SOUTHWEST ORANGE
The thought that counts
Photo by Liz Ramos
Dr. Phillips 14-year-old Arianna Bryant has loved making handmade cards for people. She appreciates the opportunity to spread joy and kindness with her cards.
1
Florida lawmakers approve property tax cut
proposal
Florida lawmakers approved Tuesday, June 2, for property tax amendments to be placed on the ballot in November.
Florida Senate passed House Joint Resolution 1-F, with Senate officials calling it “a historic step toward eliminating property taxes for Florida homeowners.”
The joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the current exemption for owner-occupied homestead property to $250,000 over two years and creates a framework for full exemption over time.
In the first year, homestead property exemptions will jump from $50,000 to $150,000.
In the second year, it will jump to $250,000.
The amendments require cities and counties to use remaining property tax revenue for public safety, education, roadwork, natural resource projects and more.
The Florida House of Representa-
2
Pedestrian dies in vehicle crash
The Winter Garden Police Department responded to a vehicle-versuspedestrian crash Thursday, May 28.
According to WGPD, at about 8:46 p.m., a 2021 GMC Sierra was traveling on East Story Road and made a turn onto South Dillard Street, striking David Jimenez, 41, who was crossing South Dillard Street within the marked crosswalk on the south side of the intersection.
When Winter Garden Fire Department arrived, firefighters began providing medical treatment. Responders transported Jimenez to Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital but pronounced him dead en route.
The Winter Garden Police Department’s Traffic Homicide Unit responded to conduct an investigation, which is ongoing.
WGPD said the driver of the
3
New bar to open in Winter Garden A new bar, patio and kitchen concept will open soon in Winter Garden.
The Local, located at 16112 Marsh Road, Winter Garden, is taking over the space Two Bridges Pub previously occupied.
“Built around community, consistency and energetic guest experience, The Local aims to create a place where locals can gather for great drinks, approachable American food, sports, entertainment and genuine service,” said Arrius Salazar, who is taking over operations.
“The team’s focus is to refresh the
Salazar aims to open The Local in early July, but he said that is subject to change.
4
Woman arrested at Disney Resort
A woman was arrested Tuesday, May 19, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort after becoming upset her family members couldn’t sit together at Steakhouse 71 because of the party’s size.
According to the arrest affidavit, Leslie Helen Varley, 57, was told she couldn’t move tables together to accommodate her large party. That’s when Varley grabbed the manager’s shoulders and
Varley, who in return, threw three cups of water and ice at him.
They said she broke four glasses by dropping them to the floor. Varley also was accused of snatching his name tag from his body and walked out of the restaurant with it.
She was charged with battery, criminal mischief and robbery by snatching and received a trespass warning, as well.
She now is out on $5,500 bond while she awaits trial.
5
OCSO deputies fatally shoot Dr. Phillips woman holding a knife Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies shot and killed a woman Wednesday, June 3, in Dr. Phillips.
According to OCSO, deputies responded to a home around 1 p.m. in the 8200 block of Tivoli Drive in Dr. Phillips, regarding a woman in the street, screaming.
When deputies arrived, they knocked on 59-year-old Rosalia Hodge’s door, and she came out holding a knife, threatening to kill the officers.
“Deputies retreated back toward the street and ordered her to drop the knife several times,” Orange County Sheriff John Mina said during a press conference. “She refused to drop the knife and shouted, ‘I’ll kill you,’ as she continued to
until investigations
Courtesy photo
Orange County Sheriff John Mina held a press conference Thursday, June 3, to speak about the fatal shooting involving three deputies.
FAMILIAR FACES
EDITOR’S
NOTE:
Familiar
Faces is an ongoing feature in which we spotlight people you have seen but whose stories you may not know. If you want to nominate someone for a future edition, please email Managing Editor Liz Ramos, lramos@ orangeobserver.com.
Nedy Trent
The Horizon West resident, owner of Color Me Mine on Stoneybrook West Parkway, also served in the U.S. Navy.
SILVA
If you’re a resident of West Orange, you probably have heard of Color Me Mine, the paint-your-own pottery studio at 15502 Stoneybrook West Parkway, Unit 128, Winter Garden.
Franchise owner Nedy Trent opened the business two years ago, welcoming hundreds of guests over the years.
With her charming smile and welcoming attitude, Trent leads by example in everything she does, ensuring each person’s experience is the best it can be.
But Trent didn’t always live in the area. Before moving to Hamlin six years ago, the Trents lived in Washington, D.C., and California, moving from place to place due to being in a military family.
For eight years, Trent was a sailor in the U.S. Navy, — four years on active duty and four in the reserves — and once her contract ended, she was able to dedicate her time to her children.
With three kids, she often found herself taking them, along with other military wives, to Color Me Mine.
“We did a lot of pottery painting at Color Me Mine in California, as a fun thing to do with the kids,” she said. “We still have our pieces from 2012.”
They always had so much fun painting and spending time together; she loved the familyfriendly environment.
Then, the Trent family moved to Florida, and while trying to find something to do, Trent’s daughter said she wished they could go to a Color Me Mine studio.
A quick Google search revealed the nearest studio was in Tampa. They opted to visit a different pottery studio and spent about three hours there.
They loved the experience, but the location was not ideal. The drive home was long.
That’s when Trent’s daughter suggested they open their own franchise close to home.
Trent laughed it off, thinking it was unattainable.
But later, her daughter went online and filed a franchiseinterest form through the Color Me Mine website.
The following day, Trent received a call.
She was stunned. She didn’t think they’d actually call.
Nedy said she was quickly reeled in and learned she actu-
ally could pursue a Color Me Mine franchise if she so chose.
After a few more meetings and phone calls, she decided: Go for it.
WORLD TRAVELER
Trent recalls taking art classes while in school, but she never took interest in it.
Instead, she loved theater, music and sports.
“I had no artistic ability whatsoever, at all,” she said.
After moving from New York to South Florida her eighth-grade year, she became extremely active in extracurricular activities. In high school, she was a part of the choir, track team, cheerleading team and basketball team.
But even then — as a Jill of all trades — she didn’t know what she wanted to do after graduation.
Her parents expected her to go
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to college, but it wasn’t something she wanted to do.
One day, a military recruiter visited her school and spoke to her, forever changing her life.
“He didn’t have to say much to convince me,” she said. “He was like, ‘You’re going to get a paycheck every two weeks, you’re
going to have your own place and independence.’”
So she enlisted in the Navy.
Although her parents didn’t approve of her choice at the time, they warmed up to the idea and eventually accepted it.
Trent said she has no regrets.
She went off to boot camp in 1995, and because she was an athlete, she said it wasn’t hard.
On top of that, she also was able to do one of the activities she likes the most: sing.
She joined the choir in the Navy, often performing at graduation ceremonies. It was treated as an extracurricular activity, but she didn’t mind it. It was a way to connect to her artistic roots.
“I truly enjoyed the time I spent in the military,” she said. “It taught me a lot, gave me a lot of discipline, structure, organization; so many things that I was able to take out of being in that environment.”
From Thailand to Spain to Turkey, Trent was able to visit places she never thought she’d see.
She spent eight months in Thailand working as a cargo handler.
“It’s a lot of hard labor, intensive work, but I learned a craft; I learned how to drive forklifts and cranes,” she said. “It was a great experience at the time.”
Thailand also was her favorite place to visit.
“I got to travel, I got sightsee, visit Pattaya Beach (and) Bangkok,” she said. “As a young person, just being able to take that in was a great experience.”
And along the way, she made friends for life.
With strict immigrant parents, Trent always had structure; she knew to be on time, organized.
“But the military brought it out of me, like, I can be even more structured and more organized, and really have a direction if I focus on that,” she said. “It really helped me to be just disciplined and ambitious.”
LASTING LEGACY
Trent’s discipline, organization and ambition, stemming from her parents and the military, is
what led her to successfully open Color Me Mine.
After moving to Horizon West and deciding to open her own studio, Trent applied skills acquired in the military to make her daughter’s wishes come true.
Trent’s paint-your-own pottery studio is more than just a wish, though.
It’s generational wealth, Trent said.
“I just want to show (my children), ‘Hey, we’re in this life for a purpose and a certain amount of time, so we have to make the most out of it while we’re here,’” she said. “I’m trying to create an environment for them that they can feel like they can be successful in anything that they do. … When I go, I want them to be able to see a legacy in me to carry on.”
But the business has been wonderful to Trent. She genuinely loves everything about it.
“There’s not been a bad day since I opened the doors here,” she said. “I can honestly truly say that my staff is amazing.”
Every month, franchise owners participate in a brand meeting to talk about how studios have grown from month to month, and Trent’s studio consistently is in the top five for growth. She credits her team.
“I wouldn’t be able to do this without you guys,” she said to her team members.
But as a first-time business owner, Trent experienced some challenges.
Learning about sales tax, personal property tax, licenses and the managing side of things was tough. But overtime, she was able to get a handle of things.
“We’re just really happy to be a part of the community,” Trent said. “We want to be here for a very long time. I want people to know this is a family environment. ... It’s a great place to sit down, unwind and just let your mind settle and really focus on being creative.”
To Trent, being an owner and manager is an honor.
“It doesn’t feel like work at all,” she said. “It’s the best job ever.”
LETICIA
STAFF WRITER
Courtesy photos
Nedy Trent served for eight years in the U.S. Navy. She enlisted in 1995.
Photo by Leticia Silva
Here’s her cards: Teen spreads cheer with handmade greetings
WANT A CARD?
Arianna Bryant is a 14-year-old girl who will make a card for anyone. She’ll ask for details about the individual receiving the card and create a card based on the information.
If you’re interested in Arianna creating a card for you, reach out to her mom, Lacye Bryant, through Ariannas Cards of Kindness on Facebook.
LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR
Dr. Phillips’ Lacye Bryant saw a post on a community Facebook group in April from a mother asking if people would send cards to her son who was graduating from kindergarten.
The graduation had been canceled, and the mother wanted her son to feel special for his accomplishment.
When Bryant told her 14-yearold daughter, Arianna Bryant, about the situation, Arianna jumped at the opportunity to bring joy to another child.
She made the card that night.
“It was very exciting to be able to cheer up someone any way I can,” Arianna said. “It was very fulfilling. It’s definitely nice knowing you are able to bring someone a little joy.”
The Bryants took the time to learn more about what the boy likes so she could personalize the card. His love for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was the inspiration for the card. She drew one of the heads of Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo in each corner of the card and colored in bubble letters for “kindergarten graduate.”
After he received the card, the boy sent Arianna a video thanking her for the small gift.
That was the moment Arianna knew she wanted to make more cards for free to send to anyone who wanted one simply with the goal of spreading kindness.
“HER HEART IS PURE GOLD”
Lacye Bryant said her daughter always has been able to find the beauty in everything — despite having an atypical childhood.
Lacye Bryant said she and Arianna left Arianna’s birth father when Arianna was 5 years old. They went to Harbor House, and both were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The mother-daughter duo lived in hotels for the first few years after Lacye Bryant separated from her husband because she wasn’t financially stable.
“We’re out of it now, thank God, but she had a rough (childhood),” Lacye Bryant said. “I would expect her to be a troubled teen. She did not have a typical childhood. It wasn’t great, but I did the best I could, and I always tried to make little things special. I think maybe that instilled something in her to make, like, birthdays, even if I couldn’t do something big, I would make the day special.”
Since then, Lacye Bryant has remarried and the family of five has found ways to celebrate each other, even when they didn’t have a ton of money. Arianna loves thrifting and “find-
ing the beauty in old treasures,” Lacye Bryant said, such as a snow globe missing the glass globe but still plays music. Arianna brings out the snow globe every holiday season.
When it was just Arianna and Lacye Bryant on their own in those years, Lacye Bryant said she would have appreciated receiving a card from anyone.
“When you’re going through stuff, people will always say things, it’ll be words of encouragement, but you never have anything to physically hold on to and look at,” Lacye Bryant said. “I feel like there is a difference whenever you have something you can hold on to and look at than just someone saying it.”
Seeing her daughter’s ambition to send cards to strangers across the country out of the kindness of Arianna’s heart makes Lacye Bryant feel like she’s done something right in her life, she said.
“I know her heart is pure gold,” Lacye Bryant said of her daughter. “She’s not your average teenager. She’s so beyond that when it comes to thinking and thinking about others and caring for people.”
CREATED WITH KINDNESS
With a passion for art, Arianna started making handmade cards for her parents and brothers at 8 years old, personalizing them to their likes and interests.
For every occasion — birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and more — she would take her time, sketching her design by hand until it was perfect to her. Then she would go over the design in black pen and start coloring it.
Her favorite card she’s ever made was for this past Mother’s Day. She put human eyes on an apple and hamster to look like the memes she saw on TikTok that were weird to Lacye Bryant.
As soon as Lacye Bryant opened the card on Mother’s Day, she laughed seeing the weird eyes, knowing her daughter knew it would make her feel comfortable.
“It’s my favorite, because it definitely screams Arianna did this for sure,” Lacye Bryant said. “With our family cards, it’s just kind of a fun little thing, there’s always something slightly off.”
It might be a spelling or grammatical error in the message or the card opening the opposite direction, Arianna’s parents always enjoy looking to see if anything is off on the card. It’s a unique and special moment if they do find something because they know the card was made with love.
“She wasn’t overthinking it; it was just from the heart,” Lacye Bryant said.
When it comes to cards for people outside the family, Arianna doesn’t
settle for anything less than perfect.
Although Lacye Bryant said it doesn’t occur as much anymore, she used to hear Arianna crumble card after card, not pleased with how it’s coming out.
The more cards Arianna has made, the more confidence she has gained, Lacye Bryant said.
“You obviously want your kids to go through life with confidence; you want them to walk through with their heads held high,” Lacye Bryant said.
“I’ve known she’s artistic forever, but seeing her finally start to slowly get more into it and noticing it herself, as a parent, I’m proud of her.”
Arianna has come a long way in her designs, recalling the first card she ever handmade was for Mother’s Day, and the design entailed flowers and a stick figure.
Her most difficult card was recreating the Pittsburgh Steelers helmet for a grandfather.
Arianna’s cards have been across the country.
A woman in Ohio who couldn’t afford to give her daughter a gift for her graduation cried seeing the finished card Arianna created and sent her saying, “Happy graduation, sweet girl” and decorated with flowers and stars. Arianna also made a bracelet with pastel colors for the daughter.
Another card featured a coconut with sakura flowers and another had a little tiger shark and flowers. The cards were sent to Hawaii for a couple who had experienced an earthquake. She left a message encouraging their resilience.
“It’s very nice to be able to reach out to someone that far away and them want a card from me even though they don’t even know me,” Arianna said.
Arianna’s kindness has come back to her because two women have sent her card-making and scrapbooking supplies, giving her an opportunity to expand her artistic abilities and create more intricate cards.
Now Arianna and Lacye Bryant have another way to bond: scrapbooking. Arianna is encouraging her mother to embrace her creative side through scrapbooking.
Arianna’s looking forward to sending more cards of various types, and she’s starting with 120 cards that will be sent to a nursing home in MetroWest. She will include poems or nice notes as well as a word search to give them an activity.
“My grandmother was in a nursing home, and I wish someone would have sent her a card when she wasn’t feeling good or when she really needed one,” Arianna said. “There’s always someone that needs it, even if you don’t know the person. You always try and help any way you can, and to be able to do that is very nice. I’ve always wanted to help people, anybody I can.”
Serfdom,” 1944
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WEST ORANGE TIMES
Photo by Liz Ramos
Arianna Bryant is able to spread kindness to others through her handmade cards with the help of her mother, Lacye Bryant.
Ocoee city leaders lament Florida lawmakers’ decision
MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER
Ocoee city commissioners expressed their continued concern Tuesday, June 2, with the tax reform in Tallahassee that would increase the state homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,0000 in 2028.
Florida residents will vote on the amendment in November.
While the adjustment can lower tax bills for some homeowners, it will reduce funding upon which city services rely, including police, fire rescue, parks and local projects.
“It’s something that’s really been weighing on me, and I’m sure it’s been weighing on a lot of us and other elected officials throughout this county,”
District 4 Commissioner George Oliver III said. “This is a constitutional bill. That means that it cannot be rolled back easily. This is something that’s going to affect us in the present. This is going to affect our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren for years to come.”
Oliver stressed the importance of educating neighbors, friends and all citizens of the “catastrophic sweeping implications” behind the bill.
District 1 Commissioner Scott Kennedy said he has found it interesting how elected officials at all levels have been inconsistent with their opinions on home rule. Depending on the topic at hand, such as planning and zoning or tax reform, he’s seen lawmakers either act as “home-rule heroes,” while other times, they are for reform. He said citizens need to stay informed and hold their public officials accountable for being consistent.
Mayor Rusty Johnson said when he entered the office in 1985, he always had heard an emphasis on home rule and Ocoee has followed it for the last 40 years, but now Florida is trying to make it state rule and take away from local city’s funding.
“It’s going to be hard to look at that ballot and it says, ‘you’re going to save all this, it’s going to come back somewhere’ and I don’t know where they’re going to add it, where they’re going to add this stuff to get this money that we can have fire protec-
“This is a constitutional bill. That means that it cannot be rolled back easily. This is something that’s going to affect us in the present. This is going to affect our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren for years to come.”
— District 4 Commissioner George Oliver III
tion, police protection and activities for our citizens,” he said.
Johnson said Ocoee has been collaborating with other local governments such as Winter Garden, Windermere and Oakland to push information out to residents and show them how it is directly going to impact the cities.
“It’s going to be terrible, but I hate to see these cities that (have) done everything we can do for 10 years,” he said. “We have not raised the taxes, so think about that, but that’s going to have to change with this new system.”
JUNE FAMILY BRANCH TO BENEFIT STUDENTS
Representatives of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida provided an update on the impact its June Family Branch location will have on students at Ocoee Middle and Ocoee High School.
The new facility is located 3 miles from Ocoee Middle and will serve about 250 to 300 kids per day. It will open in August, and a grand opening for the branch is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24. The 20,000-squarefoot facility will have 10,000 feet dedicated to elementary age and 10,000 to the middle- and high-school members. By dedicating space for high-schoolers, participants of Ocoee Middle’s after-school program will have a place to call home after they complete eighth grade.
ANGLICAN
ANGLICAN COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
“They get support for three consecutive years at our program and then when it’s time to jump to high school, we (don’t) have a place for them that’s compared to what (Ocoee Middle) has,” said Amber Shaw, site coordinator for Ocoee Middle. “We’re really excited for the opportunity that those Ocoee students and members who are consistently supported can then go a couple minutes up the road and have an opportunity to be in a safe place after school every day, cultivating those interests.”
Rector The Rev. Canon Tim Trombitas 1146 East Plant St, Winter Garden
SUNDAY SERVICE 10:00 AM Find us at: Theacf.net
BAPTIST
BEULAH BAPTIST
Pastor Casey Butner 671 Beulah Rd, Winter Garden 407-656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org
The Boys and Girls Club has participated in the Orange County government-funded after-school zone since 1999, and it has a program that runs out of Ocoee Middle. Shaw has been in her role as the site coordinator for 15 years and has seen the struggle families have after their children complete middle school and no longer have access to the after-school program because the Winter Garden location is too far. She said there’s about 600 families registered for the program and an average daily attendance of 150 to 200 after school every day.
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM SUNDAY SERVICE 11:00AM
WEDNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
125 E Plant St., Winter Garden 407-656-2352 SUNDAYS 8:30 am Traditional 9:45 am Bible Study 11:00 am Contemporary WEDNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana Pastor Tim Grosshans www.fbcwg.org 2nd Campus: FOUNDATION WORSHIP
The June Family Branch will provide a state-of-the-art facility for members with STEM, robotics, dance and music studios. Phase two of the branch will begin after the location opens in August and will build a fullservice 10,000-square-foot gymnasium that will be part of the campus.
SUNDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages Foundation Academy High School 15304 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden www.FoundationWorship.com 407-730-1867
“So many Ocoee families are going to benefit from this program, so we’re really, really excited about that,” Shaw said. “We can’t wait to see how that transfers over to our high school students, as well.”
First Baptist
STARKE LAKE BAPTIST
CHURCH PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee Pastor Jeff Pritchard (407) 656-2351 www.starkelakebaptist.org
CHURCH OF GOD
OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD
Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011
EPISCOPAL
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH
241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com METHODIST FIRST
9:00 AM and 11:15 AM Phone – 407-656-1135 Web: fumcwg.org
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Windermere, FL 34786 407-876-2112 Worship times: 9:00am Adult Sunday School 10:00am Worship www.windermereunion.org
Jerry Demings gives final State of the County address
LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings
reflected on his nearly eight-year term as mayor and what residents can expect for the future during his last State of the County address Friday, June 5.
“During my two terms, Orange County has experienced remarkable growth, strengthened and diversified its economy, and faced moments that tested us all,” he said. “I must say these past nearly eight years have been challenging.”
While experiencing strong residential and commercial growth and record tourism, the county had to navigate a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic and Hurricane Ian, which caused historic flooding in the state of Florida, unlike anything it has seen in 500 years.
“Through it all, we remained focused,” he said. “Together, we have delivered essential services, protected our quality of life and planned not just for today, but for generations to come.”
Demings celebrated all the accomplishments the county has achieved during his leadership, including advancements to the housing crisis, the transportation crisis and homelessness.
In 2021, the county increased its annual funding to more than $56 million to address homelessness.
Through annual investments, the county has offered mental health services and crisis intervention programs, which have diverted more than 2,000 households from entering homelessness.
Demings said the county also has committed to building a 150-bed transitional facility, known as the Goldenrod Village Housing Navigation Center, in east Orange County. The center will provide healthcare and mental-health assistance, as well as employment and education support.
Soon, the first phase of Universal’s 1,000-unit multi-facility housing complex called Catchlight Crossings, a unit-affordable and workforcehousing community, will open. Furthermore, Walt Disney World also committed to building almost 1,300 affordable apartment homes on Disney-donated land.
By the end of 2028, Orange County will have created or preserved more than 10,000 housing units, Demings said.
In July, new additions to the Orange County Multicultural Center in West Orange County will be made.
“This $30 million facility will soon feature a beautiful senior center offering programs to promote connection, health and lifelong learning,” Demings said. “We will open the Innovation Center, a hub for workforce development, up-skilling and technology for residents and employees from children to seniors. I look forward to the rich multi-generational exchange of cultural ideas and learning that will unfold at the multicultural center.”
After Hurricane Ian had a devastating impact in many parts of Central Florida, the county received more than $219 million in federal disaster recovery funds.
From those funds, $18.5 million have been allocated toward a new 350-bed center for women and families at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.
DIAGNOSIS
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced he was diagnosed with prostate cancer Monday, June 1. Because of his diagnosis, he also announced he is suspending his campaign for governor.
“I’m going to focus on my health,” he said. “That’ll become the priority. … I can’t continue to do my job as mayor, take care of my family and run for governor, so I made a difficult decision.” Demings said he intends to continue “running through the finish line” as the mayor of Orange County, with his current term ending in November.
“I’m going to focus on my health, I’m going to focus on living,” he said.
IN OTHER NEWS
n Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings also said Orange County signed Thursday, June 4, a new basic ordering agreement that codifies the relationship the county will have with the federal government and ICE.
n He also said property tax cuts would have a $160 million impact on the county its first year. In 2028, that would grow to about $270 million.
Another $15 million was allocated for United Against Poverty, which will be used to expand access to food and services for nearly 22,000 Orange County families.
Demings said commissioners have been hard at work and progress has been made all across the county.
Last year, the county invested more than $1 billion in corrections, fire rescue and the sheriff’s office.
Recently, Orange County Fire Rescue launched the Pre-hospital Whole Blood Program, providing life-saving O-positive whole blood at trauma scenes, increasing survival rates before patients reach the hospital.
In 2025, West Orange resident Kristopher Baker was riding his motorcycle when he hit a guardrail and was injured.
OCFR acted quickly and administered a life-saving blood transfusion on scene.
Baker credits the program for being alive today.
“It’s just a second chance at life,” Baker said.
On top of that, Orange County also opened a $52 million state-of-the-art training center in 2025 to prepare firefighters to meet the demands of their jobs, by providing advanced and realistic training.
In the past year, OCFR responded to more than 142,000 calls for service.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to 1.2 million calls for service.
Demings said accidental drug deaths also have decreased by more than half since 2021, crediting first responders for their continuous dedication to the Orange County community.
But the celebration didn’t end there.
Demings said tourism development tax revenue reached a record level of $384 million in 2025, and new events and developments are sure to keep that up.
In 2025, Central Florida welcomed 76.7 million visitors.
“By far, we have more visitors than anywhere else in North America,” he said. “The record-breaking attendance generated billions of dollars in economic impact.”
Recently, commissioners voted to use $25 million in tourist development tax funding over five years to incentivize film and television productions in Orange County, creating brand visibility for the region, while also generating high-wage jobs that grow the local economy.
On March 31, the Jacksonville Jaguars announced the team will play its 2027 season at the Camping World Stadium, which is newly renovated through $400 million in tourist development tax funding.
“Fans and visitors will have the chance to experience the NFL and professional football again right here at our hometown field,” Demings said.
He said the county also is in the running for a future NBA All-Star gaming competition, and as one of four global cities to host the Olympic Qualifiers, these events are expected to generate billions of dollars in economic impact and support thousands of jobs.
In this fiscal year, Orange County also will host 185 events that will generate $5 billion in economic impact with more than 2.3 million attendees at the Orange County Convention Center.
Since Demings took office, the convention center’s attendance has nearly doubled, and the economic impact has grown by more than 66%, he said.
Demings said it has been an honor of a lifetime to serve as the county’s mayor.
“The best is yet to come,” he said.
“And may God continue to bless Orange County and all of us.”
FLIGHT STATUS
Three scouts from Winter Garden achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and received their Eagle Scout badges after years of hard work.
LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER
Saturday, May 30, was a day of celebration at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden.
In the church’s sanctuary room, dozens of people eagerly awaited to see three Boy Scouts recognized for achieving the Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank achievable in Scouting America.
Brett Sellers, Brett Friedman and Sawyer Steed have been a part of Scout Troop 210 for years, working to achieve the Eagle Scout rank.
While the journey wasn’t easy, they did it.
Lighting candles representative of the 12 principals of core values in the Scout Law, the three scouts reminded the audience what a scout truly is: A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
Scouts were presented with their Eagle Scout badges and honored their parents along the way, thanking them for the dedication and commitment throughout their journey.
“It’s a big deal,” Troop 210 Scoutmaster Albert Barron said. “That’s the first time they actually got to wear their medal, and they got their patch issued to them. It’s a celebration, really.”
As a Scoutmaster, Barron is beyond proud of Sellers, Steed and Friedman.
His job is to help scouts develop not only outdoor skills, but mental, spiritual and leadership skills, as well.
To him, his job is about teaching these young men to become leaders so they can go out into communities and be productive — make change.
And through their journey to Eagle Scout, they already have made a difference.
Sellers, Steed and Friedman all executed service projects.
As part of his project, Sellers restored an outdoor classroom at Christian Child Center, allowing students and teachers to enjoy the outdoors while also creating a different and safe learning environment for children.
His mother, also a teacher at the center, thanked him for his work and the impact he has made at the school.
“This was my dream for a long time, so it’s pretty awesome,” Sellers said.
BRETT FRIEDMAN
n Joined Cub Scouts in 2021
n Became a Boy Scout in 2022
n Achieved Eagle Scout rank in 2025
n Has 64 merit badges
BRETT SELLERS
n Joined Boy Scouts in 2019
n Achieved Eagle Scout rank in 2025
SAWYER STEEDS
n Joined Cub Scouts in 2018
Became a Boy Scout in 2020
n Achieved Eagle Scout rank in 2025
Not only did he get to live his dream, but also he did it while being in the top of his class at Apopka High School.
“Brett Sellers has been a true outdoorsman for many years, but he became a little unmotivated with scouting trying to balance that with school,” Barron said. “He asked me one day, ‘Mr. Barron: It’s my dream to be an Eagle Scout. Can I sit down with you and talk about what we can do, what you can do to help me and what I can do to help myself?’ We sat down, we put a plan together and … he executed the plan flawlessly. Not only did he execute the plan flawlessly, he also did it while being No. 1 in his class, and recently graduating as valedictorian.”
Similarly, Friedman built a garden at SunRidge Middle School for its Vision Inspires Possibilities program.
His garden is more than a garden. It’s an extension of the program. The program is designed to empower students with unique abilities by promoting acceptance, independence and inclusive community engagement.
Friedman’s garden is doing just that.
Students are planting, maintaining and caring for the garden, which in turn, instills confidence, strong work ethic and essential skills necessary in the workplace.
Friedman always knew he was going to become an Eagle Scout and is proud of what he has accomplished and learned along the way.
His grandfather achieved Eagle Scout Rank from Troop 210 in 1954, and Friedman wanted to follow in his footsteps.
“It’s almost bittersweet,” Friedman said. “I put in so much work and I finally got into this rank, but I
know my involvement will decrease. At the same time, it’s really nice to do what my grandfather did — earn Eagle Scout.”
Steed built a pathway leading up to the education center at Oakland Nature Preserve. Through his service project, staff and visitors now can easily and safely reach the center.
“Sawyer Steed is so kind and helpful,” Barron said. “He always puts others ahead of himself and he’s always very thoughtful about others.”
Recently, Steed and Friedman were moved to a different role within the troop — troop guide. Their responsibility is to teach all the young scouts the basic skills of the outdoors.
Sellers was made an assistant scoutmaster, assisting in planning activities, signing off on scouts’ requirements and helping scouts with rank advancements.
To these three gentlemen, Saturday, May 30, will stay in their hearts and minds forever.
Sellers, Steed and Friedman were even recognized by Winter Garden Mayor John Rees, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump.
“It’s not often that you have three Eagle Scouts celebrating at the same time,” Barron said.
“What I’m most excited about is to watch these young men become future leaders. But I’m also excited about what else they’re going to be able to provide the younger scouts, as far as leadership and guidance.”
And Sellers, Steed and Friedman already are becoming leaders in their own ways, through communication, preparedness, confidence and inclusiveness.
This means the world to Barron, not only as their Scoutmaster but also as someone who is trying to preserve the legacy of the 89-yearold troop.
“We have a program that instills the values of being a true citizen of the community,” Barron said. “We still have a program where we strive to develop young men into leaders. … We allow the youth to really break away from today’s technologies and electronics. … We still have programs that instill the notion that the outdoors is a great place to be. It’s still a program that instills values, core principle values, and it’s a program that really encourages the youth to disconnect and go outside.”
Brett Sellers, Brett Friedman and Sawyer Steed officially are Eagle Scouts.
Photo by Leticia Silva
Teen’s project emerges as first Windermere butterfly garden
Carmella Duell, 16, built a butterfly garden at Palmer Park to attract and help monarch butterflies from going extinct.
LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER
When Windermere’s Carmella Duell was just 8 years old, she was asked to babysit chrysalises — special, hardened shells caterpillars form around themselves when they are ready to transform into butterflies.
Immediately, Duell’s mind was filled with curiosity, so she accepted.
When she babysat the chrysalises, she found herself immersed in the process.
“I loved seeing the butterflies grow and develop,” she said. “The whole process of it was just really interesting, and that is what got me into agriculture.”
Now, as a 16-year-old teen, Duell still is helping butterflies.
Recently, she planted her first butterfly garden in the town of Windermere’s Palmer Park, after receiving approval from the Town Council members in November 2025.
Monarch butterflies already are making their way to Duell’s garden, indulging in nectar and pollinating flowers.
Duell’s goal is simple: provide a garden for monarch butterflies to lay eggs, consume nectar and act as cross-pollinators, aiding them from becoming extinct.
Duell planted milkweed and salvia plants in the garden, which will act as the perfect source of nectar for adult butterflies, as well as a place for them to lay their eggs.
According to the most recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Monarch Species Status Assessment, by 2080 the probability of extinction for eastern monarchs ranges from 56% to 74%, and the probability of extinction for western monarchs is more than 95%.
Threats to the species include an increased use in herbicides and pesticides, overwintering habitat destruction, and climate change.
“I felt like now was a good time, because monarchs are endangered,” Duell said. “It would be best to help them sooner rather than later.”
And the process was easier than expected, she said.
The town of Windermere was excited about Duell’s initiative, but the issue was finding the right location.
Although Windermere has multiple parks, many of them are undergoing projects, which caused some hiccups along the way.
Duell’s initial idea was to plant the garden at Pocket Park, but because of an improvement project, she had to pivot. It wasn’t a problem for her, because she was granted the chance to make a difference right in her town.
CARMELLA
DUELL’S BUTTERFLY GARDEN
WHERE: Palmer Park, 216 Pine St., Windermere PARK HOURS: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
VOLUNTEERING: Email Carmella Duell at cduell27@gmail.com
During the winter months, more hiccups came.
Because of the cold weather, some of her milkweed did not survive, but she persevered.
We’ll just do it again, she’d say.
“She was unflappable,” said Kelley Duell, Carmella Duell’s mother. “She saw the process through from start to finish, and she was really happy about it. I feel like this is her happy place and where she feels comfortable. She finds joy in helping, and you couldn’t ask for much more.”
With this garden, Carmella Duell hopes to not only help monarch butterflies but also educate others.
Her ultimate goal is to have multiple butterfly gardens in town, as well as the Ward Trail.
But to accomplish that, she’ll need some volunteers.
By teaching others how to care for the gardens and why monarch butterflies are essential for our ecosystem, she hopes to continue her legacy making an everlasting impact in the environment.
Her interest in the environment goes far beyond monarch butterflies, though.
At Olympia High School, she is a part of FFA, a program designed to promote agricultural education, leadership and personal growth.
She plants plants around her house and cares for them.
She takes time out of her day to research ways she can be of help. In the future, she hopes to attend the University of Florida to study pharmacology.
Her life’s mission always has been to help people, and through pharmacology, which includes botanical pharmacology, she hopes to do just that.
“I just like planting and watching things grow and knowing that I helped create it,” Carmella Duell said. “I like watching my plants and see how they just develop and know that was something that I started.”
The process to create and execute her garden was impactful, not only to her but also those around her.
“It makes me aware of what’s going on around me, and it’s giving me the skills to take initiative and know that there is room for growth in every aspect,” Carmella Duell said. It also showed those around her that people can make change as long as they act on it.
With the intent to help those who need it, Carmella Duell knows as long as she stays tenacious, she can do it.
CARMELLA, THE AUTHOR
Carmella Duell also wrote and illustrated a children’s book. “Connor and The Colossal Case of the Crummies,” follows a dinosaur named Connor who is sick and fearful of the doctor.
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The fictional 6-year-old dinosaur visits the doctor and the pharmacy, overcoming his fear. The book gently introduces children to basic health concepts and prevention strategies, while helping them overcome their fears through a success story.
Photo by Leticia Silva
Carmella Duel visits the garden for maintenance once per week. Sometimes, monarch butterflies fly by her, leaving her in awe.
Ahome in the Avalon Estates community in Winter Garden topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from May 18 to 24.
The home at 17261 Heartwood Loop, Winter Garden, Lake County, sold May 19, for $1,910,500. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths and 6,400 square feet. Days on market: 132. The sellers were represented by Bradford Bolton, LPT Realty LLC.
These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.
DR. PHILLIPS
BAY HILL VILLAGE
The home at 5957 Chesapeake Park, No. 60, Orlando, sold May 22, for $843,500. Built in 1983, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,403 square feet. Days on market: 158.
BRENTWOOD CLUB
The home at 8726 Beckingham Place, Orlando, sold May 21, for $1,055,000. Built in 1991, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,600 square feet. Days on market: 10.
ORANGE TREE COUNTRY CLUB
The home at 7455 Sparkling Lake Road, Orlando, sold May 19, for $1,130,000. Built in 1987, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,745 square feet. Days on market: 12.
PARKSIDE
The home at 8143 Chilton Drive, Orlando, sold May 22, for $1,270,000. Built in 2016, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 4,779 square feet of living area. Days on market: 212.
RUBY LAKE
The home at 10987 Lemon Lake Blvd., Orlando, sold May 19, for $949,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,877 square feet. Days on market: One.
The home at 11509 Citrus Fields Place, Orlando, sold May 22, for $895,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,710 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.
TOREY PINES
The home at 8713 Summerville Place, Orlando, sold May 20, for $935,000. Built in 1990, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,431 square feet. Days on market: 40.
VIZCAYA HEIGHTS
The condo at 8761 The Esplanade, No. 18, Orlando, sold May 22, for $620,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,549 square feet. Days on market: Four.
HORIZON WEST AVALON WOODS
The home at 6019 Flowering Cherry Bend, Winter Garden, sold May 21, for $789,344. Built in 2026, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,688 square feet.
The home at 6309 Wild Persimmon Way, Winter Garden, sold May 19, for $613,160. Built in 2026, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,515 square feet.
ENCLAVE
The home at 17514 Black Rail St., Windermere, sold May 22, for $692,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,373 square feet of living area. Days on market: 86.
HARVEST AT OVATION
The home at 13001 Harvest Rain Ave., Winter Garden, sold May 21, for $750,000. Built in 2026, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,858 square feet. Days on market: 14.
INDEPENDENCE
The home at 14680 Black Cherry Trail, Winter Garden, sold May 22, for $625,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,233 square feet. Days on market: 20.
LAKE CAWOOD ESTATES
The home at 13734 Lake Cawood Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 22, for $1,210,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 4,437 square feet. Days on market: 64.
LAKE SAWYER SOUTH
The home at 13243 Charfield St., Windermere, sold May 20, for $685,000. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,794 square feet. Days on market: Six.
LAKESHORE PRESERVE
The home at 15828 Shorebird Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 22, for $930,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,058 square feet. Days on market: Six.
LAKESIDE AT HAMLIN
The home at 15373 Lake Killarney Court, Winter Garden, sold May 22, for $780,000. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,623 square feet. Days on market: 29.
LAKESIDE AT OVERLOOK 2 AT HAMLIN
The home at 14241 Colonial Pointe Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 20, for $1,330,000. Built in 2017, it has seven bedrooms, five-and-onehalf baths and 5,001 square feet. Days on market: 65.
RESERVE AT CARRIAGE POINTE
The home at 15393 Sandfield Loop, Winter Garden, sold May 22, for $935,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 4,303 square feet. Days on market: 18.
The home at 2015 Sandy Garden Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 20, for $741,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,871 square feet. Days on market: 123.
SUMMERPORT
The home at 5427 Nagami Drive, Windermere, sold May 21, for $799,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,493 square feet. Days on market: Six.
The home at 5018 River Gem Ave., Windermere, sold May 22, for $750,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,379 square feet. Days on market: 86.
WATERLEIGH
The home at 16232 Rock Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 22, for $900,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,491 square feet. Days on market: 44.
WICKHAM PARK
The home at 12784 Garridan Ave., Windermere, sold May 21, for $525,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,970 square feet. Days on market: 26.
WINDERMERE ISLE
The home at 8415 Vivaro Isle Way, Windermere, sold May 21, for $860,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,038 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.
WINDERMERE TRAILS
The home at 11922 Angle Pond Ave., Windermere, sold May 21, for $745,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,382 square feet. Days on market: 273.
WINDING BAY
The home at 15324 Gilligan Court, Winter Garden, sold May 19, for $900,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,794 square feet. Days on market: 18.
The home at 15327 Gilligan Court, Winter Garden, sold May 22, for $664,800. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,506 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.
WINDWARD CAY
The home at 3633 Turningwind Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 19, for $755,500. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,412 square feet. Days on market: Four.
OCOEE
FAIRFAX VILLAGE
The home at 271 Wescliff Drive, Ocoee, sold May 20, for $529,900. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 1,824 square feet. Days on market: 10.
LAKE SHORE GARDENS
The home at 418 E. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, sold May 22, for $605,000. Built in 1980, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,741 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.
PRESERVE AT CROWN POINT
The home at 3111 Stonegate Drive, Ocoee, sold May 20, for $532,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,187 square feet. Days on market: 57.
SOUTHWEST ORANGE
LAKE SHEEN RESERVE
The home at 10484 Wiscane Ave., Orlando, sold May 20, for $960,000. Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,589 square feet of living area. Days on market: 179.
WINDERMERE
HARBOR ISLE
The home at 3138 Seigneury Drive, Windermere, sold May 22, for $1,175,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,831 square feet. Days on market: 25.
KEENE’S POINTE
The home at 11952 Camden Park Drive, Windermere, sold May 20, for $1,550,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,337 square feet. Days on market: 34.
The home at 8375 Bowden Way, Windermere, sold May 22, for $1,300,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,809 square feet. Days on market: 158.
MANORS AT BUTLER BAY
The home at 2702 Carter Grove Circle, Windermere, sold May 21, for $945,000. Built in 1988, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,292 square feet. Days on market: Three.
WESTOVER CLUB
The home at 9639 Westover Club Circle, Windermere, sold May 19, for $832,500. Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,248 square feet. Days on market: 12.
TOWN OF WINDERMERE
The home at 316 E. Fifth Ave., Windermere, sold May 21, for $1,050,000. Built in 1962, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,412 square feet. Days on market: 22.
The home at 305 Oakdale St., Windermere, sold May 19, for $710,000. Built in 1935, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,424 square feet.
WINTER GARDEN
HICKORY HAMMOCK
The home at 15195 Lake Claire Overlook Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 21, for $1,235,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,844 square feet. Days on market: 29.
ROPER RESERVE
The home at 1751 Highbanks Circle, Winter Garden, sold May 26, for $700,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,037 square feet. Days on market: 50.
STONEYBROOK WEST
The home at 15508 Pebble Ridge St., Winter Garden, sold May 21, for $725,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,763 square feet. Days on market: Five.
SPORTS
5
1Central Florida Christian Academy has found its newest boys basketball head coach: Jon Thomas.
The Eagles’ program reached the FHSAA Class 1A State Semifinal last season for the first time since 2019 under former head coach Albert Settles’ guidance. Thomas’ more than nine years of experience as a coach includes stints at Geneva School, Jones High School and Pathways School, where he helped lead the Eagles to the FICAA 2A State Championship last season. He also coaches within the Austin Rivers SE Elite organization on the 3SSB Circuit.
The Orlando native graduated from Evans High before attending the University of Central Florida for his undergrad and graduate degrees.
2
The Joshua Guerrier Football Camp is coming to Ocoee.
The camp is hosted in partnership with Le Guerrier Enter prises LLC and the city of Ocoee Parks and Leisure Services from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 27, at Ocoee Bulldog Football Field. Guerrier graduated in 2025 from Ocoee High and committed to the University of Pittsburgh’s foot ball team. The current Panther finished his freshman season as a defensive back.
The camp is open for ages 11-18, and pre-registration is required at bit.ly/4xvQYyS.
3
Windermere High’s boys basketball team found its newest head coach in-house.
Former assistant coach Jordan Gregory, who worked in that role for one year, is enter ing a new role as the head coach of the Wolverines. His promotion comes after longtime head coach Mark Griseck, who worked at Windermere since 2017, stepped down.
Gregory’s coaching back ground includes a one-year stint at Central Florida Christian Academy from 2024-25 as an associate head coach and eight years as an assistant coach for Florida State University Schools. In 2022, his FSUS team won the Class 3A Boys Basketball State Championship.
4
Dr. Phillips Little League’s 7-year-old
Troy Lazaro had a breakout first season playing on AAA teams. Page 10A.
COLOR COORDINATION
The Squeeze changing its colors and logos reflects the greater trend in athletes and fans’ desire for a variety of merchandise and apparel.
Horizon High announced its former assistant baseball coach, Nathan Schreckengost, will step into the head-coaching role for the upcoming season. Schreckengost played for Winter Garden Little League before his time as a varsity player on West Orange High’s baseball team. He graduated in 2016 from West Orange and went on to play college baseball at Lander University. As a college player, Schreckengost was a first baseman and recorded a .280 batting average in 154 games played with 100 runs and a .473 slugging percentage.
5
The Winter Garden Squeeze took game one 11-6 Thursday, June 4, of the three-game home series against the Orlando Snappers. In the win, right-fielder David Freitas recorded two home runs. He had entered the game without any hits on the season.
Former Florida Collegiate Summer League coaches Terry Abbott and David Burr, who coached for the Squeeze for three seasons from 2019 to 2021, threw out the first pitch.
The Winter Garden Squeeze has changed its logo and colors for the first time since its inaugural season in 2014, reflecting the changing community.
MEGAN BRUINSMA
ver since 2014, West Orange’s Florida Collegiate Summer League baseball team, the Winter Garden Squeeze, has been known for its blue and orange colors — inspired by its original host school, West Orange High. The logo encompassed a baseball split down the middle and revealing an orange with the word “Squeeze” in the middle and topped with the iconic clock tower found in downtown Winter Garden’s Centennial Plaza.
Everything served as homage to the Squeeze’s home base.
But last season, the Squeeze’s home
Coverage sponsored by:
plate moved across town from West Orange to Horizon West, and the team of collegiate players dug their cleats into Horizon High’s infield mix.
Now as the team has kicked off its 13th year and second consecutive season at Horizon, it decided it was time for a refresh. Across the sporting landscape, including the professional leagues — NBA, NFL, MLB and even college teams — throwback jerseys or “City Connect” jerseys have become
increasingly popular. Fans enjoy swag and a variety of merchandise they can purchase, and the Squeeze want to hone in on that, especially after seeing the success of its mash-up with Huey Magoo’s last season.
For the first time in the Squeeze’s history, the team has shed its traditional blue and orange and logo for a refresh to purple and orange, embracing the Hawks’ community and welcoming a new era.
“It was contrasting when you saw the blue and purple,” Squeeze General Manager Adam Bates said. “It just didn’t sit. (Purple) sits well in the dugout. It sits well on campus, it sits well in the community. … As many people saw in the first game of the series against the Orlando Snappers, that beautiful sunset with our uniforms on the campus all came together.”
Every home game, as the sun dips below the horizon, the ball park is filled with cascading purples and oranges. In the foreground lay the players with their white home-game
OARS rower prepares for West Point
Brooke Deaton, a senior captain at Orlando Area Rowing Society, de-committed from the University of West Virginia’s rowing team to pursue her call to serve at West Point.
MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF
WRITER
Orlando Area Rowing Society’s Brooke Deaton never will forget the Junior 8+ boat with which she won Sweep States in 2024. She was in her second year of rowing, and at that point, she had to decide whether she would commit to the sport or venture down another avenue.
Rowing took time out of her schedule.
Deaton, who graduated from Olympia High in May, missed out on high school football games for practices, but the group of girls made it all worth it — everyone was willing to work hard for one another.
Winning states as a sophomore made Deaton realize she wanted to begin the recruitment process. Oneand-one-half years later, Deaton officially committed to the University
of West Virginia’s Division I rowing team, she almost had fully signed with the school until she received a different offer.
In 2024, Deaton not only learned she was serious about rowing but also that she craved the structure and security a military academy offers. When she received a call from the United States Military Academy West Point, she decided to de-commit from the University of West Virginia.
Although she no longer will be rowing for OARS or in college, the experiences she gained through her four years there and her year as a senior captain will shape how she approaches her future at West Point and life.
COMMITMENT TO OARS
Growing up, Deaton was active in athletics. She previously played soccer before participating in a summer camp at OARS.
Brooke Deaton always worked hard during her four years with the Orlando Area Rowing Society. Now, she’s honored to be using her experiences as a student at West Point.
“I liked the water,” she said. “I liked how it was a team-built sport, and I liked the consistency. … I thought it had the prettiest landscape, and that’s where I went.” She always had begged her parents for a consistent and structured sched-
ule, and OARS gave her just that. The first year, as most newbies, she was infatuated with it, but after realizing the commitment required, she began to feel the weakness in rowing more
Photo by Megan Bruinsma
Squeeze pitcher Rylee Gibson stood in the dugout with his teammates as the sun cascaded on their jerseys that were inspired by its rays.
Courtesy photo
Troy Lazaro
Dr. Phillips Little League’s pitcher
Troy Lazaro first played baseball at 2 years old with his Little Tikes Tots Sports T-ball. He would place it underneath his stroller to let his mom know he was ready to head to the playground. Since then, Lazaro was placed in DPLL at 4 years old and in three seasons worked his way up to AAA teams at 7 years old.
In his AAA fall 2025 season, Lazaro recorded an on-base percentage of more than .800 and led the team of 9- to 11-year-olds. In the spring season, Lazaro had a .600 on-base percentage and became a starting pitcher for the team. He also recently competed on DPLL’s Tournament of Champions team for his efforts during the season.
“Each season he grows and improves his leadership, work ethic and overall baseball IQ,” his parents said. “He always gives 110%. Typically he is always the first on the field and with complete joy on his face. He has a passion for baseball and competition.”
What do you enjoy most about baseball?
What I enjoy most about baseball is hanging out with my team, having fun, practicing drills like “run downs,” batting practice, playing games — such as Zombies and Survivors, and Moss — and coach-led pizza parties, my dad coaching and my mom being dugout mom.
What is your best memory in baseball?
My best memory in baseball was winning my first championship! My dad was managing/ coaching, my brother was on my same team and my parents had a surprise celebration of seltzer bottles to shake up and spray on my entire team! I felt
THE BASICS
Age: 8
Grade: Rising fourth-grader
School: Holy Family Catholic
School
Sport: Baseball
and how to be a good baseball player. I’m still actively building the habit of handling setbacks by always being respectful.
What advice would you give someone who just joined baseball?
I would advise them to try hard and you will get better. Practice every day by throwing against the wall or by hitting a tee or against a net. Practice always makes me better.
If you were a coach, what speech would you give the team? If I was a coach, the speech would depend on what type of a team I have or their mood. If my team is good I would give them a heart speech, “We have a championship in our hands!” Making them feel excited and brave. If my team needs developing, I would give them a more mindful speech, “Baseball ready,” giving them specific directions with their hands and feet.
What is your pre-game ritual?
My pre-game ritual starts the night before with a good night’s sleep. (The morning starts with) waking up, praying, (and) eating a healthy breakfast of eggs and sausage and grapes. (I) head to the fields an hour before game time, listening to my get-psyched song, “Long Way Down” by the Goo Goo Dolls, practicing an hour before with my team by fielding and batting. Once at a game and called at bat, I make the sign of the cross before the plate and then on
Squeeze rebrand reflects new home at Horizon High
jerseys, and behind them, the sunset begins subtle but slowly becomes more intense, turning the Squeeze players into golden figurines.
Bates said they had the idea of a refresh before going to Horizon in 2025, and as the season grew, they realized how special the venue was and knew they would be returning, so the refresh process commenced.
FINDING A DESIGNER
Jon Pinto and Scott Brown, from the Squeeze’s board and founder of the Mordecai Brown Legacy Foundation, met a few years ago and bonded over their shared love for baseball. Pinto, a freelance illustrator who has been designing apparel since 1995, had worked on a piece of artwork for Brown’s family, and Brown mentioned the possibility of rebranding the Squeeze’s uniforms.
That conversation happened three years ago, but when it came time to move forward with rebranding over the summer, the Squeeze turned toward Pinto.
“They wanted to try to incorporate a little bit of the history with the teams that played in Winter Garden back in the 1920s, ’30s, so forth, and if I could possibly incorporate some of that into the thought process, and working with a retro-type design, I think is always fun,” Pinto said.
He researched the old Washington Senators’ logos and uniforms, and even other non-related baseball teams to widen his scope of what
he could work on and then got to work. Over two days, Pinto created the designs fitting the retro theme and purple, white and orange color scheme.
“It’s awesome,” Pinto said of working on his first baseball jersey. “As a professional artist, you don’t always work on stuff you like personally — it’s a job, so actually working on things that you’re also passionate about — those are dream jobs.”
The Squeeze team took one look, decided on their favorite and moved forward with it.
“Once we got the new logos and new uniforms and everything, at first I didn’t know what to expect, but once seeing the switch and seeing the purple on the field I honestly love it and I think it looks so good,” Squeeze social media intern Daniella DiSciullo said.
DiSciullo said the rebranding has been “super exciting.” The only adjustments she had as social media manager was updating all logos on the Squeeze’s socials and across the league, and making changes throughout marketing.
“Adam (Bates) keeps saying it’s a testament to what he wants to build at Horizon and into the community,” she said.
TESTAMENT TO HORIZON
With Horizon West being an upand-coming area, it doesn’t have the Garden Theatre like Winter Garden or the Little League park as well as major community amenities,
which is why Bates believes the high school is the hub of the area. Recitals are held in the large auditorium that Horizon has to offer and even sporting events.
“This (change) just leads to the community partnership, because I believe also the high school is the hub of the area,” Bates said. “If we were somewhere else, we might have had a little bit of a refresh but not a color refresh and things like that. So hopefully, that shows our commitment to what we’re doing.” Bates hopes the change will help to unite the entire West Orange community as a whole as well, bringing the Squeeze’s fans from its first year in 2014 to Horizon West and teach residents who have just moved that there’s a college team to watch.
“We want to be a steward to the Horizon West community, the greater Winter Garden community, the greater Southwest Orange community, and it was just time,” Bates said.
The outpouring of support from the community has been incredible, Bates and DiSciullo said.
The Squeeze hosted its first card trade night at Home State Brewing Co., where the team released its new logo and colors to the community. Bates said a couple of the local players such as Rylee Gibson, and a host family came to the baseball card night.
“Everyone’s initial reaction was like ‘Oh these are really good,’” DiSciullo said.
Rower earns West Point appointment
than the strength, especially since rowing demands athletes to be wellrounded.
Thanksgiving break. It will be hard not to see her parents and five siblings for months, but her family always has supported her and pushed her through every step of the way, and attending West Point will unlock a new world of possibilities.
Whom do you look up to the I look up to the most my older brother Jude, who also plays baseball as shortstop.
What is something new you would like to learn?
I’d like to learn how to dunk a
Where would you want to live if you weren’t in Florida?
If I (weren’t) in Florida, I would like to live in Boston, Massachusetts. When I visited the Dick’s Sporting Goods store there, they had a batting cage that allowed me to track my swings and ball
What is your favorite birthday
My eighth birthday was my favorite memory. I had a huge pool party and bounce house and waterslide with all my friends! It started at 11 a.m. and ended very late. We played all day!
What future career do you want
I would like to be a professional baseball player playing shortstop and batting second for the
If you had to pick a spirit animal, which would you choose?
I would choose a dog because they are loyal, protective and fun. They also chase squirrels that I’m scared of.
Rowers have running, weightlifting and erg, which is the on-land rowing machine, assessments. They also have rowing assessments, which is done on the water and through single, doubles and eightperson boats.
“It is a sport of statistics,” Deaton said.
The erg machine always has been her favorite measure of effort. Its screen shows rowers how long it takes them to row 500 meters. If they pull harder, then the time goes down.
“That either puts you in a situation where you want to accept the challenge or puts you in a situation where you’re going to underestimate yourself,” Deaton said.
Ultimately, Deaton achieved the recruitable benchmark of 2,000-meter erg time of 7 minutes, 45 seconds — fast enough to capture the attention of the University of West Virginia.
But through the recruitment process, Deaton also was applying to service academies. She applied to the academies for her call to service that was inspired by her male family members who have served and her siblings who all are on their own pathways. She said being in a driven family has pushed her to work even harder, especially since education is expensive.
“I like to make this funny joke with my dad because he has three biological kids, and I like to joke where he has two out of three college funds because he’s gambling on the fact that out of three kids, one of them won’t use it and he got lucky because I’m not using it,” Deaton said.
Deaton dreamed of a stable job with opportunities and a school that
would keep her focused on success. It’s why she’s honored to be attending West Point.
A Navy Seal quote has inspired Deaton’s dedication to improving herself, pushing herself when she’s overwhelmed to produce results that shock her.
“Once you feel like you’ve given all your effort, you’re only giving 80% and you have an extra 20%,” Deaton said. “I live by that. You can push yourself harder than you mentally think you can.”
She departs for West Point’s boot camp Monday, June 29.
PUSHING FOR SUCCESS
Deaton knows the path that lies ahead of her won’t be easy.
“Boot camp is definitely a fear,” she said. “Gas chamber is definitely a fear. Jumping out of a plane, getting screamed at for hours on end, everything is scary. But what I keep reminding myself, as I said in my final speech at OARS, ‘It is a privilege to be uncomfortable. It will be a privilege and it will help me learn and grow.’”
The rules she must follow as a freshman at West Point also will help her grow. She can’t shut her door unless she’s changing. She can only walk on the inside of halls. She can’t speak outside and must walk everywhere with her hands cupped. Deaton won’t even be known by her first name the entire year.
“Some of those things I know are going to make me uncomfortable,” she said. “But I’m willing to embrace it for the journey.”
Deaton won’t return home until
“It’s an environment where people want to teach you, they want to learn, and I’m such a person that all I want to do is learn,” she said. “I want to be in an environment where I’m pushed to learn.”
The student to faculty ratio is 3:1 at West Point — perfect to foster Deaton’s success. She will have the support system around her to help her find academic success, like she had at OARS.
Being in a rowing community pushed Deaton to become the best version of herself. The organization always encouraged participants to be more than just a rower and that the student in student-athlete always came first.
The environment helped Deaton graduate as an AP Super Scholar from Olympia and top 10% of her class. She spent more than 10 hours per week studying for her 14 AP classes she took during high school.
WELL-ROUNDED APPLICANT
Service academy appointments require a nomination from a state senator, vice president of the United States or other representatives. Sen. Ashley Moody and U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster selected Deaton.
After fitness exams and her formal application, Deaton found herself in an interview room with Sen. Rick Scott. Deaton walked into a room with five people all sitting in chairs in front of her in uniform. One by one, they asked questions and took notes of her answers.
“I had never been in a situation like that before,” she said. “I had to get interview trained. I had to find an outfit. I had to (be specific in) my essays for what I wanted to say and how I wanted to be perceived.”
One common theme throughout all of her interviews was the question, “How would people describe you in leadership?”
Deaton said being able to talk about her leadership time as a captain of an OARS team of 200 and competing at events that had thousands of participants helped her showcase the scope of her leadership.
“They want to see that you’re a small fish in a big pond making as much difference as you can make than a big fish in a small pond,” she said.
As she prepares to step into the next chapter, she will carry that lesson with her. She’ll become the bottom of the food chain, but it’s the first step in setting herself down a path of service and eventually come out of the academy as a second lieutenant and ready to lead in a new fashion.
Courtesy photo
Brooke Deaton has achieved her dreams of pursing a military academy for its access to faculty who will teach her lifelong lessons.
DPHS celebrates seniors
and turn their tassels.
— LIZ RAMOS
TITANIC ACHIEVEMENT: Olympia seniors turn tassels
The members of Olympia High School’s Class of 2026 officially are alumni.
The graduation ceremony was held Friday, May 22, at Kia Center.
“Today marks both an ending and a new beginning,” Orange County School Board member Anne Douglas said at the ceremony. “As you step forward into new careers, continued education, service or exploration, remember this: Your path is yours to shape. … There will be moments of uncertainty, and that is part of growth. Keep moving forward with purpose and integrity. Dream boldly, work diligently, stay curious. The world needs
your voice, your values and your courage.”
and laughter.
SILVA Seniors listened diligently as speakers gave inspiring and encouraging speeches. Amartsetseg Batchuluun was excited to graduate.
It was an emotional moment for seniors, families and friends, with lots of cheering, happy tears
“Congratulations graduates,” Douglas said. “The future is wide open and it belongs to you.” —
Principal Jackie Ramsey congratulated valedictorian Samuel Guilfoy, who was beaming with pride.
Karolyne Avelar and Liz Aulan were excited to graduate. Saki Anandani sang with pride in her last performance with the Pantera Vocal Ensemble.
Right: Graduates were thrilled to see their family and friends.
Amira Martin, salutatorian, spoke at the ceremony.
Right: Senior Class President Alexi Mulvihill could not contain her excitement as she received her diploma.
Orange County School Board District 5 representative Vicki-Elaine Felder had the audience fired up.
Alexander Baldor shook hands with a faculty member as he got off the stage.
Observer welcomes student writers
ALYSSA COLOCA
Alyssa Coloca is a rising senior at Windermere High School.
In high school, she keeps herself busy serving in a wide variety of leadership positions in a plethora of clubs and organizations including yearbook, ASL Club, Better Earth Club, STEMsters, National Honor Society and Rho Kappa.
She also serves in a leadership role for The Windy Word, Windermere High’s literary magazine.
Inside of school and out, she also works with young kids.
Alyssa Coloca, Ava Petroski, Evelyn Schorr, Kate Richardson, Noah Setliff and Tatum Nguyen will write about topics of importance and interest to them and their peers.
LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR
The annual summer Observer tradition is here.
Her passion for writing only has grown since she was little and writing stories.
“It started with stories and then it sort of evolved to song lyrics, and I think we’re back at stories,” Coloca said. “It’s just something that’s always come natural to me. It’s always the class I’ve been best at, or I’ve excelled in, because science and math is not really my thing, but writing definitely is.”
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Six student writers representing six high schools will fill the pages of our Observer School Zone section writing about topics of importance and interest to them and their peers. We are thrilled to welcome Alyssa Coloca, Ava Petroski, Evelyn Schorr, Kate Richardson, Noah Setliff and Tatum Nguyen to our reporting team, sharing their passions with our community and telling local stories.
Coloca said being able to write for Summer School Zone will be another outlet for her to share her writing. She also would like to pursue a major in journalism in college.
TATUM NGUYEN
Tatum Nguyen is a rising junior at Windermere Preparatory School.
People can find Nguyen out on the water in Windermere rowing with the Orlando Area Rowing Society, continuing her love of rowing.
Besides rowing, she’s involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Club, sports medicine and serves as the lead editor of the yearbook.
She also loves to volunteer, serving the community in any way she can, including being a camp counselor at a summer camp working with children with autism.
But when she’s writing, it’s a time to clear her mind and share what she does in her life with others.
“On social media, I like to share what I’m doing in my life like with rowing, I like to share if I win or my practices,” Nguyen said.
Summer School Zone will be another outlet for her to share how she’s spending her summer with people outside the Windermere Preparatory community.
SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE
AVA PETROSKI
Ava Petroski is a rising junior at Olympia High School.
This summer will be Petroski’s third year writing for Summer School Zone.
She will be able to further explore her writing abilities at a writing program at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, later this summer.
“Creative writing has been a passion of mine for a really long time,” Petroski said. “It’s such a dream that I get to go to upstate New York to write.”
Besides writing, Petroski also has a flair for the dramatic, diving into the theater every chance she has at school, summer camp and more. She has written her own plays, which Valencia College students have performed, and she has taken theater classes at school and participated in the spring musical. To see a different aspect of theater, she will be participating in a summer camp on how to build haunted houses.
In addition to theater, she also is a member of Olympia’s bowling team.
KATE RICHARDSON
Kate Richardson is a rising sophomore at Foundation Academy with a deep passion for anything related to science.
At 6 years old, she was asking for space encyclopedias as gifts.
Although unsure of where her future will take her after high school, the idea of working at NASA in some capacity thrills her. She also could see herself working in astrophysics.
“I really enjoy learning about space, what’s in the universe, and I enjoy how investigative it is and how much you can learn about it,” she said.
She currently is working on a YouTube channel that explains bite-sized pieces of “space science” she researches and presents.
But her passion isn’t only in science but also writing.
At Foundation Academy, she participates in the Quill and Scroll, helping with the school newsletters.
“I like being able to kind of voice my opinion or my thoughts into words and share it with people,” she said.
EVELYN SCHORR
Evelyn Schorr is a rising senior at Montverde Academy.
Schorr’s passion for writing and journalism started when she was asked to be the editor-in-chief of her yearbook in eighth grade at SunRidge Middle School. Upon entering high school, she wanted to expand her opportunities, diving deeper into the world of writing and journalism.
Since then, she has been a part of Montverde Academy’s literary magazine, received a certificate of completion from Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design’s Vogue Summer School and completed the Columbia University Summer Immersion Program.
At school, Schorr also serves as the captain of the dance team and participates in six honor societies. She also serves as student council president of the Jewish Student Union and vice president of the book club.
NOAH SETLIFF
Noah Setliff is a rising senior at Horizon High School with experience working in the school’s news program, Hawk News, where he has served as an associate producer.
In his senior year, he will serve as the executive producer, writing the scripts for the shows and directing them.
His passion for news and writing allows him to dive into his fascination with creation and connecting with people on a deeper level.
“I enjoy people because everyone comes from a different background, everyone has different views,” he said. “Getting to know them, to see their views, see what their point of view is on life and the world itself is interesting.”
Another passion of Setliff’s is music. He would like to pursue a career in music, but he said if that doesn’t come to fruition, he would like to work with video technology, especially if it relates to music.
’26 Knights turn tassels
Ocoee High School celebrated its Class of 2026 with an energetic graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 26, at Addition Financial Arena at the University of Central Florida. This year’s class included valedictorian Alexis Martinez and salutatorian Phuong Quynh Cap. For more photos, visit tk-photos.com.
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SHORT LIST by Rebecca Goldstein, edited by Jared Goudsmit
By Luis Campos
PHOTOS BY THOMAS LIGHTBODY | TK PHOTOGRAPHY
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