Lady Lakers lock in second district crown

ing girls, and they are just going to continue to replace because they believe in training year-round with us,” Kurtz said.

The Windermere Prep girls weightlifting team entered its 2022-23 season as defending district champions — and now is a two-time district champion.

“The biggest thing is getting them bought in and trusting the process,” head weightlifting coach Micah Kurtz said.

Four years ago, Kurtz started the girls weightlifting team at the school with only 18 or 20 girls. Today, the team is twice the size, with 40 members — making it the biggest team at the school — and a force during tournaments and competitions. This is attributed to the trust and the comfort the girls have with each other.

“Our environment is top-tier,” senior Alexis Beaulieu said. “I love the environment that we have with the team in the weight room. We play music and have dance parties with our coaches, we sing karaoke and other stuff during practices, and I think that makes everyone feel more comfortable with the team. … We are constantly team-bonding with each other, and I believe that makes a great atmosphere.”

Not only does the environment within the weight room provides stability during meets, but it has reached out to younger athletes, and the program is open for sixth-graders if they wish to join. Currently, the youngest members of the girls weightlifting team are seventhgraders, and with about 10 seniors graduating, the team is hopeful for the future.

“We are looking at the return

Because of the growth in numbers this year, the only challenge the Lady Lakers experienced in regard to practice was the limited space at the weight room — but, nonetheless, the team was able to bring in a positive mindset and a winning mentality to every practice.

“That probably was our biggest problem (this season),” Kurtz said. “But, it’s a good one to have.”

Senior Danielle Works, 18, has been a member of the team the four years it’s been in existence and believes that an encouraging environment is more beneficial and result-oriented than a competitive one.

“The coaches’ encouragement is what kind of bonds the team together and the chemistry we have in terms of weightlifting,” she said.

“Our school is very communityoriented as well, so it’s very easy for all of us to get along, and since it’s a smaller school, everyone kind of knows everyone so it’s that bond that we all share.”

The Lady Lakers competed at the Class 1A Region 3 championship meet Friday, Feb. 3, at The Villages, where they placed third in the Traditional Lift category and in the Olympic Lift category with 38 and 36 points, respectively.

State Championship qualifiers are Bella Akabane and Beaulieu for first place, Ava Barbey and Works for second place and Sidney Provencher, Kirah Bilanovich and Sam Gerena for fourth place.

“I like to help the younger ones to realize that it is important for us to capitalize on the fact that you are constantly competing with yourself and that this is a welcoming environment,” Beaulieu said. “You should be able to make mistakes and learn from them and grow from them.”

Reggie Mangal Central Florida Christian Academy

Reggie Mangal is the dean and director of admissions at Central Florida Christian Academy. Although the job holds many different aspects, Mangal works to get to the root of the behaviors. He partners with parents as they navigate ways to best help their children be successful. On the admissions side, he gives tours to prospective families and meets with them to answer their questions. Mangal also tests incoming students so the school knows where they land academically. “I have an amazing assistant that helps me with the administrative side of admissions — shout out to Danielle — that I would be lost without her,” he said. “I love my team, administration/staff and faculty that I get to serve our school and community members with. God has truly blessed me here at CFCA.” Lower School Principal Pam Theobald said Mangal “makes all students feel like he is in their corner and that they are loved.”

What brought you to your school?

I recently planted a church with my best friend, Beloved Church, and I felt God leading me after nine years in my prior school to help disciple students by more openly sharing the gospel with them.

What do you love most about your school?

Day in and day out I get to live life in our community with our students who are the next big world changers.

What is your motivation?

My family motivates me to be the best version of myself in my personal life and my work life.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is helping students to know that they belong, that they are known and they are loved. I work hard each and every day to get students to see themselves the way God sees them.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Spending quality time with my beautiful wife, Jess, and two awesome kids, Auggie and Nora. We love playing Legos, going to the beach, singing karaoke loud enough for the neighbors to hear and really any other adventure we can go on together.

Report Card

POSITION: Dean of Students

Admissions Director TIME AT SCHOOL: Almost two years

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? Mr. Malone was my favorite teacher. He taught pre-law/government and saw the potential of the man I could be yet I couldn’t see in myself yet. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?

I wanted to be a lawyer by day and a rockstar by night. I love standing up for those who cannot defend themselves and I wanted to also tour around to see the world.

What is your favorite children’s book and why? My favorite children’s book is one called “Friday Night Wrestlefest.” My 4-year-old son shares my love for wrestling, and that book has been a family favorite.

What are your hobbies?

I love playing music. I play at The Attic Door in downtown Winter

Garden once a month, and I lead worship at our church in Clermont.

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

I would like to be able to run really fast like Flash because he is one of my favorite superheroes.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

Coldplay, Switchfoot and Ben Rector. They are all part of the reason I started playing music at age 15.

What was your go-to lunch as an elementary student? Any favorite snacks or special treats you remember?

My dad’s famous BLT was my goto lunch. Favorite snacks were the original Doritos with Mountain Dew. I also loved Twix candy bars — and still do.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas is my favorite holiday because watching the magic of Christmas through my kids’ eyes brings me so much joy!

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

Sylvester, because we both shared a love for WWE wrestling. We were going to be tag team champions but the stars just never aligned. We are no longer in touch as my family moved to America from Curaçao.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

I was the president of the Future Business Leaders of America and played many different sports. Coming to America, I wanted to experience as many different things as I could.

— ANNABELLE SIKES