NO PLACE LIKE HOME
indermere High School celebrated the long-awaited opening of its on-campus stadium Friday, Sept. 27, in grand fashion. The festivities included fireworks, commemorative T-shirts, plenty of fanfare and a huge win on the gridiron.
PHOTOS ON PAGE 4A.
The First Academy’s receiving duo poses a significant threat to defenses.
Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
Photos by Michael Eng
Windermere students had been waiting for this night for a long time.
Above: The Wolverine celebration started with an energetic entrance onto the field.
Top: The Lime Ladies kept the crowd energized all night.
NEWS BRIEFS
NEW BUSINESSES OPEN IN TRI-CENTER
Two new business have made their way to the Tri-Center Shopping Center in Winter Garden.
Superior Floors is the first business that has joined the shopping center. The new showroom is located at 1220 Daniels Road, Winter Garden.
The business is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays. It is closed Sundays. For more information, call (407) 656-2898.
The second new planned business is related to nails and lashes. The business is located at 1250 Daniels Road, Winter Garden. However, the business has not yet opened and still is under construction. The only other business currently open in the plaza is BaBbi BaBbi Korean Kitchen.
The two new businesses are lo-
cated in the Daniels Road Business Park project shopping center, which also includes the planned “Mendel Grocery.”
“Mendel” is a name that Amazon has used in planning documents for Amazon Fresh stores in Washington, D.C., and other markets.
AGEREJUVENATION OPENS IN HAMLIN
AgeRejuvenation has opened in the Hamlin area of Horizon West.
The medical spa celebrated its grand opening Sept. 19 at 5730 Hamlin Groves Trail, Suite 176, Winter Garden.
AgeRejuvenation Medical Clinic was established in 2007 under the leadership of CEO Brett Markowitz. The company since has helped to pioneer the field of regenerative and anti-aging medicine.
Recognizing the need to address aging symptoms at their root, Markowitz has steered the spa to offer comprehensive treatments focusing on weight loss solutions, hormone balancing, peptide therapy, and both male and female sexual dysfunction treatments, alongside aesthetic services.
For more information on the new AgeRejuvenation location, call (407) 564-1035.
Oakland commission approves FY24-25 budget
The town of Oakland will operate next year with a total budget of $30,292,114 and a millage rate of 6.7.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR
The Oakland Town Commission voted unanimously to approve resolutions to set the proposed millage rate of 6.7 and adopt a total budget of $30,292,114 for the 2024-25 fiscal year at its second and final public budget hearing Sept. 24.
Both the approved millage rate and town budget, which went into effect Oct. 1, are increases from the 2023-24 fiscal year budget of $25,931,440 and millage rate of 6.3.
The 0.4 increase in the town’s millage rate from 6.3 to 6.7 represents an extra 40 cents for every $1,000 in home value Oakland homeowners will have to pay in property taxes this fiscal year.
The decision to increase the town’s millage rate was to cover an increase in the town’s fire tax bill that was approved by Orange County Fire Rescue. In a letter to Oakland Mayor Shane Taylor, OCFR notified the town regarding the increase to the Fire Municipal Service Taxing Unit, or MSTU, from 2.2437 to 2.8437.
“The full amount due to Orange County (Fire) … is a little over $2 million,” Oakland Finance Director Gaby Leon said at the first of two final public budget hearings. “Last year, our bill from Orange County Fire was $1.48 million, so that is a huge jump.”
Oakland, along with three other municipalities in Central Florida, contracts the county to provide its residents with fire and rescue services.
does not include Orange County. … Or we go back to them and say, ‘Hey, we’re still not satisfied.’ … (Because) I would love to see accounting or math that says, ‘Yes, the town is getting $2 million worth of services from the county.’ If they can provide that and they could show the numbers, then OK, you’re right. But I would think it’s south of that number.”
The overall budget of more than $30 million for FY 2024-25 is divided into four categories: General Fund, Utility Fund, Special Revenue and a fund for the operation of Oakland Avenue Charter School.
At the final budget hearing, members of the Town Commission discussed the increased cost and how it can be better dealt with in the future.
Although the increased millage rate is the highest rate for Oakland’s residents since FY 2017-18, it is less than the proposed rate of 6.9 from the tentative budget hearing in July.
“I want everybody to understand that I don’t think we have given up on trying to meet with the fire department to come up with some alternatives (with them),” Taylor said. “But I want us to be thinking of an alternative that maybe
The General Fund has the biggest budget of $9,838,666 and has seen an increase of more than $1 million from FY 23-24’s $8,574,987. The Utility Fund’s budget for FY 24-25 is $9,062,300 — a significant increase from last fiscal year’s $5,443,585.
Both the Impact Fee Fund and the Oakland Avenue Charter School Operations Fund saw decreases in this fiscal year’s budget — $5.44 million to $5.24 for the Impact Fee Fund and $6.61 million to $6.15 for the school.
MR. CLEAN
Norman Watkins is famous in his neighborhood for keeping Lake Odell clean. He has documented the changes to the lake throughout the years in photos, as well as kept a collection of the most interesting items he’s found.
ANNABELLE SIKES
NEWS EDITOR
Norman Watkins is a local celebrity in his Dr. Phillips neighborhood.
The former coach and environmental science teacher is famous for keeping the lake behind his home, Lake Odell, clean. The lake is situated within unincorporated Orange County and is located within the Shingle Creek Watershed.
What started as a simple workout for Watkins has turned into him cleaning up thousands of pounds of debris out of the lake.
He records the changes of the lake throughout the years in his treasured photo albums, which document the lake’s color, treatment received from Orange County, and the animals and plants that call the lake home.
Watkins keeps track of every can he fills with debris, and he even has kept a collection of the most interesting items he has found in the lake throughout the years.
ENVIRONMENTAL PIONEER
Watkins led wrestling, football and golf teams over the years.
Teaching was never something Watkins saw himself doing, but his passion for coaching students led him into the classroom.
Watkins always had an interest in the environment, and when he became a teacher he approached the principal at his school about starting an ecology or environmental class, as there was none in the county at the time in the early 1980s.
The principal told him if he could get enough students to sign up, he would allow him to teach the class.
With the many relationships he had built through coaching, Watkins filled the class easily.
He became the first environmental science teacher in Osceola County.
HISTORY OF THE LAKE
Watkins first started pulling weeds in the lake from his canoe on April 12, 2011.
He places one large dot for each can filled on every individual day on his calendar to keep track. He also has an index card, where he writes down the number of cans he fills each month of every year.
began to come to help clean the lake.
With photos, Watkins documented changes in colors, treatments, plants and animals that he observes, and the lake’s overall cleanliness.
In addition, every Friday, Watkins turns on his Roomba to clean his house. While the vacuum runs, he has a dolly he hooks up to a trash can, and he walks around the neighborhood for about an hour picking up trash while the Roomba runs.
“It’s another great workout, and it makes you feel good when people do take notice,” he said.
NOT A TRASH CAN’
‘IT’S
One of Watkins’ favorite places is his couch that directly faces the lake. He has two sets of binoculars he keeps on the table next to the couch to observe the lake and its inhabitants.
He sees all kinds of different birds enjoying the lake area, including kingfishers, green herons and anhingas. Although there are lots of different kinds of fish in the lake, Watkins said people mainly fish for bass.
Watkins has attached chicken wire to both sides of a surfboard his neighbor gave him that floats in the lake, which he has seen both turtles and otters enjoy.
Although he said the lake quality has improved over the years, it still isn’t clean enough that he has seen anyone swim in it, including himself. Lake Odell connects and flows also into Lake Cane, which is used for the famous local Lucky’s Lake Swim. Founded in 1989, Lucky’s Lake Swim is a daily, one-kilometer open water swim hosted by Lucky Meisenheimer at his home, which is across the street from Watkins. The two have nurtured a steady friendship throughout the years through their mutual love for the lake.
For his initial clean up project that ran from April 12, 2011, to April 18, 2012, Watkins filled 1,050 cans with debris from the lake, and he hasn’t stopped since then.
“I was living here for a couple of years but was never doing anything except enjoying the lake,” he said. “Then, the growth and development started taking over, and I saw it impacting the lake. One day, I decided I was going to go outside and just pull the grass along my backyard at the edge of the lake. I cleaned up my area, and then I decided to clean one of my neighbors’ areas. I did another, and then I decided I would just go around and clean up the whole lake.”
Watkins moved to Orlando in 1975 and lived in a cabin off the Butler Chain of Lakes for about 29 years before he moved to his current home in 2003. He worked for Walt Disney World in a variety of capacities for 46 years. Throughout his time with the company, he helped to run the train, ferry, monorail, river boat and golf course. He also served as a teacher for 36 years. A natural born leader and coach,
The lowest number he has filled in a single year since starting is 92, which he said was a year he fell behind from his surgery. He said he has started to slow down over the years due to the physical strain of the work. Because he collected so many cans placed in front of his house, Watkins began to receive notices from the county about having too many heavy cans in his front yard.
So, his neighbors chipped in to help distribute the cans in front of their houses scattered throughout the area.
Watkins keeps a steady collection in his garage of all the interesting items he finds in and around the lake, such as bottles and cans, fishing hooks and lures, toys, stuffed animals, tools, balls, and many other trinkets.
After a while, he said the county
“If you want to have good water quality and you want to have clean air, then this is just something we’ve got to do,” Watkins said. “Fertilizer is terrible for the lake. Everyone waters their yards during the hottest times in the middle of the day at full speed. You should be doing a light sprinkle at night. I’ve seen people throw all sorts of things in the lake, including dog poop. I’ve seen someone’s washing machine flow into the lake or someone cutting branches and other debris into the lake. It’s not a trash can. We can’t treat it like that. We don’t want to poison ourselves, and we want to keep enjoying lakes just like these in the places we call home.”
Lake Odell, located in the Dr. Phillips area, is situated within unincorporated Orange County.
Photos by Annabelle Sikes
Norman Watkins collects the most interesting items he finds in the lake.
Norman Watkins has kept track of the lake’s changes in photo albums.
Windermere opens on-campus stadium
As
After more than seven years, Windy City finally came home.
One day after Hurricane Helene, Windermere High School celebrated the opening of its on-campus stadium Friday, Sept. 27. Orange County Public Schools officials, flanked by Windermere football players, band members and cheerleaders, officially cut the ribbon for the stadium during pre-game. At halftime, Windermere crowned Riley Allen and Bryce Speed as the 2024 Homecoming queen and king.
On the field, the Wolverines celebrated a huge 42-7 win over visiting Lake Buena Vista High School to remain undefeated (6-0).
For more photos, visit OrangeObserver.com.
—
MICHAEL
ENG
Editor and
/ Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com
Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com
News Editor / Annabelle Sikes, asikes@OrangeObserver.com
Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com
Sports Editor / Sam Albuquerque, sama@OrangeObserver.com
Multimedia Sales Manager / Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com
Multimedia Advertising Executive / Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com
Graphic Designer / Sarah Santiago, ssantiago@OrangeObserver.com
Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com
Marketing and Sales Associate / Zari Gotay, zari@OrangeObserver.com
OWNERSHIP
The West Orange Times meets the legal requirements to publish legal and public notices in Orange County per F.S. 50.011 USPS Periodicals Permit (USPS# 687-120)
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.
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Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography
2024 Homecoming queen Riley Allen, left, was crowned by 2023 queen Cady Aruanno.
Left: Parents of students in the marching band kept the concession stand running all night.
Emma Villanueva, left, and Jũlia Gonzaga Ribeiro are members of the Wolverettes dance team.
The JROTC presented the colors before the game.
Photos by Michael Eng
Ellie Harkins loved performing with the Wolverettes dance team.
Left: Bryce Speed was crowned Windermere High’s 2024 Homecoming king.
Freshman Natalya Palazzolo is a member of the band’s low-brass section.
always, Windermere’s color guard dazzled the audience.
Orange County spared from Helene’s worst
The Category 4 hurricane’s havoc spans across several states, and the full toll still is undetermined.
MICHAEL ENG EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
Orange County and its residents were spared from the worst of Hurricane Helene as it lumbered up through the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall near Perry, Florida, Thursday, Sept. 26.
The Category 4 storm came ashore with winds of 140 mph. It then continued north into Georgia before settling over the Carolinas and Tennessee, where its torrential downpours caused extreme flooding. The destruction stretched for more than 500 miles.
As of press time Oct. 1, the death toll stood at 130 across six states.
Helene’s storm surge caused catastrophic damage on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Virtually all businesses and homes along Gulf Boulevard, the north-south thoroughfare stretching along Pinellas County’s coast, sustained damage.
And even though the Tampa Bay region did not suffer a direct hit, the Tampa Bay Times reported Helene was the worst storm in more than a century.
In Manatee and Sarasota counties, homes and businesses on the islands sustained damage.
“How bad was it? People who have lived on the islands for a very long time are telling me that they’ve never seen anything like this,” Chris Goglia, St. Armands Residents Association
president, reported in an email to residents from his summer home. “It’s my understanding that water flowed from the gulf through the streets of Lido Key, Lido Shores and St. Armands.” Orange County Fire Rescue, along with engines from Osceola County, Kissimmee and St. Lucie County, formed Engine Strike Team 1502 to assist residents in affected counties.
Orange County’s Utilities Department also has sent a 14-person field-service crew to North Florida to assist resi-
dents there. The crew includes electricians, mechanics and technicians.
In West Orange and Southwest Orange, residents dealt with scattered power outages, as well as some wind and rain. However, Helene’s worst stayed away from Central Florida. The Orlando Utilities Commission reported about 22,300 customers who lost power. Duke Energy reported about 12,500 Orange County customers lost power, with most impacts affecting West Orange residents.
Before the storm’s arrival, Orange County Public Schools officials made the decision to close campuses Sept. 26 in anticipation of winds of more than 35 mph. That is the threshold for operating school buses safely. The closure affected Homecoming festivities at both Ocoee and Windermere high schools.
OCPS reopened campuses Friday, Sept. 27.
“There has been no major damage, and there have been no reported deaths at this time in Orange County related to this storm,” Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said in a press conference Sept. 27. “We had sustained peak winds at 47 mph … and when we look back … around 9:30 and 10 p.m. last night were the critical times.” Demings said most emergency calls were related to downed trees. Orange County opened three shelters during the storm. The West Orange Recreation Center and Goldenrod Center serviced about 15 people with special needs. The shelter at Barnett Park housed more than 160 people, of which 101 were homeless, Demings said.
Every holiday season for the past 27 years, Reading Reindeer has gifted new books to underserved families in West Orange County. This is only possible thanks to the continued support of our community.
If your business, school or group is interested in hosting a collection site for our 2024 book drive, please contact us at (407) 656-2121 or zari@orangeobserver.com for more information.
Michael Eng
Everest Rehabilitation Hospital coming to Ocoee
The 40,000-square-foot hospital should welcome its first patients in November.
ANNABELLE SIKES
NEWS EDITOR
A new 40,000-square-foot hospital is set to join the city of Ocoee next month.
The new Everest Rehabilitation Hospital sits on 5.1 acres at 1842 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. The $24 million project will be the organization’s eighth hospital built out of 17 currently planned projects.
Jay Quintana, one of the company’s three co-founders — in addition to Marc Sparks and Omar Jenkins — and CEO of the company, said the organization completed bed and geographic studies of the area and determined there was a huge population that was being underserved, because previous hospital operators had stuck to the center of the city.
“The hospital is an inpatient rehabilitation hospital that is unlike a skilled-nursing facility, where we provide intensive rehab therapy to help patients return home,” he said. “Our hospital is designed with the patient in mind to eliminate the stigma of being in a hospital or nursing home environment. The complete team of rehabilitation professionals, including the Everest physiatrist (rehabilitation physician), work hand-in-hand with the patient and family to achieve the goals identified at admission and in each step of the rehabilitation process. We achieve this by identifying patients’ wants and needs and by reviewing goals every day to ensure that we remove obstacles and progress towards restoring function. At Everest, we strive to provide all the necessary steps that enable a patient to reclaim their daily life, recover function and return to an optimal quality of life. … Our goal is to keep patients as close to home as possible. The average age of our patients is 72 years old, and we
want to be able to provide these services with families visiting and participating in the therapy.”
PERSONALIZED PATIENT CARE
The first Everest Rehabilitation Hospital is located in Longview, Texas, about two hours east of Dallas.
The new Ocoee location is one of five under construction in Florida, which also include hospitals in Ocala and Kissimmee.
Construction commenced on the Ocoee location 18 months ago.
The new rehabilitation hospital will open with 36 beds, with the possibility of adding 17 more in a future expansion.
Parking is being provided to meet two spaces per bed, with a required 72 parking spaces. The site is able to facilitate 100 parking spaces, with 12 being ADA compliant.
Access to the site is through a rightin, right-out on Silver Star Road. An additional driveway is located on Lake Johio Road. A deceleration right-turn lane will be provided on Silver Star Road, with a right-turn lane on Lake Johio Road.
The building will feature two dropoff areas, with a back-of-house for the dumpster and loading zone. The development will provide a 6-foot wall on the north side of the property.
Each Everest Rehabilitation Hospital is equipped with state-of-theart facilities; luxury, private patient suites; transportation services; and top-of-the-line technology.
Every Everest Rehabilitation Hospital recovery includes three hours of one-to-one therapy, five to seven days a week; daily medical visits by the hospital’s on-site rehabilitation physicians; and 24/7 rehabilitation nursing care for every patient.
Quintana said a high-quality physical rehabilitation program can restore function and help a patient achieve optimal health after a stroke, traumatic injury or debilitating disease, and it is important to understand the key average differences in recovering at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital versus a skilled-nursing facility.
According to statistics based on inpatient physical-rehabilitation
hospital and skilled-nursing facility averages, while patients usually stay in skilled nursing facilities for about 34 days, patients in inpatient physical rehabilitation hospitals usually only stay for about 13 days.
In addition, 81% of patients in inpatient physical rehabilitation hospitals are discharged to their home or community, as compared to 27.8% of patients in skilled nursing facilities. Hospital readmission rates in skilled
nursing facilities are 19%, while rates in inpatient physical rehabilitation hospitals are 9.4%.
The hospital is starting with 57 employees. Leaders expect that number to grow to about 120 to 140 people when fully licensed and expanded. The hospital is projecting to have its first employees begin training Oct. 15. Training is expected to take 30 days, and the first patients will be seen soon after.
1842 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee WEBSITE: everestrehab.com
EXPECTED OPENING: November
Courtesy photos Above: The new
hospital sits on 5.1 acres in the city of Ocoee.
Left: This image shows the therapy gym inside the new hospital.
Revised alcohol ordinance will impact all of Winter Garden
ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR
Winter Garden businesses have myriad concerns regarding a proposed alcohol ordinance set to come before the City Commission for discussion later this month.
Becky Roper, owner of Pilars Martini & Loft, spoke to residents at her venue informing them of the ordinance following the most recent commission meeting Sept. 26.
“There is an ordinance out there now that is only affecting a couple of businesses in Winter Garden, and I’m one of them, because we’re open after midnight,” she said. “The new ordinance is proposing that all alcohol sales stop at midnight in the city of Winter Garden. … This was sent out to us just a few days ago, and we went to the commission meeting tonight to ask them for an extension so that we can learn more about this.
“If you live in Winter Garden and you think that 2 a.m. is an OK time to quit selling alcohol, then write your commissioner,” she said. “Write all of them, and just let them know what you think about this. I won’t ever tell anyone what to do, but I think there’s a lot of people in Winter Garden (who) enjoy coming here at midnight when they get off work. I know who is here at midnight, because I’m here throughout the week, and I don’t think there’s anything particularly nefarious, evil or anything to be concerned about going on here. We are providing a place for people to come when they get off work who have to work late, where midnight is their 5 p.m. These people in our community deserve to have a place to go. This is a place where we can serve people who serve us all day long.”
ORDINANCE CHANGES
The Observer reported in August about the new proposed alcohol ordinance following an email sent to downtown Winter Garden stakeholders from city staff Aug. 17.
In the original email, city staff wrote Florida amended the law and requirements for alcohol sales and licensure last year. Therefore, the ordinance is being proposed “to ensure sufficient alignment with the state statute, while at the same time include considerations that are both right for Winter Garden and preserve what we’ve collectively worked so hard to nurture in vibrancy and family-friendliness.”
Following the email, several downtown business owners raised multiple concerns, including the longterm economic impact the ordinance could have on the area.
Although the amendment elements for the ordinance have not yet been discussed or approved by the City Commission, city officials wanted to share a preview with the stakeholders regarding impending changes that would have impacted primarily the downtown district.
The original email included three attachments: a fact sheet, the complete revised ordinance and a map outlining the city’s downtown district.
On Sept. 24, the city sent another email with proposed revisions and amendments to the proposed ordinance.
“This has truly been an interactive and transparent process that brought about inputs and engagement from many business/community stakeholders, which has now led us to the final version attached,” city officials wrote in the email. “We met and heard the voices of many con-
stituents during this process and feel that this final version is a thoughtful and measured step forward in striking the right balance with promoting economic vitality for our local businesses, while at the same time upholding the standards for public safety and preserving a high quality of life for all of Winter Garden.
“The primary reason for the proposed ordinance revision comes from recent changes in the state of Florida law regarding serving of alcohol,” officials wrote. “These amendments not only bring alignment between the state law, the City Code and the City Charter but also provide an opportunity to refine definitions and offer more clarity in areas not sufficiently covered as the business environment evolves.”
LOOMING CONCERNS
Many Winter Garden businesses and stakeholders have even more concerns with the ordinance than before.
The area affected under the original ordinance has been expanded to the entire city, as opposed to the previous downtown area only.
During the public comment portion of the Sept. 26 meeting, resident Jack Butler, director of legislative affairs for a national professional association and a certified planning consultant for some of the local affected businesses, spoke.
“We just got a copy of major changes to the ordinance,” he said. “When we first started discussing this with city staff back in August, we put in a public-records request to get some background information,
so we were better informed about the motivation. … We still have many items to be provided through the public-records request, and because you’re going through such an open process to discuss this with the citizens and the affected businesses, we wanted to ask that you allow us time to complete this public-records process, so that we can fully participate in the dialogue when you do come to the public hearing period.”
The changes in the ordinance include that restaurants serving beer and wine for on-premises consumption must derive more than 51% of the establishment’s annual revenue from the sale of food and nonalcoholic beverages; restaurants serving beer, wine and liquor for onpremises consumption must derive more than 51% of the establishment’s annual revenue from the sale of food and non-alcoholic beverages served, as well as provide a minimum of 120 physical seats available for use by restaurant patrons during all hours that alcoholic beverages are served; a clearer definition and process for fine dining establishments, with which at least four of five criteria must be met to be classified as a fine dining establishment; operating hours for the sale of alcohol; and an extension of hours permit for any establishment desiring to sell and serve alcohol after midnight.
The ordinance is scheduled to go before the Planning and Zoning Board Oct. 7. The ordinance then will go before the City Commission for a first reading Oct. 10 and a second reading Oct. 24.
IN OTHER NEWS
n The Winter Garden City Commission approved the second reading of four ordinances relating to the proposed budget and millage rate for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
n The city approved the second reading of two separate sets of three ordinances pertaining to annexation, amending the Future Land Use Map and rezoning of two properties: a 0.35-acre property located at 1245 N. West Crown Point Road and a 0.69-acre property located at 10 Broad St. Planning Director Kelly Carson said the annexations will provide a more efficient delivery of services to the properties and further the goals and objectives of the city’s comprehensive plan to eliminate enclaves.
n The commission approved the second reading of two ordinances amending the FLUM and changing the zoning designation of a .15-acre property at 34 W. Story Road. Annexation will provide the same benefits as cited by Carson above.
n Commissioners approved authorizing the city manager to sign a lease agreement with Dish Wireless LLC to lease city-owned property at 13460 Lake Butler Blvd. (Braddock Park) in the amount of $1,500, plus applicable sales tax and increases as set forth in the lease. The item was approved subject to any changes from the city manager and the city attorney.
Annabelle Sikes
The Winter Garden Miller’s Ale House would be among the businesses impacted if the ordinance is approved.
Disney’s affordable-housing project moves forward
ANNABELLE SIKES
NEWS EDITOR
Despite objections from many Horizon West residents, the Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-1 Sept. 19 to move Disney’s affordable-housing project forward to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners for final discussion at its Oct. 8 meeting.
“The most important thing that we want the commission to know today is that Disney is trying to help their neighbors and help the Central Florida community,” Julie Kendig-Schrader, Greenberg Traurig, said on behalf of the applicant at the P&Z meeting. “We want to help the teachers, the police officer, grocery-store employees, the hospitality employees and folks who are just starting out in their career, to have a safe and affordable place to live. This is a really important private initiative that will contribute significantly to the supply of affordable housing in Central Florida, and we hope that you help to make that possible.”
Despite the changes project leaders have made to the proposal to reassure concerned residents, community members have continued to express their opposition.
One resident leading the charge is Sarah Hibbs, who has created a petition against the project, which has gained hundreds of signatures.
“This project threatens the local environment and quality of life due to the inappropriate location and lack of adequate infrastructure,” the petition reads. “The area of Horizon West is overdeveloped, is already saturated with apartment development and infrastructure is not adequate to support the additional 1,400 homes.” Instead, the petition supports focusing on constructing affordablehousing adjacent to the Disney College Program housing at Flamingo Crossings, where the residents say necessary infrastructure already is established.
“This area provides the aspects necessary to support the needs of affordable housing residents, including nearby walkable restaurants and services, as well as public transportation,” the petition reads. “This is consistent with the Orange County 10-year action plan, reducing reliance on automobiles, and creating ‘target areas of access and opportunity’ in areas close to transit and jobs. While this would still impact various aspects of Horizon West, the impacts to the overburdened infrastructure and existing residents would be significantly diminished.”
Horizon West residents also are requesting several concessions from Disney: a commitment to cease any further construction or annexation of projects into Horizon West, assurance that no occupancy of the housing project will be allowed until all infrastructure improvements are fully completed, a mandate for transparent and honest oversight by Disney of the project and The Michaels Organization’s management to ensure continued upkeep of the facility, and
compliance with proposed affordable-housing percentages.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
Walt Disney World first announced its plans to bring a new affordablehousing development to Southwest Orange in April 2022. The housing is being constructed in partnership with The Michaels Organization, the developer selected to build, own and operate the project.
The proposed parcel sits on 114.23 acres on Hartzog Road, generally bounded by Hartzog to the north and east, and State Road 545 to the west.
Applicant Kathy Hattaway, Walt Disney Imagineering, had requested to develop up to 1,410 apartments in the area. The number of units since has been reduced to 1,369.
The applicant’s request is to amend the Future Land Use Map to apply the Village FLUM designation through the expansion of the Village H boundary.
The concurrent request includes rezoning the land to Planned Development District and to assign Hori-
zon West Special Land Use Map designation of Apartment District. The property currently is zoned Reedy Creek Improvement District.
The county hosted two community meetings — one in September 2023 and a second in March 2024 — where many residents raised concerns about traffic and transportation, school capacity, location, and affordability and attainability.
Months of conversations relating to the project came to a head at a County Commission meeting shortly after the second community meeting.
After several hours of discussion, the commission voted to move the controversial project forward with a 4-2 vote.
Mayor Jerry L. Demings was the one to make the motion to transmit the housing plan to the state for review, a mandatory step in the approval process.
District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson and Commissioner Emily Bonilla voted no to Disney’s request. Both commissioners asked for a delay so more information could be gathered.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
At the P&Z meeting, Brian Forster, LandDesign Orlando, spoke on the changes the project leaders have made since hearing the community feedback, including lessening the number of units and slightly consolidating the buildings for increased open space. The developer will use the two additional acres fronting Avalon Road to construct a community park, which will be open to anyone from the public to enjoy.
Mohammed Abdallah, traffic mobility consultant, said a traffic signal with a crosswalk — which includes dedicated left and right turn lanes into the property — and a new median opening on Avalon Road is warranted and will help facilitate interconnectivity between the community and adjacent retail.
In addition, The Michaels Organization will pay millions of dollars in impact fees to be used for infrastructure updates.
“We do have relief schools in the pipeline; one actually will open next year,” Orange County School Board Member Pam Gould said when speaking in support of the project.
“I was doing a rezoning meeting, and
FOR MORE
n Learn more about Disney’s project: shorturl.at/4Mw7t
n Read more about the petition against the project: shorturl.at/ TCuGS
the Disney site was included in the plan yesterday as we were calculating the numbers for relief. As you all know, the way relief works in Florida is we don’t build schools in advance of development, so the schools are opened as development goes along. … From the attainable-housing side, I have for the last several years been championing this for our own team members at OCPS. Right now, I have trouble getting bus drivers to work on the west side of town, because it is too expensive for them to travel to get their buses, and then the time it takes to get back. So, attainable housing and the more options that we can find are essential for our infrastructure and for our community. We want our teachers and even our graduates to be able to come back to their communities and live, and right now there’s not too many places in West Orange County where that can happen.”
P&Z District 1 Commissioner David Boers made a motion for denial of the project, but the motion died without a second.
Following P&Z approval, The Michaels Organization hosted a series of four virtual meetings to collect additional community feedback, which kicked off Sept. 27 and continued Oct. 1, with additional planned dates scheduled for after press time Oct. 3 and 4.
Representatives from both The Michaels Organization and Disney gave updates on the project, answered questions submitted by residents, and opened the conversation up for additional comments and questions. Although residents in attendance thanked the organizations for allowing community feedback and answering questions, many still voiced opposition.
“Our goal remains to help solve and contribute to what Orange County leaders have identified as one of the top issues in our region,” Walt Disney World representatives said in a prepared statement.
Courtesy
Disney hopes to build an affordable-housing community in Horizon West.
Lake Buena Vista student receives Hispanic Youth Leadership Award
At age 14, Maria Daniela La Cruz Cegarra emigrated from her small city of Valera, located in Trujillo State in Venezuela, to come to the United States. She and her immediate family left everything behind when making the life-changing move to Orlando. Despite the challenges of moving to a new country, Maria exemplifies skills far beyond her age, and she has racked up a plethora of academic accomplishments and awards throughout her years.
Now, as a 17-year-old senior at Lake Buena Vista High School, Maria recently received the Hispanic Youth Leadership Award from the Hispanic Heritage Network of Orange County. Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson presented Maria with the award at the Sept. 10 Orange County Board of County Commissioners meeting.
“Receiving the Hispanic Youth Leadership Award shows me that I have been doing a good job in everything I have done,” Maria said. “It’s a recognition for all of my hard work, and it shows that, despite coming to a new country that’s not my original
home, I can still spread my voice and inspire other fellow young Hispanics to pursue their dreams and to not give up no matter what happens and what challenges they’re put through. I want to be an example of, ‘You can be whatever you want to be if you put your mind to it,’ so they don’t feel discouraged, because I know what it’s like to be told that because you’re from another country you won’t have the same opportunities as the Americans. The Hispanic Youth Leadership Award is only the beginning of my journey, and I am so grateful for being given this amazing opportunity that I will never forget. I will keep working hard so I can inspire other people, while also feeling proud of myself.”
‘WE
The Hispanic Heritage Network is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit corporation founded in 1999 by Orange County Government employees to promote Hispanic heritage and highlight the important contributions made by the growing Hispanic population in the county.
As part of that mission, the HHN asks each Orange County commissioner to nominate students from their area for the award.
Before coming to the U.S., Maria attended elementary and middle school in Venezuela at the Colegio Republica de Venezuela.
As a freshman in Venezuela, Maria received a scholarship for holding the No. 1 GPA at her school.
Maria then won a scholars award during her junior year at LBV for maintaining a 4.0 or higher GPA, and she has been working on earning her master’s degree in business since her sophomore year.
To do this, she already has completed her entrepreneurship and small business certification, as well as her social media and marketing, and email marketing qualifications.
Maria was one of 3,911 students selected from a large pool of more than 16,000 high-school juniors for the College Prep Scholars program by QuestBridge, which is for lowincome juniors who excel in high school and are at the top 10% of their class. The honor is based on academic excellence, personal qualities and financial need
She also is part of Orange County Public Schools’ multicultural leadership scholars and is the representative for seniors.
She is part of OCPS’ Aspire to Excellence initiative, the Spanish National Honor Society and National Honor Society, where she is able to tutor fellow students and middle schoolers.
As part of her passion for music, Maria is part of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, where she volunteers to help in concerts held by the school.
She currently is a dual-enrollment student at Valencia College and also works a part-time job.
Maria hopes to major in finance and minor in music technology. Her goal is to open a music production
company so she can mix her passions for business and music.
She currently is working on applying for QuestBridge’s National College Match, and her top three university choices are Yale, the University of Chicago and Stanford.
“I want to demonstrate, despite every negative thing I’ve been told, that it hasn’t discouraged me,” Maria said. “I’m still determined to get what I want and to be able to give my family a stable financial support, so I can show my gratitude for everything they have done for me. They made many sacrifices with the purpose of having a better future for me and my little brother where we have more opportunities than in Venezuela.”
Maria’s family still maintains communication with their friends in Venezuela, and her family even was able to bring her grandparents to the U.S. this year so everyone can finally be together again.
“I am so proud of being Hispanic,” Maria said. “The culture, with its unique food and music, has shaped me in so many ways that I wouldn’t want to be from somewhere else. Being Hispanic is more than speaking Spanish and eating delicious food. It is a community where everyone is nice to each other, and no matter where you’re coming from, we will always receive you with open arms. We are all around the world, and even if you go somewhere far away, if you find someone who’s Hispanic, you’ll immediately feel at home, because that’s how our personalities are. We care about our family, we care about our friends and about bringing home everywhere we go.”
“… We are all around the world, and even if you go somewhere far away, if you find someone who’s Hispanic, you’ll immediately feel at home, because that’s how our personalities are.
— Maria Daniela La Cruz Cegarra
Courtesy photo
Maria Daniela La Cruz Cegarra, third from left, received the award from the Hispanic Heritage Network of Orange County. She was nominated for the award by District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson.
Senior Maria Daniela La Cruz Cegarra received the award from the Hispanic Heritage Network of Orange County.
Golden Oak estate sells
Ahome in the Golden Oak community at Walt Disney World topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from Sept. 16 to 22.
The home at 10291 Summer Meadow Way, Orlando, sold Sept. 18, for $10,700,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, sixand-one-half baths and 5,963 square feet of living area. Days on market: 27. The sellers were represented by Gregory Foxx, Golden Oak Realty.
These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.
DR. PHILLIPS
BAY LAKES AT GRANADA
The home at 8919 Esguerra Lane, Orlando, sold Sept. 17, for $584,998. Built in 1983, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,860 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.
The home at 8904 Esguerra Lane, Orlando, sold Sept. 16, for $500,000. Built in 1983, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,891 square feet of living area. Days on market: 47.
EMERALD FOREST
The home at 8525 Forest Run Lane, Orlando, sold Sept. 18, for $750,000. Built in 1997, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,853 square feet of living area. Days on market: 39.
The home at 10039 Oakside Court, Orlando, sold Sept. 20, for $680,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,417 square feet of living area. Days on market: 83.
GRANADA VILLAS
The home at 8035 N. Madeira Court, Orlando, sold Sept. 18, for $473,000. Built in 1985, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,467 square feet of living area. Days on market: 33.
SAND LAKE POINT
The home at 10121 Carrington Court, Orlando, sold Sept. 19, for $626,000. Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,403 square feet of living area. Days on market: 87.
HORIZON WEST
ENCORE AT OVATION
The home at 12176 Encore at Ovation Way, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 19, for $532,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,860 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.
The townhouse at 12172 Plumpton Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 17, for $471,860. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,850 square feet of living area.
INDEPENDENCE/
SIGNATURE LAKES
The home at 6531 Point Hancock Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 16, for $2,640,000. Built in 2021, it has five bedrooms, five-and-onehalf baths and 5,673 square feet of living area. Days on market: 73.
The home at 6110 Meriwether Crescent, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 16, for $650,000. Built in 2011, it has five bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,639 square feet of living area. Days on market: 22.
The home at 6351 Point Hancock Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 17, for $635,000. Built in 2013, it has six bedrooms, three baths and 2,714 square feet of living area. Days on market: 30.
The home at 6138 Waterside Island Lane, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 20, for $500,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,218 square feet of living area. Days on market: 86.
The townhouse at 14821 Bridgewater Crossings Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 16, for $415,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,668 square feet of living area. Days on market: 38.
LAKESHORE PRESERVE
The home at 8210 Topsail Place, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 19, for $1,200,000. Built in 2020, it has six bedrooms, five baths and 4,221 square feet of living area. Days on market: 29.
LAKESIDE AT LAKES OF WINDERMERE
The condo at 8277 Maritime Flag St., No. 204, Windermere, sold Sept. 17, for $320,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,332 square feet of living area. Days on market: 102.
ORCHARD HILLS
The home at 5740 Chestnut Chase Road, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 16, for $570,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,609 square feet of living area. Days on market: 72.
OVERLOOK 2 AT HAMLIN
The home at 15196 Newtonia St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 16, for $585,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 1,858 square feet of living area. Days on market: 184.
RAVENNA
The home at 7825 Bowery Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 16, for $765,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,179 square feet of living area. Days on market: 67.
SUMMERLAKE
The home at 8795 Eden Cove Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 16, for $615,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,840 square feet of living area. Days on market: 110.
The townhouse at 16923 Tesla Alley, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 17, for $407,500. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,567 square feet of living area. Days on market: 39.
WATERMARK
The home at 14633 Scott Key Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 19, for $910,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,433 square feet of living area. Days on market: 81.
OAKLAND OAKLAND PARK
The home at 1142 Ridge Lake Way, Oakland, sold Sept. 20, for $939,900. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,683 square feet of living area.
OCOEE
EAGLES LANDING
The home at 315 Westyn Bay Blvd., Ocoee, sold Sept. 18, for $645,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,919 square feet of living area. Days on market: 42.
FORESTBROOKE
The home at 356 Beacon Pointe Drive, Ocoee, sold Sept. 20, for $540,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,751 square feet of living area. Days on market: 25.
PRIMA VISTA
The home at 15013 Purple Martin St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 17, for $639,900. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,720 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.
WATERLEIGH
The home at 10296 Atwater Bay Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 16, for $640,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,117 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.
The home at 298 Sabinal St., Ocoee, sold Sept. 16, for $425,000. Built in 1973, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,854 square feet of living area. Days on market: 57.
SPRING LAKE RESERVE
The home at 1114 Eagle Run Way, Ocoee, sold Sept. 18, for $435,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,614 square feet of living area. Days on market: 44.
WYNWOOD
The home at 2524 Coachwood Drive, Ocoee, sold Sept. 19, for $444,990. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,828 square feet of living area. Days on market: 62.
SOUTHWEST ORANGE
GOLDEN OAK
The home at 10291 Summer Meadow Way, Orlando, sold Sept. 18, for $10,700,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, six-and-one-half baths and 5,963 square feet of living area. Days on market: 27.
ROYAL RANCH ESTATES
The home at 8606 Benoit Ave., Orlando, sold Sept. 19, for $1,000,000. Built in 1982, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,997 square feet of living area on 2.02 acres. Days on market: 10.
WINDERMERE ISLEWORTH
The home at 4704 Joanna Garden Court, Windermere, sold Sept. 16, for $2,800,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 4,261 square feet of living area. Days on market: 120.
KEENE’S POINTE
The home at 11840 Vinci Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 16, for $2,100,000. Built in 2013, it has six bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 4,380 square feet of living area. Days on market: 19.
WINDERMERE DOWNS
The home at 9720 Nearwater Place, Windermere, sold Sept. 18, for $3,770,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 6,119 square feet of living area. Days on market: 130.
WINTER GARDEN
CARRIAGE POINTE
The home at 2133 Bay Clover Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 20, for $745,000. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,190 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.
ELLMAN PARK
The home at 30 W. Vining St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 19, for $445,000. Built in 1977, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,186 square feet of living area. Days on market: 38.
FOXCREST
The home at 12715 Dallington Terrace, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 18, for $725,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,664 square feet of living area. Days on market: 25.
JOHNS LAKE
The home at 131 Live Oak Road, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 17, for $700,000. Built in 1966, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,913 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.
LAKEVIEW RESERVE
The home at 85 Desiree Aurora St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 16, for $620,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,356 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.
MAGNOLIA WOOD
The home at 1538 Coluso Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 17, for $555,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,862 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.
OAKLAND PARK
The home at 947 Allenhurst St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 17, for $770,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,963 square feet of living area. Days on market: 40.
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
STONEYBROOK WEST
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 ANGLICAN
The home at 1221 Castleport Road, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 17, for $765,000. Built in 2000, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,243 square feet of living area. Days on market: 10.
ANGLICAN COMMUNITY
FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
Rector The Rev. Canon Tim Trombitas 1146 East Plant St, Winter Garden
The home at 15106 Masthead Land ing Circle, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 16, for $465,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,154 square feet of living area. Days on market: 84.
SUNDAY SERVICE 10:00 AM Find us at: Theacf.net
BAPTIST
BEULAH BAPTIST
WATERSIDE AT JOHNS LAKE
Pastor Casey Butner 671 Beulah Rd, Winter Garden 407-656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org
The home at 16778 Rusty Anchor Road, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 19, for $1,250,000. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,549 square feet of living area. Days on market: 13.
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM
SUNDAY SERVICE 11:00AM
WEDNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 125 E Plant St., Winter Garden 407-656-2352
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
SPORTS
HIGH 5
1
The FHSAA board of directors voted 10-3 in favor of introducing a new system for the final three rounds of the baseball playoffs.
Starting this upcoming spring season, the two state semifinals and championship rounds will no longer be single elimination but instead a best-of-three series.
This shift makes the high school postseason more like the college and professional game. Initially, it seems this change will favor teams with more quality and depth among its pitching staff — given the increased number of games in a short span of time, won’t allow enough rest for the young arms to recover.
2
Lake Buena Vista High has announced the hiring of Evans High assistant girls basketball coach Marquis Jones as its next coach.
Jones, a University of Florida graduate with a bachelor’s in sports management, will bring more than 10 years of youth basketball coaching experience to a Vipers program that finished the 2023-24 season with a 1-10 record.
3
Ocoee Knights senior defensive back Kims Pierre has flipped his college football commitment from the University of South Dakota to Mercer University. The announcement of his new college commitment comes a day after the 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior said he would be de-committing from South Dakota.
4
The First Academy girls and Windermere Prep boys golf teams both won the Citrus League team and individual championships Sept. 30 at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge.
Led by defending back-toback individual state champion Mi Li, who won the individual Citrus League crown after shooting a school record score of 11-under par (61), the Royals finished with a combined score of 268 (-20) and topped Montverde Academy by four strokes. For the Lakers boys team, Sebastian Fernandez led the way to the Citrus League team title after shooting a 65 (-7). His score also was good enough for him to claim the individual Citrus League championship. Windermere Prep shot a combined score of 275 (-13), beating second-place The First Academy by nine strokes. Meanwhile, at Zellwood Station Golf Course, the Windermere High girls golf team took home the 2024 Metro West Conference team championship, the third consecutive Metro championship for the Lady Wolverines.
5
The 2024-25 schedule for the FHSAA Class 7A boys soccer state runners-up, the West Orange High Warriors, has been announced and will feature some enticing matchups for fans of high school soccer in West Orange and Southwest Orange County. The first game that jumps off the page is the Nov. 18 battle with fellow 2023-24 regional champions, the Windermere Wolverines, at Raymond Screws Field, while the last month of 2024 will bring rivals Ocoee High to West Orange High Dec. 3, and see the Warriors travel to Olympia
Dec. 19.
THUNDER & LIGHTNING
West
Orange
The First Academy receivers Evan James and Demetrice McCray — along with quarterback Salomon Georges Jr. — are key to the Royals’ potent aerial attack.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR
Whenever a new coach is hired, things change — whether that be the style of play, the culture of the program or simply how good a team is. Sometimes, that change is significant, sometimes less so.
Sixteen games into the Jeff Conaway era of The First Academy football, it’s safe to say there has been a lot of change. None probably is more pronounced or noticeable than the style of football the Royals play.
In the last 10 seasons under previous coach Leroy Kinard (2012-22), TFA never threw the ball more than
golfer’s mindset is key to special senior season
120 times in a season, and the Royals never threw for more than 1,155 passing yards in a season nor averaged more than two touchdowns a game. In Conaway’s first 16 games at the helm, his offense already has done all of those things … twice.
A particularly jarring example of this dramatic change in the style of play is the production of two of the Royals’ first-year receivers. Senior Evan James and junior Demetrice McCray, both transfers from Leesburg High, have hit the ground running for TFA.
Through six games, James, a Furman commit, has caught 22 passes
ROYALS PAGE 3B
SATURDAY, OCT. 5 n Noon Ocoee (4-2) vs. Hudson (2-4)
After the first two holes of the invitational tournament at Orange Lake Golf’s Legends course, the momentum from Coultoff’s win at the Warriors’ home course felt like a distant memory.
“In the shotgun start, my round started on the 16th
Shawn Coultoff won the Wolverines vs. The World Invitational individual crown. Shooting a three-under 140 after overcoming a double bogey and bogey start. WEEK SEVEN SCHEDULE FRIDAY, OCT. 4 n 7 p.m.
on 16 and bogey on 17. I was three over through two holes.” As a younger golfer, Coultoff would have let the rough start eat away at his focus and compound on itself hole after hole.
“In the first two years, if this would have happened, Shawn would have really gotten down on himself,” West Orange boys golf coach Jason Thorn-
Horizon girls volleyball libero Savvy Sotto has helped lead the Hawks to back-to-back district championships and the Metro West Conference title this season. Page 2B.
The First Academy’s passing game, led by quarterback Salomon Georges Jr. (No. 1) and his two favorite targets, Evan James (No. 3) and Demetrice McCray (No. 6), has been flying during the Royals’ undefeated run.
Courtesy photo
West Orange golf coach Jason Thorndill, left, congratulated Coultoff following his win at Orange Lake Golf.
Photos by Sam Albuquerque Royals athlete Evan James rolled out for a two-point conversion attempt.
Savvy Sotto
Since her freshman season — Horizon High’s first year in existence — Hawks’ girls volleyball libero Savvy Sotto has made herself a crucial part of the young program’s early success. Since the now-senior took over the starting defensive specialist position (libero), Horizon has a 29-8 record. In Year Four, for both Sotto and Horizon, the pursuit has been elevated, as the Hawks won the Metro West Conference championship and will look to complete a district championship threepeat before going further in the playoffs.
Sotto’s 175 digs and 25 aces through 15 games, as of press time Oct. 1, have been a big part of Horizon’s 12-3 record so far. THE BASICS Age: 17 Sport: Girls volleyball Grade: Senior School: Horizon High
How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?
It feels good. I’m proud of my team for being successful enough for this type of recognition.
What do you like the most about volleyball?
The relationships that I’ve made, especially the girls I’ve met from all over, (whom) I would not have otherwise met. I’m very grateful to have made those friendships.
How did it feel to win the Metro West Conference championship?
It was definitely something I will never forget. Our championship match against West Orange was a great game and something our team was prepared for. I’m really proud of our team for playing our best — when our best was needed.
What is your goal for the season, for yourself and your team?
Our team goal is to win districts and progress even further than we have in previous years. A goal for myself is to get more aces and remember to have fun on the court. That will take some of the pressure off, because it’s my last year, I have to remind myself to enjoy it all while it lasts.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from volleyball?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is compromise. I’ve also learned I can’t jump.
Who is your favorite athlete?
Serena Williams, because she’s a girl boss.
What is your favorite volleyball memory?
There are too many to choose from — either winning districts during the 2022 season or winning Metros this year.
What is your go-to pre-match meal?
If it’s still early before the game, Chipotle. But if the game is in like an hour, then anything with chocolate milk.
What is your go-to pre-match hype song?
“Break from Toronto” by PAR TYNEXTDOOR.
What is your favorite subject in school?
History, so I can just sing the Hamilton soundtrack in my head.
What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
Probably a house, so that I don’t die; my dog, so he can explore; and a phone to call my mom to come pick me up.
If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?
The one that’s alive, because they would be more interesting to talk to.
If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?
The 1980s, so I could wear a cute workout suit to the skating rink with my friends.
If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?
What cheesy song do you have memorized?
Who is your favorite superhero?
Jack-Jack from The Incredibles, because he’s lit.
Who is your favorite supervillain?
My AP Government teacher, because he gives way too much work.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation. I would be in the right spot on the court every time if I could just teleport there.
If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go?
Italy, Australia and inside a casino vault with my teleportation powers.
If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why? My dog, because he gets so many treats and just lies around all day.
What is your most controversial food take?
Cheese pizza over pepperoni. Does pineapple belong on pizza? Ew. Both are good, but they HAVE to be separated.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE
West Orange cheer, Windermere esports receive championship rings
Two of West and Southwest Orange County’s top teams from the spring 2024 sports season — the West Orange High cheer team and Windermere High esports Rocket League team — both were honored and presented with state championship rings. Before the West Orange High football game Sept. 27 at Raymond Screws Field, members of the title-winning Warriors cheer team wore their gold medals and were recognized in front of the packed home crowd. The following day, at a ring presentation ceremony and celebration, each championship cheerleader was presented with their individual rings to commemorate the accomplishment.
This state title is the first team championship for all of West Orange High since 2017, the first cheer title for the Warriors since 2012-13 and their third overall cheer championship.
For the Windermere High esports Rocket League state title team, three of the four members were recognized during the school’s pep rally Sept. 27 and received their gold championship rings. Not only was this state
title the first in program history but it was also won in memorable circumstances, as the esports competition was the first in the state to ever be held in-person. — SAM ALBUEQUERQUE
Coultoff shines in back-to-back tourneys
dill said. “He would have started talking to himself and muttering. He’d let a bad shot or bad hole drag on into the next two or three.”
But at this stage of his golf journey, the senior has seen too much to get rattled after a pair of bad holes. He knew there were 34 more left to play.
“When you start off poorly, whether it’s a couple of bad holes in golf or in football, you throw a couple of interceptions, the tendency can be to get in your own head,” Coultoff said. “But for me, in that moment, something clicked in my head and took me to another gear … and I ran off three birdies in a row and got myself back to level.”
CONSISTENCY IS KING
Those three birdies were just the start.
The future Seminoles golfer finished the two-day, 36-hole event three-under par and took home his second consecutive individual tournament title. This type of bounce-back was not the least bit surprising to Thorndill. After all, he’s had a front-row seat to Coultoff’s career and development.
“Well, he’s the best I’ve ever seen, and I’ve had some good players over the years,” Thorndill said. “He’s as complete of a golfer you’re going to see at this level, and I’ve been lucky to be able to coach him.”
Coultoff’s experiences over his golf career have taught him a thing or two about the game he loves, but one idea has become the foundation of this stage of his development: Consistency is king.
“My goal is to play consistent
golf,” he said. “Every time I get on the course to compete, I’m trying to play to my average, which I know sounds weird, because the idea of sports is that we’re trying to push to do better and better. But for example, at Stoneybrook West, my average score is 69, so my goal, during a competition, is to play to that average. The thought process is simple. If I try to press, the odds are that I’ll actually play worse over time, because I may be trying to do something I haven’t practiced or just am not capable of. Trying to play above my average usually ends up with me getting frustrated. So, I just try to play to that average, and while working outside of competitions, I try to slowly get that average down.”
This mindset not only allows the young golfer the ability to push aside mistakes but also gives him confidence he will be able to bounce back on his next swing.
“I think back to the start of this season, I had a rough time in our second match,” Coultoff said. “But having this approach, I was able to get past that and bounce back the next round I played; I think I shot three or four under.”
Thorndill said Coultoff’s success is well-deserved and the direct result of his hard work.
“The run he’s on — winning tournaments, setting personal bests — it’s amazing to see, because I know the amount of work he’s put into this and what he’s experiencing right now are the fruits of his labors,” he said.
YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE Coultoff and his West Orange teammates aren’t done, though.
Led by the senior star, his goals are sky high for the rest of the season.
“The ideal goal would be to win both the team and individual state titles, but winning as a team is the main goal,” Coultoff said. “I believe, as a team, we can go all the way. I feel we have what it takes to put it together. It just comes down to staying focused on our preparation and then playing some good golf down the stretch in the postseason. We can do it, as long as we have the belief that we can. If you don’t believe you can do it, in a game like golf where you’re the one in control of your ball, you don’t stand a chance. So, you have to have that belief, which is easier to have when you put in the work.”
Thorndill, in typical coach fashion, is working to keep his golfers focused on not getting ahead of themselves and focusing on what’s in front of them.
“Since Shawn won individual regionals a couple of years ago, he kind of has a target on his back as one of the top golfers in our area,” Thorndill said. “But he also knows he’s capable of going far this season, and he should be aiming to win the state title, which I know is a goal of his. But I know, for him, making a run with this team would mean a lot. We have never made it to regionals as a team in his four years, and with it being at our home course this year, it would be special. But we can’t put the cart before the horse, and we need to focus on getting ready for our district. We’re in an extremely tough district with Olympia, Windermere and Winter Park, so we can’t overlook any part of the process when looking toward our goals.”
Courtesy of Windermere High School
Three of the four members of the Windermere High esports Rocket League state championship-winning team; Diego Cavazos (No. 8), Jhonny Guajardo (No. 1) and Brandon Gaston (No. 18), receive their state championship rings at a pep rally Sept. 27.
Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography
Members of the state championship-winning West Orange High cheer team were honored before the Warriors football game Sept. 27.
Royals receivers pose huge threat to opposing defenses
for 507 yards with five touchdowns, while McCray, in five games, has snatched 23 catches for 574 yards with seven receiving touchdowns. What’s more, both James and McCray are on pace to break The First Academy school record of 806 receiving yards, set in 2023 by Julian Anderson.
Want more? Well, did you assume Anderson’s record was for receiving yards in a single season? Because his receiving yards record actually is the most across a career at TFA. This means McCray and James, who have played just five and six games, respectively, are fewer than 300 yards away from breaking the school’s career receiving yards record. With four regular-season games remaining, and at least one playoff game guaranteed (the Royals clinched the district title and the playoff spot that comes with it), James is on pace for about 40 receptions for 929 yards with nine touchdowns. McCray’s pace would have him at 46 catches for 1,148 yards with 14 TDs.
FAST AND FURIOUS
For Conaway, whose offensive philosophy mirrors the high-paced spread concepts that have taken over all levels of the game, the level of production of both these wideouts isn’t surprising.
“They are two of the most explo-
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS
FRIDAY, SEPT. 27
Dr. Phillips (5-0), 42
Olympia (2-4), 0
HIGHLIGHTS: In this classic district rivalry game between two schools located less than four miles away from each other, the Panthers of Dr. Phillips High took the short trip to Olympia High and rolled the Titans for the second consecutive year. This win for the Panthers puts them squarely in the driver’s seat for the district title, with both East Ridge High and Celebration High not posing much of a threat this season.
UP NEXT: Dr. Phillips and Olympia are off Week Seven. Both the Titans and Panthers return in Week Eight for Class 7A, District 9 games. Olympia travels to Celebration High, while Dr. Phillips will host East Ridge High. Both games are Thursday, Oct. 10.
Foundation Academy (2-3), 24
Holy Trinity Episcopal (2-3), 14
HIGHLIGHTS: The young Foundation Lions bounced back from a tough loss in Week Five to beat Holy Trinity and move to 2-3 on the season.
“We had a great game plan in place for tonight’s game that was executed very well by our boys offensively and defensively,” Lions coach Andre Walker said. “What I learned from our team tonight is that we are progressing in the right direction. We proved that we can bounce back from brutal losses and that we can actually win close games.” Foundation’s offense was led by junior QB Braydon Marks and his three passing touchdowns. The Lions’ leading receiver, Steven Grecco, finished with 100 yards receiving and one touchdown.
On defense, linebacker Reece French led Foundation with more than 10 tackles on the night, while fellow LB Aiden Cubero led the Lions in sacks. Junior defensive back Daniel Stills was also a major factor in the win, as he spent the game taking away the Tigers’ top receiving threat from the cornerback position.
“I’m so proud of these players
sive players in this state, and when we get them the football, they know exactly what to do with it,” he said. “They get open, they create great separation and they create explosive plays. It doesn’t matter if we throw it to them at the line of scrimmage or if we push the football vertically to them. The two are always a step or two ahead of the defense or, more literally, behind the defense.”
Having these two dynamic weapons on the outside does wonders for the scheme Conaway and offensive coordinator Steven Moffett want to implement and makes executing it a bit easier for senior quarterback Salomon Georges Jr.
“Both of them just go and get the ball, and they know what to do (when) the ball is in their hands,” Georges Jr. said. “They know how to make people miss … and both (Demetrice and Evan) have the ability to fly, so I just throw them and they get up and go get it. So, that’s just our mindset, (I give) them a chance to get the ball, and they go and make a play.”
The two dynamic athletes command a scheme-altering amount of attention from the opposing defense. This makes calling plays for Conaway and Co. simpler.
“Because they draw a lot of attention when we have them on the field, the offense can stress the defense so much that it allows us to do a lot of other things,” Conaway said. “The threat of explosiveness that they have on the perimeter constantly
for their effort tonight,” Walker said. “There also are countless unsung heroes from tonight’s game, such as Stephen Ford, Tyler Bolivar, Cole Huntley, and Will Prunty, who should be praised, too, but I know that I can only talk about a few.”
UP NEXT: Foundation travels to Eustis High for the second of a threegame road stint Friday, Oct. 4.
The First Academy (6-0), 39 Orlando Christian Prep (2-4), 13 HIGHLIGHTS: After a 39-13 home win over Class 1A, District 6 rivals Orlando Christian Prep, The First Academy Royals not only clinched the school’s 10th district championship — and their first since 2016 — but also locked down their spot in the FHSAA Class 1A playoffs as district champions.
“We’re feeling great,” Royals coach Jeff Conaway said. “It’s something that was on our list of goals, and as a team, we’re able to check that one off.”
The TFA offense was a balanced attack in this one. Through the air, Royals senior QB Salomon Georges Jr. found his two top targets — Demetrice McCray and Evan James — for three touchdown passes. Two of his TDs were to McCray, a 75-yard bomb and a screen pass McCray took 38 yards to the house, while the other was a 42-yard heave that James caught over two OCP defenders. On the ground, senior running back Dane Thompkins showed just how tough he is to bring down on multiple occasions, rushing for three touchdowns in the win.
UP NEXT: The Royals of TFA will host Georgia powerhouse Rabun GapNacoochee High for its Week Seven matchup Oct. 4.
Horizon (0-6), 15
Winter Springs (4-1), 21
HIGHLIGHTS: Horizon loses another heartbreaker at Winter Springs High in the last of a four consecutivegame road stint. Including this loss, the Hawks have fallen in three of the last four in games decided by one touchdown or less.
gives us advantageous looks in the box that obviously allows us to run the football more effectively.”
Although both McCray and James bring a similar level of fear to the opposing defenses, they do so in different ways. The slimmer and senior James is the epitome of smooth; when he runs routes, it looks like he’s just gliding past defenders effortlessly, while McCray is the bigger and more aggressive athlete, the thunder to James’ lightning, if you will. He plays like he’s seeking out contact after he makes the catch.
“Evan’s just smooth with it,” McCray said. “When you see him run, he’s more of a long-strider — so he’s much faster than me out the block, while I have to pick up my speed as I run. But we’re both just ball players, you know. He can get
the ball anywhere on the field, I can get it anywhere and either of us can take it to the crib when the ball is in our hands. Sometimes, we just take our own special route to get there.”
POETRY IN MOTION
Because of the relationship the two wideouts have built with their quarterback — spanning almost an entire childhood in the case of James — the three have developed an understanding of each other’s abilities and tendencies, so that every time Georges Jr. drops back there’s a chance a simple football play can turn into poetry in motion.
“The familiarity they have and the trust they have with each other, we all can see it,” Conaway said. “We see it in practice. We see it on Friday nights, and it’s been a lot of
UP NEXT: Horizon is off Week Seven before the Hawks return home for their first Class 6A, District 6 clash of the season, as the South Lake High Eagles make the trip to Southwest Orange County Oct. 10.
Legacy Charter (1-5), 6
Lake Highland Prep (3-2), 46
HIGHLIGHTS: Following its picking up its lone win of the 2024 season, Legacy Charter traveled to downtown Orlando and fell to the Lake Highland Prep Highlanders. LHP found success on the ground in this Week Six matchup, rushing for 336 yards with five touchdowns on the night.
UP NEXT: The Eagles of Legacy Charter will host Orangewood Christian in Week Seven Oct. 4.
West Orange (5-0), 25
Apopka (3-3), 7
HIGHLIGHTS: With the Class 7A, District 5 title on the line — Apopka High could’ve clinched with a win — West Orange Warriors defended Raymond Screws Field topped their toughest test of the season so far.
“I’m proud of this team, proud of the way they played,” coach Geno Thompson said. “they continue sacrificing for each other day in and day out. This is a special group. I am blessed to be surrounded by quality men and women on the coaching staff who care for ... our kids.”
Coming into this game the question was, how does the Warriors’ offense fare against a stout Apopka defense. The Warriors passing game stepped up and threw for three touchdowns on the night: two from freshman QB AJ Chung and one from starting QB Brian Dillard. Kicker Ryder Bondurant hit a 37-yard field goal, and Edison Delgado found Nolan Turner for a two-point conversion to round out the scoring.
Dillard also caught an interception, as did athlete Devonte Anderson. Senior Jaden McFarlane also snatched up a fumble to give the Warriors’ offense another possession.
fun to watch. Because they’re so familiar with each other, there are things we can do as an offense that we couldn’t really pull off otherwise, so that part’s a lot of fun. That’s certainly a credit to their chemistry, the accuracy that Salomon has and the explosiveness that those two bring to the field.”
“Because we all know each other so well — I’ve been playing with Salomon since I was like 6 years old — we’ve developed a lot of chemistry on the field,” James said. “Because of that, Jr. just puts a lot of trust in me and Demetrice to go and get the ball when he throws it our way.”
That chemistry didn’t come from just being friends, though. It was forged through countless hours of work.
“People don’t know how much work we put in at practice and on our own,” McCray said. “Salo, Evan and me are always trying to get better and working on the weekends and through the week after practice. Nobody really sees that, but that’s why we’ve become such a special group and why we’ve been making a lot of noise this season.”
With four games left in the regular season — and possibly a deep run in the playoffs — if McCray and James keep a relatively similar pace in their production, they’ll cement themselves in the TFA record books as the best receivers in school history. But that’s not all the two receivers, their QB and the whole Royals roster want to come out of the season with. They’re aiming higher.
“State championship,” McCray said when asked what this team can achieve this season. “I just want us to win it all, man. Let’s go all the way.”
said. “The guys were focused and locked in all week and it showed (on the field). I’m proud of them not only because of the team they are becoming but (also) for their growth and maturity as young men.”
UP NEXT: Windermere is off in Week Seven before returning for a second of three consecutive home games against Oak Ridge High Thursday, Oct. 10. Lake Buena Vista will make up its Week One game in a mid-week game, hosting Cypress Creek High Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Windermere Prep (1-3), 0 Faith Christian (3-3), 55
HIGHLIGHTS: Following its first win of the 2024 season, the Lakers fell to Faith Christian at home.
“They jumped out on us (early), and we could never really get anything going,” Lakers coach James Hamilton said.
UP NEXT: The Warriors are off in Week Seven and will return Oct. 10 to face district foe West Port High on the road.
Windermere (6-0), 42 Lake Buena Vista (1-3), 7 HIGHLIGHTS: Amid all of the pomp and circumstance of the moment, which felt like would never arrive, the Windermere Wolverines have finally inaugurated its new, on-campus stadium — and they did so with authority. The Wolverines topped rivals Lake Buena Vista High, 42-7, in this Homecoming match.
“I don’t think anyone could have scripted a better night,” Windermere coach Riki Smith said following the win. “The field was beautiful, the fans and community came out in full force.”
After almost a full quarter without a score to open the homecoming game, in the waning moments of the first quarter, Wolverines sophomore receiver Jaylen Davis made history by becoming the first player to score a touchdown on the new field, taking a handoff from senior quarterback Jack Reilly four-yards to the end zone. That was just the spark needed for the Windermere (6-0) offense to open the floodgates against the visiting Lake Buena Vista Vipers (1-3). Windermere scored three more touchdowns in the second quarter — including two of Reilly’s three passing TDs — to go into halftime with a 28-0 lead. The offense shifted in the second half and focused on the run game, scoring its second and third rushing touchdowns of the night. On the other side of the ball, the Wolverines defense was also lightsout on the night. Defensive lineman Daniel Bradley adding two more sacks to his impressive season so far — making eight sacks in five games for the senior. Overall, Smith enjoyed what he saw tonight and the seasonlong development of his players on and off the field.
“I liked our energy tonight; I thought it was outstanding,” Smith
One highlight for Windermere Prep on the day was eighth-grader Peyton Myers catching an interception. UP NEXT: Windermere Prep will travel to Leesburg for Week Seven to face the First Academy Eagles Oct. 4.
MONDAY, SEPT. 30
CFCA (2-3), 7
PK Yonge (4-2), 37
HIGHLIGHTS: CFCA’s Davy Murphy caught a deep touchdown pass for the Eagles lone score from QB Dominic McCrory, while Cole Harbin recovered a fumble.
“Both defense and offense came out flat to start the game,” said coach Kevin Blackman. “However, in the second half we were able to keep them scoreless.”
UP NEXT: The Eagles are off Week Seven before facing Cornerstone Charter in Week Eight Friday, Oct. 11.
Ocoee (4-2), 48 West Port (1-5), 8
HIGHLIGHTS: A tight first quarter saw Ocoee jump out to a 12-0 lead before the West Port Wolf Pack responded to make it a 12-8 score at the end of the quarter. However, the Knights stepped on the gas and never looked back, scoring 36 unanswered points to claim the district win and keep their hopes alive in the district-championship race.
UP NEXT: After playing a Monday night football game in Week Six, Ocoee will play on Saturday in Week Seven as the Knights host Hudson High Oct. 5.
OBSERVER 8, WEEK SIX: A weekly power ranking of the eight best football programs in West and Southwest Orange.
The First Academy (6-0)
Michael Eng
The Windermere offense dominated the game against Lake Buena Vista.
Courtesy of Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography
Sam Albuquerque
TFA receiver Demetrice McCray lined up pre-snap right before catching a 75-yard touchdown against Orlando Christian Prep that play.
West Orange do-it-all athlete Brian Dillard caught a pass and sprinted down the field.
At
ASHLEY AULERICH
HORIZON WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ashley Aulerich is the literacy coach at Horizon West Middle School and supports the language arts and reading teachers, as well as the administration team.
“She has been instrumental in supporting our new teachers, instilling a love of reading in all our students, helping us close last year’s achievement gaps in reading across all subgroups and consistently demonstrating what it means to be a true team player,” principal Michelle Thomas said.
Aulerich was named an Orange County Public Schools HERO Teacher in 2021.
What brought you to your school?
I came to HWMS when it opened with an opportunity to continue working with Ms. Thomas and because it was closer to my home.
What do you love most about your school?
I truly think we have the best staff members and school team. It makes coming to work each day very easy.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I love the flexibility my role offers.
I am an “on-the-go” kind of person and love stepping in to help or support anyone when needed.
What would you be if you weren’t in this profession?
A few years ago, I became very interested in nutrition. I enjoy listening to podcasts and reading about the topic.
Who influences you?
My mom is always encouraging me to handle the challenges with grace and continue to push through in a positive way.
REPORT CARD
POSITION: Literacy coach TIME AT SCHOOL: Fifth year
Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? I had so many! Ms. Warner was my third-grade teacher, and I just remember her for how nice and caring she was.
What is your favorite children’s book and why?
I have to pick one! Ha ha! The series by Andrea Beaty, “Iggy Peck Architect” and “Rosie Revere Engineer” are my favorites.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love gardening and being outside with my family. I also enjoy reading novels when I have some time to myself.
If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
I am a big hockey fan, so I would dine with my favorite player, Henrik Zetterberg.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? Speed, so I could do laundry and clean really fast and then have more time with my family.
If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why?
I would probably have to listen to some instrumental music. I like all genres, but that’s my go-to.
What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student?
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich made by my dad. I don’t know what he does, but his are the best!
What is your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas for sure! Christmas brings back the best memories with my grandma. We made a whole weekend out of decorating her house. While my house will never be as beautiful as hers was, I will continue to try!
Who was your best friend when you were in school? Are you still in touch?
My best friend and I have been friends since kindergarten. Her name is Danielle, and yes, we still talk. We’ve lived in separate states and both have families of our own now, but the girls weekend getaway will someday leave the group chat.
What were your extracurricular activities as a student?
Did you win any accolades or honors?
As a kid, I was really into sports. I played on multiple soccer teams — travel, recreational and the school team during the season. I also played tennis and volleyball. I was captain of my soccer team and won our team’s award, the Pancake Award, multiple times. It was a silly trophy we passed around the team for making key plays and playing an aggressive game.
How long have you been at your school and with OCPS?
I’ve been with OCPS since I graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2017. This is my eighth year as a teacher, and I’ve been at HWMS since we opened in 2019.
— AMY QUESINBERRY
OCOM students receive white coats
Horizon West’s Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine celebrated the Class of 2028 at the organization’s first White Coat Ceremony Friday, Sept. 13, at the Walt Disney Theater in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
The White Coat Ceremony is a symbolic and significant rite of passage for medical students as they embark on their journey into the medical profession. It marks the moment when students first don their white coats, which represent their commitment to the values of medicine — compassion, professionalism and dedication to patient care.
OCOM’s ceremony included an invocation; messages from founder Kiran C. Patel, Dean Dr. Robert T. Hasty, the school’s Board of Trustees and representatives from the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association; a keynote address from Sheetal Patel, daughter of the school’s founders; and the white coat presentation.
ANNABELLE SIKES
Eva Chen, Ping Zhou, Frank Chen, student doctor Daniel Chen and Bangchi Chen captured the special day with a family photo.
Photos courtesy of Jason Cannon, Cannonfire Photography Keynote speaker Sheetal K. Patel, left, with Dean Dr. Robert T. Hasty.
Above: Osvaldo Musegue, right, gave his daughter, student doctor Donna Musegue, a kiss on the cheek for her accomplishment.
Right: Academic adviser Kelly Peter, left, helped student doctor Rohit Anandani put on his white coat for the first time.
Legacy, Hi-Lite partner to host financial seminar for teenagers
The free event will teach teens how to create a budget, how basic checking and savings accounts work, the importance of understanding credit, and more.
ANNABELLE SIKES
Legacy Events for Education and HiLite Coaching + Consulting are partnering to host two financial literacy interactive workshops for teens.
The How Money Works seminars will be presented by Legacy Academy, led by president and founder David Terry, and powered by Hi-Lite, led by founder Jessica Villegas.
The free, 90-minute workshops are sponsored by educational partner McCoy Cares, the charitable arm of McCoy Federal Credit Union, and hosted at the Roper and Dr. Phillips YMCAs.
The events are for middle- and high-school students, as well as college students, looking to understand the basics of money management.
The seminars will include conversations about how basic checking and savings accounts work; credit cards, loans and interest; building and protecting credit; creating budgets; and understanding the total cost of ownership for big purchases, such as cars and homes.
“I think this topic of conversation is important because money is energy,” Villegas said. “Money is a translation of your time and effort that you’ve put in, and not always is it an accurate translation, but it is something that we’re getting in exchange for giving away a piece of our life. We want to protect that, and we want to manage it well. It’s really important that we’re learning good financial hygiene practices and understanding. When you’re a young adult, it’s very easy to get taken advantage of when it comes to money. I think the more we understand how to do that at a younger age, and the habitats that we build at a younger age are improved, the more we can change our legacy and our mindset around money as we become adults.”
DISCOVERING A NEED
Legacy Events for Education is a nonprofit public charity with a mission to inspire students, teachers and communities to leave their legacy on the world. The organization believes it’s important to encourage involvement, as well as showcase the significance making a difference in the local communities holds.
Legacy Academy, born out of Legacy Events for Education, is dedicated to providing opportunities to students and families in the community to learn from local experts.
Several times throughout the year, Legacy Academy partners with various individuals and organizations to provide quality education and information at little to no cost.
The financial literacy workshops
launched in partnership with McCoy in 2022. Villegas was invited in by Terry to help with the workshops soon after.
“We brought Jessica in to really help the workshop, and this year we took it a step further by bringing in Hi-Lite to really facilitate the program for us,” Terry said. “We wanted to have that level of experience in running team seminars that she brings to the table.”
Based in Horizon West, Hi-lite Coaching + Consulting challenges teens and young adults to know themselves in a way that empowers them to effectively navigate change, leverage their strengths and hold themselves accountable in areas that require improvement.
INSTILLING CONFIDENCE
The seminars will cover a multitude of important topics when it comes to dealing with money.
“You get your first job, you’re paid $15 an hour, but it isn’t going to translate to exactly $15 an hour on your check,” Villegas said. “You’re going to have taxes, and you’re going to need to start thinking about how to save and invest.
“We’re going to keep it basic and talk about things like a savings account, checking and credit cards, and how to write a check and sign your name in cursive,” she said. “We’re mainly going to focus on how total cost of ownership works when it comes to buying a car, preparing for unexpected expenses, the importance of wants and needs, home ownership and how you can use that as wealth creation for your future, and then we will do some hands-on activities and games. … The things that kids are choosing to do now to fill the gap on things they don’t know how to do is kind of dangerous, and it goes back to money. For example, something as simple as Uber Eats. The cost of one Uber Eats delivery is the same amount as eating for three or four days if you know how to budget properly.”
When it came to understanding money growing up, Terry was lucky, as his father was the president of a board of a credit union for about 30 years.
“He was able to talk to me about a lot of those things that are important for teens and young adults when it comes to understanding money,” he said. “I was very blessed, and what I realized was that I had that, but a lot of kids don’t. A lot of things that we’re focused on at Legacy Academy are things that are ... substantially different than they were when today’s parents were young. Things like getting into college, résumé writing and financial literacy have changed so much, and they’re going to continue to change. ... We just want to be a part of making sure that it doesn’t get lost in translation.”
Terry and Villegas hope participants leave the seminars feeling more confident about how they can use money as a tool to get them where they would like to go in life.
“I want kids to stop and think the next time they agree to a payment on something,” Terry said. “We all
HOW MONEY WORKS WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and 10 a.m. Nov. 2 WHERE: October, Roper YMCA; November, Dr. Philips YMCA REGISTER: shorturl.at/lecvw
struggle with it — even as adults.”
The workshops aren’t just about teens and young adults. The founders hope also to take strain off of parents, so parents can feel more confident their children have what it takes to survive. They hope to encourage parents and children to connect in a meaningful way and to enjoy the last few years of living together at home.
“At McCoy, we are committed to making a difference in the communities we serve, and that includes supporting students at local schools and financial education programs offered by community organizations,” Alvin Cowans, president and CEO of McCoy Federal Credit Union, said. “Community partnerships, like the one we have with Legacy Events for Education and Hi-Lite Coaching + Consulting, allow us to connect with local youth and talk about the basics of finances and money management in a fun, engaging way. It is our hope that these workshops will help participants build confidence around this topic and be the foundation for a lifetime of financial success.”
In the future, Villegas envisions working with Terry to create more workshops pertaining to teaching valuable life skills.
“Kids aren’t really getting the progressive education they need in what will be in an AI-controlled environment and working world by the time they get there,” she said. “They’re not getting the education or the critical- and creative-thinking skills, or the clarity and confidence that they need. They’re being fed into a college system that is there to prey on them financially, and kids are leaving college and not even working in the major that they just spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and several years of their life working on. They’re leaving college just as confused as when they’re leaving high school, and that doesn’t feel good. Our young people shouldn’t be feeling these things. They should feel empowered.”
a
Annabelle Sikes
Jessica Villegas, left, founder of Hi-Lite Coaching + Consulting, and David Terry, president and founder of Legacy Events for Education, are the leaders behind the event.
BRAINFD
Treat Yo’ Self! I Michael Eng // Editor and Publisher
In Florida, we don’t have changing leaves to signify the fall season. However, once the calendar turns to October, we all know what is right around the corner. That’s right: Halloween! And for many of you, the holiday — followed closely by Thanksgiving and then Christmas — is celebrated best by good ol’ fashioned trick-or-treating. Luckily for us, West Orange and Southwest Orange both are chock full of neighborhoods that make for excellent trick-or-treating stomping grounds. We all know the houses that give away the full-sized candy bars, and some of our neighbors even transform their homes into haunted houses for all to enjoy! To get you ready for a night full of costumes and sugar, we’re taking a look at some of the most popular Halloween candies in the United States. Which one is your favorite?
REESE’S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS
According to CandyStore.com, the single most popular Halloween candy in Florida is the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
Americans have been enjoying the simple chocolate-and-peanut-butter confection since 1928, when H.B. Reese created them under his company, the H.B. Reese Candy Company. The candy used to be known as the Penny Cup, because they cost one cent.
These days, the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup comes in several different variants to celebrate Halloween. New this year is the Werewolf Tracks version, which adds vanilla-flavored creme to the mix.
SKITTLES
Despite being known for its sunshine, Florida and its residents seem to want to “taste the rainbow” too. According to CandyStore.com, Skittles is Florida’s second-most popular Halloween candy.
Skittles hit the market in 1971, and by 1979, they were widely available in the United States.
The multi-colored bite-sized confections originally came in five flavors: orange, lemon, lime, grape and strawberry.
However, in 2013, the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company replaced lime with green apple. Consumers didn’t like the change, and in 2021, the company officially returned lime to the red bag.
According to a company survey, the most popular Skittle flavor is red (strawberry), while the least favorite is yellow (lemon).
HOT TAMALES
Rounding out Florida’s top three Halloween candies are the spicy Hot Tamales.
The cinnamon candies hit candy shelves in 1950 through the Just Born company. Interestingly, nationwide in 2023, Hot Tamales were more popular than Skittles when filling trick-or-treat buckets.
In addition to being a Halloween staple, Hot Tamales also are a favorite in movie theaters.
M&M’S
Although they didn’t make the top three for Florida, M&M’s snagged the No. 2 spot nationwide on the list for the most popular Halloween candies.
The bite-sized, candy-coated chocolate morsels hit store shelves in 1941.
The popular peanut variant was introduced in 1954, followed by the peanut butter version in 1991 and the M&M’s Minis in 1996. Crispy M&M’s were released in 1999, Pretzel M&M’s in 2010 and Caramel M&Ms in 2017.
SOUR PATCH KIDS
Rounding out the top five most popular Halloween candies are Sour Patch Kids.
These tongue-confusing sour/sweet soft candies were introduced to consumers in the early 1970s as Mars Men. They were renamed Sour Patch Kids in 1985.
The original flavors include lime (green), lemon (yellow), orange (orange) and red raspberry (red). In 2023, the company added blue raspberry (blue) to the mix.
Today, there are many variants on store shelves, including Extreme, Topical, Watermelon and the Halloween exclusive Zombie.
RECOMMENDED READING FICTION
n “The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Creepy-Crawly Halloween: A Liftthe-Flap Book” by Eric Carle
n “Five More Sleeps ‘til Halloween” by Jimmy Fallon; illustrated by Rich Deas
NON-FICTION
n “Halloween and Day of the Dead Traditions Around the World” by Joan Axelrod-Contrada; illustrated by Elisa Chavarri.
n “Create a costume!” by Sarah Myer
n “Hocus Pocus: The Official Cookbook: 70 Recipes Inspired by the Sanderson Sisters, Max, Dani, and Beyond!” by Elena Craig and S.T. Bende
10 A.M. - 2 P.M.
ORLANDO PUBLIC LIBRARY & ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL HISTORY CENTER SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
New burger joint braves Ocoee frontier
The Brave Burger combines the flavors of Texas BBQ with handcrafted burgers.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE
SPORTS EDITOR
Growing up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sergio Ferri Bosco loved watching movies about the Wild West — especially classic John Wayne spaghetti westerns that depict the classic troupes of the settling of the western frontier in the United States.
Ferri Bosco always was drawn to the American Indian characters in those movies, admiring their bravery in battle and righteous attitude toward the land.
Those ideals of bravery from characters in his favorite movies not only were sources of entertainment for Ferri Bosco but also served as the encouragement and comfort needed to help guide his decision to leave the stability of his family’s established business in Brazil and follow his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for food.
Eventually, he immigrated to the U.S. and after making his way to Texas and other areas in the Southwest, he not only deepened his pas-
sion for the Wild West era and the remnants of its culture that still color the region’s lifestyle but also the Tex-Mex, Southwestern barbecue flavors and spices that overload the palate of the region’s cuisine.
Combining his love for the Wild
West era, his entrepreneurial spirit and his love for cooking, Ferri Bosco knew what he wanted to build. All he needed was a name.
“I wanted to bring that Texan, Southwestern food culture and combine it with high-quality arti -
sanal burgers,” he said. “Given I grew up watching Western movies, and I always loved the idea of being brave and charting a new frontier, when it came time to find the name of this restaurant, calling it The Brave Burger seemed only natural.”
Starting as a food truck, Ferri Bosco and his family — wife, Adriana, and son, Lucas — grew the business and eventually opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Clermont after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, nearly five years after starting The Brave Burger, the Ferri Bosco family has expanded to a second location in West Orange County.
Located at 336 Moore Road in Ocoee — in the same plaza as the Publix off Maguire Road — the fastcasual burger joint offers a variety of high-quality burgers, made fresh daily by Ferri Bosco himself.
“All of our meats are made here fresh every day,” he said. “We cut and ground the beef ourselves. We smoke the brisket here too. We want to have the highest quality meats for each of our burgers.”
With 12 different types of burgers on the menu, ranging in price from $8.99 to $12.99, as well as vegetarian, gluten-free and nonred meat options, The Brave Burger has options for every dietary pref-
IF YOU GO
THE BRAVE BURGER
336 Moore Road, Ocoee
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays and Mondays
PHONE: (407) 395-2052
WEBSITE: thebraveburger.com
Topped with house-made pulled pork, the Chief BBQ burger has a 1/3 pound Black Angus patty, American cheese and barbecue sauce, to go with a side of fries.
erence. One of the house favorites is its Chief BBQ Burger, which features a 1/3-pound black angus patty, crispy pulled pork, American cheese and BBQ sauce.
Beyond the burgers, the menu also features chicken tenders, footlong hot dogs, cheese and bacon dogs and chili dogs; as well as loaded fries — topped with your choice of brisket, pulled pork, a burger patty, bacon or chicken tenders.
Photos by Sam Albuquerque
Sergio Ferri Bosco, left, and his son, Lucas, are happy to greet customers at The Brave Burger’s new Ocoee location.
THE WAYS WE WERE FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
80 years ago
Fred D. Gregory, chairman of the National War Fund campaign for the Winter Garden district, was perfecting plans for his organization to launch the drive.
Approximately 2,500 fans attended the football opening game of the season at Walker Field Friday night when the Lakeview Red Devils trimmed the Ocoee High School Cardinals to the tune of 26-0.
A hurricane from Havana continued to move northward and was felt here in the morning hours. Part of the R.D. Keene packing house roof was blown off with much damage to other properties. Southern Fruit Distributors and Heller Bros. had roofs blown off. At the Ford Motor Company garage, the east wall of its concrete building was blown out. Near the First Baptist Church, a parked automobile was smashed by a fallen tree. Winter Garden’s electrical service went out of commission, stopping the pumping of water. The city was without light and water, but fortunately for the Edgewater Hotel, the Army Corps brought in a portable lighting lamp for the lobby and cafeteria. The guests were provided candles for lighting rooms.
50 years ago
Sleepy Harbor Condominiums, a $1.8 million total waterfront development on Lake Prima Vista in Ocoee, was completed and grand opening sales began.
TG&Y advertised a terrarium for $12.88. The 20-inch round diameter crystal clear plastic plant stand stood 36 inches tall.
The Hurley barn, once the frontispiece for orange groves that blanketed this part of Tildenville, survives on quiet Tildenville School Road. The peaceful surroundings, from here to the former South Lake Apopka Citrus Growers Association packinghouse a few steps north, give no indication that the neighborhood was a hive of citrus industry activity for more than a century.
The three-story Hurley family home stood just south, replaced by two homes in later years, although the original Hurley fence and pillars still stand.
The mission of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is to preserve the heritage and architecture of Winter Garden while creating new cultural experiences. The Foundation also preserves the material culture of West Orange County, using it to educate the area’s youth on the community’s rich history.
45 years ago
The Valdes family — Joe, Ruth and Jody — rolled out the carpet for friends and customers to see the new enlarged Modern Stationery store in downtown Winter Garden.
The West Orange Memorial Hospital board of trustees voted to appoint Marjorie Masson as chairman for the next year. Other board members were Larry Grimes, Dorothy Wurst, Miriam Reid, Don Taylor, Vera Carter, Milton Deariso and Dr. Albert Gleason.
35 years ago
The old gymnasium at Ocoee Middle School — built as a WPA project in 1937 for Ocoee School, which then included grades one through 12 — came tumbling down, a victim of age and the wrecking crew. The gym, one of the oldest in Orange County, was replaced by a new auditorium named for long-time principal Robert W. Williams. A work crew organized by Oakland Presbyterian Church was headed to Charleston, South Car-
olina, to help victims still reeling from Hurricane Hugo. Volunteers were geared to do home repairs for poor and elderly residents.
20 years ago
Trace Adkins, Josh Turner, Cowboy Crush, Quick Silver and the Diamonds headlined the Ocoee Founders’ Day event.
THROWBACK
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SEA, THE SIGHTS by Michele Govier, edited by Jeff Chen
By Luis Campos
INFORMATION & RATES: 407-656-2121 redpages@orangeobserver.com • orangeobserver.com/redpages
Observer
*It
with
Notice:
CELEBRATE PUBLIC NATURAL GAS WEEK WITH YOUR ENERGY CHOICE PROVIDER
LAKE APOPKA NATURAL GAS DISTRICT
Each year, we at Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD) look forward to Public Natural Gas Week as a time to celebrate the vital role natural gas plays in powering our communities. This Public Natural Gas Week, from Oct. 6-12, we are excited to share the immeasurable impact natural gas has played in our country while also reflecting on the strong relationships we have built with our customers over 65 years of service.
To express our gratitude, from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2024, the District will select two customers each week to win a $200 gift card. For your chance to win, simply tell us in thirty words or less why you choose natural gas for your home. Include your name, address, and phone number, and send your entry to PNGW2024Win@langd. org. If you are a winner, LANGD asks that you take a photo for our social media. Winners will be contacted by phone and asked to pick up their gift card from our main office at 1320 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Winter Garden with a photo ID.
So, why choose natural gas? There are countless reasons to choose natural gas as your preferred energy source. For one, it is cost-effective. Last year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that natural gas was 3.3 times more affordable than electricity and significantly
less costly than several other residential energy sources. This incredible affordability allows our customers to enjoy lower energy bills and continue contributing to our thriving local economy.
Natural gas is also better for the environment than most realize. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Burning natural gas for energy results in fewer emissions of nearly all types of air pollutants and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than burning coal or petroleum products to produce an equal amount of energy.” There are also benefits when it comes to natural gas’s reliability, versatility, efficiency, and the list goes on. While the benefits of using natural gas are many, one of LANGD’s core strengths lies in our unique relationship with our community.
As a public natural gas system, LANGD answers to you, the customer. Being a not-for-profit entity allows us to focus entirely on your satisfaction and the quality of our services, and over the last six decades, the District has made it our mission to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective natural gas to our neighbors in Apopka, Clermont, Winter Garden, and surrounding communities. We are proud that our efforts continue to win awards and industry recognition for doing so, and as good neighbors, we want to say
“THANK YOU” for choosing natural gas as your preferred energy source.
We invite you to celebrate Public Natural Gas Week and experience the benefits of natural gas firsthand.
If you are considering making the switch to using natural gas, please get in touch with the LANGD marketing team at (407) 656-2734 ext 307 or marketing@ langd.org, or visit www.langd.org for more information on natural gas service for your home, business or vehicle.
Be sure to stay in the loop by liking, following and sharing LANGD’s content on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Flip
But
October 18 through October 31 Downtown Winter Garden
Hay Maze at City Hall Halloween & Fall Decorations, Light Displays, & Photo Stations
Halloween Light Show on City Hall & Street Performances October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 31 • 7-9 pm
And Lots More Downtown Halloween Fun!
