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Ranch Primrose kids celebrate world cultures. PAGE 12.
OUR TOWN
+ Rodeo legend visits BRHS East County cowboy and legend Hub Hubbell, 93, on Sept. 30 visited Braden River High School, where he talked about his life as a cowboy and gave a lasso demonstration. Agriculture students from the school’s Science and Health Academy, among others, attended the event. Students are reading “A Land Remembered,” a fictional account about ranching and cowboy life in Central Florida in the mid-1800s.
+ Tara enjoys Italian festival Tara Golf and Country Club residents on Sept. 17 enjoyed an authentic Italian feast during the San Gennaro Dinner Festival. The festival featured live music, dancing, wine and a buffet stocked with Italian street festival cuisine.
+ Rays request Waxler’s support After their incredible ride into the postseason, the Tampa Bay Rays asked for East County sign-language guru Levi Waxler’s services at the team’s playoff game against the Texas Rangers Oct. 3. Levi signed the national anthem before the contest. And — even better — he got a high-five from Rays Manager Joe Maddon. The Waxlers also attended the historic game Sept. 28. “Levi kept screaming, ‘I believe in you!’” says his mom, Tanya Waxler. “It was amazing (and will be) part of our memory bank forever.”
The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and The Observer Group Inc. have partnered to present The Sandies awards.
Thursday, OCTOBER 6, 2011
SPORTS
Golfer Gus Andreone turns 100 years old.
SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE
PAGE 19.
THE FINAL PIECE: beauty and the feet
10 YEARS LATER CLASS OF 2001
FIRST CLASS
By Pam Eubanks | News Editor
Lakewood Ranch High School’s 2001 yearbook was titled ‘The Final Piece’ — to honor its first graduates as the last puzzle piece needed to complete the high school. This week, that pioneering class celebrates its 10-year reunion. LAKEWOOD RANCH — The sun was barely peeking from over the horizon as the students arrived to Lakewood Ranch High School for the first time Aug. 24, 1998. With long shadows pulling over the campus and an earlymorning fog hovering over the land surrounding the buildings, it was — quite literally — the dawn of a new day. And as the 288 members of the Class of 2001 stepped onto Mustang soil, they were charged not only with a full load of coursework but also with establishing every tradition for the new school. These pioneers chose Lakewood’s school colors and mascot, established Spirit Week and designed the medallions used for commencement. They picked the graduation gowns
the school still uses. They even chose the desks and chairs. “ T h e y had no role models,” said Bob Schaer, coband director, who is still at the s c h o o l . “There was no senior. We told them, ‘You are going to set all the t r a d i t i o n s .’ And they did.” Braden River High School Assistant Principal Don French, who taught at Lakewood when it opened, agreed. “They were totally energetic,” he said. “Being the first group, that was the group you used as your blueprint for everybody else to follow. We were able to try a lot of new things, a lot of new teaching methods. These kids were willing to take those chances for us, and they wanted to create their own
identity for the school. I think they did that quite well.” This week, as Lakewood Ranch celebrates its 2011 Homecoming, the class responsible for so many Mustang traditions will return to celebrate its 10-year reunion. Festivities will start at the Homecoming game Friday. Alumni will be introduced to the crowd, and the Class of 2001’s Homecoming Queen Jessica (Blanco) Forristall will crown this year’s Homecoming queen. Lakewood’s Student Government Association is treating alumni to dinner before the game, as well. Alumni Sara Keiper, Tommy Burish and Rachel Weeks have been working since May to plan festivities. The group even got to pick the date for Lakewood’s homecoming game this year, Keiper said. “It’s been a whirlwind,” she said of planning. “It’s been really fun and kind of chaotic. I’m hoping everything will be good.” Lakewood Principal Linda Nesselhauf, who was an assistant principal when the school
MORE REUNION /PAGE 8
SNAPSHOTS Jonathan Blevins
Current city: Orlando Student involvement: Football player Favorite memory: Lakewood’s first win at a football game against Booker High School Education: Bachelor’s degree from University of Florida in criminology and political science; law degree from Barry University School of Law Current occupation: Attorney
Brad Burnside Current city: New York Student involvement: Marching band and French Club Life’s lessons: “In high school, I thought everything was so serious. I learned to put value into things that actually mattered instead of superficial things. I learned I still have to work hard, no matter how smart I think I am.” Education: Bachelor’s degree from University of Florida in telecommunications production Current occupation: Senior producer at Global Media Co.
MORE SNAPSHOTS/PAGE 8
INDEX Briefs......................4 Classifieds ...........25
Cops Corner............5 Crossword.............24
Opinion...................6 Real Estate...........17
Sports...................19 Weather................24
Vol. 12, No. 40 | Two sections YourObserver.com