10.09.25 West Orange Times & Observer by Orange Observer

WEST ORANGE TIMES &

Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland

SEE PAGE 7A.

Rules of the road

These vehicles have become the transportation of choice for thousands of students. But with great power comes great responsibility. PAGE 5A.

LACES UP FOR ANNUAL RUN

One of West Orange’s most popular running events returns to Windermere this weekend. The 2025 Windermere 5K/10K Run Among the Lakes takes place Saturday, Oct. 11, beginning at Town Hall, 520 Main St., Windermere.

Participants will experience one of Florida’s most beautiful and unique 5K run/walk and 10K run events. The scenic run traverses the dirt roads of Windermere, passing under a canopy of century-old oaks and alongside several lakes. This family-friendly event benefits the town of Windermere’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The Kids Run is free for children ages 7 and younger, with no registration required.

Participants can pick up their race packet from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, and Friday, Oct. 10; or from 6 to 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at Town Hall.

WARRIORS ON WATER PLANS

WELLNESS DAY

Warriors on Water, a dragon boat team of breast cancer survivors, is hosting its second Paddling Through Healing Waters event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Dr. P Phillips YMCA Family Center, 7000 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando. This event — a toolkit for breast cancer survivors — will include chair yoga, nutrition information, energy healing, Tibetan healing bowls and more. Speakers will include massage therapist Lynn Teachworth and breast cancer survivor Elyn Jacobs. For more information, visit healingwaters2025.eventbrite. com.

PET FEST RETURNS TO HORIZON WEST

Horizon West pets and their humans rejoice: The second annual Horizon West Pet Fest is coming to town. Horizon West Happenings will host the popular event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, in the Hamlin green space, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. This event is designed to bring together pet owners, animal-lovers and the community for a day of fun. The event will feature a plethora of local vendors; pet products and services; adoption drives; and much more. Attendees also will enjoy fun activities and contests, such as the Best Pets Contest. For more information, visit bit.ly/4pXvtmD.

Gourd times

Gymnastics USA held its Over the Moon Bash Saturday, Sept. 26 — much to the delight of local kids. SEE PAGE 11A.

Oakland Nature Preserve’s popular Pumpkin Glow is set for later this month. There still is time to carve your own entry for this year’s event. SEE PAGE 4A. It comes down to these two Orange County commissioners will choose between two maps as it finalizes its redistricting process. SEE PAGE 7A.

Liz Ramos

Winter Garden’s Diego Abreu and his brother, Colton Abreu, are ready for Pumpkin Glow with their newly carved pumpkins and their pumpkins from last year’s event.

Town of Oakland block party delights families, children.

Courtesy photo

5FAST

Andy’s Frozen Custard closes Ocoee location

Andy’s Frozen Custard, serving the Ocoee community since 2023, has closed its doors.

The store, located at 1501 Maguire Road, Ocoee, made an announcement Wednesday, Oct. 1, about the immediate closure, with plans to relocate in early 2026.

A new location now is under construction in Hunters Creek, Orlando, at Town Center Boulevard, right in front of Leslie’s Pool Supplies and the AT&T Store.

The new location is about 35 minutes away from the Ocoee store.

“Thanks for sticking with us — can’t wait to see you there,” Andy’s Frozen Custard officials wrote on Facebook.

OCPS reaches tentative agreements with employees

Orange County Public Schools has reached a tentative agreement with the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association for the 2025-2026 school year, pending ratification by the CTA. salary increase for teachers with a highly-effective-performance rat ing, and a 3.01% increase for teach ers with an effective rating. cated to address pay compression

for veteran teachers. Supplements for critical, hard-to-fill positions will continue.

Agreements regarding working conditions also were reached. These include added language to address the use of artificial intelligence for instruction; guaranteed 30-minute paid lunch breaks for most teachers; added language addressing unfounded student allegations filed against teachers; reduced the number of required days to use donated sick leave; and the addition of a 12-month pay option.

OCPS also reached a tentative agreement with the Orange Educational Support Professionals Association.

The tentative agreement includes a 3.65% pay raise as well as a starting rate bumped to $16 per hour for pay grades three through 18.

The agreement also includes continued work on health insurance for 2026-2027; updates to rest breaks, route bids and uniforms;

3

Stonemont Financial completes 429 Business Center in Ocoee

Stonemont Financial Group has announced the completion of its 429 Business Center in Ocoee.

Stonemont Financial Group is an Atlanta-based private real-estate investment firm specializing in industrial development, acquisitions and net lease investments.

The group has finished the 259,255-square-foot industrial seven-building complex.

The complex, currently 49% preleased after breaking ground in 2024, fronts Ocoee-Apopka Road.

industrial space in the Orlando market,” said Avery Dorr, vice president of development and acquisitions at Stonemont, in a news release. “This project represents one of the last true infill opportunities along the State Road 429 corridor, and we are proud to deliver a flexible, highquality product that meets the needs of a diverse range of users. With Orlando’s rapid growth and strategic position as a logistics hub, we are confident this development will create lasting value for both our tenants and the surrounding community.”

Cam Montgomery and Matt Sullivan with JLL are handling leasing for 429 Business Center on

Rotary Club of Horizon West asks for costume donations

The Rotary Club of Horizon West is asking residents to donate Halloween costumes.

The donations will go directly to Eight Waves and New Beginnings, nonprofits serving the Winter Garden community.

Please bring costume donations to State Farm’s Bryan Fifer at 3724 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Winter Garden; the Waterleigh Community residence at 16481 Angel Fish Road, Winter Garden; and Summerport Community residence at 5221 Nectarine Drive, Windermere.

Donations will be accepted until Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Horizon West Hospital earns two awards Orlando Health — Horizon West Hospital has received the American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines Resuscitation Silver Award and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses Go Clear Award.

The Get With the Guidelines — Resuscitation Silver Award demonstrates the hospital’s commitment to treating in-hospital cardiac arrests.

The Go Clear Award shows the hospital’s surgical team has successfully completed the Association

smoke is generated. The award

ing of everyone in the

Continuing a Legacy of Expert Care.

Leticia Silva

Andy’s Frozen Custard has closed its Ocoee location and is building one in Hunters Creek.

WGHF debuts new exhibition

Two local athletes spoke about their experiences at the opening reception of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation’s ‘Champions of West Orange County.’

AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE

HISTORIAN

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation had a full house at the opening of its latest exhibition that celebrates the athletes of West Orange County. “Champions of West Orange County: A Legacy of Athletic Excellence” chronicles the evolution of sports in the area, going back as far as the early 20th century when Lakeview High School — and, later, Lakeview junior high and middle schools and West Orange High School — provided decades of opportunities for athletes.

The exhibition also covers the 1950s spring training teams that spent months training at Walker Field, the current Winter Garden Squeeze program and other sports programs in the area.

At the Oct. 1 opening reception for the exhibition, former Major League Baseball player Brad Miller and racing professional Kyle Masson — both of whom grew up in Windermere — spoke to the crowd in attendance. Both men attended Windermere Elementary School and played Windermere Little League, but their careers took different paths.

Masson, who said he had a huge passion for motorsports, studied mechanical engineering at the University of Central Florida. But the love of racing fueled his desire to participate in racing circuits through the International Motor Sports Association.

He said playing video games was a huge inspiration and gave him a sense of direction. He took part in about 24 races each year.

“My motorsports background wasn’t necessarily about my drive for success,” he said.

What it did was combine his passion for racing with his mechanical engineering education — allowing him to apply these experiences to

IF YOU GO

“CHAMPIONS OF WEST ORANGE COUNTY”

WHEN: On display through Jan. 31, 2026

WHERE: Winter Garden

Heritage Museum, 1 N. Main St., Winter Garden INFO: wghf.org

other opportunities. After his racing career, he and his family started a medical technology company by applying many of the motorsport aspects into this new venture.

“We apply a lot of racing philosophy,” Masson said.

He hopes to get back into racing and, in the future, manage his own team.

Miller’s passion for baseball only increased as he got older. He played on the Olympia High School team and attended Clemson University to play on the diamond. Now retired and living in Tampa with his wife and 2-year-old son, Miller played for seven Major League Baseball teams, including the Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies.

“Everything I got to experience and see in my 20s and 30s was because of baseball,” he said. “It was better than I dreamed of.”

He recently worked on several preand post-game television shows for the Texas Rangers, another of his teams, and he said he would like to join a front office at some point.

He shared many stories of his time in the Major Leagues, but the one that has stuck with him is the story of Bamboo Brad.

When he was first traded to the Phillies, the team was on a sevengame losing streak, so he and his wife went to Philly’s Chinatown and bought a Lucky Bamboo plant, and he took it to the baseball field the next day.

“That night, we didn’t just win, we won in dramatic (fashion),” he said. “The next night we brought a bigger bamboo plant, and we won again on a walk-off homer.”

The same thing happened the third night of play, too. The local media went crazy, and the name stuck.

Sweet dreams ahead

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is dedicated to the betterment of children’s lives, and the Windermere Police Foundation is supporting that mission.

MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

Kathy Haworth and Bethy Ely recalled delivering new beds to twin girls.

When they arrived at the home, each girl had already created a little pile of items they wanted to store under the bed.

The twins never had a bed before.

Haworth said the girls’ smiles and pure excitement made it feel like it was Christmas morning.

“It’s like Christmas in July,” Ely said. “It’s fulfilling to know you made a difference in a child’s life.”

Haworth and Ely have seen firsthand the impact the Orlando West chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace can have on children in the area, and they’ve been hooked from those moments. They have become core team members for the nonprofit, dedicated to building and delivering beds to those in need.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, they can’t wait to be part of the effort once again as the Orlando West chapter partners with the Windermere Police Foundation and dozens of churches in the area to build beds outside Windermere Town Hall.

Windermere’s Police Chief Dave Ogden said serving others in such a hands-on way is humbling and helps restore a sense of purpose, which is precisely why it’s special to him to play a part in SHP’s Orlando West chapter and Windermere’s largest build.

In previous years, the Windermere Police Foundation has funded builds for 40 beds, but C.T. Allen of Windermere challenged it to complete 100 beds to celebrate Windermere’s centennial. The WPD foundation and Centennial Committee raised $25,000 to fund the build.

Without the time and donations people give, the charity wouldn’t be possible, Bill Carleton said, founder of the West Orange chapter of SHP.

He founded the Orlando West chapter of SHP in 2018, and it has grown every year.

The build with the Windermere Police Foundation is the chapter’s largest yet.

MORE THAN JUST A BED

Ogden met Carleton through ministry work a couple months after the chapter started. When he saw the simplicity of what they do — build a bed for a child who lacks one and deliver it — he was sold. Carleton said Ogden came out with his wife to help build beds and went with smaller volunteer groups to deliver beds right to the homes of those in need.

It resonated with Ogden, who has been in law enforcement for almost 40 years. His unique perspective is what makes the charity extra meaningful to him.

“I’ve been all over the country, in locations where kids didn’t have beds or several kids sleeping on a bed, and I’ve seen that,” Ogden said. “I’ve actually executed search warrants in residences where I’ve now delivered beds.”

It’s given him a whole new perspective on the community, and he will take other officers on bed deliveries to give them an understanding of how people are struggling in different ways.

IF YOU GO

WINDERMERE BUNK BED BUILD

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 18. First

shift: 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.; aecond

shift: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; third shift: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: 520 Main St., Windermere

DETAILS: Dress accordingly. You will be stacking boards, drilling holes with a battery powered drill, dripping bed pieces into tanks with a stain, stapling and stacking. SIGN UP: volunteer.shpbeds.org

When they deliver a bed, it’s more than just a place to rest. It’s a place the child can call his or her own. For some of the kids, it’s the first time they’ve been able to say that.

“It’s a huge blessing to be able to deliver a bed to a child,” Carleton.

“The impact on the volunteers can be equally profound because you get the opportunity to see a child’s life changed.”

Being a part of the nonprofit has changed Ely’s and Haworth’s lives. Ely was at a rummage sale a few months before Carleton started the Orlando West chapter. She noticed a woman searching through all of the mattresses, looking for the fluffiest one — it was for her child. In that moment, Ely felt helpless so she instantly looked for ways she could help out in the community. She found SHP.

“I don’t feel helpless anymore,” Ely said. She has been volunteering for SHP since 2018.

Haworth said she has found her community of people by volunteering with SHP. After retiring, she enjoys doing a tangible thing with her life.

Providing a child with a bed helps them with all elements of their life.

“If you don’t have a bed to sleep in, you’re probably not going to have a good sleep for the night,” Ogden said. “You’re not focused. You can’t go to school. You can’t pay attention.

There’s so many domino effects that has.”

BUILD DAY

Delivering the beds wouldn’t be possible without the hands of the community members who put it together.

“We’re really all about pulling the community together to build beds for children to make sure no kid sleeps on the floor in our town,” Carleton said.

“That’s our mission.”

Every build day starts the night before for SHP.

At the storage unit, volunteers come together to load trailers with all of the supplies. After loading up, they drive the trailers to the build spot and leave them there overnight.

In the morning, it’s go-time.

The set-up shift begins at 7 a.m. to prepare the rows of tables. Ely said they make an assembly line at the venue. Windermere Town Square is convenient because all the tables can be placed in a straight line.

The Windermere Police Foundation is looking for volunteers to help on build day.

Volunteers can come empty-handed and without knowledge. You don’t have to be a master builder; the SHP members will teach everyone how to do it and supply all of the tools.

SHP also is asking for a few volunteers to help them bring supplies back to its warehouse. Carleton said they have to unload trucks at the warehouse with all of the bed pieces and tools. They use a forklift to get items up to higher shelves.

The charity flourishes with the support from individuals and organizations, which is why Windermere’s annual builds are huge for it.

It’s special to Ogden, too. He said it’s a big deal to see the community and law enforcement officers standing together, building beds and working the assembly line.

“This is a really big part of what we try to do here in our community policing efforts in the town of Windermere and we feel so blessed to be involved in a lot of nonprofit charity organizations,” he said.

Courtesy photo

Sleep in Heavenly Peace donates beds to children ages 3 to 17.

Amy Quesinberry Price

Racing professional Kyle Masson, left, and former Major League Baseball player Brad Miller were the guest speakers at the opening reception of “Champions of West Orange County: A Legacy of Athletic Excellence” at the Winter Garden Heritage Museum.

Liz Ramos

ONP carves out Halloween tradition

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

Winter Garden brothers Diego and Colton Abreu remember the years they were carving pumpkins on the table in their backyard.

They were sure to make the cuts near the stumps at an angle so the stumps could serve as a topper and not fall to the bottom.

They remember the moist fibrous, stringy guts of the pumpkins flying everywhere despite their attempts to keep the space clean and the thwack the chunks they were pulling from the pumpkin made as they placed the guts in a bag for disposal.

It seemed endless trying to scrape every last strand out of the pumpkin using an ice cream scooper before they could start with the real fun: carving.

But after about two hours, they remember being able to put a small light inside and see the smile of their classic jack-o’-lanterns start to glow.

Pumpkin-carving has become a family tradition for the Abreu family, but now, the pumpkins not only serve as Halloween and fall décor on the family’s porch but also as part of Oakland Nature Preserve’s Pumpkin Glow.

The pumpkin fun continues as the family hits one of the trails at Oakland Nature Preserve on a scavenger hunt for their pumpkins.

The boys have been successful in finding their pumpkins lighting the trail for the past two years, and their Halloween festivities will continue this year.

TRAIL OF MEMORIES

Diego, now 11, Colton, now 12, and their mother, Jennifer Abreu, are all about the fall and spooky season. From the moment someone steps on their driveway, someone can see pumpkins with various faces, scarecrows and hay bales resting beautifully on the front porch for a fall welcome. Step inside, and the fall décor continues adding a warmth to the home that emanates pumpkin spice and everything nice as there is a mixture of pumpkins and fall leaves perfectly aligned on the walls with family photos. As much as their love for the season comes out in their home, it pales in comparison to the amount of fall activities they attend.

“It’s just trying to make memories with the family and just enjoy the season,” Jennifer said. “We’ve done all the (Halloween events) at the parks, like Legoland, SeaWorld, Disney, but (Oakland Nature Preserve’s Pumpkin Glow) was just as much fun, and it was right here in our backyard.”

ONP’s Pumpkin Glow has become part of the tradition for the Abreus, as well as Beverly Velazquez. They all have been participating for three years. Growing up in Puerto Rico, Velazquez didn’t have the eerie haunts of Halloween, because it is not as cel-

IF YOU GO

OAKLAND NATURE PRESERVE PUMPKIN GLOW

WHEN: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 25

WHERE: Oakland Nature Preserve, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland COST: Registration to submit a pumpkin is donation based with all proceeds benefitting the Oakland Nature Preserve’s mission. The event is free.

DETAILS: Register to carve a pumpkin for the Pumpkin Glow by noon, Friday, Oct. 24. Costumes are welcome. Parking is along the driveway, in the lot outside the gate and in the parking lot of Family Christian School. Carpooling is recommended.

WEBSITE: bit.ly/3KI2EKK

JACK-O’-LANTERN CARVING

WHEN: 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23

WHERE: Oakland Nature Preserve Serenity Porch, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland COST: Provided pumpkins are $6 or bring your own pumpkin

DETAILS: Carve pumpkins with Oakland Nature Preserve in preparation for the Pumpkin Glow. A variety of carving implements will be available. You also can get up close with the preserve’s night-time ambassador, Dart the Eastern Tiger Salamander. WEBSITE: bit.ly/46TvqQ3

ebrated on the island. She had to live out her ghostly dreams in the scary movies and TV shows. Since moving to Florida, she’s immersed herself into the Halloween spirit each year.

This year, she plans to carve pumpkins with her boyfriend, making a memory for both of them. She said she wants to have a Halloween movie playing, baked fall treats for munching on and the golden gleam of autumn lighting her apartment to make the epitome of a fall experience while doing the classic fall activity of carving.

“It’ll be a good quality-time experience that I’m really looking forward to,” Velazquez said.

The Abreus and Velazquez can’t wait to hit the trail and find their pumpkins.

“It’s been so much fun that we now have people from St. Cloud and Palm Coast come over for that weekend to just go on the trail with us and find the pumpkins,” Jennifer said. “It keeps growing. Every year, I feel like more and more people come with us.”

Although the hunt for their pumpkins and finally finding theirs is what sparks excitement, the carvers also take notice of the impressive carving of other pumpkins. Besides the jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkins are made to look like various TV and movie characters. There are detailed scenes carved inside a pumpkin to look like a terrarium. Pumpkins range from silly to horrific but in a good way.

ART IN CARVING

Pumpkin carving can be an art form.

Whether it’s a classic jack-o’lantern or a well-known movie or TV character or a scenic display that’s almost unbelievable to see on a pumpkin, there are countless designs to choose from as the limit is your imagination.

Every choice made in the process can lead to different results. But every step along the way makes a memorable experience.

PICK YOUR DESIGN

Beverly Velazquez scours Pinterest and YouTube looking for the perfect pumpkin design. She takes her skills and experience into account but also likes to challenge herself. When she made the “My Neighbor Totoro” pumpkins for her first Pumpkin Glow, she felt she bit off more than she could chew, but seeing the finished pumpkins left her amazed.

PICK YOUR PUMPKIN

Diego and Colton Abreu used to carve real pumpkins, but after participating in the Pumpkin Glow with real pumpkins three years ago, they changed their minds. With the Florida heat not giving fall vibes, the pumpkins deteriorated rapidly. The easy solution: craft pumpkins.

The boys’ mother, Jennifer Abreu, said the craft pumpkins will last yearto-year, so the family can add them to a collection and the boys can see how they’ve progressed in their carving skills as they grow older.

“It is definitely easier to carve on a foam pumpkin,” Diego said. “It’s not as thick and hard to cut through, but it also leads to more mistakes, because it’s so easy to cut through, you might veer off by accident easily.”

While Diego chose a large oblong craft pumpkin this year, Colton decided on a small plump one. Each pumpkin offered enough space for their creative freedom when it comes to making a jack-o’-lantern.

Need a splash of color? Colton said craft pumpkins come in a few colors besides orange, but even if you pick an orange pumpkin — real or faux — there’s nothing a little spray paint can’t do to add color.

Velazquez sticks with real pumpkins, but she waits to carve until the day or two before the Pumpkin Glow, knowing how gross a pumpkin can get in Florida, almost creating its own horror scene.

She said when choosing a pumpkin, people need to take into consideration what they’re trying to carve. The first year she participated in the Pumpkin Glow, she found three pumpkins that perfectly measured up for the vision she had to bring the Ghibli Totoro characters to life.

To make carving easier, she recommended choosing a pumpkin that has a side that is more flat because it’s harder to carve straight lines into a curved object.

CARVING OUT THE TOP OR BOTTOM AND CLEANING THE INSIDE

No matter whether it’s the top of the pumpkin or bottom, there needs to be a place for you to be able to enter the pumpkin to put a candle inside.

The Abreus have carved out the bottom of the pumpkin before, but Diego recommends the top so you don’t have to balance the pumpkin on its stump while working with it.

But no matter where you decide, Velazquez and the Abreus said cutting at an angle is a must. Without that angle, the portion you carve from the top will simply fall to the

Design

Senior

lramos@OrangeObserver.com

Historian / Amy Quesinberry

amyqhistory@OrangeObserver.com

Staff Writer / Megan Bruinsma, mbruinsma@OrangeObserver.com

Staff Writer / Leticia Silva, lsilva@OrangeObserver.com

Multimedia Sales Manager / Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com

Multimedia Advertising Executives / Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com

bottom of your pumpkin each time. Velazquez recommends putting a disposable cover under your pumpkin for easy cleanup. She said scraping the inside of the pumpkin so almost all the fibers are taken out is crucial. The fewer the fibers, the easier the carve, and the brighter the pumpkin will glow once lit.

4OUTLINE (OPTIONAL)

While the Abreu brothers like to outline their jack-o’-lantern faces on the pumpkin in marker before starting to carve, Velazquez carves freehand.

Diego used an orange marker to design the eyes, nose and mouth of his jack-o’-lantern so it could more easily blend in with the pumpkin in case he couldn’t carve exactly on the lines. Colton used a black marker so he could see the design more clearly while carving, knowing he would be able to wipe the marker off after he was done.

CARVE This is where the real fun begins.

The tools used are dealer’s choice. This year, the Abreus experimented with a Dremel. Diego discovered the Dremel wasn’t the best tool to carve out the stump, because it couldn’t get deep enough. He ended up using a standard carving tool and brute strength. But when it came to the details of their jack-o’-lanterns, the Dremel helped provide a smoother finish than the carving saw.

The boys spent about an hour drilling and sawing the eyes, nose and mouth, with the occasional tooth, into their pumpkins. The jacko’-lanterns had as big of smiles as the boys did as they looked at their finished products.

Velazquez said the standard carving kit that can be purchased at any store is suitable.

Doing everything freehand means Velazquez goes with the flow. She looks at a photo on her phone of what she hopes her pumpkin will look like in the end and uses as much precision as she can with every poke, carve and shave.

Velazquez said if you’re shaving your pumpkin, you might need to shave more than you think, so the light can more easily shine through the pumpkin. Various tools and methods can be used to accomplish certain styles and techniques. When Velazquez was making the eyeballs for her goofy pumpkins last year, she used a melon baller to scoop out exact circles in the pumpkin for the eye sockets. Then she used the melon baller again on potatoes to create eyes and teeth. She used purple sweet potatoes to create the iris of the eyes. She used lemon juice on the potatoes to ensure they didn’t oxidize so they would last longer and still be environmentally friendly. On her Totoro pumpkins, she used the natural resources available to her to elevate the design of her pumpkins. She went outside, picked up sticks and used them to attach the pumpkin chunks carved to look like ears to the rest of the pumpkin.

“It’s all trial and error,” she said.

VISIT OAKLAND NATURE PRESERVE TO SEE ALL THE PUMPKINS! While looking for your pumpkin, take time to see the dozens of others lining the trail.

And when you find yours, take a moment to celebrate your accomplishments of not only finding your pumpkin but also the success of carving it.

Madi Solomon, msolomon@OrangeObserver.com

Graphic Designer / Sarah Santiago, ssantiago@OrangeObserver.com

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

call (407) 656-2121.

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We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, email to Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com.

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Diego Abreu and his brother, Colton Abreu, were focused on carving their pumpkins for Oakland Nature Preserve’s annual Pumpkin Glow.

What parents need to know about e-bikes, motorized scooters

on motorized bikes and scooters to get them to and from their schools.

equipped with pedals, seat and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. Their max speed is 28 mph.

RULES

n These can be operated on roadways and sidewalks, with a maximum speed of 10 mph on sidewalks.

n No license or registration is required.

These supercharged modes of transportation have caused some confusion — and dangerous situations — in the mornings and afternoons. So to combat this, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office sent a reminder to Orange County Public Schools parents about the laws children need to follow while riding their motorized bikes and scooters — and the consequences if they don’t. Parents and students: Here’s what you need to know.

POCKET BIKES

Description: These are considered miniature motorcycles with an electric motor.

RULES

n They cannot be operated on sidewalks, roadways or bicycle paths.

n It is not against the law to own one, but it must be ridden on private property.

MOPEDS AND MOTORIZED BIKES

Description: These mopeds and bikes are able to reach speeds of up to 30 mph.

Riders must have a Class E driver’s license to operate one.

These can be operated on roadways, but riders must use pedals to operate it on sidewalks and bike paths.

n Riders under age 16 may only ride a moped on private property with proper headgear.

n Motorized bicycles can travel up to 20 mph and do not require a driver’s license, but riders must be at least 16 years old to ride it on public roadways.

n These can travel on the sidewalk, as well, but may not exceed 10 mph.

CONSEQUENCES

If riders are found violating the laws above, the consequences are as follows:

n Per Florida Statute 316. 1995, operators caught riding a vehicle using engine power or an electric scooter or bicycle in excess of 10 mph, or a pocket bike on a sidewalk can be issued a noncriminal traffic citation punishable as a moving violation for operating a motorized vehicle on a sidewalk.

n The operator also could receive a criminal citation for operating an unregistered motor vehicle. This is a criminal violation which requires a mandatory

court date and the operator is subject to arrest, per Florida Statute 320.02.

n According to Florida Statute 322.03, to operate a motor vehicle in Florida, the operator must possess a valid driver’s license. If the operator is caught operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, he or she is subject to a criminal citation, mandatory court appearance and arrest.

n Parents who knowingly allow a juvenile without a driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle on public streets are subject to arrest and/or a citation for violating Florida Statute. 322.35.

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

Every month, more than 160,000 affluent readers turn to the West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer and OrangeObserver.com as their trusted local news source. We’ll help you turn this highly desirable market segment into customers.

Discover the power of our comprehensive print and digital marketing solutions. Contact us today for your share of one of the choicest segments in all of Orange.

Block Party a hit at Flamingo Crossings

Call 407-656-2121 or email advertise@orangeobserver.com today.

first Community

Party Friday, Sept. 26.

“This is amazing,” Fernanda Niosi said of the block party.

“We’ve been so thirsty for something like this, and we got it.”

People flooded Flamingo Crossings Town Center for the Community Block Party, which Horizon West Happenings hosted for the first time.

The Community Block Party will be monthly, with the next scheduled for Friday, Oct. 17. In 2026, the block party will be held every second Friday of the month.

The party featured games, live music from Jordan

and samples from various restaurants in Flamingo Crossings Town Center. — LIZ RAMOS

ernanda Niosi and her son Thomas Niosi enjoyed playing a game of Jenga together at the

Block

Mohr

Eliza Avery, 4, Carissa Avery and 9-year-old Ellie Avery went to each vendor to enjoy samples and pick up goodies.

Misty Hickman and Alexa Kromrey enjoyed samples of ice cream from Simply Capri.

Aria Maldonado and DJ Maldonado ate pizza after having their faces painted.

Daniel Hunsicker, the owner of Skyline Chili, offered samples of chili with cheese.

Casey Gilmore, Harper Gilmore and Ryan Gilmore said the Community Block Party was awesome, and they will be returning for future block parties.

Liz Feliciano, Allysha Arellano and Edison Arellano were visiting from Bartow and decided to attend the Community Block Party.

said.

Dan Raniero with Pita Street Food was swift at making samples for people.

All mapped out

LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER

After months of receiving input and feedback from residents, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners is looking to adopt a final redistricting map at its meeting Tuesday, Oct. 14.

The County Commission formed the 2025 Mid-Decennial Redistricting Advisory Committee consisting of 15 members — two from each district and three appointees by Mayor Jerry Demings — after voters approved Charter Amendment 6, which increased the county’s number of districts from six to eight.

The committee reviewed multiple map options submitted by its members and citizens of Orange County, considered residents’ input, and narrowed the maps down to the ones that kept communities together and best balanced equal population and minority representation.

The two maps the commission is considering will leave most West Orange communities in District 1. However, despite requests from Winter Garden Mayor John Reese and Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson to be districted together, Ocoee will remain in District 2.

District 1 will consist of Oakland, Winter Garden, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Horizon West, Bay Lake, Bay Hill, Lake Buena Vista, Gotha and Tildenville in both maps.

Ocoee will be districted with Paradise Heights, Lockhart, Apopka, Clarcona, Zellwood and Tangerine in both maps.

“Fortunately for West Orange, the new District 1 map is the same except for Williamsburg and Hunters Creek moving into a proposed new district and bringing the Woodlands of Windermere and Woodlands Village neighborhoods back into District 1,” said Bobby Olszewski, District 1 representative in the Mid-Decennial Redistricting Advisory Committee.

Johnson, Rees, Oakland Mayor Shane Taylor and Windermere Mayor Jim O’Brien all said at the West Orange Chamber of Commerce’s State of the County they wish the maps would have grouped their communities together because

of mutual interests, shared history and joint efforts. Although that didn’t happen, they said they will continue to work together.

Olszewski said the maps allow for more direct representation.

“For West Orange, that means more focused attention on local priorities, growth, traffic congestion, infrastructure needs and protecting the unique character of our communities,” he said.

Olszewski said the two recommended maps represent what he believes are the fairest and most legally defensible options that also reflect residents’ input.

Demings said he does not think either map will affect representation for any district.

But with two new districts being added to the county, more money will be required by the government to run them.

“The county has invested in staff time, public meetings and GIS mapping tools to make the process transparent and data driven,”

Olszewski said. “The main impact on taxpayers is the cost of operating two additional commission offices, which will be reflected in the county’s budget.”

When the maps are finalized, residents will have the opportunity to elect commissioners for the two new districts during the next General Election, Nov. 3, 2026, so the commissioners’ salaries are not yet known.

The current commissioners will remain in office until their terms expire, with terms ending in 2028 for odd number districts and 2026 for even number districts.

ESTIMATED COSTS

Orange County budgeted $1.5 million for the construction of two new district offices and renovation of the Commissioner Chambers for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. It will cost an estimated $700,000 per year for each district office and $100,000 for Transportation Funds per district.

The Orange County Commission is scheduled to select one of two options for a new districting map at its Oct. 14 meeting.

Party among the oaks

With rays of sun shining through the trees, the town of Oakland held its annual block party Friday, Sept. 19, at the Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center. Hundreds of Oakland residents

met with neighbors and other community members from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for what Commissioner Kris Keller described as “what Oakland is all about.”

The event featured an interactive deejay, face painting, airbrush

tattoos, music, food vendors, games and more.

The center also presented its current exhibit, “Raices Y Recuerdos, Roots & Memories,” celebrating the Day of the Dead.

— LETICIA SILVA

The final two maps show the same District 1 and District 2 boundaries. The County Commission will select a map Oct. 14.

Joseph Silva and Samaya Vantry were all smiles as they waited in line for a refreshment.

Below: Frederik and Mahogany Poke brought their children out to the block party to enjoy a family night out with the community.

Melody and Michael Satterfield also attended the block party with some friends, smiling with Kris Keller.

Left: Commissioner Kris Keller, Oakland’s Mayor Shane Taylor and former mayor Kathy Stark all attended the town’s block party.

Michael and Sydney Kosik, Kallie and Ryan Le Jeune and Kris Keller gathered for a neighborhood chat during the event.

Lauren Howell and Lisa Stumpf enjoyed their Friday night at Oakland’s block party.

SPORTS

HIGH 5

The Citrus Baseball Club is hosting a College Showcase Saturday, Nov. 22, and Sunday, Nov. 23, at West Orange High School. The club is welcoming all high school baseball players in the classes of 2026, 2027 and 2028 from the Orlando and Central Florida area. More than 12 colleges are confirmed to attend, including St. Johns River State College, Polk State, Santa Fe College and Florida Mocs Southern.

The cost to attend is $225. Athletes will gain exposure to college coaches and compete at a high level during the showcase. The Saturday schedule begins at 9 a.m. with bullpen sessions, which only are open to pitchers. At 1 p.m., it opens to all position players for hitting and fielding. On Sunday, participants will play a showcasescrimmage game at 9 a.m. If you wish to attend, you must fill out the registration form, questionnaire and waiver to secure a spot. Spots are limited and filling up fast. Visit citrusbaseballclub.com for more information and registration.

Windermere High partnered with StaffDNA to promote the Cure Bowl 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the Camping Wold Stadium. The goal is to bring teams together to fight to find a cure for cancer. If you purchase tickets to the Cure Bowl through Windermere’s specialized link, StaffDNA will match 100% of ticket sales during October and donate the money back to the high school. StaffDNA will match 50% of all the tickets sold after October.

You can purchase tickets at gofevo.com/event/windermerehs25.

Right in Winter Garden at the West Orange Country Club, Chris Couch, a PGA golfer and local golf instructor, is offering lessons for men, women and children for all skill levels. He turned pro in 1995 and has since competed in 198 events and holds one tour win. He’s providing personalized coaching to help any golfer, from picking up a club for the first time to wanting to finetune your swing. Learn more at chriscouchgolfacademy.com.

The First Academy recognized its student Noah O’Brien. He is celebrating a first-place finish in the 10-13 division at the 2025 Wakeboarding World Championships in Boca Raton. He competed against athletes from across the globe: China, Australia, Italy, Mexico and more. The 11-year-old started wakeboarding when he was 7, and in four years, he’s mastered wake surf, skim and foil. He is the only athlete to win nationals, masters and worlds in all.

The Dr. Phillips’ boys basketball team accepted its invite to the 2025 Kingdom of the Sun Tournament, which will be held Friday, Dec. 26, to Monday, Dec. 29, at Ocala Vanguard High School. The tournament includes 16 of the top high school teams from across the country. Teams from Louisiana, New York and Kentucky are set to travel down to Florida. They will be competing for the 51st crown of the tournament. The Panthers’ first game is tipping off 11:10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26, against Calvary Christian High.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Hitting the reset button

WEEK 8 SCHEDULE

All games start at 7 p.m., unleotherwise noted

n CFCA (6-0) at Cornerstone Charter Academy (5-2)

n Dr. Phillips (5-1) at East Ridge (6-0)*

n Foundation Academy (5-2) vs. Master’s Academy (1-6)

n Horizon (2-4) at South Lake (5-1)*

n Lake Buena Vista (3-3) vs. Lake Weir (3-4), 7:30 p.m. kickoff

n Legacy Charter (0-6) vs. Eastland Christian (2-3)

n West Orange (5-1) vs. West Port (5-1)*

n Windermere (6-0) at Oak Ridge (3-3)*

*Indicates a district game

Olympia’s season hasn’t been what it hoped for, but the team used its bye week to reset and finish strong.

MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

Everyone needs a vacation.

It’s a time of relaxation and a chance to step back from the worries and stressors during an individual’s daily life. It’s a small break, and sometimes, that week off is exactly what someone needs to come back to work refreshed and with a new attitude.

That’s exactly what Olympia’s football team is hopeful it did during its bye week.

Two years after winning districts, Olympia High School’s football team now holds a 1-5 record. This year hasn’t gone the way the Titans expected. Head coach Travis Gabriel

attributes the record to mental mistakes throughout the season, and so now, he is emphasizing learning and eliminating the errors to finish the season strong.

“The beauty about football is when you make mistakes, when you fall short, you have the opportunity to get up and try to make the best of it and make it better the next time,” Gabriel said.

That’s what he’s trying to instill in his players. He acknowledged the season hasn’t been what the Titans thought it would be in the beginning, but the “silver lining” is the young men can grow from it.

SEE BACK PAGE 10A

FAST AND VICTORIOUS

Horizon High’s girls and boys cross-country teams both placed first in the Metro West Championship.

Horizon’s Abigayle White pinpointed different objects around the course of the 2025 Metro West Championship to keep her running.

Once she reached one, she made another and continued to play different mind tricks on herself to keep her focused on the goal. Her eyes honed in on the finish line, and in that moment, she had one focus — don’t slow down.

When Horizon’s Jacob Finch ran the same course, he focused on the gator — the golf cart driving the course.

Seeing the parents and the girls team

cheering him on kept him going. White and Finch said they instantly felt relief when they crossed the finish

line. They both finished in first place.

“You’re just done and it’s easing the pain and it’s all over,” Finch said. “You aren’t feeling good, but you’re going to feel good in a minute or two, and your teammates are still pushing through, so you have to cheer for them and make them feel better.”

After their teammates finished the race and the scores were tallied, they realized not only did they win individually, but also both Horizon’s girls and boys teams won the Metro West Championship Saturday, Oct. 4, at West Orange High School.

“We were really excited, because we’ve been second for so many years,” White said. “To finally beat Windermere (High) and to get first and to get that trophy for all of us — it meant a lot.”

Horizon had four girls finish in the top 10. White said the Hawks knew they would at least finish in second, but they weren’t expecting to claim the top spot.

The boys won the Metro West Championship for the fourth consecutive year and had four runners finishing in the top five. As a senior, it was a full-circle moment for Finch.

“Freshman year, I was being led by the seniors, and now for me to take that position and lead the freshman and sophomores to set an example of what Horizon needs to do and have to race, is really cool,” he said. “It was really nice that we finished it out all four years winning Metros.”

Finch’s finish in Metros was his

HORIZON PAGE 11A

West Orange swimmer Kayla McKinney is a state medalist and continues to make waves in the water her senior year. Page 10A.

Megan Bruinsma

Olympia’s wide reciever Kristopher Munroe signaled he was ready to go.

Courtesy photo

Both the Horizon boys and girls cross-country teams claimed the top spots at the Metro West Championship. Both teams took a top placement in individual runners, as well.

MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Kayla McKinney

After placing third in states last year in the 400-yard freestyle with a time of 53.22, West Orange swimmer Kayla McKinney received the honor of All-American status — an honor given to elite athletes and a strong recognition of her strength in the sport.

This year, she is working hard to bring another medal home and she serves the team as a leader both in and out of the pool.

This season, McKinney, a senior, is leading the Warriors as its team captain. She hopes to continue her swimming journey in college and is being recruited by multiple colleges. She has been swimming for 10 years, and her favorite event is the 200yard butterfly because it allows her to push herself and showcase her resilience.

Aside from high school swimming, McKinney also swims at Southwest Stars Swim Club in Winter Garden.

In the 2024-25 season, she was ranked 10th in the swim club and third on West Orange’s team. Her power index is rated 32.61, and she is ranked 62nd in the country. She’s steadily progressed throughout her career and hopes to make it back to states again this season.

In 2025, McKinney has recorded nine personal-best times. Her top events in long-course meters are 50 free, 100 free, 100 breast, 50 fly, 100 fly and 100 and 200 individual medley. She’s recorded a few bests in short course yards too, the 100 back, 50 and 100 fly.

When she isn’t in the water, Kayla loves to spend her free time at the beach and baking sweet treats. She’s also an avid Starbucks fan.

How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?

I’m excited and honored to be selected.

What do you enjoy the most about swimming?

Being close with my teammates. They have become some of my best friends.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from swimming? Never give up. The hard work will pay off.

Who is your favorite athlete?

Gretchen Walsh, because she’s amazing at butterfly.

THE BASICS Age: 17 Sport: Swimming Grade: 12th School: West Orange

What is your favorite swimming memory?

My favorite memory is having fun with my teammates at practices during hurricanes.

What is your go-to pre-swim meal?

Homemade chicken alfredo.

What is your go-to pre-swim hype song?

“Humble” by Kendrick Lamar.

What is your favorite nonsports hobby?

My favorite non-sports hobby is paddleboarding on our local lakes.

What is your favorite subject in school?

My favorite subjects are marine science and animal science.

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?

I would bring a blanket, my dog and Wi-Fi.

What is your favorite movie?

“Top Gun: Maverick” for the action. The jets are cool!

If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?

Jane Goodall. I love the connections she made with animals and how she cared for the environment.

If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?

The ’80s for the music.

Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t be afraid to try new things.

If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?

Do I live in a beach house?

Who is your favorite superhero?

My favorite superhero is Wonder Woman, because she’s strong and powerful.

Who is your favorite supervil-

My favorite supervillain is Gaston, because he’s funny, and he

Back from bye, Titans ready for push

“Football teaches you so much about life,” Gabriel said. “When you fall down, you get back up. Same way with football. You get knocked down, you get back up. Turn over the football? You get the football back.”

Everything in football is about how you can do better next time. Everyone is going to make mistakes, but Gabriel’s emphasis is what the players do with that. They can’t continue to do the same thing over and over and hope for the same result.

That would be insanity.

After falling short against Dr. Phillips, Olympia entered its bye week at a pivotal point in the season with four games left to play.

It’s a time to reset the players’ and coaches’ minds. Gabriel told his players to step away from football over the weekend.

“Just enjoy your family, play video games, hang out with your friends,” he said. “Just get away from football and then Monday, we come back ready to go.”

The week off allowed the players to rest their bodies, refocus and focus on what they’ve done and haven’t done this season.

“It’s just a time to recuperate with my team, we focus on the little things,” Olympia’s safety Ryder Flynn said. “We did have a major injury with Colton (Showely). That’s a big loss, so we have to fill that gap and little things that have been causing us to lose.”

Middle linebacker Showely tore both his PCL and MCL during the game against DP. He’s out for the season and scheduled for surgery in October.

Gabriel said Showely is one of Olympia’s better defensive players and losing him was a “big blow for the whole team.” His injury will impact Olympia both on and off the field. He has a great and irreplaceable character during practices and game days.

Flynn has stepped up and guided the team on how to navigate without Showely.

“Ryder took the role of, ‘Hey, we can’t replace him, but everybody can come together to do some of the things that he’s done,’” Gabriel said.

He said Flynn always has been an amazing young man, but he’s grown in his four years of varsity football.

“As I grew in my years, I became more vocal and got more accustomed to what we do around here,” Flynn said. “My freshman and sophomore year — we had great leaders on the team that I learned from. … They all set the ground work on what I believe in right now and what I want to do.”

Flynn said he could be more vocal on the field, but he enjoys leading the team by example. He played a role in Olympia’s district run two years ago and remembers how great

Does pineapple belong

the feeling was to accomplish a goal they had wanted to achieve.

As a senior, Flynn knows his time playing for Olympia almost is exhausted.

“We had a bad start so I just want to have an ending that I’m happy with,” he said. “My senior year is my last year so I want to be able to look back on it proud about the wins, but we just have to play.”

Gabriel said Flynn is the first and last player on the practice field.

“He has been the most consistent one where every practice, every meeting, every game, he wants to get better and he’s getting better,” Gabriel said.

As the team heads into its final stretch of the season, Gabriel wants to see from other players more of that mindset: consistency and approach.

ADJUSTING THE APPROACH

The night before every game, Flynn focuses on the mission in the next day. He reflects on what he has to do to play his part and approaches it with a positive mindset.

Gabriel wants the players to clear their minds, and anything they thought they could have done better individually or as a group, strive to do it in the next four weeks.

Gabriel said he can predict the outcome of the game based on how the team practices during the week. If they missed certain parts during practice, the same mistakes are made in the game.

Two of Olympia’s five losses this year were winnable. Gabriel said if they worked on finishing, then it would’ve been two more wins on its record.

“If we’re not finishing drills, if we’re not finishing different things in practice, it results in us not finishing the game,” he said.

Olympia’s one win this season came against Timber Creek. The Titans defeated the Wolves 14-7 and the difference was the team’s mindset to play all four quarters.

“Our attitude,” Flynn said.

“There were moments of the game where I didn’t know which way it was going to go but everybody on the sideline was uplifting.”

Against Timber Creek, Olympia continued to fight and persevere.

When Olympia played Horizon, the team was up by 11 with four minutes left in the fourth quarter, but mistakes and turnovers skyrocketed. The same story wrote itself when Olympia played Lake Nona.

The coaches are working on teaching the players how to finish and emphasize that when they play their best, it flips the script during games. Now, the opponent has to beat them.

“The thing I tell the guys is there’s a difference between being beat and losing a game,” Gabriel said.

He believes when Olympia’s players flip their mindsets to focus on opponents actually having to

WEEK 7 REVIEW

Most of the high school football programs in West Orange and Southwest Orange had a bye week in Week 7. Out of the six teams that did compete, four added another win to their record.

The First Academy was miles away in Baltimore, Maryland, for its game. The Royals were shut out by the No. 2 team in the country, St. Frances Academy, 37-0. It was a challenging game, and despite TFA’s winning record heading into the matchup, the team couldn’t out-duel with a top contender in the country.

Ocoee and Foundation Academy both went on the road and came back with shutouts.

CFCA continued to play hard and produced its highest scoring game yet. The Eagles topped the Patriots 47-14 and extended their record to 6-0. The team started hot this season and have continued to execute game after game.

SCORES

WEEK

CFCA (6-0), 47 Master’s Academy (1-6), 14 Foundation Academy (5-2), 42 Bronson (0-7), 0

Legacy Charter (0-6), 0 Merritt Island Christian (6-1), 64

The First Academy (4-3), 0 St. Frances Academy (5-1), 37 Ocoee (5-2), 42 Hudson (1-6), 0

Windermere Prep (4-2), 7 Geneva (0-7), 6

beat them, then they won’t lose any more games.

“If a team beats us, I tell my boys to walk out with your head held high, because that team played harder,” he said. Throughout the season, there’s been many walks to the locker room or bus rides back where the air is full of regrets. Gabriel wants to emphasize that players can’t have regrets. There’s no going back in time to do it all over again.

It’s learning from those mistakes and approaching the next one with a new level of intensity.

Playing Celebration brings Olympia its second district game of the season. Olympia might have a winning record between the program’s matchup history, but Gabriel doesn’t want his players to take that into account. The team needs to approach the game individually and with a purpose.

“They have four more (games) left,” Gabriel said. “If they compete (in) these four, we’ll be fine.”

MEGAN BRUINSMA

Courtesy photo

Olympia’s football team is working together to finish the season strong.

Gymnastics USA held its Over the Moon Bash with games, pizza, crafts and, of course, gymnastics.

The bash was held Friday, Sept. 26, at 13175 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden.

More than 130 attendees enjoyed a variety of activities on balance beams, trampolines and bars.

Some kids showed off their skills by doing back handsprings and back tucks on and off the trampolines.

Serving the Winter Garden community since 2014, Gymnastics USA holds monthly bashes for all to enjoy, with prices varying from $24 for siblings to $45 for drop-ins.

LETICIA

SILVA

Horizon Hawks claim top spots at Metros

best time yet this season. He ran the 5K in 16:13 and finished one minute in front of his competition. Last season, he ran a 5K in under 16 minutes, and he’s optimistic he’ll beat that time as Horizon heads into its final six meets.

White finished Metros in 19:24. She admitted she wasn’t that happy with her time, but it’s in the past now and she’s proud she finished in first among an impressive group of peers.

“I pretty much know (all of) my main competitors, and they’re all so sweet and they’re upbeat,” she said. “We all just bring (one another) up, and it’s not really competition in that aspect. It’s more wanting to do the best you can do.”

Unlike other sports she’s played, she said cross-country doesn’t have any toxicity in it. They’re all experiencing the same challenges and pushing their bodies to the limit.

Every runner is representing his or her team during the meet, so they want to push themselves for individual and team success, but it also means they’re racing against their teammates.

White said each meet she pushes herself individually but also loves to celebrate her teammates’ successes. She likes to see when they have success by finishing in the top 10 or finishing with a personal best.

“It’s fun to race against your teammates, because you’re pushing yourself and your teammates, and it’s just making the team better as a whole,”

Finch said.

It’s been special for Finch to see his teammates’ growth over the years.

Although the boys have won Metros four years in a row, it’s been with different lineups. Finch, along with Bryce Frazer and Dean Jensen, are the only three who have seen the whole ride.

Finch has seen Jensen progress from 23 minutes to 17:35 at Metros and Frazer achieve sub-20 this season.

Watching their progression is so special because Finch knows exactly what his teammates are going through. They have to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to be at practice by 5 a.m., then go through school and do homework afterward.

“I feel like with running, it’s almost like trauma bonds, we can relate to a lot of stuff that most people in school don’t really relate to,” White said.

Waking up for the morning practices might be challenging, but it helps Finch with his time management, and White said it helps the team prepare for its early meets.

The team focuses on perfecting the technicalities during their early mornings. Those include drills such as agility stretches, high knees, pushups and sit-ups, and hitting the time intervals if they do a track workout.

After Metros, Horizon entered its recovery week. Finch said the teams are heading into the end of the season, so the runners are working on getting to their peak for the state meet.

The boys finished 13th in states last year, and their goal is to make it again and tie or break that score.

“It would be amazing and a great way to close out the senior year of cross-country,” Finch said. “It would lift the morale for the rest of the guys that are going to run next season. … Everybody will be hyped for the track season after that.”

The girls are sprinting to make it to states this season. White said they lost some good seniors last year but gained great teammates, as well.

White has a few goals to conclude her high school career.

“I really want to get a new personal best time and I really want to try to get recruitment times to run in college,” she said.

Now Offering

TEAM UNITY

Kate Schutz and Amaya Harris threw peace signs in the air.

Below: David Horak hung from the bars with a smile on his face.

Nadine Suba, Serenity and Kehleni Batista, Jaimy Burgos and Abi Dove stopped long enough for a picture during the Over the Moon Bash.

Alexander Llanos showed off his scorpion pose on the beam.

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INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

DEVORA ROMAN SPRING LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Devora Roman is an English Language Learners paraprofessional at Spring Lake Elementary School. She provides direct instructional support to students by helping them learn English and academic content. She assists students with classroom assignments. She works in small groups for intervention to improve students’ reading and writing. She also assists and administers tests and assessments to ELL students. Roman was nominated as Support Person of the Year in the 20052006 school year as well as the 2025-2026 school year.

What brought you to your school?

After working for 16 years in another school, my position closed, and it just happened that a position opened at SLE, and I was the blessed one to get it.

What do you love most about your school?

What I love most about working at SLE are the children and the community. They are beautiful and respectful people, very hardworking with a desire to excel.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is to see my students achieve their goals and be part of it. When I see them growing and succeed, it makes me feel rewarded for the effort.

What would you be if you weren’t in this profession?

I would be a counselor, because I love to be able to help people who are going through difficult situations. I like to encourage and give hope to those who need it.

Who influences you?

I have to say with all my heart that Jesus is the one who influences me. Everything I am, what I know, what I do, have been taught to me by Him.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?

My favorite teacher was my reading teacher, Ms. Hernandez. She was a beautiful person with a joyful heart. She always has a positive and encouraging word for her students.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

One of my favorite books is “Charlotte’s Web.” This story was a part of my childhood. It’s a beautiful story about friendship, loyalty and the power of words.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I like to read inspirational books and take care

REPORT CARD

Position: Four Years with OCPS: 21

of my garden. That gives me peace and joy.

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

If I could dine with a famous person, I’d choose Martin Luther King Jr. He was a brave, smart man with a strong soul who inspired many to fight for what is right.

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

If I could have a superpower, it would be empathic healing: a power where you can sense, feel, alleviate another’s emotional pain, burden or mental wellbeing. I would love to be able to heal emotional wounds.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why?

If I could listen to three special bands or artists, that would be the Gospel singers Cece Winans, Megan Woods and Juan Luis Guerra. These Gospel singers inspire me with their passion to bring a message of hope and love with their music.

What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student?

I studied in Puerto Rico, and during our lunch break, we could go to small stores near the school and buy delicious snacks like shaved ice, pastries, potato fillings and different Spanish snacks.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

My favorite holiday is Christmastime, because I can spend more time with my family and friends and go to Puerto Rico.

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

My best friend at school was Janice del Valle. We were in the same class in every grade from kindergarten to sixth grade. We are friends on Facebook.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors? My extracurricular activities as a student were dance and drama.

LIZ RAMOS

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Sí for yourself

Sounds of laughter and music filled the courtyard of Windermere High School for its first Hispanic Heritage Night Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Colorful posters of Hispanic countries surrounded the festivities, some stands were adorned with treats from the country, and attendees visited each to fill out their passports to receive a prize.

Luz Clavijo, president of the Spanish Honor Society, had worked on organizing the event since May. She was happy to see its success and enjoyed dancing with her friends.

The best part about Windermere Prep is its community—incredibly collaborative, diverse, and kind. The teachers wish nothing but the best for the students, providing resources needed to succeed. The IB experience was completely lifealtering, transforming me into a resilient, openminded, and risk-taking change-maker.

— WPS Class of 2025 Student, via Niche

ORLANDO’S PREMIERE PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Volunteers taught community mem-

— MEGAN BRUINSMA

Officers of the National Spanish Honor Society organized the fun-filled night.

People read about Hispanic countries’ traditions and culture on posters.

The community came out to enjoy Windermere’s fest. Carmen Villegas, center, enjoyed watching people do the dance lesson.

Myra Benitez-Garcia’s energy when she danced drew out others to join.

bers how to make their maracas from plastic eggs.

THE WAYS WE WERE FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

1940: 85 years ago

Fifty modern homes were planned for Winter Garden’s Shadow Lawn subdivision.

Fire of unknown origin destroyed the 57-year-old depot in Oakland. The records of the Atlantic Coast Line, kept for the company by Mrs. J.E. Clonts, were lost in the flames.

1945: 80 years ago

Notice: “Any ladies wanting their surgical dressing headdress or uniforms, please call Mrs. Frank Roper and obtain the same, as Mrs. Roper is desirous of getting them to their rightful owners.”

Grace Mather-Smith returned to Edgegrove Farms in Oakland following a visit with Lt. Commander and Mrs. John Fischbeck in Oklahoma. The Fischbecks planned to move to Oakland. Mrs. Fischbeck was the former Ann Mather-Smith.

1970: 55 years ago

Final touches were being put on the handsome new Diamond R

Fertilizer plant on Hennis Road at the east edge of Winter Garden.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was planned with about 200 dignitaries. The large, modern plant was the realization of a longtime dream of Frank Roper, George Barley and other key company officials.

1975: 50 years ago

Diane Tiddy, a Lakeview High School graduate, was the lead dancer in “Music Man,” the first production of the season in the Annie Russell Theatre at Rollins College.

The Windermere Union Church sanctuary is seen here on Oct. 4, 1990, well before its restoration. The church was established in the 1890 schoolhouse located on Seventh Avenue in the town. In 1919, the Windermere Improvement Company offered the church a lot on Fifth Avenue and Oakland Street.

Construction on the church building began in 1923 and was completed the following year. A preschool opened in 1959. In September 2006, the Windermere Union Church congregation moved to its new location on Park Ridge-Gotha Road. The original Windermere Union Church building became the sanctuary of Windermere’s First Baptist Church in 2010.

The mission of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is to preserve the heritage and architecture of Winter Garden while creating new cultural experiences. The Foundation also preserves the material culture of West Orange County, using it to educate the area’s youth on the community’s rich history.

1995: 30 years ago

After more than two years of discussion, the Windermere Town Council and two landowners reached an agreement that would make a bike path along Maguire Road a reality. The 5-foot-wide sidewalk was to be located on the former railroad right-of-way along Maguire between Park Avenue and Lake Butler Boulevard.

The city of Ocoee was making plans for its second Ocoee Founders Day event, which was to be a celebration of history with

tours of historic sites around the city, games and rides, a water-ski show on Starke Lake, a display of memorabilia and musical entertainment.

Col. C.D. McAllister, a retired United States Air Force pilot, marked his 100th birthday by riding down Magic Kingdom’s Main Street in a big red fire engine.

The second class graduated from the West Orange Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership West Orange program. Graduates were Carole Petro, Susan Valdes, Neil

Macali, Jim Neumayer, Dennis Wasik, Mary Jamieson, Sherry DeWeese, Joyce Oliver, Janet Alford, Jim Gleason and Carolyn Cappleman. Friday the 13th was a lucky day for Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. The reigning queen of Halloween ushered in the season by hosting a wild edition of Disney-MGM Studios’ Shriek-Out event in the shadow of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.