05.16.24 Southwest Orange Observer

SOUTHWEST ORANGE

Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

STORM SEASON

Prepare for the 2024 hurricane season with our exclusive guide. SEE PAGES 11-14A.

YOUR TOWN

CELEBRATE MEMORIAL DAY

Multiple Memorial Day programs are being presented this month hosted by the cities of Ocoee and Winter Garden as well as Woodlawn Memorial Park.

The city of Ocoee will honor fallen soldiers at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 23, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive. The Ocoee Police Honor Guard will present the colors and carry a wreath to be set in place at the city’s Memorial Wall. Ocoee High student Marcus Jiao will play taps, and the national anthem will be performed.

Retired Lt. Col. Yolanda Frazier, who has 30 years of service in the U.S. Army, will be the keynote speaker. She held two military commands, presiding over nearly 300 soldiers and training military officers from across the United States preparing them to be future military leaders. She served in Kuwait and was deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. For more information, please call (407) 905-3100.

The city of Winter Garden and American Legion Hugh T. Gregory Post 63 will host a ceremony from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Veterans Memorial Park, 420 S. Park Ave. The event honors and remembers local veterans who gave their lives while in military service and will include a roll call of veterans, placement of wreaths and patriotic songs. The event speaker is newly elected Winter Garden District 3 Commissioner Chloe Johnson. Woodlawn Memorial Park’s 74th annual celebration begins at 10 a.m. Monday, May 27, in front of the Christ Mosaic at Woodlawn, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha. The event will include keynote speakers, and various veteran groups are expected to be in attendance.

Mission-minded

Foundation Academy students traveled to the Dominican Republic. 22A.

Form & function

Horizon West resident Ross Piper is one of the masterminds behind the future Horizon West Branch Library. STORY ON PAGE 4A.

Ross Piper: “My art isn’t a paved lane. I just sort of let it be what it wants to be in the most organic way possible. Once you apply an idea or strong storytelling to a work of art, it just makes it that much stronger.”

Playing to their strengths

Winter Garden’s Rise Athletics competed at the Florida State Weightlifting Championships — and came home with several impressive wins. SEE PAGE 15A.

answered. See PAGE 2A.

Annabelle

Questions linger on freestanding ER

ANNABELLE

For a second time, the Winter Garden City Commission, at its Thursday, May 9 meeting decided to postpone the discussion on a new proposed freestanding emergency room to have additional questions on the site plan answered.

The agenda item previously was postponed at the Thursday, April 5, meeting.

At a community meeting in January, HCA Florida Osceola Hospital shared plans to build the ER on the vacant tract to the south of 1200 Daniels Road in the recently developed

Daniels Road Business Park.

The $11.5 million project would include a one-story, 11,570-squarefoot freestanding emergency room building. The Winter Garden facility would feature 11 emergency exam rooms, CT scan, digital X-ray, ultrasound and on-site laboratory services and would be capable of caring for all ages, including pediatrics.

The existing land use for the 1.56acre property is vacant land, and the existing zoning is Arterial Commercial District. The ER would require a special-exception permit, which received recent approval from the city’s Planning and Zoning Board.

Planning Director Kelly Carson said the facility would be open 24 hours a day, with walk-in and ambulance accommodations but not overnight care.

Carson said the conditions of approval include that no helicopters are permitted to land on or near the facility, the facility will provide an on-site ambulance service as to not negatively impact Winter Garden’s emergency services, and no sirens will be permitted during the unloading and loading of patients.

At the April meeting, Mayor John Rees said he had several questions and concerns, and he would like more time to look at the plans, as well as discuss with local hospitals in the Winter Garden area, such as AdventHealth and Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital.

IN OTHER NEWS

n Mayor John Rees read a proclamation designating May 19-25 as Emergency Medical Services Week.

n Rees presented the Mayoral Award of Excellence to the West Orange High School varsity cheer team, which competed in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s State Competition. Those recognized were Tori Acevedo, Olivia Eidelman, Kiley Figurski, Gigi Gaeta, Ellie Goodmon, Hannah Hartman, Kennedy Heslin, Kyleigh Hollingsworth, Alex Johnston, Sydney Lowery, Lyla Main, Emily Mickulas, Samantha Townley, Ryelan Walker, Ashley Whitesell and Maddie Zimmerman.

n The commission approved the first reading of three ordinances pertaining to annexing, amending the Future Land Use Map and rezoning the 2.20-acre property located at 681 W. Plant St.

n Commissioners postponed the second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 70, Article I of the code of ordinances to add requirements for communications services provider applicants seeking right-ofway permits for installation of facilities within public rights-of-way.

n The commission approved a right-of-entry agreement with the Harbors neighborhood and the hiring of TD Thompson to repair the stormwater pond in the amount of $34,178.60.

n Winter Garden approved a purchase order for a consumption use permit to Carollo Engineering in the amount of $150,036.

n City commissioners approved the Stoneybrook Exchange Off-Site Improvement Plans and Fair Share Agreement.

n The city approved three special events: the American Legion Memorial Day event Monday, May 27, at Veterans Park; the Juneteenth Community Celebration Saturday, June 15, at City Park; and the American Legion Challenge 22 Ruck Walk Saturday, Nov. 2, on Highland Avenue and Plant Street.

n The commission approved two new board appointments: Amanda Daluga to the Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board and Myron Brown to the Planning and Zoning Board.

Commissioner Colin Sharman agreed.

“I would like to get more information from all of those sources,” he said at the April meeting. “We need to make the best decision for the city.”

n The city approved the second reading of an ordinance to remove burn permits from the city and amend the automatic fire protection system requirement to 6,000 square feet.

n City Manager Jon C. Williams introduced Dudley Watson, who is replacing Mike Cains after more than nine years of service, as the new fleet and facilities division manager.

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 Editor and Publisher Michael Eng, meng@ orangeobserver.com.

Sebrenia Brown

The Tildenville resident still lives near her childhood home and works for the city in which she grew up.

Sebrenia Moss Brown rode the bus to Tildenville Elementary School every day but never took the bus back to her home in Tildenville off Avalon Road. She and her older brother and younger sister — Anthony Watkins and Movita Lamb — were picked up by their uncle and taken home to change clothes before he drove them to the orange groves.

“He picked all day, he dropped them on the ground, and we picked up the fruit and put in the bins till it got dark,” Brown said.

She continued this routine until she was 16 and started working in Disney’s custodial department, starting at Magic Kingdom before transferring to Epcot.

That daily grove work shaped her and made her who she is today — a strong woman with a sturdy work ethic. The theme park career wasn’t meant to last either, but her ultimate job was right around the corner. She was working parttime in the morning extended-day program at Tildenville Elementary, when an Orange County employee told her about a recreational leader position that was available with the Winter Garden Parks & Recreation Department.

“Larry Caskey hired me right away,” Brown said of her boss, the recreation director.

She was responsible for children’s activities at the rec center, then located at the city’s old fire station (now SoBo Art Gallery) and at the city parks.

That was 26 years ago. The 60-year-old now is recreational

specialist, and part of her duties for 21 years — before the pandemic shut down all programs and activities — was to feed students in the after-school program at the Maxey Community Center. She also is responsible for being present at most city-hosted events, and you’ll find her in the kids zones at festivals, making sure everything is running smoothly — and wearing a bright recreation shirt and even brighter smile for everyone she meets.

SHAPED BY HER PAST

Brown is a proud and grateful Tildenville resident who delights in the chance to get together with friends and to celebrate the birthdays of her loved ones — and especially her own.

Brown is unapologetically enthusiastic and energetic — with a broad smile and an even bigger heart for helping anyone in need.

“When you’ve grown up to not have anything and see other kids still have something — we were in poverty,” she said. “There were things we didn’t have then that I have now. But you know how people get caught up in stuff? Not me. If I don’t have it, I don’t have it.

“I don’t need a mansion to identify me,” she said. “I can still live in a little house and still identify as me.”

What she does have is plenty of shoes and wigs. At last count, she had amassed about 30 wigs — different colors, lengths and styles — and more than 100 pairs of shoes — mostly heels — not including sneakers, sandals and flip-flops.

She also has a closet full of brightly colored fancy dresses and pantsuits that look expensive but don’t break Brown’s bank.

“I get my clothes from a grab bag,” she said. “People call and say, ‘Sebrenia, do you want this?’ I grab what I want, and I pass it on. That’s my mall. … If I find something too

“I thought about when I was in my last stage of cancer and I learned to cherish every moment — that you wake up as if it was your last day. I didn’t know if was going to be here.”

— Sebrenia

big, Mrs. (Velma) Jefferson can make it fit. And I’m always cutting things off because I’m short.” In her free time, Brown enjoys checking in on residents in need — especially the elderly. Maybe they are in need of some food or need someone to run some errands.

“I just want to make sure everybody’s all right,” she said. Brown also enjoys playing games, especially with the children participating in the recreation program. She has her own children, a 45-year-old son and 38-year-old daughter, plus nine grandchildren (the oldest is 24) and two great-grandchildren (the youngest turned 1 last week).

She still lives in Tildenville with her sister, near where they grew up and just two houses down from her mother, Geraldine Watkins, who raised her children on her own.

“She was a good mama; still is,” Brown said.

A BATTLE TO SURVIVE

In 2006, Brown started having horrible stomach pains. When they became severe, a coworker made her go to the hospital, where she was given ibuprofen and sent home. When the pain continued, she demanded a biopsy. She was not prepared for what doctors found: Stage 4 stomach cancer. She told no one for eight months, even when she was getting chemotherapy treatments. She said her children were driving her to the hospital for the treatments but thought she was visiting the sick.

“I wasn’t worried about dying; I was just worried about people getting upset, so I didn’t tell nobody,” Brown said. “I would go to chemo and go down to the Kids Café and cook food for the kids and then go home.”

Three years — and a bone marrow transplant and multiple blood transfusions — later, Brown was deemed cancer-free. Every three to six months she gets another biopsy to make sure the cancer hasn’t returned. So far, so good, she said. Brown is determined to make the most of her life.

“I thought about when I was in my last stage of cancer and I learned to cherish every moment — that you wake up as if it was your last day,” she said. “I didn’t know if was going to be here.” She loves life and wants to see and do everything. She enjoys spending time at Pilars Martini, going to the movies and traveling. After the pandemic, she and her daughter took an excursion to Africa and toured Morocco — some of it on the back of a camel. She likes the crunchiness of Popeye’s chicken; Maryland Fried Chicken was her favorite until it closed last year. She listens to gospel music because it keeps her attitude positive. And what makes her happy? Seeing people happy and smiling.

Amy Quesinberry

Sebrenia Brown is known for her bright smile and frequent laugh, and residents can find her at nearly all city of Winter Garden events. She has been with the Winter Garden Parks & Recreation Department for 26 years.

Brown

Courtesy photos

Sebrenia Brown’s friends can always count on her to wear a colorful, fancy outfits when she attends social events.

Experience informs library architect

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

Ross Piper defines himself as a father, an artist and an architect — in that order.

A year of living in a small town in Italy changed the 33-yearold Horizon West resident’s outlook on life forever.

Although he always enjoyed art, Italy is where Piper truly fell in love with it.

“There’s so much passion there in everything they do,” he said. “Anything from cooking a meal to tasting a wine to painting a picture — and everything inbetween. I’ve taken that concept and fully applied it to the way I live my life. A lot of people compartmentalize their different parts of their lives — like family, work, hobbies, etc. I have a more allencompassing approach. I bring it all together. My family is the biggest part of my creativity and design.”

ZEST FOR LIFE

Originally from Venice, Florida, Piper studied architecture at University of Detroit Mercy in Michigan.

His world travels led him to experience amazing places, culture and people who inspire his life, work and art.

In 2014, Piper moved back to Florida, where he has worked as a project manager with Borrelli and Partners for most of his time since.

He moved with his family — wife, Malisa and two children — in 2017 to the Twinwaters community. Alexandria, 7, attends Hamlin Elementary School, while Aiden, 4, attends Ladybird Academy in Winter Garden.

As the owner of Ross Piper Designs, Piper jokes he is an architect during the day and an artist at night.

When he comes home from work, he loves cooking dinner with his children and spending the evening with them before he works on his creative projects after the children are in bed.

Living and studying architecture, art and sculpting in Italy have shaped Piper’s art outlook and style. His unique, Pop Art-style yields 100% custom-made designs blending different media to fit his out-ofthe-box approach to art and design. His art includes paintings, custom shoes, logos and label designs.

Piper also combines his love for cycling in his art.

Before his first child was born, he was involved in cycling racing and traveled throughout the United States to compete.

Although he still trains and stays in shape, he has since stopped racing competitively. Instead, he now designs clothing, helmets and even shoes for cyclists.

Last year, Ventum Racing even composed a short video highlighting Piper and his life as a father, an artist and a cyclist. Through his art, Piper also is involved with charities, such as World Bicycle Relief, American Diabetes Association, Make A Wish and Pilot Me Fishing, where he has created pieces that are auctioned off at events or used as promotional items.

ROSS PIPER DESIGNS

WEBSITE: rosspiperdesigns. com VENTUM RACING VIDEO: bit. ly/3wBLVSJ HORIZON WEST LIBRARY: ocls. info/horizon-west-updates BORRELLI AND PARTNERS: borrelliarchitects.com

“My art isn’t a paved lane,” he said. “I just sort of let it be what it wants to be in the most organic way possible. Once you apply an idea or strong storytelling to a work of art, it just makes it that much stronger.”

LIBRARY MASTERMIND

Piper’s outlook on life seems to have paid off. He is one of the masterminds behind Orange County Library System’s coming Horizon West Branch Library with Borrelli and Partners, the architectural design company selected for the project.

Borrelli and Partners is a Florida-based corporation consisting of architects, planners, landscape architects and interior designers. The company’s portfolio spans diverse industries, including transportation, aviation, industrial, convention and performing arts, commercial and mixed-use, recreation and wellness, and medical/health care.

The firm also has designed other local projects, including the Dr. Phillips Ballfield Complex, which opened in April.

The new library branch currently is being planned in between Horizon West’s Town Center and the village of Bridgewater. It will be colocated with the future Horizon West Regional Park off Hamlin Groves Trail.

Borrelli and Partners also is working on designing one of the buildings in the park.

The new location will offer 20,000 square feet of library space, plus OCLS’ first planned outdoor events area. In addition, the library will include media labs, training, meeting and

study rooms, and a children’s area.

When Piper was working on sketching designs for the new library, he bounced ideas off his daughter and asked her what she felt was important for the community to have.

“It’s an amazing circumstance to have the opportunity to do this,” he said. “It may sound silly to ask advice from a first-grader, but that age group is one of the main target users for the library. During the interview when we won the project, that was one of the things I explained — that my family and I would be avid users of this library, this community space. My daughter was so excited when I explained to her what I would be doing. Seeing her excitement really translated into what this library is going to be and what it can offer. This is going to be amazing and something people can enjoy for years to come.”

Piper said the OCLS team is

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incredibly involved, excited and has genuine care for what they are hoping to create.

Construction on the library is expected to start this summer, and the library is estimated to open spring 2025.

“So much time, effort, and ups and downs go into these projects,” he said. “You’re trying so hard to just make them the best you can, but at the end of the day, when you see the children out there playing, or the first pitch thrown, or someone wholeheartedly enjoying something you put work into — none of that stuff matters. You forget it, because it’s not about you; it’s about the people who get the opportunity to use it.

“For me, when I go into the library when it’s completed and see a family or a child enjoying a book or an elderly person taking a technology class, I’m going to shed a tear,” he said. “We as a team will have brought that to fruition from the creation of an idea. It’s not about the product; it’s about the people in our community.”

Piper said District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson has been a supporter of not only the library’s journey, but his personal journey, as well. After meeting her at a few of the local ribbon cuttings and grand openings, he reached out to share his hopes of joining a county board.

He now is the District 1 representative for the Community Development Advisory Board.

“We have a mutual admiration for each other and the work we do,” he said of Wilson. “It’s a great holistic thing to be able to see the amazing things people are doing throughout all the different districts. It’s truly an honor to sit on the board.”

In the future, Piper said he would love to paint a mural and craft an art project inside one of the architecture projects his company is involved with creating.

“Art is continuing to grow and having the opportunity to do cool things,” he said. “The same with architecture. Doing cool stuff that positively affects people. That’s what hits home for me.”

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.

WEST ORANGE TIMES

The West Orange Times (USPS 687120) is published weekly for $60 per year and $110 per two years by the Observer Media Group, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Winter Garden, Florida, 34787. Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida. POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to the (name of pub; i.e., West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observer or Southwest Orange Observer), Observer Media Group, 11970 Main Street, Floor 3, Sarasota, FL 34236

The Orange County Library System’s Horizon West Branch Library is estimated to open spring 2025.

Ross Piper’s love for art bleeds into all other aspects of his life, including cooking.

Ross Piper’s family — including his wife, Malisa, and children, Alexandria, 7, and Aiden, 4 — comes first in his life.

Courtesy photos

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

EPISCOPAL

Church of the Messiah

241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM, 4 PM (French & Creole), 7 PM www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com

METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org

‘Franconian’ sends SunRidge student to national bee

CHURCH DIRECTORY

STARKE LAKE BAPTIST

CHURCH

PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee

Pastor Jeff Pritchard (407) 656-2351 www.starkelakebaptist.org

CHURCH OF GOD

OCOEE CHURCH OF 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

Nathan Crabbendam is one of three students who won the regional spelling bee and will compete in the national competition May 26 in Washington, D.C.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

specific language called Sanskrit, and those words are really hard, and I never really understand it,” he said.

Nathan was surprised to discover he knew multiple words, such as kairn, from playing video games. In his adventure games, he visits different countries, and he has learned foreign words that have appeared in the bee.

Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly. This page appears weekly in the West Orange Times & Observer and online at OrangeObserver.com.

Franconian [frang-koh-nee-uhn],

noun: A group of West Germanic dialects or languages, consisting of Frankish and the dialects descended from Frankish.

To advertise in the Church Directory call 407-656-2121 or email AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com

For knowing how to correctly spell this word, Nathan Crabbendam is headed to Washington, D.C., later this month to participate in the 96th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee.

His favorite literary genre is fantasy adventures, and he’s currently reading the Eragon book series. He is a member of his school’s acting club, enjoys choreographed dances and was the lead character in his school’s production of “Descendants” in seventh grade. He enjoys playing tennis and gaming with friends.

Nathan is eager to return to Washington, D.C., and see it as a teenager. He is looking forward to seeing all the landmarks and visiting the Smithsonian museums. His dad will accompany him while his mother attends his sister’s graduation. The four will meet up later in the week.

To get this far, Nathan was the top speller at SunRidge Middle School, which qualified him for the county competition at the district office of Orange County Public Schools. He made it through 23 intense rounds of spelling and advanced to regionals, hosted by the Foundation for OCPS at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. There, 24 students vied for the chance to compete at the national level. In the audience were teachers and family members.

“It was pretty stressful, but I made it through,” Nathan said. “I’m just glad I made it through.”

Nathan excelled at this level — receiving a trophy, some Disney gifts and a $1,000 check — and was one of three young wordsmiths emerging as victors and qualifying for the national bee, to be held May 28 through 30. Walt Disney World is helping fund the expenses of the trip for the students.

A total of 245 spellers will compete in four segments of competition to determine who will take home the Scripps Cup: the preliminaries, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. All regional winners receive a bee prize package and other goodies, including one-year online subscriptions to Merriam-Webster Unabridged and Encyclopedia Britannica. Monetary prizes begin at $100 for semifinalists and increase to the grand prize of $50,000 for the top speller.

This is Nathan’s second year winning the school bee at SunRidge. He said he didn’t really study for this level of competition. He is a voracious reader, so words come easily for him.

The contestants have earned their spots as national competitors by advancing through regional spelling bees, competing against students representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Department of Defense Schools in Europe. Spellers will also represent three countries outside the U.S.: the Bahamas, Canada and Ghana.

For the national competition, though, Nathan has decided to put his study skills to work. He has been using the Bee’s Word Club app available for contestants to download. Spelling and vocabulary quizzes for all 4,000 words in the Words of the Champions study booklet are available on the app.

“It’s really helpful,” Nathan said. “It just speaks the word for you, and you have to type in the word and spell it. Scripps created that. It has lists for each specific round of the spelling bee.”

The Scripps National Spelling Bee began in 1925 when nine newspapers joined together to host a spelling competition. The event is administered on a not-for-profit basis by The E.W. Scripps Company from its headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more than 50 years, Scripps and Merriam-Webster have worked together to bring interesting and meaningful words to the best spellers across the country.

He has been putting in more time as the contest date nears. He studies more than 100 words each day but said he will increase the time he is devoting to preparing for the bee.

Are there any words or languages that trip him up?

“There’s a

“No matter whether I win or lose, it’s going to be (cool) to compete in,” Nathan said. “The winner gets a lot of money: $50,000.”

Amy Quesinberry

Nathan Crabbendam is one of three students representing Orange County Public Schools in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

BONK’S ADVENTURE: Windermere deputy chief selected for FBI academy

Jayson Bonk is the only current member from the Windermere Police Department who will have attended the academy.

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDTIOR

Before he one day progresses to the role of chief, Windermere Police Department Deputy Chief Jayson Bonk has two more goals he hopes to achieve: earning his master’s degree and completing the FBI National Academy.

As of April, Bonk is one step closer to completing his goals, as he recently was honored with the opportunity to attend the academy this July. In doing so, Bonk will become the only current member of the WPD to attend the academy.

“I’m going to have the opportunity to just detach myself from everything I’ve been doing and focus on being a better leader and learning from the best, so that I can come back here and use those new tools that I’ve learned to help our department,” Bonk said. “This is a huge thing for me. They want to take great leaders and make them better leaders. It’s a lot of work to get in, and it’s going to be a lot of work while I’m there, but I know it will be a great experience for me. I want to be more confident in myself as a leader and as a human.”

FINDING A HOME

Bonk has served with the WPD on two separate occasions.

He started his law-enforcement journey with the town of Windermere in 2000 but left in 2002 to work for the Altamonte Springs Police Department.

Bonk worked in a few different capacities, such as with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and as an alcohol and tobacco agent for the

Jayson Bonk has 24 years of law-enforcement experience. Fifteen of those have been with the Windermere Police Department.

state before coming back to the WPD in 2011.

He became a sergeant shortly after Chief Dave Ogden took over in 2013.

Although the WPD is a small agency, the town drew Bonk back because of its strong sense of community and family.

“I’ve worked for large agencies, and what they don’t have is that intimate relationship that you can have with the residents, Town Council members and the administrative staff,” he said.

“When there is an agency that has so many employees, you’re just a number. Here, we’re like a small family.”

Fifteen years of Bonk’s 24 career in law enforcement have been with the town.

Bonk earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice in 2015 from Columbia Southern University and returned in 2019 to to earn his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration.

That degree prepared him for the deputy chief position — which he took in August 2022.

As deputy chief, Bonk serves in an administrative role, where his responsibilities include overseeing the dayto-day operations of the department, resolving personnel issues, applying for grants, purchasing equipment and handling information technology issues.

Despite the hard work and many hats Bonk wears in his position, his passion for law enforcement continues to shine.

“My passion is seeing change and seeing things improve,” he said. “I’ve never been afraid to work — even if it means getting out and getting my hands dirty and working on projects for our residents. I actually enjoy doing those things. I want to try to improve this community to make Windermere

the best that it can be. I think we are a wonderful community with wonderful people, and I’m here to do whatever I can to continue to make it better.”

As the second part of his goal, Bonk started his master’s degree in law enforcement leadership this year at Liberty University, which he currently is working on completing.

AN IMMENSE HONOR

The FBI National Academy is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law-enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads.

Sometimes, it can take years to get into the academy, and there never is any guarantee applicants are selected.

Ogden, selected in 2020 for the academy but unable to attend because of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Bonk was the natural choice.

“The FBI National Academy is one of the most prestigious institutions dedicated to preparing law-enforcement executives for their leadership roles,” Ogden said. “My definition of success revolves around aiding others in achieving their goals, and attending this academy will undoubtedly be advantageous for Deputy Chief (Jayson) Bonk and his future endeavors.”

Sessions yield about 265 officers, including up to 35 international students, who take undergraduate and/or graduate courses at the academy campus. Classes are offered in a diverse set of areas, and officers participate in a range of leadership and training.

Officers share ideas, techniques and experiences with each other and create lifelong partnerships that transcend state and national borders.

The 10-week program in Quantico, Virginia, provides coursework in intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, and forensic science.

The program serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge and cooperation worldwide.

Despite his fear of public speaking, one of the classes Bonk most is looking forward to focuses on just that. He also is looking forward to the demanding physical training the academy requires each day to help get him back into a routine and become the healthiest he can be.

Since his selection, he has been training to prepare for the academy.

However, Bonk said the most excitement he has for the journey pertains to The Yellow Brick Road, the final test of the fitness challenge.

The Yellow Brick Road is a grueling 6.1-mile run through a hilly, wooded trail built by the U.S. Marines. Along the way, the participants must climb over walls, run through creeks, jump through simulated windows, scale rock faces with ropes, crawl under barbed wire in muddy water, maneuver across a cargo net and more. When, and if, the students complete this difficult test, they receive an actual yellow brick to memorialize their achievement.

Bonk will be attending class No. 291, and he hopes to graduate in September.

Annabelle Sikes

Ocoee City Commission slices down pickleball development

The City Commission denied a special exception for a proposed 44-court pickleball facility near West Colonial Drive and South Clarke Road.

The Ocoee City Commission voted unanimously to deny Vasant Sports’ special-exception request regarding the city’s zoning regulations for 25 outdoor pickleball courts of its proposed 44-total pickleball court development near West Colonial Drive and South Clarke Road.

Following a presentation from the project manager, the commission opened the hearing up to public comment, and various residents spoke against the development.

“I do not support the rezoning of this property to allow for a commercial outdoor recreational facility,”

The Hammocks homeowners association president Kelly Walsh said. “This is not about a few pickleball courts, like what you might find in

an HOA or park. This is about the potential for large-scale intrusive noise, which threatens to disrupt our residents’ quality of life.”

Another resident of the area near the proposed site for the project pointed to the negative impact the nearby facility would have on the quality of life of residents.

“I just want to start by saying that I have no issues with pickleball,”

Lisa Stinson said. “I do have an issue with the noise that it’s going to create. So, I’m here today to express my strong opposition about the rezoning. … The sharp percussive pop, pop, pop sounds of a paddle, along with the players vocalizations, the cheering, the shouting disrupt nearby environments, and there have been hundreds of complaints all over the city, all over the country about this noise.

“The proposed facility is substantial,” she said. “This will subject our neighborhood, other neighborhoods and surrounding businesses (with) up to 15 hours of repetitive high-frequency noise every day. …

With our area’s unique topography; with its trees, wetlands and retention areas, it will act as an acoustical amplifier, intensifying the noise levels from court activities and make it a challenge for everybody locally to concentrate and relax or enjoy their homes.”

Ocoee Development Services

Director Mike Rumer said the nearest home from its patio to the nearest portion of the proposed pickleball building would be almost 1/8 mile. That distance also doesn’t consider the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation to reverse the placement of courts, according to Rumer, that would make the distance more than 1/8 mile to the nearest home.

Sravan Tummala, the project manager, responded to concerns about the noise.

“We are also planning to put some noise barrier equipment in the facility, even on the outdoor courts, so that mesh actually absorbs some of the noise,” Tummala said. “Also, we agreed to consider the option of

moving the outdoor courts to the south of the property and the covered and indoor courts to the north of the property, so the distance between the residential area and the outdoor courts is going to be more than 800 feet.

“Also, we talked about reducing the hours of operation depending on the demand of the players … and let all the players play only on the indoor courts after 8 p.m.,” Tummala said. “We are open for any kind of suggestions that we get from the residents or even anybody in this room to reduce the noise level.”

Another issue brought up during public comment was the traffic the facility, in concert with the new Wawa gas station that is being built in the area, would cause.

“Has there been a DOT study requested to (understand the) anticipated traffic congestion due to both the Wawa and the pickleball courts going in the same area?” Ocoee resident William Cordell asked. “Is the city preparing proactively for the resulting delays, or will that just be whatever it’ll be and they’ll have to deal with at a later time? All of this is going to impact not only homeowners in the close proximity but (also) everybody who has to drive down Clarke Road, take Colonial or get on the 408.”

Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen backed residents who spoke during public comment.

“Noise is the issue — what we would have to live with in that neighborhood,” Wilsen said. “I did one look at some pickleball facilities over the weekend. They are loud (and) not as large as the one that you’re planning.”

Following the vote, Mayor Rusty Johnson’s comments showed there’s still hope for this project moving forward.

“Let’s see if we can get together with them and work this out,” he said.

IN OTHER NEWS

n Two proclamations were read at the May 7 meeting of the Ocoee City Commission. First, Mayor Rusty Johnson read a proclamation that retroactively recognized May 2, 2024, as National Day of Prayer in Ocoee. Commissioner Scott Kennedy read a proclamation that declared May 15, 2024, National Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12-18, 2024, as National Police Week in Ocoee.

n The five-item consent agenda passed unanimously. The approvals include giving city staff the go-ahead to award grants to nine Ocoee neighborhoods as part of the city’s Neighborhood Matching Grant Program that seeks to assist residents with making improvements to their neighborhoods. Along with the grants, the city also approved awarding a $555,068.27 contract to Garcia Civil Contractors for drainage ditch improvements on the north side of Thornebrooke Drive.

n The commission read six ordinances for the first time during the meeting. Of the six, four were annexations of properties, while the other two were both dual requests to amend the small-scale comprehensive plan and rezone the future land use of the specific property. The six ordinances will be open to discussion from the commissioner and the public at the commission’s May 21 meeting.

Courtesy of Vasant Sports

Asian festival returns to Ocoee Saturday

The Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida’s 14th annual cultural festival takes place at Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE

SPORTS EDITOR

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida will host the 14th annual Asian Cultural Festival Saturday, May 18.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with performances and presentations happening inside the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, and a plethora of vendors scattered across the lawns of Bill Breeze Park.

AAHC’s free annual festival is a celebration of the various Asian American cultures, foods, art and people. The festival aims to highlight each and every one of the Asian ethnic groups represented in Central Florida and their unique cultures.

To accomplish that, the festival will include booths from local business vendors serving up different flavors of Asian cuisines and cultur-

IF YOU GO

14TH

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18

WHERE: Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee

DETAILS: Food and merchandise vendors, live cultural and artistic performances

WEBSITE: aahc-cf.org

ally representative crafts and merchandise, as well as performances from various groups representing their countries, such as traditional dances, skills performances, martial arts demonstrations and live music.

Beyond celebrating the culture, honoring the history and highlighting the significance of the different Asian groups in Central Florida, the Asian Cultural Festival serves to also light the path for the next generation of Asian Americans by using the proceeds from the festival to fund the AAHC Student Achievers Award Scholarship program.

The scholastic award honors and recognizes students from the third grade to high school seniors for excellence in both academics and community service. The award ceremony occurs every November and awards students in the categories of academic achievement, preservation of ethnic culture and language, and essay writing.

The AAHC of Central Florida, established in 1980 to preserve Asian Heritage and Culture and to represent the interest of diverse Asian American ethnicities, is a nonprofit umbrella organization that is made up of various Asian American member organizations.

Dr. Jeffery Redding orchestrates choir reunion

Singers who have worked with the director at West Orange High and Garden Community Choir are invited to participate in the Passion & Purpose concert.

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Dr. Jeffery Redding is holding a large-scale reunion this weekend and hopes to connect with the students and residents he directed at West Orange High and Garden Community Choir during his 23 years at the school and in the last 17 with the neighborhood choral group.

Orlando Choral Society will present the concert, expected to run about 90 minutes, with the theme of “Passion & Purpose.”

Redding said he is expecting more than 100 of his former singers to join in for a fun weekend.

WHAT’S IN STORE

A five-hour block party is being organized for Saturday in the cafeteria at West Orange High School.

“Everyone will come together to laugh, talk, gather together, bringing photo albums, there will be composite albums, tour the choir room and the campus,” Redding said.

There will be plenty of food for everyone, he said. Garrett Lee is a chef who owns Old Skool Cakes and is providing desserts. Lee was Redding’s first choir inductee at WOHS.

All who attend Saturday afternoon’s event can be part of the huge group photo.

Redding said former students and community members convinced him to plan the reunion weekend.

“They would just love to give back in song and give back to the community,” he said. “It’s a big thank-you performance for always supporting the Garden Community Choir and West Orange High School. The show will honor past and present singers, remember the ones who passed, and urge on current WOHS choir directors and students. It’s not about me; it’s about bringing everyone together.”

IF YOU GO

REUNION BLOCK PARTY AND CONCERT

WHEN: Rehearsal 6 p.m.

Friday, May 17, at First United Methodist Church of Orlando, 300 S. John Parkway, Orlando; concert begins 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at FUMC Orlando.

A reunion block party will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at West Orange High School, 1625 Beulah Road, Winter Garden.

TO PARTICIPATE: Visit orlandochoralsociety.org

TICKETS: $10. Available at orlandochoralsociety.org/ tickets.

Raellia Gettings is singing a tribute piece dedicated to the memory of Erica Carr. There will be a piece called “In Remembrance” for other former performers who have died, as well.

“We’ve had good response,” Redding said. “I am the longest choral director in the history of West Orange High School, but I’ve had some incredible assistant directors who will be conducting at the concert; I had great assistant directors of the community choir, also.”

Several of these assistants will be returning for the reunion concert.

Daniel Jackson, Redding’s first intern, became a high school choral director and was the first assistant conductor with the community choir. Kallina Chin, a longtime choral director who teaches high school choir, will conduct. Gail Mininger, Redding’s first piano accompanist and the collaborative pianist for all of his choirs, will play at the concert.

The event is taking place at First United Methodist Church Orlando, because the returning performers wanted to go back to the place where they first created their musical memories with Redding. Redding became WOHS choral director in 1997 and directed the Garden Community Choir starting in 2007.

After 23 years at West Orange High, Redding took two years off to work on his doctorate degree. He then joined the choral staff at the University of Central Florida. He said this is the one and only reunion party he plans to hold.

“The next time it’s done is when I’m retired from all this and someone else is taking over,” he said. “And I’m not close to retiring.”

WOHS administrators also are being invited to hear former students perform. Redding said attendees can expect to hear 10-15 songs, both familiar tunes and some new material, including “How Can I Keep From Singing,” “Rockin’ Jerusalem” and “Unity.”

Courtesy photo

Orlando Taiko Dojo performed traditional Japanese taiko drumming in 2022 in front of the Ocoee Lakeshore Center at the Asian Cultural Festival.

Courtesy photo Dr. Jeffery Redding directed the choral department at West Orange High School for 23 years and has led the Garden Community Choir for 17.

Located in the Seidel Area Village, The Mark offers a versatile retail neighborhood center spanning 21 acres. Easily accessible to residents, this hot spot boasts national favorites, local shops, services, and the iconic New York Beer Project. The Mark exemplifies masterfully planned spaces tailored for walkability and proximity to home. With brick lined streets, familiar favorites, a brewery and beautiful neighborhood parks nearby, this village center creates a hometown feel for residents of the Seidel Area Village.

Learn More

2024 HURRICANE SEASON Understanding forecast information

Knowledge is power, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offers this advice on how to interpret news this hurricane season.

National Weather Service forecast products can tell you a lot about what is expected to happen with a storm — including the storm’s paths, rainfall amounts and wind speeds. There is a lot of information available days ahead of a storm, and it is important to understand what it means.

TRUSTED INFORMATION

Rely on official forecasts and wellestablished media partners in the Weather Enterprise. Be cautious of sensational headlines and instead look for reliable sources to determine a storm’s potential impacts.

Use the official National Hurricane Center Forecast. These hurricane specialists access a variety of data (models, aircraft, satellite) to make the most accurate forecasts possible. Meteorologists at local NWS offices understand which locations in your area are most vulnerable to storm surge, flooding and wind. Always check to make sure you have the latest forecast information. Make sure to have Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on your phone to receive warnings.

WATCH VS. WARNING

In general, a watch means impacts are possible; a warning means impacts are expected or happening. Different hazards and alerts require different responses:

n A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are possible somewhere within the watch area, with

tropical-storm-force winds beginning within the next 48 hours. Prepare by boarding up windows and moving loose items indoors and make sure your emergency kit is ready.

n A Hurricane Warning means hurricane conditions  are expected somewhere within the warning area, with tropical-storm-force winds beginning within 36 hours. Seek shelter in a sturdy structure or evacuate if ordered.

n A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 48 hours; while a Tropical Storm Warning means they are expected somewhere within the warning area. Remember: A tropical system does not have to reach hurricane strength to be deadly.

n A Storm Surge Watch means the possibility of life-threatening inundation generally within 48 hours; and a Storm Surge Warning means the danger of life-threatening inundation generally within 36 hours. In either case, promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

n An Extreme Wind Warning means extreme hurricane winds (115-plus mph) are imminent or happening. Take immediate shelter in an interior portion of a well-built structure.

n A Flash Flood Warning means dangerous flash flooding is expected. Move to higher ground, and never walk or drive through floodwater. A Flash Flood Emergency is issued for exceedingly rare situations when a severe threat to human life and

catastrophic damage is happening or about to happen. Do not attempt to travel unless you are under an evacuation order or your life is imminently at risk.

n A Flood Watch means flooding is possible. Stay tuned to trusted news sources and be ready to seek higher ground. A Flood Warning means flooding is happening or about to happen: move to higher ground immediately.

n A Tornado Watch means a tornado is possible. Know your safe place and be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued. A Tornado Warning means a tornado is happening or about to happen. Immediately seek shelter in your safe place.

FOCUS IS KEY

Do not focus on a specific storm category. All hurricanes and tropical storms can bring life-threatening storm surge, inland flooding and damaging winds. The storm’s scale

only tells you about the strongest winds near the center of the storm and does not tell you about potentially life-threatening flooding from storm surge or rain. Remain vigilant — even if the winds have weakened and the storm becomes a lower category or tropical storm. Rainfall and storm surge impacts often continue.

DON’T FOCUS ONLY ON THE CONE

Impacts can be felt far from the storm’s center — even well inland and outside the National Hurricane Center Forecast Cone. Remember: The storm itself can stretch well beyond the cone, and so can the impacts. The forecast cone shows the probable forecast track of the center of the storm. This means that the storm’s center will probably travel somewhere within the cone’s boundaries. (Historically, the storm’s center has remained within the forecasted cone roughly two-thirds of the time.) The cone does not represent the size of the storm in any way.

2024 HURRICANE SEASON

Trim trees now to prepare for upcoming storm season

Unhealthy and damaged trees can be the cause of major damage to your home during a hurricane.

June 1 marks the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts until Nov. 30. In preparation, Orange County homeowners are being advised to keep their trees trimmed and healthy. If maintained properly, healthy, mature trees can help shield your home during a storm. Keeping them professionally pruned will allow hurricane-force winds to

pass through them, as this will lessen the chances they blow over.

Healthy, trimmed trees are critical to avoiding potential damage to the home due to flying debris.

Professional pruning should be done every few years by a certified, insured arborist. Look for an arborist who provides written quotes before agreeing to have any work done. It is important to have your tree-care specialist evaluate branch patterns that may be susceptible to wind damage. Dead wood, especially, can substantially damage your home during high winds. Sometimes, an arborist may recommend removing large, unhealthy and damaged trees that are close to your home to avoid potential hurri-

cane damage. If unhealthy or damaged trees are removed, always ask the arborist to recommend a replacement tree you can plant.

As should always be the case when having any work done in or around your house, make sure permits have been properly prepared before you agree to have trees removed or have other substantial hurricane preparation work completed.

Please note that Orange County Government does not provide tree trimming and arborist services to residents on private property. To find an ISA-certified arborist in your area who does provide these services, please visit treesaregood.org. For more information on how to prepare for a hurricane, visit ocfl.net/storm.

PALM PRUNING

If you have palm trees, you may be wondering about the proper way to prune them.

Some palm trees don’t need to be pruned. These include the native cabbage palm, which automatically sheds its dead leaves.

If you have palms that aren’t self-cleaning, you may choose to prune them periodically. Just use a pole saw to remove any brown fronds. Leave the green fronds alone, because they are the energy factory for the tree.

If you hire a tree service, don’t let them climb with tree spikes, because these cause permanent damage to the trunk.

When it comes to pruning palm trees, less is usually better. You never want to over-prune your palms by subjecting them to what’s called “hurricane pruning” or “hurricane cutting,” where all but a few fronds are cut off.

Palms are naturally able to withstand the high winds that hurricanes bring, so removing fronds isn’t necessary. In fact, it can damage the palm tree. When pruning palms, only remove fronds that are com-

pletely brown and that hang below the 9 o’clock or 3 o’clock positions. If you hire a professional, make your wishes clear by putting them in writing. Explain you want your palms to have a rounded canopy — not a mohawk. Always remember that the point of pruning is to remove only dead growth. In addition to periodic pruning, you may want to remove the fruit stalks from certain palm trees to keep them safe and prevent future problems. Queen palms fruit abundantly and can create a mess when the fruits fall on sidewalks or driveways. If left alone, the seeds may germinate and create a weed problem. Coconut palms produce heavy fruits that can pose a hazard to people or vehicles below. In these situations, you can remove the

or

flowering stalks on an asneeded basis. It won’t

the tree and will prevent future issues. Never remove any green leaves, since doing so can damage the tree. If you’re not able to do the job yourself, remember that you can always hire a certified arborist. UF/IFAS GARDENING

Hurricane Season…

Be Prepared with Natural Gas

In anticipation of Hurricane Season –starting June 1 and closing November 30 – the Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD) team is encouraging our Florida communities to get ahead of potential storms. With the impact felt by hurricanes in recent years, it is essential to establish a plan now so that when the time comes, we can focus on staying safe with our families.

Choosing the right energy mix for your home should be included in those preparations, along with consideration for safe energy practices during tough times. One of the best parts about natural gas is that it is delivered underground directly to your home, making it extremely dependable –especially during a storm. It’s why so many essential services like hospitals, nursing homes and fire stations rely on natural gas to keep their power on, cooking for the kitchen, and water heating.

when the power goes out, and some even have safety valves that shut off the gas flow automatically if the pilot light extinguishes. Still, the LANGD team wants to emphasize that only authorized utility or emergency personnel should turn your meter valve on or off. We also warn against attempting to operate any natural gas appliances that may have been damaged or flooded.

The security of having a plan can also help you navigate the unpredictability of storm season when emotions are running high. Don’t wait until a hurricane strikes to formulate a plan; explore the potential for natural gas at your home now, as piping and service installation can take time. Not only will you thank yourself as you rest easier during hurricane season, but your wallet will thank you as well, as the average homeowner saves up to 30% on their utility bills each month after converting from all electric to an energy mix that includes natural gas appliances.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, consumers in the path of a hurricane or tropical storm should have an evacuation plan and secure their homes from all loose items that could cause damage. LANGD customers are advised to leave their service on during a severe storm or hurricane. That way, even if you lose electric service, you can still cook a warm meal and have hot water. Our distribution system is designed to withstand extreme weather so that your service can remain uninterrupted, and your family stays safe, even during the harshest of storms.

Even if you’re not expected to be hit by the eye of a storm, high winds and long stretches of rain may impact your neighborhood’s utilities or cause damage to your home. Remember, call 811 before digging around your home, repairing fences, or removing fallen trees to avoid further damage or injury.

Be sure to also have plenty of flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, water, vital medications and a first aid kit handy. Hopefully, our communities and customers will have some peace of mind as they prepare for hurricane season, knowing they have made a reliable energy choice no matter what Mother Nature may throw their way.

Are you ready to make the safe choice and switch to reliable natural gas before hurricane season? We’re ready to have you as a customer. For more information on natural gas service for your home, business or vehicle, please get in touch with the District marketing team at (407) 656-2734 x307, marketing@langd.org or visit www.langd.org.

With 17 first-place finishes this year for Ocoee High, junior Leneah Green has established herself as one of the fastest girls in West Orange County. 16A.

HIGH 5

1The last two remaining West Orange and Southwest Orange County baseball teams across the seven FHSAA classifications have advanced to the regional championship round.

The First Academy, in Class 2A, beat Bishop McLaughlin Catholic, 6-0, in regional quarterfinals, narrowly got past Santa Fe Catholic, 1-0, in regional semifinals and will have played at Lakeland Christian Tuesday, May 14 — after press time — in the 2A, Region 2 championship In 7A, Windermere High beat Olympia High, 6-1, in the regional quarterfinals before topping Palm Harbor University High, 3-0, in the regional semifinals. Windermere beat Venice High on the road for the 7A, Region 2 championship Monday, May 13.

2

Four West Orange and Southwest Orange County teams remain in the FHSAA state softball playoffs.

In Class 2A, Foundation Academy and The First Academy were scheduled to play in the regional semifinals Tuesday, May 14, after press time.

Horizon High, the No. 1 seed in 5A’s Region 2 bracket, will host River Ridge High in the regional semis after topping Wesley Chapel High, 5-3, in the quarters. In 7A, the No. 1 seed Windermere High Wolverines will host Palm Harbor University High for a berth in the Region 2 championship game Friday, May 17.

3

Horizon High boys volleyball topped Windermere High in straight sets — 25-17, 25-23 and 25-19 — in the FHSAA Region 3 semifinals. With the win, the Hawks advance to the regional championship game.

4

With the FHSAA track and field state championships set to run May 15-18, here are some of the area’s top teams and performers from the regional meets, who qualified for a chance to win a state championship.

At the Class 1A, Region 2 meet, the Foundation boys teams had the best showing of the area’s teams, finishing second in the team competition with 79.5 points.

The Horizon High girls were the area’s best finishing team at the 3A, Region 2 meet, finishing in eighth place.

At 4A, in both Region 1 and 3 championships, the Olympia High girls had the best showing with a second-place finish in the Region 3 championship meet Titans senior Omaria Gordon was the most decorated of all the area athletes at the 4A level, bringing home the gold in the long jump, as well as three silvers in the 100-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles and the triple jump.

5

The Winter Garden Squeeze, West Orange County’s Florida Collegiate Summer League baseball team, has announced its schedule for the 2024 season.

The Squeeze will begin play in the six-team league on the road Friday, May 31 at the Orlando Snappers before returning home for a two-game home stand at West Orange High — their home field — against the Snappers Saturday and Sunday. Find the entire schedule at FloridaLeague.com or follow the squeeze on social media at @ SqueezeBaseball on Instagram and @WGSqueeze on X.com.

RISING UP

SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

As a former rugby player, Rise Athletics owner and coach Mark Roberts always will view himself as an athlete.

Because of his background, Roberts knows the impact a team sports environment can have on the people involved. So, when he and his wife and cofounder Jaimee Linehan opened their gym, they knew bringing the positive impact of team sports to an often-isolated sport in weightlifting would make the experience at their gym unique.

That’s why they encourage the athletes who lift at Rise Athletics to

compete in weightlifting as part of the Rise team.

And it’s paying off.

Roberts and a gym-record 29 athletes from the Rise team competed in the Florida Weightlifting State Championships over Mother’s Day weekend and brought home 19 total medals, including seven golds.

In the overall team competitions, Rise Athletics’ youth men’s team (13- to 17-year-olds) finished in first place; the junior men’s team (18- to 20-year-olds) finished in second place in its class; and the senior women’s team (20- to 35-year-olds) finished in third.

Alexander Trusi, one of Rise Ath-

Rise Athletics finished first, second and third in three different team categories at the Florida Weightlifting State Championships.

Part II: Sam’s spring football stops

This week, the Observer takes a look at Foundation Academy, Ocoee High and Olympia High.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

Now that the first impressions of Week One of the high school spring football season have been made and are out of the way, Week Two is all about finding out who is real, who is going to help your team win games and who can handle the grind of spring ball. For the second edition of the spring series, Orange Observer Sports Editor Sam Albuquerque

continues his rounds during the 2024 spring football session to bring you all the best notes, tidbits and thoughts he picks up from visiting West Orange’s and Southwest Orange’s teams.

The teams featured in part two of Sam’s spring football stops are Foundation Academy, Ocoee High and Olympia High.

FOUNDATION ACADEMY

2023 record: 7-3 Spring game: 7 p.m. May 24 vs. South Lake High Coach: Andre Walker, fourth season Key returners, additions: ATH CJ Bronaugh, QB Azariel Woods, LB Aiden Cubero and ATH Steven Grecco

Since taking over the program in 2021, Foundation coach Andre Walker not only has established himself and the Lions as a force — posting three consecutive winning seasons — but also has shown that he and his staff can deal with challenges. Those include integrating new players, the loss of players (either because of graduation or transfer) and reteaching the

Mark Roberts, owner and coach of Rise Athletics in Winter Garden, is all about creating a culture of community and competition.

Sam Albuquerque

At the core of Rise Athletics is helping its athletes strive to be the best.

Sam Albuquerque Foundation Academy quarterback Azariel Woods impressed during practice with his throwing and running abilities.

OF THE WEEK Leneah Green

In her junior season for the Ocoee High track and field team, Leneah Green has been lightning fast for the Knights in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, the 4x100-meter relay and the 4x400-meter relay. Overall, across the four events, Green has won 17 gold medals for Ocoee this track season, and with a year to go in her high school trackand-field career, there’s no telling what else she will accomplish.

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

I’m honored and thankful. It’s a great accomplishment, and I am happy to be recognized.

What do you like the most about track and field?

I like to compete with other girls.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from track and field?

Sometimes, the things you don’t want to do are things you have to do to succeed and get better.

Who is your favorite athlete?

Sydney Mclaughlin-Levrone; I literally just applaud her. She is such a hard worker, and seeing her run, it’s almost like she’s floating. She does the hardest events with so much ease.

What is your favorite trackand-field memory?

My favorite track memory would be finally running a 47 and seeing how happy and proud everyone was.

What is your go-to pre-meet meal?

I don’t really have one, but I always have either Goldfish or Cheez-It before I run.

What is your go-to pre-meet hype song?  It would probably be “Long Journey” by Rod Wave, but in all honesty, I don’t have one.

What is your favorite nonsports hobby?  Dance! I love to dance.

What is your favorite subject in school?

Early childhood education, because learning about the little ones is so intriguing, and I love it

THE BASICS Age: 17 Sport: Track and field Grade: Junior School: Ocoee High

when I walk into the preschool classroom and get all the hugs and drawings from them.

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

Unlimited source of food and water, because, of course, I need to eat; any type of communication device; and a machete for protection.

What is your favorite movie?  “Home” — because it’s literally the best ever. It’s so cute — especially the bond between the two characters.

If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be?  My dad, because he makes me laugh, and I love to hang out with him.

If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go? I would go back to when I first started running, so that I could tell myself to take it seriously and start doing the 400 early.

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

Start having a more positive mindset, because the things you can’t control aren’t your fault. Switch your attitude, get over it and move on.

If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?  Am I happy, healthy and successful?

Who is your favorite superhero?  Wonder Woman. I’ve always liked her, because she was the first female superhero I was introduced to, and she was very independent but still allowed those who wanted to help to do so.

Who is your favorite supervillain?

Scar from Lion King, because his songs hit, and he just did not have a care in the world — other than

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?  Healing powers. Being able to make injuries and sickness go away easier and maybe nonexis-

If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you I would go to Punta Cana, Bora Bora and Hawaii, because I love -

If you could be an animal for a day, what would you be?  A dog, because people just love dogs, and their lives are quite easy to me. Of course, they probably have troubles with certain things that we don’t know about, but I like

What is your most controI think it would be oysters. People say they’re nasty, but they’re actually really good.

NO. 1: C.J. Bronaugh is going to be all over the field in 2024

It’s no secret C.J. Bronaugh has star potential, but for the past two seasons, older brother J.T. Bronaugh has been the face of Foundation football. Now, with big bro heading to Eastern Michigan University, the younger Bronaugh is expected to step into the void left behind.

“He’s going to be pretty much the focal point of our team,” Walker said. “We’re going to ask him to be a team leader. He’s one of those guys (who) has to step up to the plate being a rising junior. He’s been asked to step up in a leadership role, whereas in the past, he’s been the young guy. But now he’s being thrust into a position that he’s more than ready for.”

Bronaugh will be more than just a leader in the huddle. On the field, he’ll be asked to produce at a high level on both sides of the ball.

“He’s definitely going to be the top receiver here, but also, he’ll help us out specifically in the secondary as a safety some this year,” Walker said. “He’s known for his ability to cover at the corner position; that’s probably (his) strongest attribute. But with a playmaker like him and the speed that he possesses, we’re going to put him in a position where he can help all over.”

NO. 2: Young, exciting quarterbacks

Following the transfer of 2023 starting quarterback and Navy commit Michael Dove to Lake Nona High, the question of who would be under center would in 2024 arose. But fear not: Foundation has plenty of talent at the QB position going into 2024 and beyond.

The two dicing it up in a recent practice were rising sophomore Azariel Woods, a transfer from Cypress Creek High, and rising eighth-grader Gianni Rodriguez.

Woods, the likely Day One starter, is a 6-foot-3 wiry quarterback who flashes elite athleticism and a strong arm.

“He’s young, he’s very athletic, and he has some natural instincts that are going to … help us out going forward,” Walker said. “It’s a competition … but right now … we’re leaning more toward the older gentleman. Gianni is a tremendous talent, but he’s only in seventh grade.”

Rodriguez shows poise behind center and a good arm with flashes of greatness.

The two should provide an incredible amount of talent and

stability to the position — if everything remains the same — until 2029.

NO. 3: Growth is success for new-look Lions

When you lose one-third of your roster and only have seven of 22 returning starters, your team is going to look pretty different. But Walker is excited to see how this new group of Lions are going to develop.

“We’re a young team, and this year is going to be one of those years that will be about growth,” Walker said. “To me, a successful season for this group will be gaining understanding and being able to work what’s being taught in a fluid, effective, fast and efficient way. … Honestly, if we can compete for a chance to play in the playoffs, that would be ultimately a successful season. If we have an opportunity to do that, I think that’s all we can ask.”

OCOEE HIGH 2023 record: 4-6

Spring game: 7 p.m. May 17 vs. Lake Buena Vista Coach: Buck Gurley, second season Key returners, additions: LB Michael McClenton, ATH Joshua Guerrier, ATH Kims Pierre and ATH Marvin Brown

In 2022, Ocoee reached the final four in the state championship playoffs. However, with a plethora of graduating seniors — including the Knights’ starting QB, top rusher, top receiver, top tackler and top defensive linemen — 2023 was a bit of regrouping season for first-year coach Buck Gurley. But in 2024, expect Gurley to

have the Knights ready to cycle up and compete for championships again.

NO. 1: Toughness

If I had to sum up what my perception of Ocoee football was after watching the Knights’ intrasquad scrimmage, one detail can capture it: Their quarterbacks weren’t wearing red jerseys during their full-speed scrimmage. If you don’t know what that means, it’s simple: Usually, teams will have their quarterbacks wear red jerseys during any and all football activities as a symbol to defenders that says don’t hit them.

At Ocoee, it seems, QBs are just like the rest of the football players.

And football players get hit. That kind of toughness was evident throughout the team, from the lines to the outside skill positions, it felt like there was an innate aggression that exuded out of this group and, man, it was a whole lot of fun to watch.

NO. 2: Versatility will be key

One of the most entertaining, if not confusing, aspects of this scrimmage was simply keeping track of who was playing at which position. For example, rising senior Joshua Guerrier played wide receiver, quarterback, running back and defensive back during the scrimmage. That similar philosophy was true for most of Ocoee’s top non-linemen players.

“We want to give these kids an opportunity to get looked at many spots, so we can’t sit here and say, ‘Hey man, you just play this position,’” Gurley said. “If we don’t try them out any other spot, how are we going to know what they’re really good at? We have some guys (who) are already sound in their position. But if you look at Josh (Guerrier); he’s an athlete. You look at Mike (McClenton); he’s an athlete, right? So, we have a lot of athletic kids (who) can move, which is great.”

With this group of athletes, expect a lot of different players in different position groups each drive, a lot of two-way players and a whole lot of fun from some special talents.

NO. 3: Stars are who we thought they were

At Ocoee football, their star players are as advertised.

LB Michael McClenton, the 2023-24 Orange Observer Football Player of the Year, is an absolute stud. He has a lightning-fast first step on the line of scrim-

Athlete of

Photos by Sam Albuquerque

Ocoee linebacker Michael McClenton lined up to rush the quarterback during a scrimmage.

mage, he is aggressive as heck and as strong as an ox. ATH Joshua Guerrier is as quick as can be, he’s a versatile athlete who showed he can play receiver, running back, corner and safety. Furthermore, he can throw the ball a bit, too, from the quarterback spot.

It’s not just those two, though. Players such as Dariyon Gordon, Kims Pierre, Marvin Brown, Dylan Hoskins and more showed why they have been receiving attention from college scouts.

OLYMPIA HIGH

2023 record: 8-3

Spring game: 7 p.m. May 16 at Oviedo High Coach: Travis Gabriel, seventh season Key returners, additions: ATH Xavier Tucker, ATH Tavion Greaves, OL Parker Moss and OL/DL Xavier Wall

In each of Travis Gabriel’s six seasons in charge of Olympia football, the team has never regressed in number of wins. Going from 3-8 in season one to 5-5 the next two seasons, 6-5 in 2022 and in 2023, the Titans finished with an 8-3 record and the district crown.

This sort of growth proves two things. Gabriel and his staff have shown to be legitimate programbuilders, and the quickest way to a successful program is through giving quality coaches the time and resources needed to succeed.

Despite significant losses to graduation, 2024 should be another

indication of Gabriel and his staff’s high-level quality as program builders.

NO. 1: Regroup, not rebuild

Of the 47 players on last season’s varsity roster, Olympia football lost 36 to graduation and will return just two of 22 starters: 6-foot-3, 280-pound offensive lineman Parker Moss, who has multiple Division I offers, and two-way star athlete Xavier Tucker.

“Those two (Moss and Tucker) are the face of the program this coming season,” Gabriel said. “They’ve never played anything but varsity since they got to Olympia, so they have the experience. They’re not the babies anymore, They’ve always been the younger ones, but now they’re the guys and I think they’re taking that role very seriously.”

But beyond their returning leaders, Gabriel sees an opportunity for the younger guys, too.

“We have a lot of other kids (who) have been a part of the program that a lot of people don’t know about, that have stepped up because they realized this is their time,” Gabriel said. “That’s what is bringing the excitement. We have a lot of guys who are like, ‘This is my time,’ and we’re going to honor that and allow these guys to go out there and compete.”

NO. 2: QB is an open competition

With Juan Gainous — Olympia’s starting quarterback in 2023 — heading to play his college ball at Kentucky State University, there’s an obvious question at the start-

ing QB position. Gabriel is excited about the competition for the spot.

“It’s still an open competition,” Gabriel said. “We have two young ones: Will Wankelman, who is a rising junior, and Dominick Sanguine, who is a rising sophomore. They’re younger, but they can both throw the ball; they can sling that ball a lot.”

While earning the starting quarterback spot comes with pressure to lead the team, Gabriel understands this position, like all of them, will be about putting his players in the best situation to succeed.

“They’re grasping the offense and what we’re doing, but, of course, we’re going to change some stuff because Juan graduated,” he said. “We have two new quarterbacks, brand new quarterbacks, but they are learning. … We’re not going to put that much pressure on them. There is no, ‘You have to replace anybody,’ type of stuff. We just want them to be the best they can be. As coaches, it’s our job to just maximize what they can do and not worry about what we did in the prior year. I’m excited about our quarterbacks.”

NO. 3: Legitimate athletes at key positions

Losing 36 of 47 seniors seems like an impossible circumstance to overcome, but Gabriel and his staff aren’t letting that affect their outlook on 2024. Quite the opposite, there’s a palpable excitement from the coaches and players about what this season is going to look like.

“We have a lot of kids we’re excited about,” Gabriel said. “At

receiver, we’re talented, same for the running backs in the backfield and really all over. We have a lot of talent that is untapped right now, but I think we’re tapping into it.”

There were plenty of athletes on display for Olympia during the practice I attended. Some of those players include Ocoee transfer WR Tavion Greaves, DT Xavier Wall, LB Aiden Harris and TE Carson Rutledge.

“We’re going to demand a lot from them, and we’re going to

demand them to learn quickly,” Gabriel said. “When you have a brand new canvas, the excitement is that you’re allowed to paint whatever picture you want, because it’s brand new. Whereas in years past, the canvas was already painted. … But now that we have a brand-new canvas, I think that brings a lot of excitement, because we know this group has all the tools and all the resources for us to paint the picture however we want.”

Competition, community forge winning culture

letics’ individual state champions, has seen firsthand how the combination of community and competition has forged this special environment.

“The type of culture at this gym has been really helpful to my growth,” Trusi said. “At the same time that we’re helping (one another), I’ll see somebody hit a great lift and … immediately feel like I have to go and hit something good, too. So, it’s a cool balance that helps us push each other and support each other at the same time and that’s really beneficial.”

CREATING CULTURE

“When (individuals are) all pushing themselves to get better and healthier, there’s almost like a cap on how hard individual people are going to push themselves,” Roberts said. “But when you look at people in a sports team context, it’s slightly different, because what you see is a group of people that usually tend to be very driven to a singular goal.

“To me, one of the big reasons that happens is that the people in that environment tend to see a competitive mindset in other people, and it draws out a level of competitiveness (in them),” he said. “In our gym, you see the impact the sports club here actually has on the people who aren’t in that weightlifting club. Just being near that competitive spirit in here pushes them to another level.”

The competitiveness that comes from the team environment brings out another element those who have competed in team sports often cite

as the thing they miss the most from the experience: the camaraderie and community.

“Most people who go to the gym to get their training in — they are doing it for themselves,” Roberts said. “But I think when you’re part of a sports team, you feel a sense of belonging that you might not get in regular gyms. That sense of belonging is about understanding your role in something bigger than just yourself.

Like when your teammate is having a bad day, as a teammate, your role is about knowing that you can impact them and help them have a better day than they’re currently having.

“That sort of responsibility within a team means that we all know that when one of us is having a bad day, there’s always going to be a teammate there that’s going to come and lift you back up,” he said. “That idea of a team takes the emphasis away from the individual and I think it brings it back to the collective momentum of the team and the collective culture of the team is what really makes community-based fitness great in the first place and takes what we’re doing to the next level.”

BETTER TOGETHER

Although Roberts and his team of coaches understand the value that team sports and competition bring to their environment, the gym doesn’t allow the competitiveness to turn toxic.

Instead, they use competition to breed the camaraderie that has made it a special place.

“This place is like a home away

from home for me,” Trusi said. “It’s the only ... place other than my own home that I can go to where I know I’ll feel comfortable and welcomed and that I’m able to do what I enjoy.”

That sort of description of what Rise Athletics is like is evident among its clientele — from children as young as 8 years old and high school students to college-age adults such as Trusi to a group of lifters who are 50 years and older.

Roberts knows his formula works because he insists on trying to make

the gym a place where anyone, regardless of skill or fitness level, can thrive.

“What makes us really unique — and is also the hardest thing that we have to balance — is knowing who you’re coaching in that moment, because you can’t just approach everybody the same way,” Roberts said. “I’m very blessed to be leading a team of great coaches who also understand the need to coach the person in front of them. We all know how to switch hats when we need to and apply different coaching tactics to different people.

“But I think, in the same way that we’re able to be flexible with the way we coach people, that mindset is also reflected in the way that people come in here, they understand the different levels that we offer and because of the variety of expertise we have, we’re able to meet them where they are and take them where they want to be.” he said.

Olympia’s Tavion Greaves will be an important weapon for the Titans.

Part of Rise Athletics’ ethos is serving athletes of all ages from as young as 8 years old.

Sam Albuquerque

At

ADRIEN HADLEY SAND LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

INFLUENCER

Adrien Hadley is a fourth-grade teachers at Sand Lake Elementary School. In addition to her role as a teacher, she has started two running clubs at the school. She is the coach for the nationwide Girls on the Run program in the fall, and she recently started Boys on Track in the spring. In addition, she is the school’s employee wellness representative, which is the liaison between Orange County Public Schools and the Sand Lake staff regarding healthy habits and lifestyles. Finally, Hadley is the co-leader for the school’s fifth-grade safety patrols.

“She is a shining star,” SLE Principal Kathleen Phillips said. “Not only does she have amazing relationships with her students, her positivity and work ethic shine through and through.”

What brought you to your school?

A few years ago, when I was a substitute teacher for Kelly Subs, I knew a few friends who worked at Sand Lake Elementary who highly recommended the school. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working there and continued subbing until my full-time employment.

What do you love most about your school?

I love the feeling of inclusivity for everyone, and the relationships among the staff and students are very prevalent at SLE. The school is very diverse while still offering a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Hands-down, the students! When they have achieved an accomplishment and you see their enthusiasm and pride shine through, you know your hard work in helping the students is all worth it. Additionally, when a parent reaches out with compliments and praise in noticing a difference in their child this year because of you. It makes you want to go above and beyond for the students.

REPORT CARD

POSITION: Fourth-grade teacher

TIME AT SCHOOL: Two years

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

I actually graduated from UCF with a (bachelor’s degree) in hospitality management and was an event planner for quite a few years. So, I wasn’t always a teacher! I loved planning corporate events for destination management companies. However, when I had two kids of my own and I was always volunteering at their school, I decided to change careers and haven’t looked back since.

Who influences you?

My parents have always had a positive influence in my life. We are really close — we live less than 10 minutes away from each other — and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their continuous love and support!

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

I still remember my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Jominy, in Coral Springs, because of all the fun and creative ways we learned. We did so many hands-on activities that made learning fun. I also have to say my high school history teacher, Mr. Dave Boutin, who was also my cross country coach. He was always so inspirational and looked at life with a positive outlook.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

I have read the book, “On the Night You Were Born” to my kids every night when they were little. So, that book has a special meaning to me. I am also a huge fan of the Sesame Street and Dr. Seuss books!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Anyone who knows me knows I am obsessed with running. I have run 5Ks to full marathons and everything inbetween. I also love to read and spend time with my family.

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

Lucille Ball. I grew up watching reruns of her “I Love Lucy” show and re-watched her series many times. The comedy was very simple and clean fun, and I feel like they don’t make these comedies anymore.

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

I would love to fly, because who wouldn’t like the feeling of flying?!

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

I will always be a fan of Linkin Park, and their music has been a huge part of my life since middle school. I also have to add Imagine Dragons and Shinedown.

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

Chicken tenders and fries, and I still order this meal often! I also love chips as a snack.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

I love Christmas and all of the events and festivals leading up to it. The celebrations and holiday spirit last all month long, and I just love that!

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

I grew up with my two neighborhood best friends, Emily and Ashley, and we were inseparable until I moved from Coral Springs to Windermere — I have been in the same town since 1994. We stay in touch periodically through Facebook, and I did see Emily when I was pregnant with my first child about 10 years ago.

ANNABELLE SIKES

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

The First Academy celebrates seniors

The First Academy hosted its 2024 graduation ceremony Friday, May 10, at the Worship Center of First Baptist Orlando. This year’s graduating class included 90 students from the Upper School, five from The First Hope (unique abilities program) and 16 from The Classical School (hybrid homeschool).

The ceremony included words from First Orlando Senior Pastor Dr. David Uth, TFA Head of School Dr. Steve Whitaker, Sarah Donovan, assistant head of school for PK-12 programs and parent relations, and student leaders; a live worship performance from TFA’s Chapel Band; and speeches from valedictorian David Han and salutatorian Ava Joyce.

In addition, Gabriel Aguilar, senior thesis presentation winner, shared his project with attendees, and Hanru Swanepoel and Grace Cowan were presented with the Daniel and Esther awards, respectively.

ANNABELLE SIKES

—

Angie Faustin hugged Annabelle Folvarcik after helping to fix her cap.

Left: Nicole Hu, Kyleigh Hope, Daniel Holter, Palmer Haynes, Jacob Hawkanson and David Han showed off their graduation tassels and cords.

Gabriel Aguilar, Jamile Cavalcante and Jay Beavers were all smiles on their graduation day.

Valedictorian David Han gave a speech at the ceremony.

WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

JANE BRILEY VOSS

DIED WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2024.

Jane Briley Voss, of Oakland, Florida, died peacefully at her home, on May 8, 2024. Jane was born in Orlando, Florida, on May 14, 1935, to the late Byron Rich Briley and Ada Knight Briley.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jefferson P. “Jake” Voss, and her grandsons, Robert A. Sanders and Gregory J. Hayes.

She graduated from Lakeview High School in Winter Garden, Florida, and Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

On Aug. 6, 1960, she married the love of her life, Jefferson P. “Jake” Voss, and they built their home on Briley Avenue, where her family has lived since the early 1900s. Together, Jake and Jane raised four children. As a wife, mother and grandmother, Jane was passionate in her love, loyalty and devotion for her family. Her faith in God was immense and evident in her every action.

After her children became school age, Jane began a successful teaching career at Tildenville Elementary, where she taught for many years. She was a dedicated and loving teacher who touched the lives of many children.

Jane is survived by her sons, Jefferson R., of Oakland, Florida, and

Robert “Bobby” Carl Barton, 53, of Ocoee, died Thursday, April 25, 2024. Woodland Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Gotha.

Thomas Ronald Finamore, 76, of Windermere, died Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Baldwin-Fairchild Winter Garden Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Weldestrude Franqui, 77, of Orlando, died Friday May 10, 2024. DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory — West Orange Chapel, Ocoee.

Earl Foster Edmiston, 82, of Winter Garden, died Saturday, May 11, 2024. Woodland Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Gotha.

John B., of Allentown, Pennsylvania; her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer J. and Robert A. Sanders, of Kinston, Alabama; her daughter, Janet J. Voss Hughes, of Clermont, Florida; her grandchildren, Joseph and Jodi Sanders, and Sarah Jane Sanders and Sarah Brennan; and her great-grandchildren, Jaise Brennan, Gregory J. Hayes Jr. and Willow Akins.

The visitation and service will be held on Saturday, May 18, at the Oakland Presbyterian Church at 218 E. Oakland Ave. Oakland, FL 34760. The visitation will begin at 10:15 a.m., with the service immediately following at 11 a.m. The family asks you to join them in supporting the Florida Baptist Children’s Home, 1015 Sikes Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33815; (863) 688-4981, fbchome.org. Condolences may be offered at dignitymemorial.com/ obituaries/winter-garden-fl/janevoss-11809442.

Jose Isabel Arrona Hernandez, 62, died Monday, May 13, 2024. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

Donald R. Lentz, 92, died Sunday, May 12, 2024. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

Eddranna A. Mason, 90, died Saturday, May 11, 2024. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

Roy Yim Tak Yu, 95, of Windermere, died Friday, May 10, 2024. Woodland Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Gotha.

1946-2024: Richard Hudson ran neighborhood tire shop for 36 years

The businessman operated Hudson Tire on Story Road in Winter Garden for more than two decades.

WINTER GARDEN NATIVE

Richard

“Coach” for their youth baseball, football and basketball leagues in Winter Garden.

Richard Darrell Hudson, a lifelong Winter Garden resident, died Sunday, May 5, after a brief illness. He was 77. Richard Hudson and his wife, Annette, opened Hudson Tire in November 1987 in Winter Garden. The business started in one bay of Traywick’s Garage on North Vineland Road near West Colonial Drive. In 1998, as business expanded, they moved the company to its present location, 10 W. Story Road.

His son, Regie Hudson, said he was a giving man and always tried to help people who didn’t have the money upfront to pay for services.

“We used to do a lot of credit,” Regie Hudson said. “Even when we opened the business, we opened with a handshake with (banker) Jerry Baker; there was no paperwork.”

In Hudson Tire’s early days, the company started with four jacks, two jack stands, one air gun, one tire changer and one wheel balancer.

“It was Dad by himself for a week,” Regie Hudson said. “He said, ‘Find a job, and I’ll call you when I need you.’ That lasted about a week, and he said he couldn’t do it alone.”

So father and son worked together for several decades.

Carolyn Torres has been employed at Hudson Tire for about 12 years and said Richard Hudson was an easy-going boss and was honest and expected the same honesty from his employees.

“He made the guys do the right work, he made them tell the truth,” Torres said. “If you said you went into the dealership and they said you needed four tires and all you needed was a $13 tire repair, he would tell you. He was a very honest person.”

Many people made similar comments on Facebook following Richard Hudson’s death.

Richard Hudson and his twin brother, Ronnie Farrell Hudson, were born Nov. 24, 1946, to the late Lonnie and Fannie Lou (Sanders) Hudson. They were the last set of twins delivered by Dr. Albert Gleason, and they entered this world in the family home on County Road 545.

Richard Hudson attended Winter Garden Elementary and Lakeview High schools.

He met Annette while the two were students at Lakeview. They were married in 1963 and were together 62 years when he died.

Regie Hudson said his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer two days before Thanksgiving but didn’t share the information with anyone other than Regie.

“He said he was retiring and for me to take (the business) and run with it,”

Regie Hudson said. “He kind of stayed home. He came up (to the shop) every once in a while to say hello. Two weeks before he passed, he got Mom to bring him to the shop. He sat on his stool for a few minutes and then said, ‘I’m ready to go.’”

Richard Hudson grew up with a love for fishing and often had a fishing pole in his hands throughout adulthood.

In the mid-1970s and early ’80s, he started coaching boys through Little League baseball, Wildcat football and a local basketball league when many of the programs were run through the Winter Garden YMCA. Many of the boys he coached attended Tildenville and Maxey elementary schools. Of course, Regie was on those teams, too.

“Our baseball team; once a month he would take us to Krystal in Orlando,” Regie Hudson said. “We all sat in the back of a pickup truck and drove all the way to Krystal, and he would buy everyone Krystal burgers.”

When Regie Hudson started coaching his son in baseball, his dad was right there to help.

“He was like a pitching machine, pitching to all the kids,” Regie Hudson said. “He loved it. It was good that he was able to win a couple championships.”

Winter Garden Mayor John Rees was one of Richard Hudson’s closest friends, and he had known him since

he was a young boy. The two coached Little League at the same time, and their teams often played each other. The two men and their wives had dinner together regularly.

“Just a super, super person,” Rees said. “You could always count on Richard. He was as honest as the day was long. If you went up there (to Hudson Tire) and you needed something … he’d take care of it. If you didn’t need it, he would tell you.

“He cared about our town, he really cared about Winter Garden and the direction and what was going on,” Rees said. “He thought about running for commission two or three times, but I think because of his work load, he

decided not to. He would have been a good commissioner.

“Richard was intelligent,” Rees said. “He was smart. He ran a good business.

“You just couldn’t find someone who cared more about his community,” Rees said. “He was just a good, good honest person. You were just proud to have him as a friend.”

Richard and Annette Hudson attended Freewill Baptist Church, in Winter Garden. Richard Hudson also was a former member of the West Orange Jaycees organization and helped put in the original Kiddie Korral children’s playground at Newton Park near the boat launch.

Richard Hudson was preceded in death by his twin brother, Ronnie Farrell Hudson; and brothers, Paul Hudson and Carl Hudson. He is survived by his wife, Annette; son, Regie (Kim), Winter Garden; brother, J.W. Hudson, Winter Garden; sister, Linda Scarbrough, Winter Garden; and grandchildren, Cody and Jordan. Family and friends gathered to remember Richard Hudson at a funeral service Saturday, May 11, at Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home. Pastor David Braland handled the services. The burial took place at Winter Garden Cemetery, followed by a reception at First Baptist Church Winter Garden.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

In November 2000, the West Orange Chamber of Commerce recognized Hudson Tire with the “We Noticed” award.

Courtesy photos

Richard Hudson died May 5 at the age of 77.

Left: Richard Hudson was photographed as early as 1971 with a fish he caught.

Richard Hudson often was found peacefully fishing in his boat.

FA missionaries return to Dominican Republic

Sixteen students and staff

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

When the annual Foundation Academy mission trip started off with a bus fire on the way to the airport, President Dave Buckles knew something momentous was about to happen.

Although all of the students and staff members were safe, Buckles said the arrangements that needed to be made for them to continue their trip were near impossible.

But that didn’t stop him.

“As I was standing on the side of the road and waiting for our other bus to come, I was sitting there thinking we should just go home,” he said. “We’re not going to make this flight. We’re never going to get all 16 of us on another flight when only two flights go out to the area a day, and are we even going to be able to go if we can’t get another flight? But, we just kept going, and because of that … the results and the impact these students have made on the people and the Dominican Republic community has been incredible. I knew in my heart that something big was going to happen on the trip when the bus fire happened. We knew that this was the enemy trying to stop us from getting there. Now, these students are closer than they have ever been before.”

MISSION MIRACLES Foundation Academy has been offering the mission trip for junior and senior students in the school’s leadership group for more than 10 years.

Although the school used to travel to Haiti, they have not been able to go the past few years because of the unrest in the area. So, instead they have been going to serve the community of Sousa, Dominican Republic. The trip is made possible with the help of New Missions, a nonprofit that

establishes local churches and Christian schools in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to help provide children with education, food and medical care.

Buckles’ feeling about this year’s mission trip was spot on.

During the trip, which took place March 7-12, students shared testimonies, hosted English classes and played sports with the local students, completed arts and crafts with the younger children, and helped with projects in the community, such as painting the exterior of a two-story school.

Senior Ty Cannon decided to go on the trip because he wanted to step out visibly in his faith and serve others in a way he never had done before.

“My favorite part about the mission trip was speaking at one of the services,” he said. “I talked about the story of Noah and his immeasurable faith/being set apart from the rest of the world. It was surreal to see God use me as a vessel and save others through me.”

Buckles said this was one of the most miraculous moments of the trip, when Cannon preached his message to the community at a church gathering with the help of a translator.

During the gathering, seven individuals from the area accepted Christ into their lives for the first time through the message Cannon shared. The leaders of the church said they had never seen anything like that happen since they started the church.

Buckles said this also was one of his favorite memories from the trip, where he remembers a translator telling one of the FA students, “I want to be just like you.”

And the miracles just kept coming.

Buckles helped students who have accepted Christ but have never been baptized complete the ceremony.

He baptized seven young women

in the ocean following a church service. He then invited others who were watching in the community to come forward, and he baptized three men: one from Europe, one from South Africa and one from New York.

“I told the students that due to their obedience and following what Christ laid on their heart, they have literally touched the outermost parts of the world,” he said. “Because of their obedience, these men are going home and sharing the story of them being baptized.”

LIFELONG IMPACT

Buckles also enjoyed seeing students from different groups, who may have never interacted with one another if not for the trip, create friends for life.

“All too often, we think going on a mission trip is to help others, and it is,” he said. “But at the end of the day, going on a mission trip is really about you being obedient to the calling that Christ has on your life. It allows you to get out of your element, which allows you to meet God in a way you really never have had an opportunity to do before. It’s important to create this space where these students can experience that at a young age. … The trip isn’t always about what you can do for those, sometimes the trip is about what God can do in you.”

Senior Lily Sheridan was one of the students baptized.

“My favorite part of the trip ... was getting baptized and seeing how much God was working in my life through that, because three random men had seen me and my friends getting baptized and asked if they also could be baptized,” she said.

“Being in the Dominican Republic showed me you can have so many materialistic things but never fill the God-shaped void, because only He gives us joy and satisfaction.”

Cannon said the trip was lifechanging.

“To see the pure joy that the children and adults experienced in the Dominican Republic with so little was extremely humbling for me,” he said. “God showed me through this trip that my joy should not be a result of my possessions or even the things that happen throughout my life. Rather, I was given the perspective through this trip that, despite what is going on in my life, God is great, and that is something to be joyful about.”

Luis Campos

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Foundation Academy students and staff took their annual mission trip in March to the Dominican Republic.

ABOVE WATER by Garrett Chalfin, edited by Jeff Chen

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