11.28.19 Southwest Orange Observer by Orange Observer

SO U T H W EST O RA N G E

Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

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GOBBLE GOBBLE The Observer staff wishes you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

Thespians tackle love, love lost Olympia High School thespians presented their production of John Cariani’s ‘Almost, Maine.’ SEE PAGE 13.

Portrait of courage West Orange gets new preschools

The Jewish World War II veteran fought in the European Theater with Patton’s 3rd Army and helped liberate a concentration camp. SEE PAGE 4.

The Goddard School is now open on Avalon Road, with Kiddie Academy to open next summer in Hamlin. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

With Winter Garden constantly being named one of the top places to live, it makes the city a popular option for families moving to the area to settle in. Along with this demographic and population growth is the need for more preschools, day cares and early childhood development and education centers. West Orange-area families now have two new options for their children, with the recent opening of The Goddard School and Kiddie Academy under construction in Hamlin. SEE PRESCHOOL PAGE 4

GIDDY-UP GALA! Southwest Orlando Young Life saddles up for third annual roundup. PAGE 7. PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

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Amy Quesinberry

Gilbert Waganheim keeps his mind sharp by walking a mile every day and painting pictures, including the view from the balcony of his Dr. Phillips condo.

Family fighting vape company after son’s death The Boyd family in the Horizon West area wants everyone to know the dangers of vaping after they lost one of their sons to the addictive practice. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

This Thanksgiving, Kyle Boyd’s family is choosing to celebrate the life of the 28-year-old animal lover, bookworm and Gator fan. His parents, his younger brother and sisters and other family members are preparing to gather to give thanks for their blessings, but their mind won’t be far from their son and brother, who died Nov. 16 of what hospital officials suspect is a vaping-induced lung injury and pneumonia. SEE BOYD PAGE 2

Amy Quesinberry

Douglas Boyd, right, and Kathryn Cook buried their son Friday and now are fighting to get the word out about the dangers of vaping.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

Boyd family mourns loss of son CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The Boyds, who live in the Horizon West area, now are on a crusade to spread their son’s story and shut down the vaping industry. Douglas Boyd knew his son was vaping, but he had told his dad he was trying to stop. “In his mind, it was better than smoking cigarettes,” he said. “That was his vice to help him stay clean and live a better life,” Kathryn Cook, his stepmother, said. The family believes it’s actually what killed him. An AdventHealth East report said Kyle Boyd’s toxicology report was negative for any illicit substances. FINDING HIS WAY

Douglas Boyd said his son was a happy-go-lucky child who was into sports and good in school. Stepmother Kathryn Cook said after graduating from Timber Creek High School, he attended college and got involved with drugs. With a college degree in hand, Kyle Boyd moved to West Palm Beach and entered himself into a drug-rehabilitation facility — and when he finished the

“Smoking is like the horse and buggy, and vaping is like NASCAR.” — Douglas Boyd

program, the company hired him to help others, Cook said. Kyle Boyd recently had returned to Orlando and was about to start a new job. His father said he was struggling but used only his vape pen to relieve stress. “The vaping was becoming more and more involved in his life,” he said. “You could see it through the progression of pictures that we have.” The two had a recent conversation about his vaping habit, and Douglas Boyd told his son he didn’t look good.

THE BATTLE BEGINS

HIS FINAL DAY

Kyle Boyd went to bed at his mother’s house Monday, Nov. 11, and never woke up. His mother, Kimberly Boyd, discovered him lying unconscious, his vape pen next to him. He went into cardiac arrest twice, officials said, and despite all attempts to revive him, he never regained consciousness. “It comes on really quick,” his dad said. “We believe he went to bed and he went into a deep sleep and he lost the ability to breathe and it sent his body into this event (with) seizures. “When I saw my son’s X-rays, I didn’t think his lungs were there; they were just whited out,” Douglas Boyd said, describing the chemical burn. “I cannot believe how damaged they were. ... They could not force oxygen into him.” The family kept their son on life support until his organs could be harvested. They were told his heart was transplanted in a person in Georgia, his liver and kidneys were given to three Florid-

Courtesy photo

Kyle Boyd never gained consciousness after being rushed to the hospital Nov. 12.

ians, and his corneas improved the eyesight of four people. Kyle Boyd was a giver, the family said, and he went out of his way to help people, so there is comfort in knowing that he would have wanted to donate his organs so others can live. Had his son lived, Douglas Boyd said, he would have needed a double lung transplant. “What people don’t understand is that the damage is done,” he said. “It can’t be undone. I dare anyone who vapes a lot to get a chest X-ray. They will probably be amazed at the damage they have caused.”

Kyle Boyd was using a Vuse Alto vape pen, manufactured by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. “Basically, what you’re doing is heating up a vegetable oil and sucking it into your lungs,” Douglas Boyd said. “(The manufacturers) make it out like they have the best ingredients. There’s no dosage. They say smoking is bad for you (and smokers) can transition to vaping and then to nothing. But it’s turned into a transition from smoking into just vaping the hell out of it. “We’re made to believe these companies are doing us a favor when actually they’re looking to make money,” Douglas Boyd said. “And the big hook is nicotine.” It’s time to take a harder look at what the vaping companies are doing and to investigate into their claims and safety, he said. The Boyds intend to join in a national class-action lawsuit and likely will move forward with a wrongful death suit. “This isn’t about money, this is about changing the perception of what vaping is, this is about regulation that we currently have in place, this is about protecting our children from vaping products, it’s about getting schools more involved in not allowing vaping on campus,” Douglas Boyd said. “We’ve got to stop this,” Cook said. Kyle Boyd’s funeral was Friday, Nov. 22. The family has asked that donations be made to their son’s memorial fund with the Matthew’s Hope homeless outreach program.

WHAT IS VAPING? E-cigarettes are known by many different names. They are sometimes called “e-cigs,” “ehookahs,” “mods,” “vape pens,” “vapes,” “tank systems” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems.” Using an e-cigarette is sometimes called “vaping.” They come in many shapes and sizes, and most have a battery, a heating element and a place to hold a liquid. E-cigarettes produce an aerosol by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine flavorings and other chemicals that help to make the aerosol. Users inhale this aerosol into their lungs. Some e-cigarettes are made to look like regular cigarettes, cigars or pipes. Some resemble pens, USB sticks and other everyday items. Larger devices such as tank systems, or “mods,” do not resemble other tobacco products. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, state and local health departments and other clinical and public health partners are investigating an outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury. CDC has identified vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern among people with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury. Vitamin E acetate is used as an additive in some vaping products, most notably as a thickening agent in THC-containing e-cigarette products. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Protection

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

MAKING SPIRITS

BRIGHT Children from First Baptist Church of Windermere’s Praise Kidz and Power Surge groups joined to sing “Jingle Bells.” Alessandra Reilly and her mom, Lisa, lit up the night with their festive outfits and accessories.

Paloma Pineda, of the Elizabeth Parsons School of Dance, performed a Chinese dance.

he town of Windermere flipped the switch and dazzled residents at the annual Light Up Windermere event Friday, Nov. 22. Hundreds of Windermere residents gathered in front of Town Hall to watch 420,000 individual lights illuminate downtown. Attendees also enjoyed choir performances from members of the First Baptist Church of Windermere and students from Foundation Academy, as well as dance performances from students of Elizabeth Parsons School of Dance. The event also was held in tandem with the town’s monthly Family Food Truck Night, which brought more than a dozen food trucks to the town. It was Mayor Jim O’Brien’s first Light Up Windermere as the mayor of the town.

Allison Raymond, Emilee Logan and Kate Woods of the Elizabeth Parsons School of Dance performed the Marzipan dance from “The Nutcracker.”

— ERIC GUTIERREZ Left: Michele Nunnelley of Vintage Realty Group gave out hot chocolate during the event.

Left: Mayor Jim O’Brien had a blast with his daughter, Emily, at the Light Up Windermere event.

VanderLey leads chamber transportation talk Orange County District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey spoke about transportation and what a proposed penny sales-tax increase could mean for West Orange. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

As Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings rallies for a potential one-cent sales-tax increase, the question of how it could have an impact on the status of transportation in West Orange County has been brought up. It was a hot topic during the West Orange Chamber of Commerce’s transportation conversation meeting, held Friday, Nov. 15. Orange County District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey was the spotlight speaker and shared information about the current status of transportation — as well as future needs — in West Orange. With the growth that comes with development in Horizon West and in West Orange County as a whole, there is both a disconnect between building houses and infrastructure to support them, as well as between building infra-

structure and having sufficient funding to do so. “The growth is undeniable,” VanderLey said. “You all need to understand that when those people come, they bring their cars and drive on our roads, and they bring their kids and put them in our schools. What we collect in Orange County right now in terms of transportation impact fees, on average, is about $20 million a year. That gets assigned to zones, so if all $20 million gets collected by development in District 1, all $20 million is allocated to that district to be spent there. That does not travel throughout the county.” VanderLey added that the county also collects around $30 million per year in gas tax, making the total funds available for traffic problems locally — outside of ad valorem, state and federal funds — $50 million. However, she said,

it costs about $12 million per lane mile of a four-lane divided road. “That means somewhere in Orange County, I get four miles of road,” she said. “That’s inadequate to the needs that we have with the population shift that we’re seeing.” Additionally, she said, when looking at future needs for transportation, public transit must be part of the conversation. If there is to be a conversation as a community about workforce housing, there also needs to be one about workforce transportation. VanderLey told attendees that they will be hearing over the next few months from the county about the need to fund the shortfall for LYNX and SunRail, which the penny sales-tax increase would help with. However, she said, her main concern is that the county has not yet defined what that shortfall looks like. “I don’t think anybody here can argue with the need,” she said. “I think the concern is … we haven’t entirely defined what that shortfall is. … If the mayor is successful in passing his penny sales tax,

that’s about $600 million a year and he’s proposing, last I heard, in the neighborhood of 25 years. That’s a lot of coin. “Until somebody can define for me what the shortfall is in terms of LYNX, in terms of our infrastructure, in terms of future plans for SunRail, I can’t be supportive of a penny for 30 years because I don’t know where we’d spend it all,” she added. “It’s not to say that we don’t have a need, it’s just that, ‘Is this the right amount of money and right period of authorization to address the need?’ I don’t think anybody here can say, ‘We don’t have a transportation problem, why are we even talking about this?’” This would be a charter sales tax — meaning the county wouldn’t necessarily have to share the funds with its municipalities — but many West Orange leaders

believe that in order for it to pass, the county will need support from those very municipalities. Although finding a solution for the transportation problem, finding the balance between mass transit and infrastructure and how to fund it all currently are the mysteries surrounding the topic of transportation, VanderLey told attendees that whatever is done must address the needs of the community in a way that is defendable and noble. “We have to make sure we’re not disadvantaging the very people we’re trying to help by not carefully looking at what that number, what that shortfall, looks like and where it needs to be leveraged,” she said. “It’s the cost of doing business as a community that we provide the infrastructure for people to get where they need to go.”

“It’s not to say that we don’t have a need, it’s just that, ‘Is this the right amount of money and right period of authorization to address the need?’ I don’t think anybody here can say, ‘We don’t have a transportation problem, why are we even talking about this?’” — Betsy VanderLey

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

tion camp where they burned the bodies.” Waganheim recalled asking the camp survivors if he could help in any way. One camp survivor who, after discovering he was American, asked him to send a letter to her relatives in Chicago to let them know she was alive. He obliged. The war was over soon after, and Waganheim was on his way home to the United States. POST-WAR LIFE

Amy Quesinberry

World War II veteran Gilbert Waganheim has kept a photo of his fellow soldiers. He is sixth from the left on the second row from the top.

Gilbert Waganheim recalls WWII experience AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

ilbert Waganheim had just turned 21 and was living in a large Jewish community in eastern Baltimore when he was called up to serve in the U.S. Army and fight the Germans in World War II. He trained at Camp Pope, in Louisiana, and was assigned to the 42nd Tank Regiment of the newly formed 11th Armor Division, which he described as a combination of tanks, field artilleries, infantry, reconnaissance, medical and supplies. When the regiment split, Waganheim stayed with the 42nd Tank Battalion. The Army corporal technician, now 98 and living in Dr. Phillips, recalled his three years as a U.S. soldier and what it was like fight-

ing a ground war through Europe in the 1940s. He was shipped overseas in December 1944 as part of the headquarters of the 42nd Tank Battalion, and his first assignment was to guard the Meuse River, in France. When the Germans engaged in the Battle of the Bulge, Waganheim was assigned to Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Amy and sent to Belgium. Waganheim was at headquarters — making maps and plans — so he escaped any battle injuries. The soldiers fought through Belgium and Luxembourg and into Germany, capturing thousands of German soldiers along the way, he said. LIBERATING JEWS

“The big powers decided that the Russians would occupy Austria,”

Preschool plans CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

KIDDIE ACADEMY

For those who live in or close to Hamlin, Kiddie Academy will be opening its doors to children from ages 6 weeks through 12 years old by June 2020. Located at 15806 Shaddock Drive, the new children’s academy is now under construction following a Nov. 6 groundbreaking ceremony. Winter Garden residents Bill and Linda Collins are the owners of Kiddie Academy’s newest location, and their daughter, Ashley Collins, will serve as the director. “Kiddie Academy is an early childhood development (program) based on learning skills they’ll use in everyday life structure,” Ashley Collins said. “It really focuses on not just their learning, it’s about the ‘why’ and what’s the purpose of what they learn. It’s really imperative that they know why they’re learning these skills and what they will be used for.” Having grown up in Winter Garden as one of five children, Ashley Collins knows that the growing community is more family-friendly than ever before. It’s part of the reason why her parents wanted to

become business owners and help shape young minds. “The housing-to-children ratio is incredible, and they really wanted to get their hands into helping the future minds of tomorrow develop in this amazing community,” Ashley Collins said. “Winter Garden is so home based, and although it’s growing and booming, it really centers on such a family community.” She added that this project has been in the works for about three years now, and it likely will not be the only Kiddie Academy location her parents open. The capacity for this location is set at 225 children. “Our academy is based off life essential skills and really focuses on their development,” Ashley Collins said. “We have found children want to know why they’re doing something, and to be able to teach this ... it can really build success for them later on.” Although the school will not open until summertime, updates on enrollment and the school’s construction will be posted on its Facebook page. “Seeing the structure itself is amazing, but for me personally, watching my parents’ dream

Gilbert Waganheim was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942, when he was 21.

Waganheim said. “Patton hated the Russians, so he ordered us into Austria, where we fought. … At one point, our reconnaissance battalion was going down a road and … there was a jeep with white flags coming toward them. He was the (German) commander of the Mauthausen concentration camp. He was afraid of the Russians, so he surrendered to the Americans. “We went into the concentration camp and liberated the camp,” he said. “As we approached it, there were a thousand shoes and a pile of bodies … and going in I saw the ovens and it reminded me of when I was about 17, my father had a bread route in Baltimore. … The ovens were exactly the way the ovens were in the concentra-

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS KIDDIE ACADEMY 15806 Shaddock Drive, Winter Garden (407) 777-7110 Email: wintergarden@kiddieacademy.net Facebook: facebook.com/Kiddieacademyofwintergarden Kiddie Academy is under construction and expected to open in June 2020. Call for more information about enrolling or employment. THE GODDARD SCHOOL 2007 Avalon Road, Winter Garden (407) 777-2791 Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday Website: goddardschool.com/ Winter-GardenFL Facebook: facebook.com/ GoddardSchoolWinterGardenFL The Goddard School is now open and enrolling children. Call for more information.

become a reality and watching them (become) business owners and get involved with children and their future (is exciting),” Ashley Collins said.

Waganheim served three years in the Army and then returned to his family, who were by then living in Washington, D.C. He got his accounting degree from Benjamin Franklin University and worked for an accountant for a year before briefly becoming an accountant for a large jewelry store chain. For the next 40 years, he was the accountant for the Giant Food supermarket company. A few years after leaving the military, Waganheim was attending a party with friends; all of the men and women paired up, and this is where he met Edythe. After a brief engagement, they were married for 65 years before her death. They had two sons, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The couple made several trips to Europe, and Waganheim returned to the Mauthausen concentration camp just to see it once more. It was just a place to see, he said. He moved to Orlando in June to be near family and recently joined American Legion Post 63, in Winter Garden. On Saturday, Nov. 16, just shy of his 98th birthday, Waganheim walked a mile in the annual Challenge 22 Ruck Walk, hosted by the post. Waganheim attends an art class almost weekly in Windermere and has an easel set up on the balcony of his Dr. Phillips condo. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has conducted thousands of video and oral histories with Jewish men and women and Holocaust survivors, and Waganheim’s interview was added to the collection in 2015. “I wish we could have saved more Jews,” he said. “But that was life, that’s what happened.”

Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek

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THE GODDARD SCHOOL

Located off Avalon Road near its intersection with Tilden Road, The Goddard School officially opened Monday, Nov. 4, and is now enrolling. Another national brand, The Goddard School was founded in 1988 by Anthony A. Martino in order to deliver a high-quality, play-based learning program to families. Today, The Goddard School has more than 65,000 students in more than 500 locations across 37 states. The school uses what it callesthe F.L.EX. Learning Program to provide a well-rounded learning experience to children while in a safe, nurturing environment. The idea is for children to learn through play, with customized lesson plans developed based on children’s interests and developmental needs. Pam King, onsite owner of the newest location in Winter Garden, previously owned a franchise of The Goddard School in Alpharetta, Georgia, and has owned and operated several of them over the last two decades. After her family moved to Winter Garden six years ago, she and her husband, Shawn, saw there was a need in Winter Garden for a highquality early childhood education program that provides a playbased learning experience.

Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, send your information via email to Tim Freed, tfreed@Orange Observer.com.

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Poke Hana coming to Windermere Village The location marks the second in the Orlando area for the Hawaiian restaurant. ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

THREE TO TRY n Maui Wowie poke bowl: Marinated ahi tuna in Maui sauce with fried onions, edamame, seaweed salad and cucumbers. n Garlic shrimp: Shell-on fried shrimp with garlic butter sauce. n Hula Chicken rice plate: Grilled marinated chicken with sweet sauce

A taste of Hawaii is coming to the Windermere area. Poke Hana is slated to open up in the Windermere Village shopping center at 5845 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Suite 150, in early 2020. As the name suggests, the restaurant specializes in poke bowls, which is a dish consisting of raw, marinated fish served over rice and an array of vegetables and other toppings. Guests can choose from a selection of signature poke bowls or build their own custom poke bowl with whatever toppings they want. “In Hawaii, basically, that (is) their staple food,” owner Hoi Nguyen said. “Every tourist that came over there and every local (living there), they’re always eating poke. I saw the tourists eating so much poke (in Hawaii) I thought, ‘It’s got to work back home.’” The Orlando-based restaurant also specializes in serving Hawaiian cuisine, as well as acai bowls and crispy rice tacos. “What sets us apart from almost every other poke restaurant is we serve Hawaiian food,” Nguyen said. “We don’t just serve poke. We have the rice plates, we have

hula chicken, Spam musubi, we have kalua pork, we do garlic shrimp and something that’s new that we offer … is our rice tacos. They’re made from a crispy rice paper shell.” A trip to Hawaii with his wife a few years ago is what inspired Nguyen to open Poke Hana. While he was there, he frequently dined on the local cuisine and fell in love with eating poke bowls along the way. “My wife and I, we travel a lot for business and we went to Hawaii for a conference,” Nguyen said. “I think I spent the whole time out there eating Hawaiian food and poke, and I was so obsessed with it, I was like, ‘We need something like this back home.’” “What makes our poke so different is that we actually source our ingredients from Hawaii,” Nguyen later added. “The salt and the seaweed, we get it imported from Hawaii because those are

probably two of the main ingredients that people skip out on and don’t add to their poke.” Nguyen said that the original location of Poke Hana in the Mills 50 area of Orlando has been open for a year, and he opened the restaurant with the help of some business partners and family members. He added that he chose to open the second location for his restaurant in the Windermere area because of its demographic of individuals who crave healthy options for their meals and the lack of poke restaurants in the area. He also said he’s frequently had customers from the Windermere area travel all the way to the original restaurant, so he knew Poke Hana would fit right in. “We know there’s a demographic of people that likes to eat good quality fish and good quality food,” Nguyen said. “Windermere doesn’t really have a poke restaurant.”

Eric Gutierrez

Poke Hana owner Hoi Nguyen and restaurant partner Aiy Saysavanh are excited for the second Poke Hana location to open.

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

Country for a cause Some of the teens involved in Young Life hit the stage to show some love for their Young Life leaders.

owboy hats, plaid shirts and boots were all the rage during Southwest Orlando Young Life’s third annual roundup fundraiser Thursday, Nov. 7. Held at Church of the Lakes, the event involved table hosts decorating their tables and inviting guests to have a barbecue dinner and support Young Life. Staff and volunteers come alongside children to impact their lives by supporting them and sharing about Jesus and His love for them. — DANIELLE HENDRIX

Karey Freeman, Lisa Oakman and Reeves Oakman

Michael and Jenni Harris, Keith and Jennifer Tower, and Dana Menz

Left: Patti Silveira, Carol Ann Willard and Louise Hawthorne

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

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Bruce Musselman, Elsie Cruz, Dr. Phillips High School Principal Suzanne Knight and Steven Knight enjoyed themselves at the event.

Come view our Decorated Trees in the lobby, patio, and 2nd floor. We will have decorated Christmas trees of all sizes and themes.

es in the lobby, ve decorated themes.

he Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips once again blended cuisine with a good cause at the A Taste of Dr. Phillips event Sunday, Nov. 10, at Dellagio Orlando. Attendees sipped drinks and sampled food from some of the finest eateries along Restaurant Row in Dr. Phillips. The event also included live music and a silent auction. All the money raised at the event goes right back into the Dr. Phillips community, given by the Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips in the form of donations, scholarships and sponsorships.

Christmas Tree Auction December 5th | 4:00pm-6:00pm

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Enjoy cocktails and light appetizers while we listen to Christmas music

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Celebrating 22 Years! 2019 Book Donations Supporting children in our community

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2019 BOOK DROP OFF LOCATIONS Garden Theatre 160 W Plant St

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Observer Media Group 661 Garden Commerce Pkwy, Ste 180

Join us for a fabulous evening of shopping, sips and snacks!

Childrens Lighthouse Learning Centers

West Orange Chamber of Commerce 12184 W Colonial Dr

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Other locations to be announced

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

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Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Rep. Val Demings were spotted at the tasting event.

Office hours M-F by appointment Accepting new patients

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Kelly and Jermaine Edmondson enjoyed the atmosphere of the tasting event.

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Melissa Duffy, Julee Dempsey, Ksenia Maiorvoa and Yana Bourne checked out the different tents and tried samples.

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

Julie Kleffel, Becky Roper, Pam Gould and Michael Soucy Left: Renee and Jeffrey Funk, Heather Oles, and Dianna and Franck Desboyaux

Boot-scootin’

BOOGIE Buddy Pittman emceed the event. Left: The ranchers performed a great rendition of “Stand By Me.”

Debra and Dr. Scott Posgai

laid shirts and cowboy hats filled the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center Friday, Nov. 22, as attendees trotted into the Edgewood Children’s Ranch’s Western-style dinner and auction fundraiser. Now in its 37th year, the annual Edgewood Children’s Ranch event raises funds that go directly toward operating the ranch. Guests enjoyed live and silent auctions, dinner, drinks and even a special performance from the ranchers themselves. — DANIELLE HENDRIX

S O N ATA W E ST I N D E P E N D E N T L I V I N G

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Everett Leslie Farnsworth III — Feb. 10, 1946 to Nov. 19, 2019. Everett Leslie Farnsworth III (aka “Lee”), son of Everett Leslie Farnsworth Jr., former Winter Garden commissioner for whom the city pool is named, and Mary Tilden Farnsworth, daughter of Clarence Tilden and Irene Thoren Tilden, died at his home in Winter Garden Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the age of 73. He worked for 15 years at Wallace Enterprises, doing custom molding with polyurethane plastics, after which he worked for his mother in the grove until he retired from that in 1986. Even though he only attended two years at Orlando Junior College, he is known for his love and knowledge of history: local, American and worldwide military history. (The teachers in

junior high and high school let him teach the class about the Civil War!) He is survived by his wife, Helen Montgomery Farnsworth; his brother, Richard Tilden Farnsworth; his sister-in-law, Susan Graham Farnsworth; his brother-in-law, David Mathews; his nephew, Douglas Farnsworth Mathews, Douglas’s wife, Kathryn, their two daughters, Mary Tilden Mathews and Tyler Mae Mathews; his brother-in-law, Robert Colyer Montgomery, his nephews, Robert Colyer Montgomery Jr. and Jonathan Christo-

pher Montgomery, their mother, Marilyn Reed Wood, and their wives, Carla and Dawn respectively, as well as Robert Jr. and Carla’s children, Colyer Frances Montgomery, Stacie Hecht, Jason Hecht, his wife, Jacqueline, and children, Colt and Aubrey Hazel, and Jonathan and Dawn’s children, Colin, Patricia and Lane. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at the Church of the Messiah in Winter Garden. The service will be held at the same church at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, followed by interment at Winter Garden Cemetery, followed by a reception at the church. He will be greatly missed.

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Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home is a proud fixture of Windermere and West Orange County. We have built our homes and reputations here. We are here for you.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL WITH SANTA Saturday, December 14 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Sign up for a 10’x10’ Booth Area with a Christmas Twist. Booth must have an Old Time Carnival Game or Activity geared to a child 12 or younger with small prizes

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

Windermere Prep SGA ‘takes over’ On Nov. 20 the Windermere Prep SGA celebrated the 30th anniversary of World Children’s Day all around campus. UNICEF recognizes Nov. 20 as a day of action and the WPS SGA “took over” the school. Students helped at the carline and helped monitor lunch and recess. The SGA hopes to make “kids taking over” on World Children’s Day a tradition.

Observer seeking book donations Observer Media Group’s Reading Reindeer literacy program is kicking off its 22nd year of collecting new books to be given to needy children at Christmastime. New books for children from infancy through middle school are being accepted for this annual project. They are distributed to multiple organizations throughout West Orange County. Reading Reindeer was started in West Orange County in 1998. Community support has enabled Reading Reindeer to bring new books to close to 63,500 children. Through cash donations, this program also provides a new copy of Dr. Seuss’ ABCs to the parents of all babies born at Health Central Hospital throughout the year — approximately 700 births annually. The community is invited to join the effort to improve literacy levels in West Orange County. Checks payable to Reading Reindeer also can be mailed to the Observer Media Group office at 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden, Florida 34787. New books can be dropped off at the following locations: Garden Theatre, Rotary Club of Winter Garden, Roper YMCA, West Orange Chamber of Commerce, Winter Garden Library, Foundation Academy campuses, Ocoee City Hall and Windermere Prep. Email contact@orangeobserver.com.

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

KRISTIN ABEL LAKE WHITNEY ELEMENTARY As the reading coach, instructional coach and a dean at Lake Whitney Elementary School, Kristin Abel wears many hats. Abel was recently named Lake Whitney’s Teacher of the Year, and Principal Elizabeth Prince said Abel is representative of the dedicated and high level of professionalism that Lake Whitney Elementary School teachers and staff share. School Clerk Karen Hewett added that Abel is kind, considerate and an all-around team player, and that Lake Whitney Elementary School is lucky to have her on its team.

What do you love most about your school? I love the hard-working staff and the amazing students. What’s your favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job is working in small groups with students and working with teachers to encourage them to keep making a difference with our students. What made you want to take on this job? Mrs. Prince, our principal — she is an amazing leader and I wanted to work with her. What motivates you and pushes you to do your best? I am motivated by the teachers I work with — they continue to push me to be the best coach and dean I can be.

REPORT CARD ROLE: Reading coach/instructional coach/dean SCHOOL: Lake Whitney Elementary TIME AT THE SCHOOL: Four years

What’s the nicest thing a student or faculty member has done for you? There are so many! A very special one was when I was voted Teacher of the Year — that was such an honor. What is the coolest place you have visited and why? I have visited Trinidad to attend a close friend’s wedding. We went to the wedding over Thanksgiving break, and in Trinidad, they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. So when we were there, the entire area we were visiting was already decorated for Christmas! If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I would want the ability to be a very fast worker — super speed at getting my work done in a fast way! Do you have any pets? What kind, and what are their names? I have a golden retriever named Annie. She is a therapy dog and volunteers at Orlando Health and Orlando International Airport.

If you could see any musician, band or artist live, who would it be? I would want to see James Taylor. He has been a favorite of mine since I was in high school. I love his music. What is the best advice you’ve been given, or your favorite mantra or quote to live by? My favorite quote is, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” That is a quote by Aristotle. What are some of your favorite things to do in your free time? I enjoy taking walks with my dog and my husband. I also like reading children’s books and swimming in my pool — when it is warm! — DANIELLE HENDRIX

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER Do you have an “unsung hero” at your school? If so, please nominate him or her for our Influencer of the Week feature. Nominations can be sent via email to contact@orangeobserver.com.

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Olivia Pringle played Hope in the mini play called “Story of Hope.”

Michael Velez played Pete, and Lauren Davis was cast as Ginette.

Samuele LoSauro was cast for the role of Phil, and Lee Lass played Marci. The two were the stars of the mini play “Where it Went.”

A play of plays T ales of life, love and loss were center stage at Olympia High’s Titan Theater from Nov. 14 to 16 as the school’s thespians presented their production of “Almost, Maine.” The production is a play made up of nine separate mini plays all set in the mystical town of Almost, Maine. Each mini play featured the story of a couple. Some plays were about falling in love, some were about falling out of love and others were about feeling the keen sting of heartbreak.

— ERIC GUTIERREZ

The role of Jimmy in the mini play “Sad and Glad” was played by Alex Bud.

The stars of the mini play “This Hurts” were Erika Acosta, who played Marvalyn, and Nicholas Querino, who played Steve.

We’re Not Asking You to Give Up Pie. .COM

Because what is Thanksgiving without a little pumpkin?

BRACING YOU

BRACING YOU FOR SUCCESS!

FOR SUCCESS!

A N D A G R E AT S C H O O L Y E A R

Healthy West Orange is all about balance and long-term gains, not the latest diet craze. We’re a free resource that will help you make those healthy choices with expert advice from local sources, yummy recipes, and fun contests and giveaways.

Learn more at: HealthyWestOrange.org

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F O R F R E E C O N S U LT A T I O N

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A N D A G R E AT S C H O O L Y E A R

Observer School Zone_112819 B.indd 1

11/5/19 12:39 PM

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

Otter art T here may not be snow in Florida, but Water Spring Elementary students and parents painted scenic winter wonderlands during the school’s canvas-painting spirit night Friday, Nov. 15. Super Awesome Cool Pottery staff taught children some painting techniques as they created their version of a scene inspired by Lydia Maria Child’s poem, “Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandfather’s House We Go.”

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

Fabiana Neves helped her son, Nicholas, with his technique.

Reese Wochholz painted alongside her grandmother, Debby.

Skylar Richards was proud of her painting. Emmett Stanley loved painting his own work of art. Super Awesome Cool Pottery staff shared artistic tips, tricks and ideas with young artists.

ACROSS

1 Big party 5 “Perhaps” 9 Large sum of money, briefly 12 Cascades peak in California 18 El Prado contents 19 Rescue 20 Pro ___ work 21 Victorian game room 22 Horse coat pattern 23 Peeved state 24 Most populous Hawaiian island 25 Nut in some Hershey’s

bars 26 Rat race victims 28 Behaved appropriately (see letters 9-12) 30 Con’s way out (letters 3-7) 32 Daisy’s “The Rise of Skywalker” role 33 Cloistered woman 34 Cheer syllable 35 Significant period 36 Bank staff 38 Like many Valentine’s Day gifts, in two ways 40 Comparatively cagey 42 Bagel relative

43 Ripped 45 2000s sitcom centered around a third-born child (letters 7-10) 53 Unappetizing fare 56 Heavenly sphere 57 Israeli ring dance 58 Gun, as an engine 59 Encountered coincidentally 61 Throat problem, informally 64 Delete 67 “SNL” alum Cheri 68 “Could you show me that?” (letters 2-6)

44 Rep. Ilhan 46 Property developer’s buy 47 Holey shoe 48 Pronoun in hymns 49 Arizona native 50 Crowds 51 Anti-flood embankments 52 Extremely 53 Produce producer 54 National Hispanic Heritage Month honoree 55 “Almost ready!” 60 Petty peeve 61 ___ Speedy (photocopying store) 62 Disapproval sound 63 High-___ monitor 65 Summer hrs. in Orlando 66 Dejected 69 Penne ___ vodka 70 Asian flatbread 71 Many a TikTok user 74 Kick out 77 Opposite of paleo80 Deacon, for one 81 Kindled DOWN 1 Their pay comes from cuts 84 “Cobra ___” (YouTube TV series) 2 Act of waking 85 Hero follower? 3 Carb-loaded 86 “Oh! Of course!” 4 Temporary tattoo dye 87 Chemically related 5 Bond distributor compounds 6 Meditation chant 88 Madagascar critter 7 Spanish warning 89 “Hogwash!” 8 Still 90 Supports 9 Castle defense 94 More down-and-out 10 Whisper from one who’s 95 Being tracked, in a way hiding 96 Lists of enrollees 11 No longer a whisper 72 Sort of sole 97 Double foursomes 12 Stretch across 73 Not fooled by 98 1957 Jimmy Dorsey hit 13 In fine fettle 75 Merry adventures 99 Cholesterol reducer 14 Baby carriers? 76 Course selections? 15 “Citizen Kane” actor Everett 101 “Queen of Soul” Franklin 78 Alphabetically first three16 Shoe part under the laces 102 Describing drudgery letter compass dir. 103 Film segments 17 Burning with passion 79 Bruins’ sch. 104 “Can’t I?” 20 Italian tenor Andrea 81 Director Ang 109 Shuffles and Nanos 27 Wagnerian work 82 ___ buco 110 “20,000 Leagues Under 28 Starting squad 83 One of the Midwest’s the Sea” writer 29 Raw bar appetizer Quad Cities (letters 10-13) 31 Con Edison service (Abbr.) 112 Org. that delivers 91 Poker hand fee 113 Moscow ___ (cocktail) 37 Actress Jodi ___ O’Keefe 92 “___ wisely!” 114 Hairy primates 38 Indian address 93 Mister, in Mexico 115 It’s pitched in the woods 39 Unionize? 97 “Do the Right Thing” 119 “Calvin and Hobbes” bully 41 Aztec or Inca actor Davis 42 Flapper’s coiffure

CELEBRITY CIPHER

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“TM’A ZFOFU MPP FHUYJ MP TZOPYOF JPEU NTCA TZ LTOTZL VHKN. HZC MWF RPUF WHZCA-PZ MWF FSDFUTFZKFA HUF, MWF VFMMFU.”

– APYFTY RPPZ IUJF

“LIIEKPF FXWSKSZRI KNP’S JVXP KP ZN -- KS’N NVOISAKPF TI WXI SWZFAS, WPR KP SZXP, TI SIWUA VZX UAKERXIP.” – MVCUI JXVSAIXN Puzzle Two Clue: M equals J

100 Make forcefully, as a point 103 Tanning lotion spec 105 British rocker Brian 106 Army bed 107 Great anger 108 Many concert attendees (letters 5-9) 111 Hospital section (letters 5-8) 116 Scrutinized 117 Devours 118 One of three in some cakes 119 “___ Lisa” 120 Travel by tram 121 Hit that’s less common than a home run 122 ___ Christian Andersen 123 Glorifying poems 124 Approaching 125 Picks up on 126 Key rarely pressed by itself 127 In ___ (existing) 128 Makes a boo-boo

Puzzle One Clue: D equals P

THE SEASONING by ALAN OLSCHWANG; CROSSWORD ’TIS Edited by David Steinberg

SUDOKU

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

11-28-19

NOVEMBER 28, 2019

SPORTS

Senior Jouldan Velez is ready to make an impact with his new team on the court at Windermere Prep. Page 16.

2019-2020 BASKETBALL BREAKDOWN

DR. PHILLIPS

Troy Herring

Denzel Aberdeen, Abdoulaye Thiam and Juneau Anicette are among a core group of players that will try and get the Dr. Phillips boys basketball team back on track.

POUNCING BACK After its first losing season in years, the Dr. Phillips boys basketball team will look to right the ship and fight for a district title.

TROY HERRING | SPORTS EDITOR

ack in the locker room at Larry Payne Gymnasium, members of the Dr. Phillips boys

basketball team take some time to enjoy each other’s company.

As music blasts from a small speaker, guys take turns dancing while the others watch and laugh. It’s a family type of atmosphere that permeates the program, which is how it should be, senior guard Juneau Anicette said. It also helps that the season for the Panthers is quickly approaching, and the guys are ready to go. “Honestly I feel good with all the teammates we have,” Anicette said. “As soon as we got here it felt like family — we all knew each other already, and we got a few

PANTHERS BOYS HEAD COACH: Ben Witherspoon 2018-19 RECORD: 12-15 QUICK HIT: Despite making it to the playoffs for the 11th consecutive year, last season was one of disappointment for Dr. Phillips. The Panthers have consistently won 19-plus games for the past decade, so finishing at 12-15 — their first under-.500 season in years — is sure to have left a bad taste in their mouths. Luckily, first-year head coach Ben Witherspoon has a talented group of players, including big man Abdoulaye Thiam — who last year broke the school’s single-season record for three-pointers. PANTHERS GIRLS HEAD COACH: Anthony Jones 2018-19 RECORD: 15-9 QUICK HIT: Last season was one of great progress for head coach Anthony Jones, as he and the Panthers had their best year since the 2013-14 season. A big part of that came because of senior comboguard Zoe Alexander, but now Jones will look to others to lead the Panthers back to the playoffs.

THE FIRST ACADEMY

ROYALS BOYS HEAD COACH: Chris Mayberry 2018-19 RECORD: 15-13 QUICK HIT: TFA loses a lot of size down low — Koby Morgan (6foot-7) graduated and Jeremiah Bannister (6-foot-6) transferred — but head coach Chris Mayberry has talent coming back from last year’s district runner-up Royals. Players such as senior shooting guard Alex Shields and senior guard Kam Summers will be among a team loaded with upperclassmen. ROYALS GIRLS HEAD COACH: Tierra Brown 2018-19 RECORD: 11-10 QUICK HIT: Head coach Tierra Brown goes into the new season down her best player in Nyla Harris — who transferred to Lake Highland Prep — alongside some other key players. The Royals will miss Harris’ 20.3 points per game, but so far, ShaRiya Davis has popped up as a new leader — having picked up 18 points and four rebounds in the Royals’ opening game against Lake Nona Tuesday, Nov. 19.

FOUNDATION ACADEMY

LIONS BOYS HEAD COACH: Dejon Everson 2018-19 RECORD: 4-22 QUICK HIT: The 2018-19 season was a tough one for Foundation. The Lions only managed to pick up four wins. Luckily for head coach Jonathan Richardson, he will have leading scorer Danny Stutsman (13.9 PPG) back.

transfers in and they fit right in.” Just as the feeling is mutual around the locker room, it’s also felt by the Panthers’ coaching staff — which is now led by first-year head coach Ben Witherspoon. Witherspoon, who officially took over back in April, has only watched his team on the court in practices and preseason games, but he already likes what he’s seen so far — especially as it relates to team chemistry.

LIONS GIRLS HEAD COACH: Deborah Pennick 2018-19 RECORD: 2-10 QUICK HIT: Last season, Foundation only won two games, but for first-year head coach Deborah Pennick, it was a victory of sorts. The Lions failed to get a single win during the 2017-18 season. Important players returning for the Lions include eighth-grader Chelsey Bryant — who as a seventh-grader led the team in points (11.4 PPG) — and sophomore Jenelle Courtney, who led the team in rebounds (5.7 RPG).

SEE BASKETBALL PAGE 16

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

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Jouldan Velez

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WOLVERINES GIRLS

HEAD COACH: Misty Cox “It’s been great — I’ve loved 2018-19 RECORD: 21-6 OLYMPIA being at Dr. Phillips already in QUICK HIT: Last season was Jouldan Velez may have just transferred to Windermere Prep, but the TITANS BOYS TEAM my short time,” Witherspoon a year of firsts for the young HEAD COACH: Rob Gordon senior is expected to play a big role on head coach Brian Hoff’s bassaid. “I really love the group that Windermere girls team, as 2018-19 RECORD: 6-21 ketball team. Velez, who plays at the point, has already been named a we have together, and they’re the Wolverines won 21 games QUICK HIT: A six-win seaco-captain on the team and will get a ton of minutes in his last year of really starting to come together and the school’s first district son last year was tough for high-school basketball. and enjoy being around each title in the sport. Although the Olympia, but there’s some other. I don’t have anybody good news for head coach Rob Wolverines lost a few girls — When did you first get into that I don’t enjoy being around, THE BASICS including Mikayln Nash — they Gordon’s side — he has youth. basketball? which makes things easier (as a still return talent, as well as a A lot of the young talent from SCHOOL: Windermere I think I was probably 5. My coach).” few newcomers. The Wolverlast season — many of whom Prep dad coached overseas and That sense of family is someines will be led by junior guard were sophomores — are back SPORT: Basketball took care of national teams thing that’s nice to have, AniceAbigail Crain, who was tapped this year. POSITION: Point guard in Puerto Rico, but he put me tte said. It was something that as this year’s team captain. GRADE: Senior into baseball at first. My sister was severely lacking last season, TITANS GIRLS TEAM AGE: 17 played basketball and she was and it cost the team. HEAD COACH: Gina Solano WINDERMERE PREP fairly good, and my parents “We weren’t really a team — it 2018-19 RECORD: 11-12 LAKERS BOYS would always give her attenwas more, like, individual,” AniQUICK HIT: After a stint as HEAD COACH: Brian Hoff tion, and I was like, “I want to cette said. “We all had individual ball and how they want to get the head coach over at Ocoee, 2018-19 RECORD: 10-17 play basketball.” goals, but we had no team goals the ball. Gina Solano has found a new QUICK HIT: Windermere Prep at all … the team wasn’t really home at Olympia High School. returns to the hardwood with This is your first year at Win- What is your favorite part together. Solano looks to give stabila team that has more experidermere Prep — what’s that “But now that we have coach about playing point guard? ity and build a culture for a ence and more size than in been like? Ben, he has brought us together Being the boss. I can be like, program that has seen four previous years. Second-year It’s definitely different for sure. “Hey, we have to move out, as a family,” he said. “We have different coaches over the last head coach Brian Hoff has two One of the things is that I’m team goals.” and we have to calm down.” four years. captains in Zavien Williams the oldest — everyone on our The 2018-19 season was a I think just being vocal, and and Jouldan Velez who will team is fairly young. There’s a tough one for the Panthers, as being somebody they can look lead the team, while big men WINDERMERE lot of sophomores, juniors and they finished 12-15 overall — the up to. such as sophomore Fanbo WOLVERINES BOYS freshmen. first time in more than a decade Zeng (6-foot-9) and new guy HEAD COACH: Mark Griseck that the program had ended the What are the best words of Elijah Hulsewe — who stands 2018-19 RECORD: 27-5 What’s the toughest aspect of advice you’ve been given? season under .500. at 6-foot-11 — will clog up the QUICK HIT: In only its second transferring in and joining a As Anicette said, individually I think it has nothing to do post for the Lakers. year, the Windermere basketnew team? there were impressive accomwith basketball, they say live ball program found success Trying to fit it. Not trying to plishments — like Abdoulaye your life day by day to get betLAKERS GIRLS that takes many teams years change yourself or your charThiam breaking the singleter. On and off the court it will HEAD COACH: Emmalee to attain, as the Wolverines acter, but just try to be you — I season school record for three show — it’s about the person Schill went 27-5 with an appeardon’t have to change myself for you are and the character that pointers (90) — but overall, it 2018-19 RECORD: 9-7 ance in the state Final Four. someone to like me. was a pretty big disappointyou have. QUICK HIT: This season’s This year’s team is different, ment. Windermere Prep girls team however, after the Wolverines Is there a highlight moment The good news, however, is As a senior captain on the is younger than most, as lost the talents of Dakota Rivthat stands out to you from that the Panthers only lost four team, does that add any extra the Lakers have two middle ers (16.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG), Josh the last four years? to graduation, while they see the stress? schoolers in Gloria High Colon (12.2 PPG) and Dante I think freshman year where return of their experienced coreCipher No, I don’t think so. I think This week’s Celebrity answers (seventh grade) and Olivia Love (12 PPG, 4.6 RPG) to I’m at OCP, and I walk in the who will be in the starting five. the more that I stay poised Puzzle One Ikea (eighth grade) to play graduation. 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Prep looks to have another in the locker room Denzel Aberdeen, will be looked Puzzle Two Solution: over-.500 year. and we were like, at to lead the team — especially This wee This is your last year of “Feeling gratitude isn’t born in us -- it’s “We really did Aberdeen, who Witherspoon high-school basketPuzzle On something areguy” taught, this as a first tapped as beingwe “the on and in turn, ball. 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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

Horizon West 12U cheer team earns spot at nationals The team took home first place in the Southeast regional and now will compete in nationals Dec. 14 at Silver Spurs Arena. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

At the Southeast regional cheer competition, everything that could go right for the Horizon West Wolverines 12U cheer team did. After two-and-a-half minutes of dance, stunts and cheers, the team walked away overcome by emotion. The girls knew how big of a moment they had just had. “They came off the floor crying because they were so happy,” head coach Theresa Hayes said. “Their stunts went up, they didn’t drop anything, and they were on time.” By the time everything was said and done, the squad sat there on the gym floor at Seminole High School and waited for the awards to be announced. Then, the Wolverines heard the news they had been hoping for — they had won first-place overall. “Everybody was just losing their minds,” Hayes said. “They were excited and happy.” Following the event, there was also a dance-off amongst the cheer dads, as well. And you know who took home first place? A cheer dad from Horizon West — making the Wolverines two-fortwo on trophies for the day. And not only had the Wolverines won first place — which came with a trophy as big as some of the

Courtesy photo

The 12U cheer team celebrated after their big win at the Southeast regional.

girls — but by finishing top three, they also sealed up a place at nationals in Kissimmee at Silver Spurs Arena Dec. 14. The win was impressive, and it’s a real highlight when you consider how young the program is and how inexperienced many

of the girls were coming into the cheer season. Hayes first got to work with her girls just four weeks prior to the start of the Wolverines’ football season — which began back on Aug. 31 — and things were a bit rough, to say the least.

She and the other coaches had to work on everything from basic cheering to stunts. It was a process that required time and patience, Hayes said. “Most of them never cheered before — they didn’t even know the first thing about cheerleading, and now here they are tossing their teammates in the air with no problem,” Hayes said. “After a couple of weeks of practice I go, ‘Look at the person next to, you and tell me what their name is, and they didn’t even know each other’s names. And I go, ‘Girls, that’s all going to change — by the time we go through all of these practices, it’s going to feel like you’ve always had these girls in your life.’ “They’ve all connected and formed this bond,” she said. “It’s just been tremendous to watch them grow — it’s the best part.” The growth since the start of the season can easily be seen, but that didn’t mean there weren’t butterflies going into the regional. For most of the girls on the team, this was their first big cheer event, so they weren’t sure how things would go. As we know now, things went perfectly, but that regional win was just a step toward something bigger — which will take a bit more practicing, thanks in part to some early obstacles that have popped up for the Wolverines. “We lost a couple of girls because they’re out of town and couldn’t even compete, and with me having the flu this week, we

“I’m so proud of them, and I just want to get them all of those experiences and amazing memories that I had from cheerleading.” — Head coach Theresa Hayes

haven’t been able to practice once,” Hayes said. “In cheer, it happens — it’s to be expected that you have to have a backup plan.” Hayes said that the squad will be upping its practice time starting this week to prepare for nationals. But while it’s a time to hunker down and get serious, it’s not lost on her that this upcoming competition is more than just competing — it’s about building a sisterhood and giving these girls moments they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. “I think this is absolutely where I should be with cheerleading,” Hayes said. “Taking these girls — who had never done it before — and bringing them to competition is the best feeling in the whole world. I’m so proud of them, and I just want to get them all of those experiences and amazing memories that I had from cheerleading.”

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

PREP FOOTBALL RECAP

Photos by Troy Herring

Danny Stutsman fell to the ground to try to make a catch.

Ethan Terrell (#52) chases after Victory Christian’s Keyshawn Covington.

Foundation Academy’s season comes to an end TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

he walk over to the end zone for the post-game meeting after Foundation Academy’s 35-0 loss to Victory Christian was a long one for Lions players and coaches Friday night. Nothing seemed to go the Lions’ way, but despite the loss in the Class 2A, Region 2 final to a familiar team Friday, Nov. 22, head coach Brad Lord had nothing but good things to say to his guys. After all, the Lions had finished with a school record in wins, had beat The First Academy for the first time in school history and made it to their first-ever region final. “I know you’re down right now, but tomorrow, wake up and be happy,” said Lord, whose Lions are now 1-10 against the Storm. “You guys had a great season at 9-3 — and we had a lot of injuries. “Listen, that team is the best football team we have ever played,” he said. “I’m telling you I have been in all the battles at Foundation, and that is the best Victory team we have ever played. You’re a really good team that got beat by a better team.” But in this game, nothing seemed to go right for the Lions (9-3), and that’s mainly because Victory Christian (10-1) was just that dominate. Running back Cornelius Shaw dominated on the ground, as he ran for 188 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Jeremiah Byrd added on three touchdowns and 131 rushing yards. The Lions’ usual offensive weapons in quarterback Henry Austad and Danny Stutsman were all but shut out — in Stutsman’s case, he had no catches on the night. The Victory Christian defense was dominant all night, as the Storm sacked Austad on six separate occasions — four of which were by Dytreyveon Riley. “We ran into a buzzsaw,” Lord said. “We had some opportunities in the beginning that we didn’t take advantage of. We’re banged up … and that team out-

Travis Hutchinson, center, and Michael Lemieux-Bott, left, combined to make this tackle.

classed us in every aspect of the game. It’s not that we played bad — it’s that they played great.” The game started out with a bang from the Storm, as Shaw exploded for a 49-yard touchdown with 9:19 left in the first quarter. The extra point pushed the Storm’s lead to 7-0 by the time people had gotten comfortable in their seats. Not three minutes later, Shaw would once again punch Foundation’s defense in the mouth, this time with a 53-yard touchdown run. Joel McGrath would slip on the ensuing extra point, holding the score at 13-0. The Lions would get their first shot at decent field position on the following drive, when Dharius Seth Daniels returned the ball up to the 50, but it would all be for not after a holding

call brought it back. Foundation’s drive would fizzle out quickly after that. The best drive of the night would come later in the second quarter, when the Lions managed to finally get into the S t o r m ’s red zone. After

Left: Terrence Mosley fought hard for yards. Right: Lake Ellis ran past the Lakeland Christian defense. Photos by Nate Marrero

Michael Lemieux-Bott recovered a fumble, the Lions drove deep into Storm territory. Following a big third down conversion at the 15-yard line, Stutsman ran out of the wildcat for what seemed to be a Lions’ touchdown, but the score was called back due to an illegal motion. The proceeding 28-yard field goal — which came after a sack of Austad — was missed by Mykal Chan with 6:21 left in the first half. Over the next six minutes and 21 seconds, the Storm added on two more touchdowns — one on a 32-yard touchdown from Byrd to Preston Smith and a 35-yard run from Byrd — to go into the half up 27-0. The Storm’s final touchdown of the night — a 31-yard run by Byrd — came halfway through the third quarter and would induce a running clock. The score would hold up until the end. It’s a tough ending, but there is a ton to take away from this season, Lord said. And a big part of the year’s success came because of the team’s seniors, whom Lord praised in the post-game speech — alongside the other coaches and parents. “I want to thank each and every one of you (seniors), and I hope you learned as much from us as we did from you,” Lord said. “I love you guys, you stuck together and you fought injuries all year.” THE FIRST ACADEMY LOSES TO LAKELAND CHRISTIAN

The First Academy’s final drive of the game fell just short, as the Royals lost to the Lakeland Christian Vikings 28-24 in the regional finals Friday, Nov. 22. Down 10-0 late in the second quarter, the Royals (6-6) scored their first points of the game on a 20-yard touchdown run from Lake Ellis. TFA would go into halftime down 10-6. On the first play of the second half, Idris Williams ran 61 yards for a touchdown to extend the Vikings’ (10-1) lead to 17-6. Then Sean Johnson Jr. took over and the Royals’ offense got rolling. After already converting

once on fourth down earlier in the drive, TFA decided to try its luck once again on fourthand-2 from Lakeland Christian’s 6-yard line. The gamble would pay off, as Terrence Mosley ran 6 yards for a touchdown. Mosley would score once again on the two-point conversion to trim the deficit to 17-14 with 2:31 left in the third quarter. Following a crucial stop by the TFA defense, the Royals got the ball back at their 2-yard line with 24.4 seconds left in the quarter. The offense kept the momentum going as moved the ball near midfield after being pinned deep in its own territory to start the drive. Then on third and long, Johnson scrambled 47 yards to give the Royals their first lead of the game at 20-17 with 7:55 left in the game. Then, after TFA was seemingly in control, Lakeland Christian ran the ball right down the field and retook the lead 24-20 on a 5-yard touchdown run from Dejandre Hudson. After getting the ball back at its own 20 with 6:10 left in the game, TFA managed to replicate the same success it had on its previous two drives. With 3:10 left in the game, the Royals once again found themselves having to go for it on fourth down and once again found a way to convert as Johnson scrambled for a first down. After a penalty — facing thirdand-16 with under a minute left in the game — Johnson had a chance to hit Ellis for a first down inside the Vikings’ 15-yard line, but they were unable to connect. On the following play, Johnson threw an interception, which sealed the game for Lakeland Christian. Despite the loss, TFA head coach Leroy Kinard was proud of the way his team fought back from being down by double digits at two separate points in the game. “I knew that that’s what they had in them,” Kinard said. “I knew that they weren’t going to quit — that wasn’t in the equation.”

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Includes up to Service includes: Front or Rear Pads, Parts and Labor. 7 quarts of Full Synthetic Oil. Tax and recycling fees are extra. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 12/31/19

321077

TFN

179.95 $199.95 $

Full Synthetic Oil Service

SERVICES AVAILABLE: 321078

Painting - interior and exterior Flooring - wood, laminate, tile Drywall Carpentry

WE BUY JUNK CARS WE BUY SCRAP METAL

AdamsHomeImprovement.com

• All Engines $200.00 each • All Transmissions $100.00 each • Tires $15.00 and up • Batteries $25.00 • Warranties on all parts sold!

ROOFING

ADAM’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Orlando, FL 239-910-4607 or 802-735-5997 adamshomeimprovements@yahoo.com

Team Up With Classifieds

720 S. Dillard St. Winter Garden, FL 34787

407-656-2121

3 Business Card Sizes to choose from:

OrangeObserver.com THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019