light Johnson wants the committee to look at variation in race.
“I’m a former educator … and I feel like my best classrooms were where I had different students,” she said. “I understand the whole (idea of) wanting to be together; there are many communities that aren’t all together, and that’s OK.”
Danykqua Faulk, a Winter Garden resident and president of the grassroots organization One Winter Garden, hopes to see incorporated Winter Garden kept intact.
“Our focus is ensuring that incorporated Winter Garden is kept together,” she said. “We believe that by keeping our city whole, we can better meet our needs. Let’s work together to ensure that Winter Garden remains one, just as One Winter Garden.”
Laurie Forrester wants Horizon West and Winter Garden together.
“I am sandwiched, my community, with a common property line between Horizon West and city of Winter Garden,” she said. “What happens in Horizon West affects Winter Garden, and what happens in Winter Garden affects Horizon West. I agree that Horizon West should be kept whole, but I don’t believe it is in their best interest to isolate themselves.”
When public comments were closed, District 6 Commissioner Mike Scott spoke. He mentioned the comments of multiple people who were concerned about Horizon West residents being seen and heard, the distances commissioners potentially would have to drive, the need to keep Winter Garden together in one district, and the overall opinion that Horizon West citizens want their own district.
“What do you want?” Scott asked residents. “Now that you have in your head what you want as it relates to a district commissioner … what are you willing to compromise on? This is a fundamentally significant change in how our county is going to take shape. When you think about what is germane to your district and adjacent, think about what is important to the other districts. What’s important to you, and what are your non-negotiables? The most important conversation you’re going to have … is with each other.
“This isn’t a ‘this district’ or ‘that district’ process; it’s an Orange County process,” Scott said.
MAP PRESENTATION
In the presentation, it was stated each of the current districts will lose about 60,000 residents, splitting areas will be unavoidable and it will be impossible to maintain homogeneity across the entire county.
The committee and the public looked at three submitted maps, named Arias-1, Spears-1 and Spears-2, but the committee discussed and voted on only the Arias-1 map.
Committee member Mark Arias explained the reasoning behind his submission.
“It will be unavoidable to split areas,” he said. “I want to reinforce that particular thought. … If we’re trying to strive for an average of 188,000 (residents), every time you touch the screen, the population explodes. We have to be able to do all this and still keep a 10% deviation.”
The committee shared its thoughts on the map, and comments ranged from not liking the “jarring redistricting” to “It’s shocking to see Disney taken out of District 1.” Several didn’t like the shapes or sizes of districts.
The Arias-1 map splits two of the county’s 13 municipalities (Belle Isle and Orlando) and four of 39 communities of interest (Horizon West, Lake Butler, Meadow Woods and Oak Ridge).
“I made sure this map numeri-
“We need strong representation, not shared representation. We need more attention and to be the focus of the district.”
— Donna Brown, Horizon West resident
cally matches the 2020 census, and I worked forward from that position,” Arias said. “No matter how you cut this map numerically, it is a sound map. I know it’s not a perfect map.”
Arias said he is working on a second version.
After much conversation, the Arias-1 map was rejected by a 13-2 vote, with only committee members Arias and Alejandro Pezzini against the rejection.
“We might disagree on this, but we will do it civilly,” co-chair Tico Perez said.
Committee member Gordon Spears’ two maps were to be presented this week at the April 30 committee meeting.
Residents wanting to submit a map can contact one of the committee members or email District1@ocfl.net.
Co-chair Camille Evans thanked residents for attending.
“It’s heartwarming to be part of the conversation of how we’re going to move forward,” she said.
“This is a tough process,” Perez said.
“The spirit of the committee is wonderful. We’re all friends here, and we have one goal, which is to get this right. I appreciate the tone of the meeting.”
Wilson said she was pleased with the robust public comment.
“We need to hear from people regarding what they think about the maps,” she said.
She said she didn’t think the Arias-1 map was a practical redistricting because it isolated Horizon West.
“If you think about Bay Lake as being Disney, they sort of put Horizon West in (a redrawn District) 4 with Hunter’s Creek and Williamsburg without thinking; there’s no geographical connection,” she said. “You may argue that downtown Winter Garden and Horizon West don’t have anything in common, but as you drive past neighborhoods that have been added, and (as) Daniels Road leads into Horizon West, I didn’t think there’s as much in common (with Hunter’s Creek and Williamsburg) for the folks in Horizon West as there are in the historical areas like Winter Garden.”
She said it does not make sense to separate the villages of Horizon West, which is the case in this map. She also wants to see Hunter’s Creek, Williamsburg and Dr. Phillips together.
“My preference would be to not lose any of them,” she said. “But if you’re going to do that, at least put them in one district so they have complete representation.”
Winter Garden Commissioner
Chloe Johnson said she was grateful for the committee bringing the meeting to east Winter Garden, which she represents, and allowing residents the chance to have their voices heard. She called the Arias-1 map bold.
“He said he was just doing it to keep the municipalities together, which I agree with heavily,” Johnson said. “Horizon West is growing tremendously. They do need their own representative. The municipalities are very historic, from Winter Garden to Ocoee to Windermere to Oakland. That’s a tough situation, and I hope they will listen to the residents and give Horizon West their own representation. I do feel their needs are different. They have a population of 62,000 and growing.”
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Mid-Decennial Redistricting Advisory Committee has been meeting weekly since March 6 to recommend map proposals for consideration by the Board of County Commissioners.
The county has anticipated the committee will have a total of 17 meetings: two at the Orange County Administration Building, one in each of the six commission districts, at least 10 to discuss map proposals and one public hearing to vote on which redistricting maps the committee will recommend to the Board of County Commissioners for eventual adoption.
Town of Windermere Notice of Public Hearings
Transmittal of Proposed Update to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan to the Florida Department of Commerce and Other Review Agencies
The Town of Windermere, Florida, proposes to transmit to the Florida Department of Commerce and other review agencies the proposed update to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan as required by Chapter 163, Florida Statutes.
The public hearings for approval of the transmittal are as follows:
Town Council Serving as the Town’s Local Planning Agency – May 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall located at 520 Main Street, Windermere, FL 34786
Town Council – May 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall located at 520 Main Street, Windermere, FL 34786
If the Town Council approves the transmittal, then the proposed update to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan will be submitted to the Florida Department of Commerce and other review agencies. After the Town receives any comments from the Florida
Department of Commerce or other review agencies, then there will be additional public hearings scheduled for a later date for the final adoption of the update to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. All interested persons are invited to appear and be heard. Written comments submitted to the Town will also be considered.
If you have any questions regarding the Town’s update to its Comprehensive Plan, please contact Brad Cornelius, AICP, Contracted Town Planner, at 813-415-4952 or at bcornelius@wadetrim.com. If any person desires to appeal any decision of the Town Council, that person will need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based (F.S. 286.0105).
The Town of Windermere does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, marital status, or handicapped status in employment or in the provision of services. Handicapped individuals may receive special accommodation in services with a 48 hour notice to the Town (Fla. Stat. 286.26). Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation for this meeting, as provided for in the American with Disabilities Act, should contact the Town Clerk at 407-876-2563 or email dburkhalter@town.windermere.fl.us.
A numbers game
With more families taking advantage of scholarships for private schools and a decreased birth rate, Orange County Public Schools is expecting to lose 3,100 students and millions in funding next school year.
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Orange County Public Schools is facing the loss of an estimated 3,100 students for the 2025-26 school year, resulting in the loss of $27.8 million in state funding that will have impacts on teachers and the district’s budget.
This will be the largest drop in enrollment since the COVID-19 pandemic when the district’s overall enrollment in traditional schools went from 192,810 students in the 2020-21 school year to 179,814 students in the 2021-22 school year. The enrollment somewhat rebounded to 188,683 students in the 2022-23 school year and has fluctuated since, with 185,912 students being enrolled in traditional schools this school year.
While some areas, including Horizon West, are booming, others are experiencing aging populations that no longer have school-age children. As a result, Scott Howat, chief communications officer for the district, said the district is seeing a decline in kindergarten registrations in some areas of the county.
The estimated 3,100 students exiting the district is a result of declining birth rates as well as more families taking advantage of the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options, which is a state-funded universal private school scholarship open to all K-12 students. The scholarship was expanded from only low-income families to all K-12 students in 2023.
MORE COMPETITION
Between private schools, charter schools, home education and other educational opportunities, Howat said the district is facing more competition to keep students in traditional public schools.
He said the district hopes families will choose to send their children to the local neighborhood traditional school because it’s the best option for their child, but there are a multitude of choices.
“We just want to make sure parents know traditional public schools and what we’re offering their children is a safe, high-quality learning environment where they can get everything they need to be successful in school, academically, but then beyond school, post graduation,” Howat said.
More private schools are accepting the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options, which, on average, provides $8,000 per student for a family to send their student to private school. Other scholarships can help families fund home education or other educational opportunities.
According to Step Up for Students, a nonprofit providing scholarships for educational options, the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options began in 2019 with 17,724 students as a means of relieving the waitlist for the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, which provides, on average, $8,000 scholarships to families to send their children to private schools. In the 2024-25 school year, Step Up funded 253,370 students to attend private schools across the state through the scholarship. Between the Florida Tax Credit and Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options, Step Up has helped send 307,609 students to more than 2,200 participating private schools across the state.
In Orange County, Step Up provided 10,991 Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options in 2023-24, compared to 7,153 in 202223. Step Up will not have the data for the 2024-25 school year until June.
Some private schools, including Foundation Academy, said there are families at the school taking advantage of these scholarships, but the demand to attend the school already was in place before the scholarship program was expanded. Foundation President David Buckles said the K-12 private school saw a record number of applications this current enrollment season.
“The hard part is to tell these families who are desperately trying to use the scholarship money to get into your school that there’s no space,” he said. “We have seen the inquiries up.”
The increased demand for private educations also has resulted in more competition for qualified teachers, whether in public or private school, Buckles said.
Although a private school might be accepting more scholarships, the
increase in scholarships could be from students already enrolled in the school using the scholarships to offset the cost rather than new students coming into the institution.
IMPACT
The primary concern with the loss of students is the impact it can have on teachers.
School staffing is based on the number of students in each grade increment. Staffing is divided by kindergarten through third grade; fourth grade through eighth grade; and ninth grade through 12th grade. Howat said if a school has enough students for five kindergarten teachers one school year but expects to have 40% fewer students, the school would have to eliminate two kindergarten teachers.
Howat said every effort is being made to ensure the district does not lose teachers.
“We don’t want to lose any teacher who is serving our students in a significant way at whatever level,”
Howat said. “We don’t want to lose teachers, so we’re doing everything we can on our end to retain them.
We’re offering visual job fairs in May where teachers who maybe have been displaced because there wasn’t enough students at that school will be given the opportunity to see those other opportunities to gain a position at another school.”
After the first 12 days of the school year, the district looks at enrollment at each school to determine where teachers need to be reallocated. Some schools might have more students show up than others, which could mean teachers will have to go to a different grade level or even a different school to meet the needs of each school.
“We are constantly looking at that … to try to shore up the resources we have, and if we end up with more students than we have teachers, we’ll certainly go back to those that might still be waiting for a position and tap on them if they are still available and haven’t already been hired by other schools or other principals,” Howat said.
Districts receive state funding based on student enrollment. Although the state Legislature could increase per pupil funding, the decline in student enrollment still could result in a funding reduction to the district’s budget, Howat said.
“If (the state) is not giving us enough of an increase (in per pupil funding), it might not be enough to cover the mandatory costs we have,” Howat said. “I like to compare it to your paycheck. You never look at your gross. You always look at your net. … For us, we have to look at not the gross of what we’re receiving but the net when they take out retirement, utility increased costs, all the things that are put on top as far as expenditures. What do we have left … to put it into the classroom, put into teacher salaries, put into benefits.”
The district is looking at where cuts can be made at the district level to avoid teacher layoffs and other direct impacts to the classroom.
Superintendent Dr. Maria Vasquez has directed district administration to cut their budgets by 2% across the board. Howat said district administrators will be looking at whether vacant positions can be eliminated as reducing personnel is a way to decrease expenditures. The district also will look at programs that could be reduced.
“Each of the chiefs at the district level will be looking at their budgets to reduce, and that’s not at the school level,” Howat said.
RECRUITMENT EFFORTS
The decision to move a child from a traditional public school to another educational institution can be the result of a multitude of factors from lack of transportation to what they’ve seen at the classroom level to scheduling flexibility and more, Howat said. “It becomes very personalized to the family,” Howat said. “In some cases, we need to know is it, in fact, perception? Is it the perception of middle school that’s causing parents to bypass middle school to go to private school for middle school and then come back in high school? We see some of those trends in our data. … We know families don’t choose a school district, they’re choosing their school, and we just want to ensure that parents know we feel we are the best choice for their child. We want to show them that.”
To combat perception and spread awareness of what traditional Orange County public schools have to offer, the district has entered a partnership with Caissa Public Strategies LLC, a Memphis, Tennessee-based thirdparty recruitment agency. The contract is a performance-based contract with an agency that has eight years of experiencing helping school districts in 27 states recruit students to traditional public schools, Howat said. Howat said Caissa will receive $935 for each formerly enrolled OCPS student who re-enrolls in OCPS and attends a district-operated school for 30 days. The funding will come from the per-pupil spending, which Howat said will allow the district to net $7,065 for each student. If the agency’s efforts does not result in any students being re-enrolled in OCPS, it will not be paid.
“If we had 1,000 students that were recruited back to our schools, they would get roughly $935,000, but we would get (about) $8 million, which could go towards preserving teacher jobs and positions throughout the district,” Howat said.
Howat said historically, the agency has a record of every student that is re-enrolled staying with the district for 3.4 years. For every student reenrolled, the agency will receive a one-time payment of $935, but the district will receive a yearly per-pupil allocation for each year the student remains enrolled in OCPS.
With the agency starting its work now, the district might not see the fruit of that labor until the start of 2026-27 school year as many families already have decided where to enroll their student for the 2025-26 school year. Howat said “the sky is the limit” on how many students the agency might be able to recruit back to OCPS.
The district is not solely depending on the agency to help boost enrollment. The district also is working with school principals on how to best market their schools and share with the community what programs they have to offer.
“We’re being aggressive in order to try to bring students back again, in order to preserve teacher jobs, we want to make sure that all of our teachers who want to work as teachers have a job,” Howat said.
Howat said the district is encouraging families to register their kindergartners and pre-kindergartners for school now rather than waiting until closer to the start of next school year. As more families register their kindergartner, the school can have a clearer picture on how many teachers will be needed. Families then also will know who their teacher is in advance and can participate in activities welcoming the new pre-K and kindergarten students.
“If you had enough students last year for five kindergarten teachers, but this year’s class of kindergartners, you might have as many but only 60% of them have registered, then that school could be in jeopardy of losing two teachers when in reality, they might need those and they just don’t know it because the parents have not registered them,” Howat said.
The district also is encouraging any families who are moving to register their
at their new
so schools can determine personnel.
Atwater Bay Elementary opened in 2024 at 11000 Atwater Bay Drive, Winter Garden, to relieve overcrowding at Water Spring Elementary.
Cypress Point estate sells for $8 million
Ahome in the Cypress Point community in Southwest Orange topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from April 7 to 13.
The home at 9243 Point Cypress Drive, Orlando, sold April 7, for $8 million. Built in 1991, it has five bedrooms, six-and-one-half baths and 8,190 square feet. Days on market: 17. The sellers were represented by Cedrick Williams, Magnus Realty Group.
These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.
DR. PHILLIPS
MIRABELLA AT VIZCAYA
The home at 8312 Via Rosa, Orlando, sold April 8, for $865,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,319 square feet. Days on market: 44.
PARKSIDE
The home at 10394 Doth St., Orlando, sold April 10, for $1 million. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,178 square feet. Days on market: 91.
PHILLIPS GROVE
The home at 7916 Wandering Way, Orlando, sold April 7, for $1,097,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,915 square feet. Days on market: Five.
VIZCAYA TOWNHOMES
The townhouse at 8209 Tivoli Drive, Orlando, sold April 7, for $625,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,801 square feet. Days on market: 30.
GOTHA TOWN OF GOTHA
The home at 1527 Dingens Ave., Windermere, sold April 7, for $735,000. Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,000 square feet. Days on market: Two.
HORIZON WEST
ASHLIN PARK
The home at 11725 Sprawling Oak Drive, Windermere, sold April 11, for $675,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,591 square feet. Days on market: Five.
CASA DEL LAGO
The home at 12435 Montalcino Circle, Windermere, sold April 8, for $915,000. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,345 square feet. Days on market: 11.
EDENS HAMMOCK
The home at 5516 Remsen Cay Lane sold April 8, for $923,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,070 square feet. Days on market: 65.
ENCLAVE AT BERKSHIRE PARK
The home at 7525 Colbury Ave., Windermere, sold April 8, for $549,000. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,234 square feet. Days on market: Four.
ENCORE AT OVATION
The home at 12064 Encore at Ovation Way, Winter Garden, sold April 10, for $538,800. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,322 square feet. Days on market: Two.
HARVEST AT OVATION
The home at 16217 Honey Harvest St., Winter Garden, sold April 11, for $705,000. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,120 square feet. Days on market: 278.
HAWKSMOOR
The townhouse at 16257 Prairie School Drive sold April 8, for $500,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,070 square feet. Days on market: 54.
LAKE HANCOCK PRESERVE
The home at 14493 Windsor Hall Way, Winter Garden, sold April 7, for $570,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,185 square feet. Days on market: 30.
MABEL BRIDGE
The home at 8813 Tatara St., Orlando, sold April 10, for $500,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,725 square feet. Days on market: Four.
MERRICK LANDING
The townhouse at 6542 Merrick Landing Blvd., Windermere, sold April 10, for $415,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,387 square feet. Days on market: 134.
OVERLOOK 2 AT HAMLIN
The home at 15524 Aviation Alley sold April 11, for $553,500. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,414 square feet. Days on market: 43.
STOREY GROVE
The home at 15162 Book Club Road, Winter Garden, sold April 7, for $555,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,089 square feet. Days on market: 196.
SUMMERPORT BEACH
The home at 12334 Summerport Lane, Windermere, sold April 7, for $2,800,000. Built in 1966, it has five bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 4,692 square feet on 1.17 waterfront acres. Days on market: 144.
WATERLEIGH
The home at 17846 Adrift Road, Winter Garden, sold April 11, for $790,000. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,228 square feet. Days on market: 26.
The home at 17792 Adrift Road, Winter Garden, sold April 9, for $780,000. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,227 square feet of living area.
The home at 16328 Rock Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 7, for $747,900. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,578 square feet of living area. Days on market: 14.
WINCY GROVES
The home at 5506 Orange Orchard Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 9, for $865,000. Built in 2021, it has six bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 3,392 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.
WINDERMERE TRAILS
The home at 8468 Powder Ridge Trail, Windermere, sold April 9, for $585,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,633 square feet. Days on market: 30.
The home at 8329 Lookout Pointe Drive, Windermere, sold April 11, for $580,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,633 square feet. Days on market: 56.
WOODBRIDGE ON GREEN
The home at 4253 Willow Bay Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 11, for $636,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,406 square feet. Days on market: 58.
OAKLAND JOHNS LANDING
The home at 644 Strihal Loop, Oakland, sold April 9, for $615,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,490 square feet. Days on market: 25.
OCOEE FORESTBROOKE
The home at 3138 Jamber Drive, Ocoee, sold April 7, for $595,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,724 square feet of living area. Days on market: 24.
MEADOW RIDGE
The home at 2758 Valeria Rose Way, Ocoee, sold April 11, for $820,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 3,190 square feet. Days on market: 19.
RESERVE AT MEADOW LAKE
The home at 1426 Plumgrass Circle, Ocoee, sold April 8, for $563,500. Built in 2010, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,904 square feet. Days on market: 89.
WEST ORANGE
TILDENS GROVE
The home at 13463 Bonica Way, Windermere, sold April 8, for $1,778,500. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 4,531 square feet. Days on market: Eight.
WINDERMERE
BELMERE VILLAGE
The home at 11731 Bella Milano Court, Windermere, sold April 9, for $610,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,497 square feet. Days on market: 111.
RESERVE AT LAKE BUTLER SOUND
The home at 6424 Cartmel Lane sold April 7, for $1,250,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,211 square feet. Days on market: Six.
WINTER GARDEN
BLACK LAKE PARK
The home at 734 Rainfall Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 11, for $545,250. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,470 square feet. Days on market: 54.
CYPRESS RESERVE
The home at 13870 Jomatt Loop, Winter Garden, sold April 10, for $749,900. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,462 square feet. Days on market: 26.
GLYNWOOD
The home at 13512 Glynshel Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 11, for $890,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,693 square feet. Days on market: Three.
HICKORY HAMMOCK
The townhouse at 15221 Sunrise Grove Court, Winter Garden, sold April 11, for $415,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,844 square feet. Days on market: 11.
LAKE COVE POINTE
The home at 641 Lake Cove Pointe Circle, Winter Garden, sold April 7, for $710,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,479 square feet. Days on market: 44.
OAKLAND PARK
The home at 234 Hancock Preserve Loop, Winter Garden, sold April 10, for $855,000. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,255 square feet. Days on market: Six.
ROPER RESERVE
The home at 1692 Highbanks Circle, Winter Garden, sold April 10, for $685,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,848 square feet. Days on market: 39.
STONE CREEK
The home at 1714 Sherbourne St., Winter Garden, sold April 7, for $440,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,372 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.
UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE COUNTY
The home at 11207 Roberson Road, Winter Garden, sold April 10, for $775,000. Built in 1967, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,976 square feet. Days on market: Two.
The home at 9243 Point Cypress Drive, Orlando, sold April 7, for $8 million. This one-of-a-kind lakefront home sits on a secluded peninsula with two private boat docks — one for Lake Sheen and one for Lake Tibet. The sellers were represented by Cedrick Williams, Magnus Realty Group.
The home at 12334 Summerport Lane, Windermere, sold April 7, for $2,800,000. It was the largest transaction in Horizon West from April 7 to 13. The sellers were represented by Judy Black, Upside Real Estate.
BAPTIST
First Baptist Church
Pastor Tim Grosshans
125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352
Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana
METHODIST
First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org
125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135
Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube
CHURCH DIRECTORY
STARKE LAKE BAPTIST
CHURCH
PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee
Pastor Jeff Pritchard (407) 656-2351 www.starkelakebaptist.org
CHURCH OF GOD
OCOEE CHURCH OF
Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011 EPISCOPAL
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH 241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com
SPORTS
5
1A pair of former West Orange and Southwest Orange star high school football players were selected on the third day of the 2025 NFL Draft.
With the 112th overall pick in the fourth round, the New Orleans Saints selected former Foundation Academy football standout Danny Stutsman. With the 143rd overall pick in the fifth round, the Miami Dolphins selected former Ocoee High football standout Jordan Phillips.
Stutsman, a 6-foot-3, 233-pound linebacker, was a star for the Lions on both sides of the ball, posting more than 300 tackles through his high school career and being named an All-State receiver. Following his high school career, he made a name for himself at the college level as a three-year starter at Oklahoma, recording 376 career tackles (ninth most in school history), four forced fumbles and three interceptions and he was an All-American and All-SEC First Team selection.
Phillips, a 6-foot-3, 320-pound interior defensive lineman, was a star for the Knights’ defensive front, racking up 143 total tackles, 45 tackles for a loss and 17.5 sacks in his three seasons at Ocoee. As a three-star prospect and the No. 47-ranked DT in the country, Phillips signed with the Tennessee Volunteers but transferred to Maryland after his freshman season, appearing in just three games in 2022 for Tennessee.
2For the first time in program history, the Olympia High girls beach volleyball team captured the Class 3A, District 6 championship, topping Lake Nona High, 3-2, in the title match April 23 at the Titans’ home court, Game Point Events Center.
Following the historic win, Olympia entered the 3A regional playoffs with a 13-1 record — having played Dwyer High (10-4) at home in the regional quarterfinals after press time Tuesday, April 29.
3Cleveland Guardians left-handed pitcher Doug Nikhazy, a West Orange High alum, made his MLB debut against the Boston Red Sox April 26, striking out three batters across three innings of action in the 7-3 home loss. After making the jump to the Guardians’ Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers, in July, the former Windermere Little Leaguer appeared in 18 games for the Clippers, pitching 93.2 innings with an opposition batting average of .201, an ERA of 3.19 and 97 strikeouts.
Nikhazy, a second-round selection in the 2021 MLB Draft, got the call up to the Big Leagues April 24. Following his debut against Boston (16-14), the 25-year-old was optioned by the Guardians (15-13) and rejoined Triple-A Columbus
4
Dr. Phillips High’s Maran Harris has announced she will continue her athletic and academic career at the United State Naval Academy as part of the Midshipmen’s track and field team.
5Foundation Academy girls basketball coach Kimberly Smith has been announced as the Lions next girls volleyball coach, replacing Vicky Veloz. Smith will continue to serve as basketball.
Last team standing
After claiming its sixth consecutive district title, The First Academy is the last remaining West Orange, Southwest Orange team fighting for a state championship.
SAM SESSION
SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR
One of the most difficult aspects of creating a championshiplevel program that competes at a sport’s pinnacle, year in and year out, is the pressure players, coaches and administrators feel from the expectations that come with winning. The issue with high school sports, however, is that no season is like the other, so maintaining the standard that comes from winning and the subsequent expectations of continued winning seems impossible. But that’s just what The First Academy baseball has done in 2025.
TFA followed up a run to the State Final Four last season by putting
Part I: Sam’s spring football stops
Sports Editor Sam Albuquerque takes you behind the scenes of spring high school football in West, Southwest Orange, bringing you the top tidbits and notes in this four-part series.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE
SPORTS EDITOR
The 2025 spring high school football season is officially underway in West Orange and Southwest Orange, and Orange Observer Sports Editor Sam Albuquerque has begun his 11-stop journey to each of the area’s programs to bring you behind the scenes with all the best notes, tidbits and observations he picks up from each visit. In the first of four editions of Sam’s spring football stops, three of last season’s top area teams — The First Academy, West Orange High and Windermere High — are featured.
THE FIRST ACADEMY ROYALS 2024 record: 9-1*
Spring game: Thursday, May 15 at Lake Mary High Coach: Jeff Conaway, third season. Key returners, additions: DL Christian Willis, ATH Demetrice McCray, DB Devin Jackson, DB David Coleman Jr., OL Chancellor Barclay, OL Reed Ramsier, RB Jaelyn Powell and QB Landen Holley.
*TFA’s official 2024 record is 0-10, after sanctions by the FHSAA forced the Royals to vacate their nine wins.
The First Academy football was easily the most controversial, entertaining and flat-out best football team in all of Orange County during the 2024 season. With a gauntlet schedule, transfers galore and a host of new coaches last season, it felt as if the Royals microwaved a state title contender out of thin air but after sanctions handed down by the FHSAA, TFA’s magical season came to a screeching halt as it was banned from the postseason, robbing fans
of high-level high school football of the chance to see a possible state title game clash against South Florida powerhouse the ChaminadeMadonna Lions, the eventual Class 1A champions.
As the Royals move into 2025, they do so knowing that a chance at a state title won’t be in the cards; neither will having its third-year coach on the sideline each Friday this fall;
has been suspended for the
and TFA banned from
play. Still, with all of this
and
In her freshman season, Horizon softball’s Paisley Hernandez is living up to the family name on the softball field as the Hawks’ leading hitter. Page 2B.
Conaway
season
postseason
board room drama
tabloid controversy looming over the program’s season, watching this version of the Royals football team walk onto Kroy Crofoot Field at Warden Stadium under those
Sam Albuquerque
The First Academy defensive lineman Christian Willis was dominant in the first day of spring football practice.
Royals sophomore outfielder Kinon Bastian was introduced as part of the starting lineup.
The First Academy baseball’s Roy Rodriguez and his Royals teammates warmed up before their regional semifinals matchup.
Photos by Sam Albuquerque
Royals outfielder Remo Indomenico blasted a pitch out of the park for a home run.
Paisley Hernandez
Comparing most freshman softball players to Horizon High’s Lila Hernandez is flat-out unfair, considering she’s one of the top players in the area, if not the state; she’s currently hitting for an average of .413 with an onbase percentage of .554, 31 runs scored, 31 stolen bases and 10 runs batted in. Luckily for the Lady Hawks softball team Paisley Hernandez, the junior’s younger sister, isn’t most freshmen. She’s better.
With a team-leading average of .487, 29 runs scored, 23 RBIs, 28 stolen bases and a .512 on-base percentage, the first-year high school softball star has played a major role in leading Horizon to a 20-6 record this regular season.
How does it feel to be named Athlete of the
This is a huge
a freshman playing in a super talented region with so many deserving players.
What do you enjoy the most about softball?
I enjoy being able to play with my sister, Lila, because she is my best friend. Having fun on the field translates to playing well.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from softball?
I’ve learned that if you want to see change, you have to work for it.
What is your favorite softball memory?
Pitching at the FSU softball camp because it was an honor to showcase my skills in front of FSU coach (Lonni) Alameda. It is my goal to play Division I softball.
Who is your favorite athlete?
My sister, Lila, is my favorite athlete because she makes me a better person on and off the field. She is always rooting for my success and pushes me to be the best I can be. I would love to play with her in college.
What is your go-to pre-game hype song?
THE BASICS Age: 15 Sport: Softball Grade: Freshman School: Horizon High
What is your favorite nonsports hobby?
I love going to Disney with my friends. (Eating) Disney snacks and riding the “Guardians of the Galaxy” ride at Epcot are my favorites.
What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
I would take seeds so I can start my own garden and grow my own food. I would take a softball in case I get bored. And I would bring a lighter for fire, until I could learn to make my own.
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is “10 Things I Hate About You,” because it’s a sweet love story.
If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?
I would have dinner with my Nana, who passed away last year. I miss her so much and would want to tell her everything I have done this past year. She would give me a great pep talk to motivate me.
If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?
I would want to go back to the ’80s, because it seems like everything would be really fun. Life seemed simpler and easier for kids.
Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to have fun at any chance I got because you only live once.
If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?
Did I do everything that I could to live up to my potential and not leave anything to chance.
Who is your favorite superhero? Batman is my favorite superhero because of how intelligent he is and how good of a strategist he is.
Who is your favorite supervilMaleficent, because she isn’t afraid to curse people out of spite.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and
Teleportation so I could travel wherever I want in the world without spending money.
If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go and why?
Australia, Iceland and Italy. I would love getting to go to the Great Barrier Reef, eating the best pasta in Italy and sightseeing in Iceland.
If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be I would want to be a pigeon, so I could people watch in New York
Does pineapple belong on pizza?
Yes, it is a fruit like a tomato, so I don’t see the problem.
— SAM ALBUQUERQUE
Spring football kicks off
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
floodlights at 6 a.m. on the first day of the spring football session and compete for two hours, I would have never guessed these coaches and players were dealing with any sort of distractions off the field. Maybe it had something to do with the college football scouts from UCF, Florida and Florida State in attendance — including former Knights starting quarterback and new QB coach McKenzie Milton.
NO. 1: THERE’S A NEW CEO IN TOWN
Following a record-breaking season for the Royals passing game, led by graduating senior Salomon Georges Jr. from under center, Conaway and the TFA offense have a new QB to call CEO for the 2025 season: Landen Holley, a three-star rising junior with offers from the Gators, Knights, Georgia Tech and others, who recently transferred to the Orlando private school from Wesley Chapel High.
After watching Holley for just one practice — with Milton literally hovering behind him — I feel comfortable saying the transition from Georges to Holley should be as smooth as possible.
“He’s been a great student of the game since joining our program,” Conaway said about his new QB. “He has obviously had to learn a new system, new terminology and really a whole new language, but he is a quick learner and he’s put in the time to learn it through our QB school. Obviously, getting out here and actually doing it at the tempo and urgency we’re trying to do it at is a totally different challenge but on his first day, he handled it well.”
NO. 2: WHO IS GOING TO PLAY OPPOSITE MCCRAY?
One of the top players in Central Florida, Demetrice McCray continues to progress as a passcatcher and leader for the Royals as he prepares for his senior season without childhood teammate and fellow wide receiver Evan James opposite him.
After one practice, there’s not one obvious candidate to fill the void James leaves behind but instead an intriguing rotation of options from the Royals’ defensive back group that could emerge in the role. With a glut of Power 4 talent in its secondary, TFA will likely have a few DBs — such as Danny Odem, Kamauri Whitfield, Devin Jackson and others — moonlight on offense to prevent opposition defenses on setting their sights on taking Holley’s new favorite weapon away with a double team.
“We want to be explosive on offense, so we’re giving our defensive guys a chance to play the receiver position,” Conaway said. “They can catch the football, and they’re explosive when they get the chance to make plays with the ball in their hands. We’ve got several of those guys (who) are capable, but it’s about learning the system and being able to execute.”
NO. 3: DEFENSE SET FOR LEAP IN 2025
For those who watched this Royals defense last season, given just how dominant and fun they were, you probably won’t believe me when I tell you that this unit has taken a significant step in their physical development.
“The offseason that those defensive linemen had was incredible,” Conaway said. “The way that they took advantage of phase one, which is about building mass, was incredible. Those boys pushed around a lot of weight, they ate a lot of food, and as you can see, they are bigger, faster and stronger, and they’re playing with more intensity than they did last year. Add in that most of them are returners, they have the experience and they know the expectation around here.
And you’re right, Sam, they were the highlight of today’s practice. It was hard to miss them because of how aggressive they were and how difficult to block they are. Now, when we get pads on, they’ll get a little easier to block but, for the most part, they were as expected, extremely disruptive.”
Along with the front, it’s the same story for the backend of the TFA defense.
“We have a whole crew of guys that can play in those four spots, and then in the fifth nickel spot, too,” Conaway said. “Not only are those four guys ... talented, they’re versatile and can be moved around the secondary. … That’s what we love about those guys.”
WEST ORANGE WARRIORS
2024 record: 10-3
Spring game: Friday, May 16 vs. Oakleaf High Coach: Geno Thompson, fourth season Key returners, additions: ATH Devonte Anderson, WR Edison Delgado, DL Matheus Kaminski Cordeiro, ATH Brian Dillard and QB A.J. Chung
Following a difficult 2023 season, West Orange coach Geno Thompson and a special senior class led the Warriors back to the playoffs in 2024, reaching the regional championship game — losing to eventual Class 7A state champions, Venice High.
Despite losing culture setters and top-level playmakers like defensive back Ivan Taylor, two-way linemen Nico Marti and Josiah Butler and linebackers Bryson Furrey and Logan Hartman; to name a few, West Orange returns key players throughout its roster who, thanks to last season’s senior leadership, are ready to keep the train to Valhalla rolling.
NO. 1: THIS COULD BE THE MOST INTERESTING OFFENSE IN THE AREA
The Warriors offense can be described in a variety of ways, but versatile captures the essence of what this group is all about.
Starting with rising junior Brian Dillard, who started at quarterback last season but also spent time showing off his athleticism as a receiver, returner and defensive back. Two-way athletes Devonte Anderson — West Orange’s top rated college football prospect — and Edison Delgado — the Warriors leading receiver last season — bring a dynamic element to this pass-
ing game, which is even more so expanded when rising sophomore QB A.J. Chung steps in under center and Dillard provides a third highlevel pass-catching option. Chung, who rotated in at quarterback last season with Dillard as the starter, not only showed as a freshman that he could sling it with the area’s best but also comes into the spring session with a much more developed physical frame. He appears to have grown 3 to 4 inches and added at least 15 pounds. This combination of talent, along with Thompson’s love for a balanced offensive attack and the return of lead back Jayden Ammons, this group appears to be the most interesting and explosive offense in 2025.
NO. 2: IRON MAN FOOTBALL
One of the most obvious observations I made watching this West Orange squad was the constant rotation of players going from one side of the ball to the other. This was evident last season but in 2025, it seems that Iron Man football will be even more the norm for the Warriors.
NO. 3: MATHEUS
KAMINSKI CORDEIRO TO MAKE NOISE IN 2025
After breaking onto the scene as a freshman with 22 tackles for loss and five sacks, Kaminski Cordeiro appears to have continued to develop physically without losing the quickness and bend off the edge that made him so much fun to watch last season.
At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds — with a frame that can sustain even more growth — I can see the rising sophomore making some serious noise this season.
WINDERMERE WOLVERINES
2024 record: 10-0
Spring jamboree: Thursday, May 22 vs. Edgewater High and Osceola High Coach: Riki Smith, fourth season Key returners, additions: DB C.J. Bronaugh, ATH Jaylen Davis, OL Deuce Forrester and RB Henry Rogers
There’s only one way to describe Windermere football’s 2024 season: Perfection. Not only was it the Wolverines first undefeated season, but also the first winning season in program history — something coach Riki Smith, the program’s winningest and longest-tenured coach has been building toward in his time at the school.
West Orange’s Devonte Anderson hauled in the difficult catch during a defensive backs drill.
Now, in 2025, the questions Smith and his staff will be working on answering is how do you avoid the pitfalls of complacency that come from winning and how do the Wolverines continue to build on the momentum from its historic season?
If you ask Smith, he’ll tell you, 2024 was 2024. Windermere’s focused on 2025.
NO. 1: WOLVERINES
FOOTBALL ROLLING INTO 2025
The most successful season in program history did more than just put smiles on the faces of fans in the bleachers of Windermere’s new stadium and shiny championship rings on the coaches and players fingers. It also has helped change the perception of the program within the school. Smith and company have seen a significant uptick in interest and participation from Windermere’s studentathletes this spring.
NO. 2: KEY RETURNERS
COULD BREAKOUT IN 2025
With a few key players graduating, specifically from its receiving core and starting quarterback Jack Reilly, Windermere’s approach on offense could see a significant shift this season. Because of this possible shift, along with obvious physical development during the offseason, rising junior athlete Jaylen Davis and rising senior running back Henry Rogers look like the clear choices to centralize the Wolverines offense around.
NO. 3: STRENGTH IS WINDERMERE’S STRENGTH
After seeing the early edition of Windermere’s 2025 team in action, speaking with Smith and knowing his general approach to developing his teams, I can say with
conviction he’ll adjust his scheme to take advantage of the strength of his players. This season, it’s clear that the Wolverines’ strength going int to 2025 is, well, their size and strength — especially in the trenches. With the return of a key players across both offensive and defensive lines, led by rising seniors Deuce Forrester and Will Trimble, the emergence of a few new quality players among the two groups and the development of Rogers and Davis at the skill positions, let’s just say Windermere’s going to a lot more power than finesse this season.
The First Academy still in it to win it
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
together a 25-4 season — as of press time Tuesday, April 29 — and winning its sixth consecutive district title. The Royals are one win away from reaching the Class 2A regional championship series. Through a culture that emphasizes leaders developing leaders, this season’s senior class has been vital to implementing new coach Alan Kunkel’s vision of consistency, accountability and buy-in for the program that’s helped the Royals live up to the lofty expectations and position themselves to compete for a state championship yet again.
“What I’ve seen from this group throughout the season is a consistency from the senior class and the leadership they have provided,” he said. “We’ve seen that leadership directly lead to the emergence of younger guys (such as) Cannon Koronka and Kinon Bastian, who have contributed greatly to the depth of our lineup. I have to credit the seniors for that, because they are the ones (who) keep them accountable, (who) hold up the expectations they have within the framework of the program — which aren’t wins and losses, but are how we do things, (such as) being on time to practice, how we practice and so on — I feel like the seniors have done a really good job of holding themselves to our standard and that is shown in the results.”
Beyond the record, this group of Royals has seen its dedication manifest in how they win.
“I feel like this team can beat you in a lot of ways,” Kunkel said. “We can hit balls over your head. We’ve been very successful on the bases. We have played some pretty good defense, and we’ve pitched well. That versatility has allowed us to do some different things against different teams and helped us win games because we don’t have to just depend on hitting balls over somebody’s head or bunting or hit-and-running or trying to get into a pitchers duels. We’ve been able to compete and win in all types of matchups. … More than anything, it’s due to the senior leadership of this group and the confidence that they bring each and every day. … The upperclassmen have bought into, philosophically, what we need to do to be successful and brought the rest of the team with them. They have understood that, even though they don’t love bunting, it’s important to not only practice bunting every day but do so with real effort, with the mindset of trying to be better at it than everybody else, so if we do have to bunt in a game, then we’ll be able to do so successfully. That kind of buy in and effort has allowed us to develop our skills enough that they’ll have confidence in doing it, if we need to.”
While Kunkel calls the result of this philosophical buy-in confidence, one of those senior leaders that’s been a standard-bearer for the program calls it something else. “Seeing the results of the hard work has helped our confidence, but really it’s helped our swag, if anything,” senior
pitcher Thomas Achey said. “As a team, we go out there for every game with swag.
We look good, we feel good, and we play good. We’ve just gotten to the point that we have our routine down. We know what we have to do every single game, practice, everything. And we come out here and we do it. Because of that we know what the outcome is going to be every time we step on the field and that’s a win.”
BEST-OF-THREE, BEST OF ME
Another benefit to this well-rounded and versatile development approach TFA has focused on is the advantage gained within the newly implemented best-of-three playoff format for the regional rounds of the baseball state championship tournament. This new format directly benefits teams that can win games in a variety of ways, such as the Royals, as opposed to the single-elimination format, which brings in an element of luck that can benefit a lesser-talented team with an outstanding pitcher.
“I think the three-game series is very good for us,” Royals senior third baseman Erick Martinez said. “We have six really good arms we can throw at any time and shut most teams out. We have more than enough bats. I just think the format gives the advantage to the more complete team.”
Beyond the advantage for deeper teams, the best-of-three format also introduces elements that create a highly entertaining environment for teams and fans alike.
“Honestly, the new format is so refreshing,” Achey said. “In my sophomore year, we went out in the first round, and I felt like as a team, if we had a three-game series, we would have won. I feel like in the old format teams can’t truly show their full potential, so I love the three-game series, because one bad game doesn’t end your season. You still have another chance to pick yourself up and keep fighting. As a pitcher too, I really enjoy it … because it allows me the chance — as the Game Two starter — to see everything that happens in Game One and really scout my opponents. I get to see every hitter, every baserunner, I get to see all of it and then come back with a game plan for Game Two, and have the confidence that we can shut them down.”
With a few more rounds left for the Royals to conquer before they can claim the program’s first state championship since 2021, this group of seniors knows what they have to do to accomplish that goal.
“Obviously, everyone wants to win a state title,” Martinez said. “I’ve always wanted to win it with the people I’m closest with, which is this group of seniors. Most of us have played together for more than five years, so sharing that with them, winning a state title with all of them, would mean the world to me. But before we can think about that, we have to win the games in front of us, and I think one of our biggest factors in helping us do that is our chemistry. Knowing each other for so long we know how to come together and we’re always pushing each other to keep fighting for one another and playing as one unit. If we do that, the wins will take care of themselves.”
Photos by Sam Albuquerque
Wolverines do-it-all athlete Jaylen Davis began his route during practice.
INFLUENCER
COACH ROSE DORSEY
SUNRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Coach Rose Dorsey is the physical education paraprofessional and assists the PE teacher with supervising and instructing students. Her responsibilities include creating a safe, engaging environment and supporting the development of students’ physical and social skills.
“Coach Rose … supports our PE department as a paraprofessional,” SunRidge Elementary Principal Adasha L. Elmore said. “She is dedicated to the health and well-being of all students. With a love for fitness and all students, she is our hero each and every day! In addition, she was the Support Person of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year.”
She recently was featured on Spectrum News 13 as an everyday hero for her volunteer services with American Heart Association’s Kid’s Heart Challenge and Healthy West Orange’s Westly’s Mile programs at SunRidge Elementary.
What brought you to your school?
Piper, because I love its message about perseverance and never giving up.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I like to do crafting, decorating, listening to music and baking.
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What brought me to SunRidge Elementary was the welcoming work environment.
What do you love most about your school?
What I love most about SunRidge Elementary is the school’s commitment to the students, community and staff — working together as one team.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is being a strong advocate for students. I find great joy in encouraging them to thrive and supporting them as they work toward achieving their goals.
What would you be if you weren’t in this profession?
If I weren’t in this profession, I would pursue a career as a children’s counselor. I’m passionate about offering guidance and support during the early stages of a child’s development.
Who influences you?
My biggest influencer early in my life was my mom. She instilled in me to always do my best at whatever I do (and I) will always eventually be rewarded.
Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?
My favorite teacher was Mr. Dugas, because he saw potential in me and reached out and motivated me to excel in school.
What is your favorite children’s book and why?
My favorite children’s book is “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty
REPORT CARD
POSITION: PE paraprofessional TIME AT SCHOOL: Eleven years
If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
The famous person I would dine with is Michelle Obama, because her story is inspirational.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation because I would be able to see my family more often.
If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why? I would listen to Luther Vandross, because I love his musicality; Kenny G is relaxing; and the Wynans for their spiritual motivation.
What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student?
My favorite lunch was spaghetti, and my favorite snack was popcorn.
What is your favorite holiday and why?
I love the Christmas holidays. I love the lights, movies, music and family gatherings.
Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?
My best friend in school was Betty Ledet because we had similar interests. (We) lost touch over the years. What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors? As a student, I was actively involved in several extracurricular activities, including being a member of the BETA Club and the Upward Bound Association. I also participated in an a capella chorus and was selected for the All-District Chorus. Athletically, I was a member of both the track and volleyball teams, and I was honored with the Best Spiker Trophy on the volleyball team.
— AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE
Moving up
Devin Fairchild was promoted to chief petty officer in U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Winter Garden’s Devin Fairchild recalled being in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, working with adult volunteer rescuers and other U.S. Naval Sea Cadets to save a hiker. They walked at least a half-mile while crossing a small creek into the woods near Falling Water Falls and waited for a rescue team to bring the hiker down from a steep incline hill.
Afterward, Fairchild and the other Sea Cadets helped carry the hiker, who had a punctured lung, broken ribs and scratches all over his body, to the ambulance.
“It was definitely kind of scary,” Fairchild said. “I’ve never really seen anyone in person that badly injured, and I was about 13 at the time. It was definitely an interesting experience, I’m very glad I got to help save his life.”
The rescue effort was one of Fairchild’s most memorable experiences during a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet training.
It’s training like this that helped Fairchild earn a promotion to chief petty officer in the Lone Sailor
“It’s
such an amazing opportunity, knowing that almost no other kid in my school is a Sea Cadet.”
— Devin Fairchild
Division of the Sea Cadets at 16 years old. Chief petty officer is the highest rank attainable.
Sea Cadets are not able to be promoted to chief petty officer until 16 years old, and most are not promoted until 17 or 18 years old.
“It’s a great accomplishment,”
Fairchild said of his promotion.
“Receiving the title just shows my compassion, my courage, my honor, commitment and service to the U.S. NSCC (Naval Sea Cadet Corps). I get to use my experience and skills from other trainings I’ve done and apply them to almost everyday things.”
As a chief petty officer, Fairchild is tasked with getting cadets where they need to be to accomplish missions, goals and tasks that are given to them as well as serve as a mentor and lead trainings. He said it gives him a sense of pride to be a reliable, trustworthy and loyal cadet his superiors can count on and provide guidance to younger cadets.
Fairchild joined the Wolverine Division, based in Monroe, Michigan, when he was 10 years old as a Navy League Cadet. When he and his family moved to the area in 2019, he joined the Lone Sailor Division.
With the various trainings and opportunities the Sea Cadets offered him, Fairchild said he has continued with the organization because it felt special to him to be a part of something bigger than himself.
“It’s such an amazing opportunity, knowing that almost no other kid in my school is a Sea Cadet,” Fairchild said.
His time as a Sea Cadet has given him a plethora of unique experiences. In April, he went to Virginia for Fleet Week. He was responsible for manning the rails, which he said were sailors wearing their dress uniforms and standing at attention along the rails of the ship every time a ship came into port. He said it’s a surreal experience being on a U.S. naval ship and being able to man the rails of an active naval ship rather than simply visiting a naval museum. Fairchild also will be going to space camp. Working toward the promotion wasn’t without its challenges. He said staffing recruit training, which is the first training any cadet of 13 years and older just joining Sea Cadets undergoes before they can advance, was difficult for him because he had to
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corp is for children ages 10 and up. The cadets start as Navy League Cadets until they turn 13 and can be promoted to Sea Cadets. At 16 years old, cadets can be promoted to chief petty officer. Anyone interested in learning more about the Lone Sailor Division can visit lonesailordivision.org.
step up as a leader to demonstrate the ways of Sea Cadets.
“I had to show them what the program means and how they can achieve greatness in it,” he said. Despite its challenges, Fairchild
said staffing recruit training also was rewarding because it allowed him to mentor younger cadets.
Being a Sea Cadet also has given him opportunities to volunteer and give back to the community. He loved volunteering at Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine. He helped the organizers set up for the event at Family Church-Windermere campus and assisted with whatever was needed. He also enjoyed the Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bunk Bed Build in Windermere.
“It’s special to me being able to help out with almost anything and being able to get these skills at such a young age that allow me to be confident in what I do and use my experience from trainings to apply them to the real world,” Fairchild said.
Courtesy photo
Devin Fairchild, 16, was promoted to chief petty officer in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.
BRAINFOOD
The Observer answers kids’ burning curiosities.
May can be a super stressful time — especially for kids. It’s the end of the school year, and that might mean big tests, lots of projects and the anticipation of summer. Of course, it’s super cool to move up a grade level, but this time of change also can cause anxiety and worry. So this month, Brain Food is taking a look at yoga. Yep — all those exercises with weird poses and stretches is as helpful for kids as they are for adults. And the best part: You don’t need anything other than your body and some tips to get started! Read on!
YOGA FOR KIDS
Yoga does so much more than just help strengthen your physical body. It has been proven to improve your mental health and self-esteem, too!
And no, you don’t have to twist your body into a pretzel to get those benefits! Yoga is all about bringing balance both to your mind AND body. So, in addition to the poses, yoga teaches you how to use breathing and meditation to help you relax and let go of all that stress.
And according to the Cleveland Clinic, that can help you with your emotions, behavior, concentration and even connecting with your friends and family members. So, how do you start? Here are five good poses to try!
CHILD’S POSE
This is the perfect starting point for any new yogi — and perfect for relaxation.
To perform this pose, with your knees together, kneel on the ground and rest your bottom on your heels. Move your upper body down so your tummy is resting on your thighs. Then, reach your arms straight out in front of you, with your elbows coming next to your ears. Your hands and forehead all should be on the floor. Hold this pose for several seconds, and breathe slowly in and out.
BALLOON BREATH
This one is all about your breathing. Concentrating on your breathing helps to control your emotions and also refocus your brain.
To do this, sit criss-cross applesauce. Then, put your hands on your belly with your fingers forming a circle. As you breathe in, imagine your belly is a balloon that you’re filling up with air. It should be getting bigger! Then, when you exhale, feel your belly getting smaller. Repeat this several times as you focus on relaxing both your body and mind.
AIRPLANE POSE
This one takes some balance, but it is super fun (and you’ve probably already done it)! This pose helps your balance while also strengthening your legs and core. To get into airplane pose, stand tall with your feet together. Next, spread your arms out to either side — like airplane wings. Find your balance, then lean forward and lift one leg straight out behind you. Hold this pose for several seconds while you breathe deeply. Then, repeat with your other leg.
STAR POSE
If you’re feeling a little shy, the Star Pose might help! This one is pretty simple, but putting your body in this pose can help boost your confidence — and make you feel big and strong!
To enter Star Pose, stand tall with your legs slightly wider apart than your hips. Then, stretch both arms out at shoulderheight — making your body into a star shape. Hold this for several seconds while you breathe.
CAMEL POSE
This one is pretty challenging, but it is super helpful for kids. It can help with your posture, as well as strengthening your back muscles!
For this pose, get down on your knees with the tops of your feet resting on the floor and your back straight. Next, place your hands on your back, with your fingers pointing to the ground. Then, slowly lean back until your hands touch your feet. If it’s too hard to go that far, just stretch as far as you can without hurting. Hold this pose for a few seconds while you breathe slowly. To get out of this pose, move your hands to your belly and then slowly return your body upright.
EVENTS
MINDFUL START
FAMILY YOGA 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. Mondays at the Winter Garden Branch; 11 a.m. Tuesdays at the Southwest Branch; and 10 a.m. Wednesdays at the West Oaks Branch. This event features silly and fun yoga poses designed for kids! Flow through an imaginative journey filled with puppets, parachute games and relaxing rest time. Recommended for families.
QIGONG MOVEMENT AND BREATHING
2 p.m Friday, May 16, at the Windermere Branch; and 2 p.m. Friday, May 23, at the Southwest Branch. Embark on a transformative journey with Jasmine Win, a modern qigong instructor, and discover the ancient practice of qigong. Learn at your own pace and ability in this joyful and relaxing class.
RECOMMENDED READING
n “Every Bunny is a Yoga Bunny: A Story About Yoga, Calm and Mindfulness” by Emily Ann Davison; illustrated by Deborah Allwright
n “Mindfulness and Nature” by Dr. Rhianna Watts and Katie Woolley
n “The Worry Monster: Calming Anxiety with Mindfulness” by Dr. Catherine Cook-Cottone; illustrated by Lena Podesta
AROUND THE BEND I Michael Eng // Editor and Publisher
Carnival craze consumes Sand Lake Elementary
Maddie Stoner, a fourthgrader at Sand Lake Elementary, and her parents, Ashley and Matt Stoner, made their way to the petting zoo. They were excited to see goats, rabbits, a pig and more.
The petting zoo was one of several activities at the Spring Carnival Friday, April 11.
“We love this event,” Ashley Stoner said. “We come every year.”
The carnival featured games, a dunk tank, a train, bounce houses, inflatable slides and a petting zoo.
PTA President Beth Hibbs said the PTA is thankful for the families who attended.
“From the laughter on the train rides to the cheers at the dunk tank, the joy in the petting zoo and the fun at all the games and food trucks, it was a day full of smiles and community spirit,” she said.
LIZ RAMOS
next followed by zooming through hula-hoops.
Brown, 4, completed the obstacle course with a big smile on his face.
The obstacle course was one of the various activities to get children moving and having fun during Roper YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day celebration Saturday, April 26.
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RAMOS Orlando Health’s Kelvin Thompson made sure 5-year-old Daniel Georges’ new, free bike helmet fit just right.
Larissa Branco and Ricardo Ogliari said Roper YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day was amazing.
Kamryn Robinson was a natural with a hula-hoop.
Matt Stoner, fourth-grader Maddie Stoner and Ashley Stoner attend the Spring Carnival every year.
The petting zoo featured various animals, including this adorable little pig.
Daniel Demetrio, a physical education teacher, was all smiles even after sinking to the bottom of the dunk tank once again. Amin Alli made his way down the slide and immediately went back up for another turn.
THE WAYS WE WERE FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
90 years ago
A large and appreciative audience attended the presentation of the senior class play, “Joan of Arkansas,” at the Lakeview High School auditorium. The play was presented under the capable direction of Albert C. Valdes. The class cleared more than $136 from the play, and students purchased a modern mimeograph machine for the school.
80 years ago
The Lakeview High student body planned a carnival in downtown Winter Garden. Lakeview students who vied for the honor of Miss Winter Garden were Jean Reddick, Betty Russ, Maxine Powell, Jean Tyndall, Lorna Johnston, Patty Pease, Jan Ann Turner and Mildred Watson. Proceeds were used to buy drinking fountains for the halls at Lakeview.
Mrs. Earnest Youngblood received an interesting letter from Mrs. Ida D. Chester, of San Diego. It read: “I have received a letter from my son, Harold D. Chester, and wife, Pearl. They have been rescued from a Japanese intern camp by the American troops, and among those who have been kind to them is your son, Ty Youngblood. Harold tells me your son is well and eager for the war to end.”
55 years ago
A fire destroyed the recently redecorated Winter Garden Lumber Company. More than 60 firefighters from Winter Garden, Pine Hills and Ocoee fought the raging inferno. Also heavily damaged was the Florida Metalcraft Co. located just south of the lumberyard.
This flourishing citrus grove was photographed in 1915. The note on the back indicates it was a seedling
orange grove planted in the early 1900s after the 1894-95 freeze. That weather catastrophe — known forever as The Great Freeze — caused many growers to abandon their property and leave the state. Those who stayed planted vegetables in the interim while waiting for these new groves to mature. Citrus thrived for almost 75 years until three killer freezes in the 1980s brought the industry to its knees, never to recover. The current exhibition at the Winter Garden Heritage Museum, “Tempests to Tornadoes,” addresses weather events such as these, on display through mid-July.
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.
50 years ago
The 994 residents of Windermere were invited to help the town celebrate its 50th anniversary, with ceremonies commemorating the milestone. A Town Hall program included an invocation by the Rev. Gordon Smith, minister of the First Baptist Church; an introduction of special guests by master of ceremonies Robert Elrod; and the raising of the American flag by Col. Charles Johnson and six “Heroes
of 76” in Colonial dress. West Point appointee John Fain led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Rolfe Arnyhm, chairman of the Orange County Bicentennial Committee, presented a flag to Windermere Mayor Dean Kinzey. The mayor delivered his “declaration of celebration” and dedicated a new flagpole for the town. Sen. Walter Sims was guest speaker, and the Rev. Roger Seidner, of Windermere Union Church, delivered the benediction.
40 years ago
If a recent event was any indication of the future, every 100 years, there will be a big bash in Gotha.
A parade led by the Orlando Naval Training Center marching band, formed at Camp Ithiel and went down Hempel Avenue to the new park and pavilion on Gotha Road, where festivities were held all day.
