06.04.26 Southwest Orange Observer by Orange Observer

SOUTHWEST ORANGE

Summertime slugfest!

The Winter Garden Squeeze begins its 13th season of summer play. IN THIS ISSUE.

Royal treatment

Southern Hill Farms welcomed princesses from far and wide to its inaugural Royal Tea Party Saturday, May 30, at The Hide. STORY ON PAGE 4A.

END OF AN ERA

Windermere Preparatory School celebrated the Class of 2026. PAGE 13A.

The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved the rezone proposal for a 613-home Johns Lake development despite concerns about traffic. SEE PAGE 6A.

King David Hill, owner of Southern Hill Farms, provided carriage rides throughout his land.

Photos by Liz Ramos Stella Pearl, Olivia Jakubowski and Tori Pearl have hosted tea parties at home for years. They were surrounded by other royalty at the Royal Tea Party.

5FAST

Frutamix to reopen in Ocoee

A local Ocoee eatery is returning to the food scene. Frutamix, a taqueria and paleteria previously located at 253 OcoeeApopka Road, Ocoee, closed its doors May 25, 2025, to relocate. After one year of designing and construction, the authentic Mexican eatery will open its doors in the summertime at 2468 Maguire Road, Ocoee.

Frutamix will offer a variety of menu items, including tacos, tortas,

Ocoee PD presents check to Special Olympics Florida

The Ocoee Police Department presented a check to Special Olympics Florida.

The $1,262 donation check was from the proceeds raised during the department’s Tip-A-Cop event.

The annual Tip-A-Cop event is when officers trade in their uniforms for serving trays at Texas Roadhouse to raise funds for Special Olympics Florida.

This year’s event was held in March.

“We are honored to partner with and support an organization that empowers athletes and changes lives every day,” department officials wrote on social media.

3

Disney cast member returns after boulder incident

After nearly five months of recovering after stopping a 400-

Herrick, a 36-year veteran of the Indiana Jones show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, was left with a gash in his head and fractures in his C6 and C7 vertebrae after the incident that went viral.

After a successful recovery, Herrick returned to the stage Tuesday, May 26.

Herrick’s start with the Indiana Jones show was as the German mechanic, 6-foot-4-inch man who beats up Indiana Jones around the airplane in the third scene of the

Los Angeles but realizing the City of Angels wasn’t for him. He also enjoyed a 15-month stint in Osaka, Japan, working for Universal Studios Japan.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, or as he fondly calls it Epic, became his home away from home.

“I’m so blessed with really good people, that’s what brings me back,” he said in an interview with The Observer in January. “Disney’s given me an unbelievable opportunity to live my passion and

23-year-old dies in crash near Dr. Phillips A fatal crash occurred in Orange County Monday, May 25.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2024 Honda Civic was traveling westbound on State Road 528, west of Universal Boulevard. Alongside the 23-year-old driver, there was a 20-year-old passenger.

For an unknown reason, the car ran off the roadway, striking a light pole and multiple trees, which led the car to overturn.

The driver was transported to Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and was pronounced dead.

The passenger was transported to Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center with non-lifethreatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

Indoor golf simulator to open in Winter Garden

An indoor golf simulator will open in June in Winter Garden.

The Back Nine will offer stateof-the-art Full Swing simulators and a sleek modern lounge, at 12249 Stoneybrook West Parkway, Suite A, Winter Garden.

The indoor golf simulator will stay open 24 hours, seven days per week.

Courtesy photos

Horizon West’s Robert Herrick was injured when he stopped a 400-plus pound boulder prop from reaching the audience during the Indiana Jones show.

457671-1

Frutamix, an authentic Mexican food eatery, is reopening at a new location, 2468 Maguire Road, Ocoee.

ALMA MATTERS

Dynamic trio

Windermere Preparatory School alumni Parker Davis, Sully Zagerman and Noah Pollock have carried their high school relationships on for 10plus years and in 2023 created Dotted Line Sports.

MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

Attending Windermere Preparatory School allowed Class of 2016 members Parker Davis and Sully Zagerman the freedom to explore their athletic passions outside of academics.

But being a Laker gave them more than just freedom to explore their interests. The small community allowed them to connect with teachers, faculty and their classmates on a deeper level than they would have at a larger school.

Davis and Zagerman met in sixth grade. Their friendship grew through their shared love of sports, and they met Noah Pollock, a Class of 2015 WPS alumnus, three years later.

Pollock and Zagerman went on to attend Florida Atlantic University together, then went to law school together at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. During those years, Davis went on to study sports industry management at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Although the three weren’t in the same state, they remained in touch. And if it weren’t for their early years together as Lakers, the three alumni never would have co-founded Dotted Line Sports, an agency specializing in representing athletes at the high school and college levels and the NFL by providing them support throughout all pathways of their careers.

The idea was launched as the trio’s individual career paths began to converge.

ATHLETES SHAPING ATHLETES

Pollock and Zagerman were discussing launching their own law firm, while Davis was studying for the NFL Players Association certification exam.

When Davis passed his certification exam, which was 60 questions in three hours and encompassed all of the rules and regulations, he understood exactly how contracts work, what happens if a player gets injured and all the regulations that make up the NFL.

The three reconnected and decided to begin Dotted Line Sports in 2023 with a focus of representing NFL players. But together, they saw an opening in the growing world of Name, Image and Likeness opportunities and athlete representation greater than simply the NFL and decided to expand their idea.

“About 98% of NFL players have agents,” Davis said. “Now that there’s money involved in high school and college sports, we view it as these student athletes need representation as well, and we come into it from the perspective of trying to bring that professional representation that NFL players get to the college side.”

“My dad ingrained this in me that it’s about who you know. That’s just how you get by in life. It’s about who you know, and so I knew at some point, I’d be using these connections to further a business world and to further my own life and everyone else’s life around me.”

— Sully Zagerman

The founders believe their backgrounds as former college athletes helps give them an advantage in understanding what challenges the athletes face on a daily basis. Davis played as a point guard for Rollins College, while Zagerman was a team captain for FAU’s golf team.

“College athletics is a completely different world,” Zagerman said. “It’s a business within the school, and the athletes (who) go through that … like to be able to talk to somebody (who) has been able to balance and understand what they’re about to go through and anticipate that and help them.”

Windermere Prep also helped the partners adjust to college life. Unlike Zagerman’s college teammates, he didn’t experience culture shock when he stepped onto FAU’s team as a freshman. Windermere Prep allowed both Zagerman and Davis to leave early to practice, balance their travel schedules for athletics and even helped set up college visits. Zagerman described it as a “fullpackage service.” The experiences encompass

exactly what they are trying to give to current high school and college athletes.

Davis said their main function as agents is to negotiate the athletes’ contracts — whether that be through revenue-share deals or marketing endorsements. But beyond that, it is to make sure their clients and their families have a full picture of the business implications of the sport.

“A goal would be that we can have these clients and families come back to us and say that we took the stress away,” Zagerman said. “We truthfully helped their kid grow from the summer camps or varsity football all the way up to the league and that they never had a worry; they never had a doubt. We were able to help them through every process and every instance, and it’s just nothing but smiles as they’re watching their kid on Sundays.”

Through the past three years, Davis remembered being nervous to first call athletes and begin to build the relationship with them. But now, he’ll even make a call after having a tough day at practice. He has become not only an agent but also a therapist. He’s found it rewarding to build the emotional relationship with rising athletes.

Davis works on the recruiting side of Dotted Line Sports and the dayto-day operations. He focuses on maintaining client relations, such as last year negotiating revenue-share contracts and helping athletes go through the transfer portal process.

Zagerman mostly helps with the finances and the operational side of Dotted Line Sports, while Pollock is big on the high school side of recruiting. They both also are lawyers, which helps to build the reputability of the agency.

“One of the most valuable things that you can have at an agency is the in-house lawyer representation, so we know we’re confident that if anything arises legally, we’re going to be covered in that sense,” Davis said. “Combining my passion for recruiting and the NIL side and NFL side of things with them doing recruiting as well and having their legal expertise, it works out perfectly for us.”

The athletes’ parents have been especially excited about the two inhouse lawyers to help their children.

Appealing to both the athletes and parents can be one of the trickiest parts of the job. Zagerman said the parents’ ears are different than the kids’ ears. The successful 16-yearold athletes want all of the flashy

items and money value, but the parents’ top concern is their safety.

By putting their heads together, they’ve been able to find success in their growing agency since they’re unified in their goal to be a professional representative to studentathletes.

“We’ve gained friends through this more than clients,” Zagerman said. “That’s the biggest thing. We’ve gained some lifelong friends and we’ve been able to see them succeed and continue to see them succeed.”

ALWAYS A LAKER

Throughout all of the business’ growth, the founders said their strongest asset remains the friendships that started years ago at Windermere Prep.

Davis admitted he initially was nervous working with them. The first internal calls and meetings felt unnatural to talk about with his close friends, but over time, they became accustomed to it.

Zagerman had a different take. If someone told him in sixth grade that he’d be working with his friends from then, he wouldn’t have blinked an eye.

“My dad ingrained this in me that it’s about who you know,” Zagerman said. “That’s just how you get by in life. It’s about who you know, and so I knew at some point, I’d be using these connections to further a business world and to further my own life and everyone else’s life around me.”

But the three Windermere Prep alumni are grateful for the school for more than just allowing them to connect with one another. They still are in connection with faculty and other classmates, as well.

Davis said coaches will reach out to them if they know an athlete looking to prepare for college or faculty members if they know someone. He said the connections through Windermere Prep always will be valuable.

“That’s why you go to a school like Windermere Prep,” he said.

Courtesy photos

Above: Parker Davis attended Sully Zagerman’s signing day at WPS.

Top right: Parker Davis was a standout player on the boy’s basketball team.

Right: Noah Pollock and Sully Zagerman grew closer during their time in college together.

Noah Pollock

Parker Davis

Sully Zagerman

‘Prettier than magnolias in May’

Once upon a time in the enchanted land of Southern Hill Farms, King David Hill and Queen Lisa Hill cordially invited princesses from far and wide across the kingdom to their castle for a Royal Tea Party Saturday, May 30.

Dressed in their most beautiful ball gowns and shiniest tiaras, dozens of princesses arrived at Southern Hill Farms ready for a tea party they wouldn’t soon forget.

Some princesses’ ball gowns were those of their favorite Disney princesses — Cinderella to Ariel to Tiana and Belle.

Just outside The Hide, King David drove the princesses around in a gorgeous white and gold carriage. He took them around his land, seeing all of Southern Hill Farms’ subjects picking blueberries and participating in other activities across the land.

The princesses walked into the rustic yet elegant ballroom and saw the light from the three dazzling chandeliers glisten and dance around the room.

Every table was topped with the finest china ready for mid-morning tea and a three-course meal.

Some princesses were presented with a lush bouquet of zinnias, fresh from the fields at Southern Hill Farms.

Princesses were giddy and eager to meet three fairytale legends, all of whom traveled from far away kingdoms to be at the tea party.

One swam all the way from the underwater kingdom of Atlantica.

Princess Ariel traded in her mermaid fins for “what do you call’em, oh, feet” to be where the people are, part of their world. Don’t worry, she didn’t use any dinglehoppers (forks) to comb her hair.

Fairy Godmother bibbidi-bobbidi-booed her way to the tea party with her magic wand.

Princess Tiana was able to break away from her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace, in New Orleans, long enough to enjoy the party.

The princesses were able to take photos with Tiana, Ariel and Fairy Godmother, capturing a moment of magic.

As soon as Arya Trujillo, who is 2 years old and dressed as her favorite mermaid, saw the real-life Ariel, a big smile came across her face. She allowed Ariel to envelop her in a hug before they chatted about her silver sparkly heels. When Arya’s golden tiara accented with seashells began to fall on her head, Ariel was quick to adjust it.

When Fairy Godmother saw the numerous princesses dressed as Cinderella, she was impressed.

“That is some of my best work,” she said of the blue gown. “I’m very proud of this one.” Princesses of all ages attended the tea party. Vikiana Torres chose to celebrate her 40th birthday Saturday, May

30, at the charming party, spending time with her friends Jimena Quartieri and Luisana Alana.

“We are the kids today,” Quartieri said.

Vicki Jakubowski has a birthday tradition she started three years ago in which she is allowed to dress her granddaughters however she pleases. They then go to restaurants for a celebratory birthday dinner in the dresses and sometimes princess ball gowns or they’ll go to the park or to enjoy ice cream. They’ve had several tea parties on their own.

Jakubowski never knew her birthdays were training to become a fairy godmother, and the tea parties were preparing the girls to be surrounded by other royalty. This year, she picked a pink floral dress for 5-yearold Stella Pearl, a blue floral dress for 5-year-old Olivia Jakubowski and a

purple dress for 7-year-old Tori Pearl. Stella Pearl’s and Tori Pearl’s outfits were accented with lace gloves to match their outfits.

Each of the little princesses had the perfect accessories to step up their royal outfits: pearl necklaces and bracelets as well as a tiara that matched each of their dresses that they then would wear on their respective birthdays.

While the princesses enjoyed the second course of their meal, the magic continued. Fairy Godmother enchanted them while singing “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” and then encouraged everyone in the room to think about their wishes as she sang “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.”

Ariel joined in on the fun, gliding around the room with the princesses

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watching in awe as she sang “Part of Your World.”

As Princess Tiana sang “Almost There,” Jude Thomas danced along, twirling around in her beautiful yellow ball gown.

Other princesses sang along and clapped to the rhythm, watching Princess Tiana gracefully float around the room.

“Y’all look prettier than magnolias in May,” Tiana said to the princesses after she finished singing.

The princesses were left with a powerful message from Fairy Godmother.

“The most powerful magic of all is love and kindness,” Fairy Godmother said.

And when the clock struck noon, the princesses’ tea party came to an end. And they lived happily ever after.

LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

Princesses of all ages enjoyed the Royal Tea Party, including Vikiana Torres, who was celebrating her 40th birthday.

Photos by Liz Ramos

Lynne Compton, Sophie Johnson, Tish Johnson and Ellie Johnson, front, enjoyed the carriage ride.

Stella Pantozzi hugged her favorite princess, Ariel, who later grabbed her hand, and together, they led a parade of princesses.

Ember Goldman attended the Royal Tea Party with her grandmother Lisa Voorhees. “It’s lovely,” Vorhees said of the party.

Roundabout should ease congestion on Seidel Road

Orange County hopes traffic will run smoother at the intersection of Seidel Road and Summerlake Park Boulevard with the installation of a roundabout.

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners awarded a $1.47 million contract to American Persian Engineering and Construction LLC for roundabout improvements, which also includes plans for multi-lane and singlelane approaches, new sidewalks, drainage infrastructure, lighting and updated signage and pavement markings.

Yougens Pierre with Orange County Public Works’ Traffic Engineering Division, said a traffic calming and safety study was completed for Seidel Road, and a roundabout was recommended at the intersection to provide “an efficient transportation network and maintain a livable and safe environment for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.”

Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson said a roundabout is a better solution to the traffic than a stoplight at the intersection.

“Everyone wants a light because they think it’s an instant fix,” she said. “But the problem is they stack, and then people get stacked (at the light) and then they zoom to the next one and then they stack. A roundabout is designed to actually just slow the entire pace down. … It makes the most sense for the residential uses that are there.”

Wilson said a roundabout also will not

cause any disruptions if the power goes out, such as during a hurricane, like a stoplight would. A roundabout also makes it so people can’t race in their cars down the roads.

Pierre said the roundabout will help reduce vehicular delays and improve safety at the intersection.

“Currently, northbound left turning movement fails with Level of Service F in the PM peak hour,” he said. “Taking all factors in consideration, a roundabout provides the best intersection control to maintain traffic flow, slow speeding and minimize crashes.”

Construction is anticipated to begin by the end of the year and is expected to last at least nine months, pending any unforeseen delays.

Throughout construction, drivers can expect some lane shifts, but there will be no detours, and traffic will be maintained as work progresses on the roundabout until its completion, Pierre said.

Adjacent to the intersection at Seidel Road and Summerlake Park Boulevard is the three-way intersection of Ficquette Road, Summerlake Park Boulevard and Reams Road, which has a stoplight and usually backed up traffic.

To ease flow of traffic, the county is transitioning the intersection from a stoplight to a roundabout.

“The two roundabouts will enable traffic to move through both intersections at a safe speed with minimum delays,” Pierre said. “It’s a significant improvement for traffic management in the area.”

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

2nd Campus: First Baptist Church @ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org

Starke Lake Baptist Church

Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org

Victory Baptist Church & Christian Academy 1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 (407) 656-3097 www.VBCOCOEE.com

Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM Wednesday: 7 PM

Boyd project earns City Commission’s approval

LIZ

RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

“Traffic, traffic, traffic.”

Winter Garden City Commissioner Colin Sharman emphasized the need for the city to address what he considered the No. 1 issue in the community: traffic.

It was the main concern numerous residents shared in regards to the 613home development on Johns Lake the Winter Garden City Commission approved Thursday, May 28.

The commission approved former county commissioner S. Scott Boyd’s McKinnon Corp.’s plans to rezone properties on Marsh Road and Williams Road to build the Johns Lake Urban Village Planned Unit Development.

The rezone is for 17729 Marsh Road as well as 1400, 1401 and 1756 Williams Road. The property currently is not zoned and has an Urban Village designation.

The Johns Lake Urban Village Planned Unit Development is a community planned on about 337.25 acres in Winter Garden near the LakeOrange county line.

The proposal consists of 613 singlefamily homes and townhomes and two special districts.

Special District 1 will consist of parks, a bed and breakfast that includes 40 rooms, event space, agricultural uses and accessory retail/ service uses in support of the property’s primary use.

Special District 2 will be reserved for a future Winter Garden city park.

Of the more than 337 acres, 85.26 acres will be open space, 16.86 will be active recreation and 3.65 acres will be dedicated for the future city park. In terms of phasing, the development will be phased with no more than 50 units per phase, and there will be multiple builders, including custom builders. Although there might be one or two national builders, the focus is on custom builders to create varied elevations to avoid a “cookiecutter community,” city Planning Director Kelly Carson said. With 613 homes proposed, Carson said that is 1.82 dwelling units per

IN OTHER NEWS

n The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved the second reading of three ordinances pertaining to about .44 acres located on West Colonial Drive. The applicant would like to annex the property into the city of Winter Garden, have the property assigned a commercial future land use designation and rezone the property from Wholesale Commercial to Arterial Commercial after annexation. The rezoning of the property will allow for the construction of digital billboards on the property in exchange for the removal of billboards at 1101 E. Plant St. and 14899 Colonial Drive.

n Commissioners unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance focusing on updating the list of special exceptions and prohibited uses within the light industrial and warehousing and general industrial districts.

n The Juneteenth Community Celebration was unanimously approved for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at City Park.

n Mayor John Rees proclaimed June as Faith and Family Month.

acre — less than half the allowable density.

The residential units will be mixed and varied, with several small townhome and cottage lots up to lakefront estate homes that would be a minimum of 90 feet wide.

Special District 1 will include a 40-room bed-and-breakfast, as well as at least six cottages nestled among the trees. It would include a restaurant that would be available by reservation only, as well as some event space and buildings.

The current proposal will create 5,411 daily trips, with 408 total trips in the peak hour in the morning and 538 trips in the peak hour at night.

Numerous residents expressed

concerns about the roads in the surrounding area already failing to provide enough capacity for traffic, but Carson said the developer only is responsible for addressing the impact on traffic caused by the development, not the existing traffic.

Carson said the developer is required to do several off-site improvements, including a roundabout at the intersection of Marsh and Williams roads. The developer also is required to develop Williams Road to city standards and connect the segment of Williams Road that goes to the Waterside community.

The developer also will be required to pay for 31.2% of the cost to construct a new northbound turn lane at the intersection of Marsh Road and Stoneybrook West Parkway.

Another requirement will be developing Amber Sweet Lane to the city standard. In addition, the developer will have to pay 21% of the cost and dedicate a 12-and-one-half feet of right-of-way to develop Amber Sweet Lane to the Lake County line.

Carson said the city will not widen Marsh Road because of site limitations and when a road is widened, it creates more traffic on the roads.

“The only way we could get enough right-of-way is basically to extend into some of the subdivision walls and create roads literally in people’s backyards,” she said. “In addition, we don’t want to create induced demand. Once you build a wide road with a lot of lanes, it attracts a lot of people to that road because they see it as an easy way to get from point A to point B, and then over time, that road fills up.”

Regional projects currently under construction and planned in the future will assist with traffic flow in the area, such as the 2027 completion of the New Independence Parkway, which will connect Wellness Way to Avalon Road and ultimately State Road 429.

City Attorney Kurt Ardaman said the city is in discussions with Central Florida Expressway Authority to look into potential opportunities to alleviate traffic coming from Lake County, such as installing a toll.

“I’m concerned for the traffic, but it’s an existing issue too, and we’re bound by not putting that on new development,” Commissioner Lisa Bennett said. “I love the tree study. It’s very important to me that we protect the trees and the waterways. I like that the developer has a vested interest and lives in the community. I feel too, if we ended up with another more dense (proposal), we wouldn’t get a 13-acre park donated. That would all be developed and there would be more traffic impact. Personal property owners do have rights as well. It’s a hard balance.”

A condition Sharman requested was that the developer will not receive any certificates of occupation for any of the units until New Independence Parkway is open and operational or Jan. 1, 2028, whichever comes first.

Only 50 units can be developed per phase of the project.

Another condition of approval is the developer will install a sound wall consisting of 10 feet of dense landscaping at the corner of Waterside on Johns Lake Tract B to address noise concerns.

Carson also addressed concerns regarding the writing of the ordinance. She assured city staff wrote the draft ordinance in April and sent the developer the draft, and the developer suggested several changes, “mostly to clarify and memorialize the transportation responsibilities.” She said staff accepted some of the developer’s suggestions and removed others.

VARIED OPINIONS

During public comments, people expressed their concerns with the project and urged the commission to deny it while others were pleased to see the community proposal.

Many disapproving of the development had hoped the commission would delay approval of the project and focus on the existing traffic concerns on Marsh Road and Avalon Road.

“We don’t want to limit development, but we want to understand, can the infrastructure support these residents, and when is it going to be

built because we’re already at a failing level currently,” Winter Garden resident Sarah Matin said.

Resident John Colombier said according to the traffic studies conducted for the development, even if the development was not constructed, the roads still will be over capacity by 2035, therefore it doesn’t make sense to approve the development. Even with the regional traffic improvements planned, residents said those improvements address traffic from east to west, but there aren’t any plans to address traffic north to south, resulting in more traffic on Williams Road leading into areas that are more rural.

Orlando resident Kelly Miller said she doesn’t see how “it’s fair to pin the improvements in the traffic concerns to one particular development.”

“He’s done a great job with this development,” she said of Boyd. “We should take these concerns under consideration and make it a priority across the different municipalities.”

Dave Stewart, who lives in Clermont on Johns Lake, said although the traffic concerns are important, he is in full support of the project.

“I don’t want to see someone else, another family, not be able to enjoy what I enjoy just because I already have it,” he said.

Winter Garden’s Rick Steubing, president of the Johns Lake Association, said part of the association’s mission is to protect the water quality and the communities on the lake. The association’s board reviewed the plan and believes it is good for the lake and the communities. He said Boyd could sell the property, which could result in a national developer constructing homes at a maximum density, especially around the lake, which could cause more runoff to the lake and more boat traffic.

A couple residents questioned whether Bennett, a real estate broker, should recuse herself from the vote because they had concerns she would financially benefit from the development being approved.

Bennett repeatedly stated she had no financial interest in the development.

THE UNSOLVED

Who killed Mary Zosel?

It’s been 10 years since Zosel was murdered in her home on Franklin Street in Ocoee. Retired detective Michelle Grogan and the Ocoee Police Department haven’t given up on finding her killers.

Editor’s note:

HELP WANTED

Anyone with information about Mary Zosel’s murder should call (407) 905-3161.

LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

Ocoee’s Mary Zosel was the neighborhood mom.

She was a stay-at-home mom with two children, John and Cindy, who attended Ocoee Elementary School, Ocoee Middle School and West Orange High School, and always were inviting friends over to the house on Franklin Street.

“She was the mom who was there when the kids got off the school bus or got home,” Ocoee retired detective Michelle Grogan said. “She was the making-cookies mom. … She was always the mom who had food. She always loved Mountain Dew, so the kids could come over and drink Mountain Dew. She would sit at her computer at night or during the day and just anybody could walk in and out.”

She always left the doors open for friends and family. And that’s how Ocoee police detectives believe more than one individual entered Zosel’s home the night of April 30, 2016, and murdered Zosel in commission of an armed robbery.

Since that night, the Ocoee Police Department has not been able to close the case, arrest the murderers and give justice to the Zosel family. But the department, especially Grogan, who investigates cold cases for the department in her retirement, has not given up.

A “TARGETED HOME INVASION”

On April 30, 2016, Ocoee Police Department responded to Zosel’s home after her daughter, Cindy, called 911 stating there was something wrong with her mom.

Upon arrival, officers found Mary Zosel on the floor of the master bedroom and began life-saving measures. She then was transported to Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Officers at the time said it appeared Zosel, who was going legally blind, had sustained an injury to her head, and there was a lot of blood at the scene, but they weren’t certain of the injury until an autopsy confirmed blunt trauma to the head. It had been revealed she was beaten with an object numerous times.

“She was savagely beaten,” Grogan said. “This was not, ‘We just knocked her on the head’. This was savage. Nobody deserved to die that way in their own bedroom, in their pajamas and have your daughter find you.”

Her time of death was determined to be between 10 p.m. and midnight April 30, 2016.

After detectives spoke with Zosel’s husband, they discovered there were items missing from the home, including guns and ammo from a stand-up safe located just inside the back door and visible from outside the back French doors. A Centurion model CE12 safe — measuring about 5 feet tall, 21 inches wide and 19 inches deep — also was missing from the master bedroom closet, and it was not visible from outside the home. The safe contained $16,000, Social Security cards, jewelry, deeds and numerous firearms, some of which were antiques.

“It was a targeted home invasion,” Grogan said.

Because of the safe’s size, police believe more than one individual was involved in the crime.

In a tight-knit community where people felt it was safe to leave their

doors unlocked, Grogan said Zosel’s murder shook the community. Grogan, a police officer at the time, said she couldn’t go anywhere in the community without someone talking to her about the case.

“We really tried to make our presence known, driving through neighborhoods, parking in neighborhoods, always being active, always being approachable to people,” Grogan said.

Grogan said community members such as Debra Nix, the owner of Franco’s Pizzeria who has since died, kept a photo of Zosel in the window of the local eatery. Nix invited police to speak with individuals about the case at the pizza place, giving a slice of pizza and a drink to entice people to come forward and make them feel comfortable speaking to the police.

“She wanted it solved just as much as anybody else,” Grogan said of Nix.

“It is a tight-knit community of people that lived down there.”

Although some people came forward to share information, Grogan said others were unwilling to cooperate.

What made matters worse, Grogan said, was members of the public turning on and blaming the victim’s family.

“That was an unfortunate thing about this case; they blamed somebody in the family,” she said. “We see that with all kinds of crimes that here’s this grieving family and the public will turn on them. … The family has had to live with that, and we’re just trying to figure this out to give the family some peace.”

That’s when Ocoee Police Department’s Victim Advocate Michelle Norman works with the family to offer services and resources.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Just as she does with every cold case, Grogan first joined forces with others in the department to work as a team to go over all the evidence initially

collected in the case. They determine what could be sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to be processed and tested using new technology.

Grogan said she couldn’t disclose the type of evidence that was sent to FDLE, but they did find evidence containing DNA.

Everyone in the family has been cleared as suspects. Zosel’s husband was at work, her daughter was out of the home, and her son was working as a long-haul trucker, Grogan said. Moreover, the family members’ DNA did not match collected evidence.

The new evidence is reinvigorating for Grogan, especially with new technology, such as genetic genealogy, becoming available over the past decade.

The department worked with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to use sonar to search Starke and Deep lakes in August 2025.

As she and her colleagues wait for the evidence to be processed, they’re continuing down other avenues of the investigation. They’re speaking with officers at the scene then who now are supervisors in the department and speaking with people in the community again to see if they remember anything new.

“We are hoping that somebody comes forward,” she said. “We do have some people that we want to talk to.” Grogan also is working with an analyst from the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI and she is hoping the analyst will be able to create a profile on the suspects.

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Mary Zosel was murdered in 2016 in her Ocoee home.

Courtesy photo

Oakland approves property rezoning, reclassification

LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER

The Oakland Town Commission unanimously approved Tuesday, May 26, the first reading of two ordinances amending a property’s classification, as well as rezoning it.

The owners of 2253 Bay Line Road, Oakland, Floriano and Neisa Putigna, submitted an application to the town to amend the future land use and rezone the 12.91-acre property.

Currently, the property has a zoning district and future land use classification of agriculture, however, the Putignas would like it to be reclassified from agriculture to low density residential, as well as rezone it from agriculture to single-family residential.

While there is no development proposal at this time, the applicants would like to have the opportunity to subdivide the property into five separate parcels when the time is right. Because of that, the Putignas also submitted a Preliminary Subdivision Plan for approval.

“We have an enormous amount of children, seven kids,” Neisa Putigna said. “We plan on having something for one of our children in particular that would probably need to stay close and live near us due to being adopted and some special needs.”

The commissioners’ main concern was the significant amount of wetlands in the property. They were curious if those would be preserved.

“We’re not touching any of the wetlands at all,” Neisa Putigna said.

The second reading of the two ordinances is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9.

CONSUMPTIVE USE PERMIT

Capital Projects Coordinator

Michael Parker updated commissioners about Oakland’s current Consumptive Use Permit.

A Consumptive Use Permit is an authorization from the St. Johns

River Water Management District allowing public water systems to withdraw a specific amount of water from the ground for public-use purposes.

The purpose of this permit is to protect water resources to ensure large-scale water use does not cause any environmental harm.

The town’s current allotment is 890,000 gallons per day, but with an increase in population, the town also is experiencing an increase in water usage.

Because of that, the town is requesting St. Johns River Water Management District to extend the duration of the permit through 2045, as well as increase the annual withdrawal limit and the annual average daily withdrawal limit.

The St. Johns River Water Management District has a current targeted requirement of 100 gallons per person, per capita, per day, but in 2024, the town calculated 125 gallons per person, per capita, per day being used.

“The big offender is residential irrigation,” Parker said. “While residential irrigation accounts for approximately 50% of all water that we distribute, it was much higher in the past. So, our strategies have been, to a degree, working, but we need to continue to reduce our irrigation use if we ever want to meet the 100-gpcd target.”

In addition, the town also is requesting to increase the permitted withdrawal of .89 million gallons per day of groundwater to meet future demands.

While the future demand in 2037 is of 1.54 mgd and 1.67 mgd in 2045, the town is asking to increase its permitted allocation to 1.29 mgd and 1.34 mgd, respectively, due to its water conservation efforts already in place, as well as ones yet to be implemented.

Those include enforcing water use restrictions, encouraging low-flow

fixture plumbing devices, implementing and maintaining a water conservation educational program and more.

“Right now, we are at the limits of our current permit and we need to increase it to avoid any future penalties,” Parker said.

OFFICER RECOGNITION

Oakland’s Chief of Police Darron Esan presented Oakland Avenue Charter School’s School Resource Officer Samaria Lake with the first Community Service Award of the year.

On Friday, April 3, OACS hosted an Easter egg hunt for the pre-K students.

“Officer Lake took it upon herself to purchase 400 plastic eggs and fill them with toys and candy by herself,” Esan said. “These eggs were used in the egg hunt for the students. She went a step further and purchased a chicken costume, which she appeared at the egg hunt in full costume. While dancing and flapping her wings, Officer Lake furthered her positive relationship with many stu-

dents and teachers who were a part of this incredible event.”

Esan said her constant willingness to be creative and continue a positive bond with her students show her passion extends beyond simply enforcing the law.

“Teachers and students at Oakland Avenue Charter School are not the only beneficiaries of excellence in her duties,” he said. Lake also volunteered to teach new officers topics in their orientation, take on a new officer for one phase of their field training and constantly offers assistance to those who need it.

“(She) continues to display her smile, which seems to be infectious to others around her,” Esan said.

Lake then was awarded the Officer of the Quarter award for the first quarter of 2026 for her overall performance.

“Officer Lake: We see you time and time again being recognized, and I am so grateful that you have decided to grace our town with your services because you’re truly a joy,” Commissioner Kris Keller said.

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Photo by Leticia Silva

Oakland Chief of Police Darron Esan presented School Resource Officer Samaria Lake with two awards during the town’s commission meeting Tuesday, May 26.

THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’ by Ryan Mathiason, edited by Jared Goudsmit

More than a numbers game

Winter Garden’s Stars Academy is focusing on developing its young players into productive players through a different approach to the game.

MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

“The kids aren’t numbers to us.”

It’s the motto Stars Academy founder Connor Williams lives by at his Winter Garden-based youth soccer academy.

Rather than allowing the young athletes to try out in large blocks of 200 kids, he blocks tryouts in time groups and limits it to 30 to 40 athletes per slot. By doing this, he and the other coaches are able to look at each athlete individually and for their own unique talents.

When Williams founded the academy in 2024, he began with five teams. Now after the academy wrapped up its second year, Williams looks toward creating 18 teams for its upcoming season. It’s an accomplishment he credits to the values within the academy and the staff’s pure love for the game.

The academy closed its final tournament the ASG Capital Cup, which is the largest it competes in, Friday, May 15, to Sunday, May 17, in Tallahassee.

Although the bulk of the academy’s teams have finished their regular seasons, others will prepare to play overseas in Paris, while the academy begins its summer camps in June and preseason play begins Monday, July 20.

Williams said the ASG Capital Cup was an important accomplishment for the academy this year. It brought 10 of its teams there. Eight made it to the semifinals, and six to the finals.

“Those numbers don’t really exist,” he said. “Clubs that have been around for 15 to 20 years can bring 20 teams and maybe three or four can make it to the final and we’ve been able to do stuff that’s taken big clubs 10 to 20 years to accomplish.”

ASG showcased the smaller and

newer Stars Academy could compete with the well-established academies, and it’s just only getting started.

STANDING OUT

Stars Academy’s training sessions begin with 30 minutes of ball mastery and technical work, then working on one-on-one scenarios of how to apply it against a real person. Then they go into small decisions and scenarios that were a weak point in games and translate all of it to becoming a better player within each game.

Williams said what allows Stars Academy to be successful across its three teams, top, middle and bottom of an age group is its equal care for the top team and bottom team’s development.

“You get a lot of issues at other clubs where it’s a different coach, different coach for practices, different coach for games,” he said. “We operate with a full-time staff, so our staff is very committed and this is what we want to do and we’re out there every day, truly caring about the kids.”

The coaches’ dedication plays a big factor in the academy’s recent growth but so do the athletes who have bought into a loving culture. Rather than looking at each team individually and only supporting their own, the academy’s players are at tournaments to represent Stars Academy as a whole.

Williams said one of his teams lost the final at the ASG cup, but rather than being upset, they turned toward him and said, “Coach we gotta go support our team over there.” There was another team that was competing in the penalty shootout of their final, and all of the players who freshly came off a loss ran over to support them. He’s even had a 13U girls team go over to support the 9U boys team that was competing.

Over the seasons, Williams has seen the emphasis on loving the game pay off.

The U10 boys team was able to play Inner Miami, one of the biggest names in youth soccer, in a semifinal

STARS ACADEMY SUMMER CAMP

WHEN: Every week in June, Mondays to Fridays 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: 17922 Old YMCA Road, Winter Garden

WEBSITE: starsacademyorlando.com

game. The Inner Miami team was No. 20 in the nation, while Stars Academy’s team was a top team in Florida and Williams’ squad almost won the Regional Academy League. It finished second.

In the tournament, Stars Academy was the only unrecognized MLS program to make it that far. The team actually was winning 1-0 but fell behind by one point at halftime and ended up losing. Williams walked away from that experience shocked. All he could think about was those 10 boys, who had only been with him for four to five

years, were able to be on the same level as a top team in the nation.

“That was really cool to see what they accomplished and the doors they opened from there, and even one of our players from that got reached out to by the actual Orlando City Youth scout,” Williams said.

Seeing opportunities like that fuels Williams. He wants all his players to have the opportunity to find their own success, which is why he allows them to guest play on other academies’ teams.

“The answer always should be yes (to guest play),” he said. “Go get extra minutes. Go learn under a new coach. Go have a different challenge, go develop. But what other clubs do is they lock a kid’s pass and they won’t allow this kid to go play for other clubs.”

EDUCATING THE PARENTS

Since the season concluded, Williams has been in meeting mode. He’s spent every day of the past week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. having one-on-one meetings with every parent for every player in the academy. In the meetings, he’s giving the parents a full-development evaluation and breaking down what they want to do next, good traits about the athlete and bad traits.

He does this in order to teach the parents because many don’t know the proper culture of soccer.

“I’m very reachable with all the parents, and I care about the kids so I have the uncomfortable talks with parents and I tell them very transparently what level their kid is at, but I also say, ‘Here’s what we can do to help them,” he said.

Going into the next year, Stars Academy is going to push an initiative that goes out every month, and it’s going to require parents to have a one-hour conference call with him. He’s calling it “Educating the Parents.” It will teach parents about certain ways they act and how they handle situations that impact their kids on the field as well as what development looks like.

“We run on a curriculum that you would get at school where it’s very focused on what you need to be doing to develop and has a pathway of not just talking about it, but we can actually show it and have a pathway of moving kids around and getting the extra opportunities,” Williams said.

Courtesy photo

Connor Williams, founder of Stars Academy, celebrated the academy’s accomplishments at its ASG Captial Cup.

Aubrey Wynn

As a freshman on the Ocoee

track-and-field team, Aubrey Wynn broke records. In the FHSAA Class 4A District 4 meet, she recorded a time of 1:09.50 in the 400-meter hurdles to break the school’s record and place third in the district meet. She went on to become a state qualifier as an alternate, but most recently she made it to the Under Armor Nationals meet Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31. Wynn was expected to have her debut at a national meet, but unfortunately, she twisted her ankle the night before and was unable to compete. However, Wynn has showcased that she is a promising rising competitor and she will continue on the road to recovery to continue to grow through the summer and onto the next high school season.

What do you enjoy most about track and field?

What I enjoy most about track and field are my teammates who support me through everything and getting to show all of my hard work on the track at track meets.

When did you start track and field, and why did you join? I started track and field in sixth grade when I was 12, and I joined because I’d always wanted to follow in my mother’s footsteps of running track.

What is your best memory in track and field?

My best memory in track and field is when my teammate told me that I had broken the school record in 400-meter hurdles, an event that I had just learned how to do and (had only run) twice.

What has track and field taught you?

Track and field has taught me that growth isn’t perfect. There will always be ups and downs, but no matter what, you must keep going.

What advice would you give someone who just joined track and field?

A piece of advice that I would give to someone who is new to track

THE BASICS

Age: 15

Grade: Sophomore

School: Ocoee High Sport: Track and field

What is your pre-meet ritual?

I always listen to worship music and pray, because it is all in God’s hands from the time I step onto that track to the time I step off.

If you could pick a different sport, what would it be?

If I could pick a different sport, it would probably be competitive cheer, because I have done that my whole life. … There is still a part of me that misses it, but I am very happy that I chose track and field.

Who do you look up to the most?

I look up to Sydney McLaughlinLevrone because it is so cool to me that I run similar events to her. She is somebody that I want to be like — and not just on the track but overall as a person.

What is something new you’d like to learn?

I would like to learn how to do 100-meter hurdles because I feel confident that I have a chance to succeed in this race.

Where would you want to live if you weren’t in Florida?

I would want to live in Hawaii, because it is so gorgeous, and I just think that it would be so cool.

What is your favorite holiday memory?

My favorite holiday memory is on Christmas when we would drive for 13 hours to get to Ohio where my grandparents live. Road trips are just such a good time to have a better connection with my family and myself.

What future career do you want to have?

I want to be a professional athlete in track and field. I also want

Little Leaguers compete in championship tourney

he spring Tournament of Champions made its return to the Little League scene.

Winter Garden Little League hosted the District 14 Little League Tournament of Champions from Tuesday, May 26, to Saturday, May 30. The 10-game tournament was slated with matchups between Apopka, Dr. Phillips, South Lake, Winter Garden and Windermere little leagues. Through the five days of competition, the five teams comprising the leagues’ cream of the crop from the leagues competed for one title. The All-Star teams were selected from the top players in each leagues’ 8-,9- and

In the opening-night matchups, Winter Garden shut out Apopka 16-0, and Windermere topped South Lake 22-3.

Windermere and Winter Garden were the two teams that dominated the slate, and they competed in the championship game Monday, June 1. Winter Garden won the game, 1-0 to claim its third consecutive TOC championship title.

MEGAN BRUINSMA

The competition was fierce at this year’s Tournament of Champions.

Levi Ledford, from Winter Garden Little League, is a strong competitor for his team.

Dr. Phillips Little League pitchers had a successful inning against South Lake.

Windermere’s Aiden Bell readied his bat against Winter Garden.

Winter Garden’s Michael Suarez was excited to hit a double.

Right: Maxx Luken, from Windermere Little League, prepared to dash off the base as soon as his teammate hit the ball.

BRAINFOOD

The Write Track I Michael Eng // Editor and Publisher

This month, the Orange County Library System is celebrating literacy and encouraging healthy reading habits — especially over the summer. And although two months off with no homework and a fully charged Nintendo Switch seems like kid heaven, chances are, you’re going to get bored fairly quickly. Checking out a stack of books from the library is a great way to cure the summer time blues, but have you ever considered that YOU could have a book in the library, too? This month, we’re taking a look at the five elements every good story needs. Master these, and when your teacher asks what you did on your summer vaca tion, you could say, “I wrote a book!” How cool would that be?!

And if you do write a story, let us know! You can email Editor and Publisher Michael Eng at meng@orangeobserver.com.

THE FIVE ELEMENTS

If you think about every great story you’ve read or seen — think any great book, Disney cartoon or Star Wars adventure — they all include the five elements of story.

These include Characters, Setting, Plot, Conflict and Resolution. Of course, your imagination can — and should — run wild on each of these. You can literally (see what we did there?) do anything for any and all of these.

CHARACTERS

Easy enough, your Characters are The Who in your story.

Every story will have the main character — the protagonist. This is the person, animal or magical creature from whom you will write the story. This protagonist is the hero of the story.

And of course, every hero needs a villain. Known as the antagonist, this is the character who works against the protagonist. Most of the time, this is another person, ani - mal or magical creature. But in some stories, the antagonist could be something else — a hurricane, a volcano, etc.

Then, of course, you’ll want some supporting or side characters — others who are friends with your protagonist or help him or her in some way. You can have as many characters as you want! When writing your characters, you’ll want to give them all personalities and traits. These could be physical attributes such as clothes, hair color, etc. But more important, you’ll want to decide things like attitude, fears and other traits. Is your protagonist funny? Is your antagonist scary? Building great characters is essential for telling a good

SETTING

This is The Where and The When of your story. You have to decide where in the world — or universe — your story takes place.

Is it on Earth? Is it on Mars? Is it another place entirely created in your imagination?

Same with The When. Do you want this to be a story that took place a thousand years ago? Or is it taking place now? Or how about in the distant future?

And when creating your setting, think about its attributes. Is it cold? Hot? Scary? Friendly? Is it beautiful?

It’s all up to you!

PLOT

This is The What. What is going to happen? What is the journey on which you will take your reader?

The Plot can be divided into several sections — exposition (the beginning explanation or your characters and setting); rising action (the introduction of the conflict your character will experience); the climax (the big turning point of your story); the falling action (the events that will take place after the turning point); and the resolution (the ending).

There can be tons of twists and turns along the way, but every story hits these five sections.

RESOURCES

CONFLICT

This is The Problem. This is the adventure your protagonist must complete. Sometimes, the conflict is between two characters. Some times, it’s between the protago nist and something in the envi ronment. And yes, sometimes, it’s even the protagonist against himself or herself.

RESOLUTION

This is The Solution. Simple enough: This is the ending of your story and how your protagonist solved the conflict. But keep in mind: This does NOT always have to be a happy ending!

OF THE WEEK

INFLUENCER

NICOLE FREEMAN

CASTLEVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Nicole Freeman is a fourth-grade teacher at Castleview Elementary School. She also serves as the Drama Club program director and has produced and directed six musicals at the school.

In addition, she is the leader of the school’s CHEER committee, which helps to bring fun to school staff throughout the year and plans Foodie FriYay, a monthly celebration in which each grade level/staff grouping hosts a Friday morning breakfast they attend as a team.

“Ms. Freeman makes learning coming alive in her fourth-grade classroom,” Principal Rebecca Young said. “Whether this be through themed reviews ahead of end-ofyear testing or reaching out to the local Audubon Society to plan a day of bird-watching and learning about animal adaptations for the entire fourth grade. Ms. Freeman has such a positive influence on our Castleview community, and I am truly proud to have her on my teaching team.”

What brought you to your school?

During the year of COVID, I was given an opportunity to make a career shift. I took a leap of faith, put my education degree to good use and applied to become a substitute teacher. Castleview was the first school I walked into, and I instantly fell in love with the classroom — even during one of the hardest times education ever had to face. I was asked to stay long term, and I was hired officially at the end of that year!

What do you love most about your school?

Our school community and Dragon house system. The families and students I have met along the way of my education journey have been so great to work together with. The staff and teachers who are at Castleview are second to none.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Recognizing student potential, getting to pull that out from inside of them and watching it bloom.

Who influences you?

It really ebbs and flows depending on the season of life I’m in. Sometimes, it’s even strangers who cross my path and quickly become friends, leaving a lasting impact in ways I didn’t expect. Right now, I feel grateful to be surrounded by incredible educators who challenge and inspire me daily, as well as the group of women who show up beside me at the gym at 5 a.m.

At home, my husband influences me in such a unique way. His depth of knowledge and curiosity about the world constantly opens my eyes to things I never would have explored on my own. And at my core, so much of who I am comes from my parents: my dad’s grit as a dedicated business owner and my mom’s determination to always give her very best. Watching them as I grew up shaped my work ethic and continues to guide me in everything I do.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? Mrs. Stathis. She was my sixth-grade math teacher who made learning fun as a kid. You could tell that she was never putting on an act or had an ego. She was 100% authentically herself.

What is your favorite theater production and why?

If I really had to pick one that meant a lot to me, I would pick “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The craft of this show is done so beautifully, with adults portraying these quirky kids in a spelling bee and bringing humor, heart and depth to each character’s journey.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love to work out daily (5 a.m. to be exact) and look for new challenges to keep me growing. Over this last school year, I completed my first half-marathon and just competed in my first sprint triathlon of a 400-meter swim, 8-mile bike ride and a 5K — all in one go! I also love self-care spa days, love to read thrillers, go to amusement parks and spend quality time with my amazing husband.

If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

Robin Williams. I grew up laughing and crying through so many of his films, but beyond that, he always seemed like someone you could sit down with and have a truly meaningful, honest conversation.

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?

I have three best friends from my ‘younger years.’ And yes, I am in touch with every single one of them. All three of them were my best friends in different parts of my life. Christine, through high school; Samantha, through college; and Sarah, through my first career as a performer on cruise ships! All three of them were in my wedding.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

I was very fortunate to have parents who let me do the things I loved most. I would go to dance class after school most days. I dabbled in sports such as basketball and volleyball as well in high school. Theater started for me in camp form over the summers, where I grew up attending this camp and eventually working my way up to a program director assistant position.

In high school, I won a Metro Award (Helen Hayes Award) for my role/singing in our school musical of “Seussical the Musical.”

— LIZ RAMOS

REPORT CARD

Years at school: Six

Years with OCPS: Six

2026 Windermere Prep Lakers leave a lasting legacy

Members of Windermere Preparatory School’s Class of 2026 capped off their high school careers with an inspirational graduation ceremony, held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 22, at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

The graduates heard heartfelt speeches from Head of School Alex Birchenall, Director of High School Steve Murphy, and covaledictorians Suvir Talamas and Thomas Petrongari Rosner.

The school also recognized three graduates — Stephen Horn III, Alyssa Johnson and Jedediah Nijensohn — who earned scholarships to further their education while serving their country. Horn earned appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, while Johnson and Nijensohn both earned Air Force ROTC scholarships.

MICHAEL ENG

The Windermere Prep graduates had some time to reminisce upstairs before the ceremony began.

Above: Valedictorian Thomas Petrongari Rosner earned well-deserved applause for his speech.

Right: Saavan Ohri got a little help with his graduation cap from Carolina Pissarra Scaramuzza.

Valedictorian Suvir Talamas delivered an inspirational speech.

Brandon Bass Jr. was a standout shooting guard for Windermere Prep’s basketball team.

He admitted he was not one for public speaking, but it was an honor for him to stand before his fellow Class of 2026 graduates and their families to share a message.

“God has a special plan for each and every one of us,” he said.

Whether it was a speech from DiPaolo, salutatorian Nicholas De Moraes or Church at the Cross Senior Pastor Shawn Smith, the message for the graduates as they move onto their next steps in life was clear: Allow God to guide them.

After receiving their

diplomas and turning their tassels, the now-alumni of CFCA helped commission the Class of 2027.

GRAD TO THE BONE: Innovation Montessori celebrates seniors

nnovation Montessori

IHigh’s Skye Hall carefully decorated her graduation cap with a rotating record player to showcase her creativity. In her speech, she reflected on how joining the yearbook club shaped her high school experience and took one final photo with her classmates on stage.

Other student speakers included Rafael Marquez, Ireland Fishpool, Cameron Chase and Jovi Young. They all shared their favorite memories from the school before crossing the stage and graduating in Innovation’s Class of 2026 ceremony Wednesday, May 20, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center. — MEGAN BRUINSMA

Upper School Principal Kristi Laviolette presented the Old Eagle Award to Lucas Click, Cole Harbin, Jonathan Joynt and Justin Mendonca. The award is given to those who attend Central Florida Christian Academy from kindergarten through senior year.

Right: Valedictorian Alex DiPaolo spoke from the heart, giving well wishes to his fellow graduates. “Tonight signifies a new season in our lives,” he said.

Ja’Zyiah Fedrick Anderson, Azariah Williams, Zaniya Dinkins and Danielle Lockhart spent time laughing and dancing before the ceremony.

Rafael Marquez kicked off the student speakers by thanking the school for all the memories it gave him and allowing him to reach his full potential.

Left: Canon Kelly and Nathan Colins were excited to fill up their yearbooks with signatures before the graduation commenced. The seniors smiled as they took one final class selfie together.

Winter Garden Squeeze begins its 13th year

As your Winter Garden Squeeze begins its 13th season in the Florida Collegiate Summer League, we continue to celebrate our history and build toward the future. In 2025, we settled into a new home at Horizon High School. The move transformed the Squeeze from Winter Garden’s team to one that expanded our territory into Horizon West.

The growing Horizon West community always is looking for things to call its own and the Squeeze was quickly embraced. The 2025 season blossomed into one of the most successful in franchise history. Neighbors gathered, new partnerships were forged and collective memories were made on the field, as the sun set over the horizon.

The 2026 season presents new opportunities for the Squeeze and the Horizon West community. Working and communicating with our partners over the offseason, we have continued to embed ourselves in the cultural fabric of southwestern Orange County. This season, the traditional blue and orange Squeeze pallet has been modified to purple and orange, embracing the colors of the Horizon Hawks. At the same time, our uniform lettering pays homage to the rich history of Winter Garden baseball. The Washington Senators called Winter Garden (Walker Field) their Spring Training home in the 1940s and ’50s. The new Squeeze regalia reveres our past while continuing to build our future.

The new era of Squeeze baseball is dedicated to expanding the brand throughout the community. Whether it’s joining our business partners at The Mark Family Friday Street Party, playing games as the alter ego Horizon West Magoos or hosting baseball card Trade Night at Home State Brewery, our mission is to truly make the Squeeze a communityoriented brand. On Saturday, June 13, we will be hosting a mini-golf tournament fundraiser at PopStroke, where attendees can compete against our players. As Father’s Day week continues, we will be involved in the Hamlin AllAmerican Flag Parade as part of our celebration of America at 250.

While it remains our first priority to deliver a fun, familyfriendly game-night experience all summer long, our commitment to the community does not end when the last out is called. The Squeeze and FCSL are working collaboratively with the Orlando Dreamers, whose mission is to

KEEP UP WITH THE SQUEEZE n Facebook: @SqueezeBaseball n Instagram: @squeezebaseball n X: @WGsqueeze

bring MLB to Orlando and build grassroots support for baseball throughout Central Florida.

It always has been our team’s ambition to remain full-time community partners 12 months per year. Once the summer grind is complete, we will continue to look for ways to stay visible and active with our community partners.

The best way to stay connected with the Squeeze throughout the season is to find us on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X to stay up to date with the schedule, catch the highlights and get to know the players. We also are launching a team newsletter, The Squeeze Report, running every two weeks during the season and monthly during off-months. The newsletter will keep fans connected to the game off the field, as well as our work in the community.

While Winter Garden Squeeze baseball may have seen some changes over the years, our commitment to bringing collegiate summer baseball to the greater Winter Garden community has remained steady. We have three returning host families who open up their homes to out-of-town players, a unique attribute of college summer ball.

On behalf of the Winter Garden Squeeze, we welcome you back for another summer of America’s pastime right in your own backyard. Bring the kids, let them run the bases, bring some lawn chairs, buy a few snacks, watch the sunset and soak up the summer right here in Horizon West. Go Squeeze!

ADAM BATES, GENERAL MANAGER

BRIAN KOSS, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER

Squeeze introduces Tent City

For the first time in the Winter Garden Squeeze history, the team is adding a new attraction for community members and fans.

Tent City is the pregame destination, between-inning escape and post-game stretch spot. Sitting on the concourse of Horizon High School, you will find all of the Squeeze’s sponsors and partners in one spot.

When fans are in Tent City, they can expect to find interactive games, giveaways and more. Every partner brings something different, and that’s what makes it the most exciting.

The best part about Tent City is these partners aren’t just here with a banner; they are here for fan engagement and interaction, ultimately bringing the ballpark to life with energy.

THE SPONSORS

HUEY MAGOO’S — HORIZON WEST, TEAM

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Huey Magoos provides post-game meals to the teams and sometimes serves food in the concession stands. The Squeeze collaborated with the restaurant last year to create the Squeeze’s version of the MLB City Connect uniforms. The team became the “Horizon West Magoos” for a few nights of the season. Huey Magoo’s also helped launch the Squeeze Squad Team of Batboys for home game nights.

ROCK & BREWS RESTAURANT, TEAM MEAL AND

LEAGUE SPONSOR

Rock and Brews provides postgame meals to the teams. Last season, the Squeeze hosted its first annual poker tournament at the restaurant’s Kissimmee location.

LEGENDS ON DECK PODCAST, MEDIA PARTNER

Squeeze Assistant General Manager

Brian Koss runs the Legends on Deck Podcast, a baseball-focused media site covering everything from MLB and minor league teams to amateur, college and high school baseball, featuring articles, a podcast, photo galleries and baseball card content.

PORTILLO’S, TEAM MEAL SPONSOR

Portillo’s provides post-game meals to the teams.

KING OF POPS, TEAM PARTNER

The Butler family owns and operates King of Pops of Winter Garden, a local popsicle cart serving frozen sweet treats nightly at the games.

CLEAN EATZ

Clean Eatz of Hamlin provides pre-game meals to Squeeze players.

SKYLINE CHILI, TEAM MEAL SPONSOR

Skyline Chili provides post-game meals to Squeeze players and sometimes serves food on the concourse during games.

JET’S PIZZA OF OCOEE, LEAGUE SPONSOR

Jet’s Pizza provides post-game meals to players and teams across the league.

THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE, TEAM SPONSOR

The Learning Experience of Horizon West is a daycare and preschool in the area. In partnership with The Learning Experience, all children have free admission into the ballpark.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, TEAM SPONSOR

The partnership with Community Health Centers allows children to have free admission into the ballpark. The community-driven health care organization is dedicated to serving patients and their families in their neighborhoods.

URBAN AIR

Urban Air is a new community partner looking to do game night activities and Squeeze-related events at its location in Hamlin.

POPSTROKE

PopStroke is a community partner that will host a golf tournament as a fundraiser for the Squeeze and the league Saturday, June 13.

CROSSLINE COMMUNITY CHURCH

Crossline Community Church is a continuous community partner providing support throughout the season and off-season.

OBSERVER MEDIA GROUP, MEDIA PARTNER

Observer Media Group is the go-to spot for hyperlocal West Orange County news. This summer, the Winter Garden Squeeze will be featured in every sports section of the West Orange Times & Observer and the Southwest Orange Observer

HORIZON WEST HAPPENINGS AND HORIZON WEST MAGAZINE, MEDIA AND EVENT PARTNERS

Horizon West Happenings and Horizon West Magazine keeps everyone informed about the news, events, offerings, services and more in Horizon West.

THE REAL ESTATE COLLECTION, TITLE SPONSOR AND REAL ESTATE PARTNER

The Real Estate Collection will be the Squeeze’s title sponsor for the PopStroke golf tournament and also is providing fan engagement throughout the season as an official real estate partner of the Winter Garden Squeeze.

THE MELTED MORSL

The Melted Morsl is a local familyowned cookie shop right in the heart of Winter Garden that provides delicious cookies for fans.

HOME STATE BREWING COMPANY

Home State Brewing Company is the home of the Winter Garden Squeeze beer as well as the pregame and game-rain-out stop. The brewery hosted the Squeeze’s card trading show Tuesday, May 26, as well as the Squeeze’s meet-theteam at the beginning of the season.

THE CARD LEAGUE, COMMUNITY PARTNER

The Card League is a Winter Garden-based, family business developed by a baseball player and his family.

ROTARY CLUB OF HORIZON WEST, ROTARY CLUB OF WINTER GARDEN, AMERICAN LEGION POST 63 WINTER GARDEN, AMERICAN LEGION POST 419, COMMUNITY SERVICE PARTNERS

These groups support the Squeeze throughout the season and in the off-season.

SPECIAL NIGHTS

PopStroke Golf Tourna9 a.m. to noon Satur-

Father’s Field of 6 p.m. Saturday, June 20 Fan Appreciation Thursday, July 16, and Friday, July 17

SQUEEZE SEASON PASS OFFERINGS

Tickets Squeeze Home Games ($120) or Parkhopper ($160), which

The welcome package includes coupons and discounts from partners: Portillos, Jet’s Pizza, Popstoke, Huey’s, Clean Eatz, Rock & Brews, Skyline,

and raffle Special event opportunities

Local connections

Meet the six Winter Garden Squeeze players who were introduced to the sport in local Little Leagues and now are returning to represent their hometown on the college stage.

MEGAN

BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

The return of the Winter Garden Squeeze for the 2026 season means 33 collegiate baseball players will return to the baseball fields of West Orange County. Summer league coaches and general managers strategically chose those players after their spring collegiate seasons from teams across the NCAA, NAIA and Junior College programs.

Although they will be united as one Squeeze team, the players came to the team from all different walks of life. Many call cities across Florida their hometown, including Tampa, DeLand, Clearwater and more. One player, David Freitas, joins Winter Garden’s team from Carabobo, Venezuela.

But not all of the Squeeze’s roster is stepping into West Orange County and the deeply rooted baseball culture within its borders for the first time. Six players grew up within the Little Leagues and now prepare to represent their hometown in the big leagues.

As the season begins, let’s take a moment to introduce those players who forever will remember their first ball leagues.

JOSHUA BELL

JERSEY NO: 22

YEAR: Junior

POSITION: Infielder

SCHOOL: Florida A&M University

Joshua Bell’s baseball journey began when he was 8 years old. He initially was interested in basketball, but his friend Max encouraged him to give baseball a swing so he did at Winter Garden Little League. The support of the people around him and his parents encouraged Bell to stick with it, enough to the point where he left basketball in his past.

“I feel like I’ve grown a lot, seeing a lot of different people come in and out of the game and knowing that this game’s not going to last forever and it’s going to end at some point,” he said. “Having that kind of vulnerability to understand that and just kind of take it all in really helps me.”

One of his first coaches, Bryan Malenius, shaped the way baseball should be played in Bell’s eyes, and he forever will be grateful for the early lessons that made him fall in love with the game. He took those lessons in Little League and applied them to his success at West Orange High, where in his senior year he led the team with 20 runs batted in, six doubles and recorded a .457 on base percentage.

Bell grew up a Florida State University fan and when the neighboring school, Florida A&M, offered him a baseball scholarship, he knew it was a perfect fit and now has completed two years as a Rattler.

Growing up in Winter Garden meant

he was surrounded by the Squeeze, and returning to play for the team feels like a “full circle moment” for him. His best friend from high school, Zachary Moore, even is working as one of the Squeeze’s interns, and being able to celebrate the year with Moore and his teammates brings a new level of excitement for Bell.

RYLEE

GIBSON

JERSEY NO: 17

YEAR: Sophomore

POSITION: Right-handed pitcher

SCHOOL: The Citadel

Rylee Gibson moved to Winter Garden in 2013 from Colorado when he was 7 and had never played T-ball. He joined the Winter Garden Little League and remained with the league until he was 12, playing on the All-Star teams and Tournament of Champions teams.

Early on, he knew if he ever made it to the college level, he wanted to come back and play for his hometown community. The people in the community are who allowed Gibson to connect with travel ball organizations and help him grow into a player that was able to go to college.

They also taught him how to grow as a leader. He was homeschooled in eighth grade but attended Foundation Academy and played for the Lions’ varsity team from eighth grade to his senior year. Being a younger guy on a team full of older players allowed Gibson to become a leader when he was a junior and senior.

Gibson’s sophomore year is when he really began to look into camps and settled on going to a military college, which is why he ended up at The Citadel. He was looking for any place with a good ROTC program, and everything worked out perfectly with The Citadel.

“It’s definitely been pretty surreal — achieving all the dreams and goals that I’ve had since I was a little kid, wanting to play in college, wanting to play back with some of these guys and obviously not everyone makes it in this game and it’s a pretty hard game,” he said.

KEITH HOLDEN

JERSEY NO: 5

YEAR: Sophomore

POSITION: Right-handed pitcher

SCHOOL: Rollins College

Keith Holden’s introduction to baseball began with T-ball in Delaney Park. As he grew, his family moved to Winter Garden and he began playing for Winter Garden Little League at 7 years old until he was 12. Through the league, he met new people and had a different team every year, which helped in his development.

As the Little Leaguers grew together and got to know each other, Holden said the competition steadily rose because they all wanted to beat their friends.

Through playing high school ball at West Orange, Holden was on the same team as Nicholas Rich and Joshua

Bell. Being the youngest of the three, Holden watched the two graduate and announce their commitment to play at the college level, never thinking he’d play on the same team as them again. But now, through the Squeeze, the impossible turned into a reality.

“It’s very exciting because I’ve lived here for so long, and being able to represent my hometown feels good,” he said.

CAEL REISH

JERSEY NO: 18

YEAR: Sophomore

POSITION: Outfielder

SCHOOL: Flagler University

Cael Reish grew up a part of Winter Garden’s crosstown rival league, Windermere Little League. The league introduced him to different positions and ways to attack the ball and allowed him to create connections in Winter Garden and Windermere.

“I just fell in love with the game,” he said. “I didn’t really think that any other sport was really interesting to me as much. Baseball was just kind of everything, it gave me new openings in life and taught me valuable lessons that I can live by.”

He attended Montverde Academy but transferred to Mount Dora Christian Academy his senior year. There, he played 29 games, recording a .352 batting average, .429 OBP, 37 hits, 20 RBIs and 30 runs.

Returning to Winter Garden to play for the Squeeze, with many teammates

who Reish has known for years, has helped them instantly bring up their chemistry. Reish said chemistry is a huge part of the game, and being able to quickly adapt and grow together has made the transition easier.

NICHOLAS RICH

JERSEY NO: 35

YEAR: Senior

POSITION: Right-handed pitcher

SCHOOL: Embry-Riddle University

Nicholas Rich first picked up a bat in T-ball when he was 3 years old and never put it down. He joined the Winter Garden Little League and said it set the foundation for him. The league taught him all of the basics, like holding a bat, the technical rules and everything he needed to be a successful athlete, but it also taught him how to be a part of a team and work well with others.

As Rich grew, he quickly learned pitching would be his route. He fell in love with the motion and the mechanics of it. His freshman year of high school was at Windermere Preparatory School, but COVID-19 shut the season down and he joined TNLX Academy, which is where the Squeeze now practices. His junior year, he went to West Orange but reenrolled at TNLX to close out his high school career.

Returning to TNLX now as a collegiate player means a lot to him and it has been special to see how the academy has grown to now have turfed fields. Growing up he watched the Squeeze play and always would tell himself, “I want to be like them one day.”

Last season, his dream became a reality when he was selected for the Squeeze’s roster, but he struggled with injuries and was unable to play. This summer, Rich is injury-free and can’t wait to step onto the field to represent his hometown with his brothers with whom he grew up.

JACK SANCHEZ

JERSEY NO: 37

YEAR: Senior

POSITION: Left-handed pitcher

SCHOOL: Keiser University

Jack Sanchez grew up in Texas but came to Winter Garden in fourth grade and quickly joined the Winter Garden Little League. Like the others, it brought him an early love for the game but also quickly taught him that pitching was his strength. Sanchez said he never really could hit the ball, but his arm caught the attention of his coaches and they honed in on it. Those skills and training sessions translated over when he attended Windermere High. Sanchez played for Windermere’s 2023 team, which went to the regional finals, and as a senior pitcher he played 12 games with a .857 fielding percentage.

Sanchez went on to play for Palm Beach State and most recently transferred to Keiser University for his junior college season. He recorded his season high of five strikeouts against Webber International, adding to his 13 for the season in seven games.

Being a member of the Squeeze is allowing Sanchez to reunite with teammates he hasn’t talked to in five years.

Photo by Megan Bruinsma

Jack Sanchez, Joshua Bell, Rylee Gibson, Keith Holden, Cael Reish and Nicholas Rich have returned to their hometown from their various colleges to represent the Squeeze.

TEAM ROSTER

A hit through history

MEGAN

BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

Editor’s Note: The information presented in this article was taken from artifacts found in the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and previous stories published in the West Orange Times.

Early settlers of Winter Garden nestled themselves among the groves of oranges trees and natural habitats the land had to offer. They spent their days farming in the fertile lands surrounding Lake Apopka as well as fishing and boating in its pristine waters.

When Winter Garden officially was established as a city in 1908, it didn’t take long for those settlers to look for other outlets to spend their free time. Soon, the baseball diamond made its way to the orange groves.

The sounds of baseballs cracking against the wooden bats soon filled the streets of the city and paved the way for recreational activities in the city we all know and love today.

Looking at the present day, baseball is a thriving sport in not only Winter Garden but also the greater West Orange community as a whole. The Winter Garden, Dr. Phillips, Windermere and Ocoee little leagues all serve as the youth’s first introduction to a bat and glove. Those introductory lessons translate to the players’ success in the dominant high school ball programs, including West Orange and Windermere high schools, The First Academy, and academies such as TNLX in Ocoee.

But before we truly can understand why there is an abundance of high-level Little Leaguers, high school players and the Winter Garden Squeeze, which is the community’s summer collegiate baseball team, we must first understand from where it evolved.

ROOTED IN HISTORY

The Lake-Orange League, a semi-pro league that encompassed teams across Central Florida, found its way to Winter Garden’s sandlots in 1923. George Walker, would serve as mayor of Winter Garden from 1933 to 1939, managed the hometown Winter Garden team in 1924 and also served as the director of the entire circuit. All his team’s early games were played on local sandlots in the community.

The Winter Garden team finished the 1929 season as runners-up, losing in the championship game 3-2 to Winter Park. At one point in history, Winter Garden and Ocoee baseball teams fused together for one season to form “Winteco.” The crossover likely occurred sometime during the 1930s or early 1940s.

“Directors and officers of the LakeOrange Baseball League held a meeting at the Florida Power Corporation lounge Thursday night to study bylaws and regulations governing the operation of the forthcoming loop play,” the West Orange Times published in 1942.

“This year’s play will be based on a 35-game play divided into two halves. Winner of the first half will meet the winner of the second half at the end of the season in the league’s ‘Little World Series.’ First half of play will (comprise) 21 games for each team, with the opening day set for Sunday, May 5. Eight teams — (from) Tavares, Mount Dora, Eustis, Winter Garden, Winter Park, Zellwood and Apopka — will form the league.”

Winter Garden was one of Central Florida’s strongest baseball communities in its early days. Now the community is home to a local collegiate baseball summer league team.

Notable players for the league included Clifford R. Freeman, who became the mayor of Ocoee and an Orange County commissioner, and Vard Hager, who played for the league in the 1940s. Hager went on to play football, baseball and basketball for the University of Florida.

Once Walker became the mayor of Winter Garden, he worked toward raising funds to elevate the city. He secured funds from President Theodore Roosevelt’s New Deal to build projects such as the docks of Lake Apopka, a swimming pool and other facilities. But for baseball fans, his most important contribution from the $250,000 was developing Walker Field.

Those fields now house the Winter Garden Little League, Pop Warner football leagues and many other community events or leagues, but they first served as a venue for the 1930s players.

In 1936, the Albany Baseball Club trained at Walker Field as it was completed. In 1937, spring training in Winter Garden for the Baltimore Orioles International League began. Players from Rochester, New York, came down for the training.

BIG LEAGUE APPEARANCES

Major League Baseball made its way to Winter Garden in 1942. For the first time in the history of the big league spring exhibition games, leaders in both the American and National Leagues played in the heart of Central Florida.

“President Clark Griffith of the Washington Senators called to attention today to Central Florida baseball fans a 12-game major league baseball schedule, representing the cream of the crop in both the American and National Leagues, which will open at Tinker Field, Orlando, Monday March 9,” the West Orange Times published in 1942. “For the first time in the history of big league spring exhibition games, leaders in both leagues will play in the heart of Central Florida. The schedule follows: New York Americans, March 9; Cleveland Americans, March 10; Detroit Americans, March 15; Brooklyn Nationals, March 17; St.

Louis Americans, March 18; New York Nationals, March 19; Boston Americans, March 25; St. Louis Nationals, March 26; Boston Nationals, March 28; Cincinnati Nationals, March 31; Philadelphia Nationals, April 4 and 5. All games will be played at Tinker Field, Orlando, at 2:30 p.m.”

Those players stayed at the Edgewater Hotel.

Six years later, the Washington National Baseball School made its way to Walker Field and opened Jan. 28, 1948. The school welcomed 100 players on its opening day and 200 arrived by mid-week. The president of the school was Joe Engel, who also was the president of the Chattanooga Lookouts.

Engel was highly regarded in the baseball community, with a script of success in his past as a three-year, four-letter man at college and was given a fifth gold letter for the accomplishment. He wrote a letter dated back to Sept. 15, 1949, to Joe Pusateri of Ohio, reading:

“Trains run into Orlando, Florida, which is 12 miles east of Winter Garden. When you arrive on Jan. 4, go immediately to the Ball Park, where

free sleeping quarters will be assigned to you. … Each student must furnish the following: your baseball uniform, shoes, glove and other personal equipment.”

In 1956, Alvin Berry attended the school and reported that it was $100 for the four weeks. He attended Jan. 4, to Feb. 1.

The baseball schools later closed in the 1950s and the MLB hasn’t returned to the Winter Garden area since. That was until the founding of the Winter Garden Squeeze in 2014.

THE SQUEEZE

The Winter Garden Squeeze is West Orange’s hometown summer collegiate baseball team in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. The Squeeze competes against six other FCSL teams, including the Leesburg Lightning, Sanford River Rats, DeLand Suns, Orlando Snappers and Winter Park Diamond Dawgs.

The FCSL is a nonprofit the MLB partially funds and was founded in 2003. It is one of 12 leagues in the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball. The Florida League gives college ball players the opportunity to play wood bat baseball against high-level opponents and prepare their future careers in professional baseball. It is regarded as one of the top summer leagues in the United States by Baseball America.

In 2014, the Squeeze posted a 23-20 record, placing third

overall in its first season in the FCSL. General Manager Adam Bates started the franchise in honor of the deeply rooted history of baseball in Winter Garden. It’s an opportunity for local players and other Florida collegiate players to truly understand what it takes to play at the masters’ level.

Following the team’s inaugural season, the Squeeze has continued to find success within the dugout, aside from a temporary home field lapse in 2019 to 2021. The team returned to Winter Garden after overcoming COVID-19 and administrative changes, and played its home games at West Orange High in 2022. In the Squeeze’s first year back at West Orange, the lineup recorded a 13-19 record, followed by a 17-17 record, 21-12, and most recently 13-20 in 2025. As the team prepares for its next season, slated with 25 games, it will branch out from its traditional blue and orange colors, and opt for purple and orange in honor of its second year at Horizon High. The fresh lineup of 33 players includes some who have played for the Squeeze in the past and six players who call West Orange County their hometown. Its return marks a new opportunity for the collegiate baseball players to intertwine themselves deeper with the beloved sport of the area and provide an opportunity for the next generation of players to find their love for the game.

For generations, the crack of the bat has echoed through West Orange County. As the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation looks ahead to America’s 250th anniversary, we celebrate the deep roots, local legends, and community spirit that built our town.

Nothing says America quite like baseball.

Step up to the plate with the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. Scan the QR code and discover our upcoming America 250 events, explore our archives, and help us keep our local heritage alive for the next generation.