02.23.23 West Orange Times & Observer

NEWS BRIEFS

PET FEST RETURNS TO WINDERMERE

The Windermere Pet Fest returns to the town from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Town Square Park, 520 Main St., Windermere. Windermere’s annual Pet Fest is fun for the whole family — both twoand four-legged members. Enjoy food trucks, pet activities, a police K-9 demonstration, live music, pawsome vendors and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit town.windermere.fl.us/ windermere-pet-fest.

HEALTH DEPT REPORTS INCREASE IN VAX ADVERSE EVENTS

The Florida Department of Health and State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo have reported a significant increase in reports of vaccine adverse reports since the release of the COVID-19 vaccines.

According to the department, in Florida alone, there was a 1,700%

increase in reports after the release of the COVID-19 vaccine, compared to an increase of 400% in overall vaccine administration for the same time period. Furthermore, the reports of life-threatening conditions increased more than 4,400%.

“This is a novel increase and was not seen during the 2009 H1N1 vaccination campaign,” the department’s officials said in a prepared statement. “There is a need for additional unbiased research to better understand the COVID-19 vaccines’ short- and long-term effects.”

The findings in Florida are consistent with various studies that continue to uncover such risks.

According to a study, Fraiman J et al, Vaccine. 2022, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were associated with an excess risk of serious adverse events, including coagulation disorders, acute cardiac injuries, Bell’s palsy and encephalitis, the department said. This risk was 1 in 550 individuals.

A second study, Sun CLF et al, Sci Rep. 2022, found increased acute cardiac arrests and other acute cardiac events following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.

Additionally, Dag Berild J et al, JAMA Netw Open. 2022, assessed the risk of thromboembolic and thrombocytopenic events related to COVID-19 vaccines and found preliminary evidence of increased risk of both coronary disease and cardiovascular disease.

Two teens struck in separate car accidents

MICHAEL ENG AND AMY QUESINBERRY

One teenage boy is dead and a second is fighting for his life after two separate after-school crashes last week.

Both crashes took place Thursday, Feb. 16.

Ocoee Middle School students are grieving after learning one of their classmates died, when he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle home after school.

The incident occurred at about 4:25 p.m. at the intersection of Clarke and White roads, in unincorporated Orange County, about two miles from the school, which is located in the city of Ocoee.

The student, who has not been identified, was transported to Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.

Principal Sam Davis sent a recorded voice message to Ocoee Middle parents notifying them of the incident and was setting up bereavement counseling for students.

“I speak for the entire Ocoee Middle School community when I express the grief we feel at the loss of one of our own,” Davis said in the message. “We will have grief coun-

selors on campus for any student or staff member who needs to speak with someone about this loss. A wide range of emotions can be felt during the grief process and we encourage you to openly discuss your child’s reaction to this news.”

Just a few miles away, emergency crews airlifted a 14-year-old boy just before 5 p.m., following a hitand-run crash on Winter GardenVineland Road near Tilden Road in Winter Garden. According to Facebook accounts of the incident, the Bridgewater Middle student was riding a skateboard when he was hit by a car. The driver of the car did not stop to render aid or call for help.

Witnesses said the boy sustained a neck injury and was taken by helicopter to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

Shortly after the incident, the boy’s aunt, Phuong Yuhas, organized a GoFundMe fundraiser for the family.

In updates to the fundraiser page, Yuhas said the boy’s first surgery took much longer than anticipated because of the extent of his injuries. The teen underwent a second emergency surgery Friday, Feb. 17, to relieve pressure on his brain. Following the second surgery, the boy did move his arms and legs, and he

GOFUNDME

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to assist the family of the Bridgewater Middle School student. It can be found at gofundme.com/f/jasonandfamily.

could hear his family speaking.

In the most recent update Monday, Feb. 20, Yuhas wrote: “We had a little setback yesterday, but he started responding to his neuro checks again today so we are praying it was nothing major. His pressures have been good and they will try to start feeding him soon. He is still continuing to fight and really needs to get through these next few days. Please keep praying for him! Thank you all!”

So far, the GoFundMe has raised more than $54,000, which will be used to assist the family.

“His parents will need to miss work, and they also have a daughter to care for, so anything would help,” Yuhas wrote. “We truly appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers. Thank you all so much — especially those that were at the scene with him.”

Spice of Life

The weather was perfect for an outdoor culinary throw-down at Legacy Events for Education’s 2023 Central Florida Chili Cookoff, which took place Saturday, Feb. 18, at Ocoee Lakeshore Center. Guests enjoyed perusing dozens of booths to sample a variety of takes on the classic American dish, live music courtesy of Switch Entertainment and Mighty Swell, and more. Children spent time in the Kids Zone while parents dazzled their tastebuds.

Horizon was among the high schools participating

Mike Roy, second from left, won the open category for his chili. He proudly represented Shannon Till, State Farm agent, second from right.

Above: The chili cookoff featured a Kids Zone with a variety of fun activities for children.

Right: Sam Trawick and Mighty Swell performed country and country-rock hits.

There was fierce competition in this year’s cornhole tournament. Juliette Barajas, 4, was a sight to behold as she danced around with a giant rooster head.

Voodoo Chile’s Jennifer and Darren A’hearn brought their chili from Loxahatchee.

in the chili cookoff.

— MICHAEL ENG AND AMY QUESINBERRY

FIGHT FINISHED

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

For Ocoee native and current Winter Garden resident Tom Wilson, video games — especially Halo — have captivated both his time and imagination.

Wilson believes his passion for esports and video-gaming sparked from watching his older brother, Jonathan Beverfjord, play when he was little.

“He’s about 8 years older than I am,” Wilson said. “Always kind of looked up to him, always kind of wanted to hang out and do the things he did so he got me into gaming when I was about 4 years old. So, very young, I started that out, always a big passion of mine just gaming with him and gaming with friends in general, always very into it.”

Wilson grew up in an Xbox household, and his love for the Halo game was born from the first moment he picked up a controller. When he turned professional during his junior year of high school, that was his game.

“I never imagined or set myself to think — even as a kid — that I was going to be playing video games for a living … but there’s plenty of possibilities, now that I’m at the point that I’m at, to kind of work with it. … It’s a very good opportunity, and I had to take advantage of it.”

— Tom Wilson

most official capacity of competitions in ‘Halo 5’ is four on four, where there are two teams fighting against each other.”

Despite teams in the gaming community varying quite often — and regularly — from tournament to tournament, Lucid, Tripppey, aPG and FormaL have been playing together since last February and have been coached by Jason Brown (gamertag Lunchbox).

Wilson currently dedicates his days to getting better at “Halo 5,” working on his technique and playing alongside his teammates. On a normal schedule, he practices from five to six hours each day. Whenever a tournament approaches however, his daily practice increases to about eight hours daily.

BEHIND THE GAMERTAG

Initially known in the gaming community as Saiyan, Wilson decided to changed his gamertag — or alias — last year to Lucid.

“Saiyan was from anime like ‘Dragon Ball Z’ that my brother and I used to watch, so that became the kind of name that was my gamertag for the longest time,” he said.

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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“I would say a lot of times with getting into any competitive games, especially with where Halo is at, it’s more like a passion type of thing, it’s more where it stems from, I’ve always been playing Halo,” Wilson said. “With my brother, that was the game that we played growing up, and it was super really popular a long time ago. It’s still pretty popular now, but I just integrated enough with it that it became like a natural thing. I’m good enough, now I can go to a competition, and here I am now being able to make this my job. … I’ve dabbled here and there (with other games) but nothing really as serious as Halo.”

And most recently, Wilson and his OpTic Gaming teammates — Joey Taylor (Tripppey), Bradley Laws (aPG), Matthew Piper (FormaL)— were crowned champions in the Halo World Championship Grand Finals at the Halo Championship Series, which took place Oct. 21-23 in Seattle. For the win, OpTic Gaming won $400,000 — 40% of the tournament’s $1 million prize pool.

TRAINING DAYS

The competitive world of esports, specifically for Halo, is usually structured as a 4-versus-4, where players get together, create their teams and intuitively assign one another specific roles during the competition.

“There are competitions for different sizes of teams,” Wilson said. “The

“It can vary, because there is a mixture of what a schedule can look like daily for a player … in the competitive stage of the (gaming) community,” he said. “We (play) a scrimmage against other teams at a set time — 6 p.m. is when we practice for about three hours — and that’s a very dedicated good practice in like a tournament format, (where) communication is actually flowing, it’s all of us together. (But) I (also) can be playing by myself online.”

LUCID’S DREAM

Wilson took a break from his collegiate studies at the University of Central Florida a little more than a year ago; he was two semesters away from graduation. It was then when he began to see the promising future he could have as part of the professional gaming community. Eventually, he plans on returning to school to earn his bachelor’s degree in marketing.

“I knew this decision was going to be the right one and that I needed to put everything into streaming and into competing, because I want to win,” he said. “And if this is my end goal, this has to be it for now, and I will absolutely say I made the right decision. I’m absolutely blessed and over the moon that this is what I can do.

“I never imagined or set myself to think — even as a kid — that I was going to be playing video games for a living,” Wilson said. “Even now, I don’t know if this is the thing I am going to be doing for 20 to 30 years from now, but there’s plenty of possibilities, now that I’m at the point that I’m at, to kind of work with it. … It’s a very good opportunity, and I had to take advantage of it.”

“But, at least with getting more serious, more money more eyes, I kind of needed a name that wasn’t really associated with copyright (issues) so ‘Lucid’ was a word and a name that sounded clean, to the point, simple that I just kind of rebranded to before the release of the current game that we were playing last year. … The actual definition of the word I’d say is respectably fitting for how I am as a person, but I didn’t really even consider it at the time. It just sounded good.”

CONSOLE PREFERENCE

Despite previously playing with an Xbox console, Wilson now prefers to play on his PC as the power and the technology of PCs are much stronger than that of the consoles.

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Courtesy photo

Tom Wilson has been playing with his team since February 2022. He and Joey Taylor are the newest members.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

n Commissioners adopted a resolution that imposes a revised residential solid waste collection and recycling service charge of $17.45 per customer per month. This marks a 50cent increase in the residential rate. This amount covers the $17 cost from the service provider and includes an additional 45 cents to cover the town’s administrative overhead costs. The search for a new provider will begin by July 1, 2024; the contract ends January 2025.

“I know people get frustrated sometimes with the speed, or you don’t get it collected the day you’re supposed to,” Mayor Kathy Stark said. “The (solid waste) committee looked at our options a few years ago, and it was not economic to move off the contract at this time. Our fees would have gone way, way up with anyone we would be using. So, the committee made a recommendation that we stay with the current contract we have until it expires. … While we’re going up, I just want people to understand we’re trying to maintain … and keep the service acceptable, but it’s not perfect and we try to work with that as much as we can.”

n The commission approved the consent agenda, which included an easement acceptance for Duke Energy to construct electric facilities on town-owned property along Catherine Ross Road. Typically, Duke Energy utilizes existing rights-of-way, but they do not yet exist so the facilities will be constructed over the townowned properties that eventually will become the Catherine Ross right-of-way, Public Works director Mike Parker explained. The easement will be 10 feet wide and about 350 feet long.

n Koontz announced about 2,500 people attended the Jan. 28 Oakland Heritage Day.

Steve Koontz resigning from town of Oakland

The town manager’s last day will be April 1. He was hired in 2017.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Steve Koontz, the town manager for Oakland, has submitted his resignation letter, and his last day will be April 1. He cited personal priorities as his reason for leaving.

In a letter to the Town Commission dated Jan. 31, he wrote: “It has been an honor to serve the Town of Oakland since November 2017 as both the town manager and assistant town manager. During this time, we have successfully managed tremendous growth while reducing the millage rate, implementing a wastewater system with over 600 residential customers, and improving the Oakland Avenue intersection with a roundabout at Old Highway 50.

“Together we have completed the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center that serves as an anchor to highlight the uniqueness of the town, rebranded a new logo that will promote the town’s identity, and hosted top-notch events that have increasingly engaged the town’s residents year after year,” Koontz wrote.

“I’d be remiss without mentioning the enhancements to the charter school, police department and nature preserve, which all serve as cornerstones to the town’s character,” he wrote. “I am proud of the leadership team and staff in all their contributions and hard work with our achievements.

“I am grateful for the privilege of being a part of the Town of Oakland’s rich history and having the support of a caring and dedicated commission in their service to the residents of the town. I wish the commission and this community the best of success going forward.”

His letter was included in the consent agenda at the Feb. 14 Town Commission meeting, along with a recommendation to approve expenses of up to $35,000 for executive recruitment for the position. The town is hiring a firm that specializes in recruiting executives for roles in a governmental environment. Koontz will work with the assistant town manager and department directors to ensure a smooth transition.

JOHNS LAKE OUTFALL

CANAL UPDATE

Koontz gave an update on the Johns Lake outfall canal and its many issues, including the increasing amount of silt settling in Lake Apopka where it backs up to several residences. He said Orange County and the St. Johns River Water Management District are the heavy hitters.

Since the Jan. 24 commission meeting, Koontz has held meetings with county officials, including Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson, and affected residents.

“We’ve talked about the amount of erosion that’s happening in the canal going back to 2017 and Hurricane Irma,” Koontz said. “The last two years have been very wet years. Two major storms coming through, Irma and Ian, and then 2020 was a very wet year, so the amount of water that’s been going into Johns Lake and

going into that canal have been at very high levels.

“There are issues along Winters Landing adjacent to the canal,” Koontz added. “They’ve got two different stormwater ponds — that have nothing to do with Oakland Park — that the sides are eroding. …There’s a lot going on with the canal and a lot of erosion going on.”

Koontz also met with Joe Dunn, board member and former president of Friends of Lake Apopka.

“They were very receptive and … I think it was a very good discussion,” Koontz said. “They’re looking at other Florida management issues.

… After Hurricane Ian, they’re doing a lot of studies on closed basins, and this is a closed basin.”

The Oakland Town Commission tasked Koontz with obtaining quotes for having the canal straightened. This would cost about $115,000.

“The good news is we’re gaining traction now,” Commissioner Mike Satterfield said. “People are listening to us now. But it took a major problem for someone to listen to us.”

“I’ve been working on this issue for 10 years,” said John Schmidt, past president of the Johns Lake Homeowners Association. “I think rerouting will help and go a long way, but it’s not going to solve it.”

“We got about 6 to 8 inches from Hurricane Ian within Oakland and within a majority of this basin,” Koontz said. “There were areas that got 18 inches of rain in East Orange County. If we got those 18 inches within the 16,000 acres, Johns Lake would probably be over 99 feet and we wouldn’t be talking about water over the docks, we would be talking about houses where people couldn’t live there anymore … as well as drain fields and septic systems.

“The sense of urgency is there,” he said. “We need to reroute; that will minimize further damage to the west. And then the entirety of the canal needs to be looked at … from stabilization to maintenance, all the way down, so it will operate as best as can be expected.”

Koontz said SJRWMD is discussing two permits — one to straighten the canal and another for silt removal. He added that the district also will require Oakland Park to get involved as well.

The canal discussion will continue at the Feb. 28 meeting.

“I

grateful for the privilege of being a part of the Town of Oakland’s rich history and having the support of a caring

dedicated commission in their service to the residents of the town. …” — Steve Koontz

Lakeside hosts first services in new home

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Pastor Jason Hitte and his staff dedicated a new Lakeside Church campus Sunday, Feb. 19, and more than 2,300 people entered the doors to experience God’s love and grace at the grand opening.

The church, which worshipped previously in a small warehouse space on the west side of Oakland, moved last weekend into a 48,000-square-foot campus with a 1,000-seat sanctuary and space for a future daycare and school.

It was quite a celebration after nearly two years of construction.

“It was incredible,” Jason Hitte said. “We were optimistic and hopeful and anticipating a good response. The church was excited. It was just a good celebration. We’re thankful to God for our building.”

“It just exceeded everything we had prayed and hoped for,” said his wife, Caroline Hitte, who also serves on the staff.

“We’re still processing what God did yesterday,” Jason Hitte said. “This building is equipped with state-ofthe-art everything — the sound, the production, video. … But the church is more than audiovisual equipment. The title of my message as we dedicated the service was, ‘It’s Not the Building, it’s the Body.’ Obviously, the focus (Sunday) was on the building, but I wanted to make sure people knew we weren’t celebrating the building but the body of Christ.”

Caroline Hitte said the leadership team always is looking for ways to make the worship time exciting.

“We refer to them as worship experiences, because we believe God is a God who can be experienced,” Jason Hitte said. “That’s important to us that when people come to our church to worship God that they experience the love of God, the presence of God, the power of God.”

The Hittes have a desire to give back to the community, and they said their congregation is full of people who are passionate and driven to support this idea.

“We strongly believe the church

exists for the community, so we want to be the church that makes the community better,” Jason Hitte said. This is fulfilled in Lakeside’s worship services and through its outreach program, which includes feeding the community’s hungry. The church also still operates a Freedom Center at its old location, staffing an outreach director and providing benevolent services to those in need.

“One of the things our church has always been committed to is generosity,” Jason Hitte said. “We’ve always been a giving church. We’re focused on generosity, and a portion of our budget goes to local missions, a portion goes to national missions, and a portion goes to global missions.”

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the church continued to operate with “extreme generosity,” the Hittes said.

“In 2020, it might have been easy to explain holding back, but we trusted God and poured out into the community,” Jason Hitte said. “That’s been the history of our church, and God’s been able to bless that.”

The church broke ground in 2020, and construction a year later.

“In 2020, during COVID, when people were not gathering and meeting, we launched a new campus and started construction on a new campus at this site,” Jason Hitte said. “That’s a testament to God — that in a year like 2020, it was so crazy, it was the start of new beginnings. … We’re thankful; God is good.”

The site also serves as a satellite campus for Southeastern University, from which Jason Hitte graduated in 2009.

The church has launched Lakeside Leadership Academy, a 13-week course offered three times per year.

Jason Hitte said it was born out of a desire to reach the next generation and a dream to equipment young leaders.

“We started pouring into young people in our church, the youth who had a calling to ministry, and they’re still with us at 24, 25 years old,” he said. “They’re young people that we just recognized the call of God on their life, and we cultivated that … and now they’re leading.”

Lakeside has 24 full-time staff members and 10 part-time staff.

Lakeside Church was founded by Jason and Caroline Hitte in 2007. It began with a handful of families in their living room, moved to increasingly larger spaces and has grown to include two campuses and a large online presence today.

The church previously met in the industrial section of west Oakland for about 12 years in a sanctuary for just 400 people.

“We were running three services,

we were using seven different parking lots, and before we left they were lining up on Oakland Avenue. It was time (to have a larger space),” Jason Hitte said.

Lakeside exists to make disciples, and the church’s focus is to share the love of Jesus, present the hope and freedom of God’s word, and guide people to grow in faith as disciples of Jesus. The independent Christian church is not part of any denomination but is a church partner with Association of Related Churches.

“What I love about our church is if you grew up Baptist, you can belong here,” Jason Hitte said. “If you grew up Presbyterian, you can belong here. If you grew up Pentecostal, you can belong here.”

The church also celebrates being multigenerational and multicultural.

“We feel like the church should be an accurate reflection of what heaven is going to look like,” Jason Hitte said.

“All the glory goes to God,” Jason Hitte said. “We firmly believe that if it’s good, it’s God.”

LAKESIDE CHURCH

Pastor Jason Hitte and his wife, Caroline, welcomed more than 2,300 guests to Sunday’s grand opening worship experience. Amy Quesinberry Courtesy

16001 W. Colonial Drive, Oakland PHONE: (407) 614-3760

WEBSITE: thelakeside.church

WORSHIP EXPERIENCES: 9 and 11:15 a.m. Sundays on campus, online at tv45.org or on YouTube at The Lakeside Church.

Windermere to install shadecover at Palmer Park playground

The Town Council approved a $26,530 purchase of a playground shade structure from Shade of America.

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

The Windermere Town Council approved the purchase of a playground shade structure for Palmer Park at its Tuesday, Feb. 14, meeting.

The shade structure, from Shade of America, is $26,530 and will be purchased using funds available in the parks committee line item.

In a letter to the mayor and town council, the Parks and Recreation Committee said it worked with town staff to obtain three quotes for the project: Swartz Associates Inc., declined to quote; Shade America Inc., $26,530; and 360 Recreation LLC, $44,291.68.

“The Parks and Recreation Committee has been dedicated to improving the parks system within the town and has worked tirelessly to bring more recreation opportunities and activities to the residents of the town,” the letter read. “As part of this important work the committee identified a need to install a shade structure at the playground at Palmer Park.”

The shade will be constructed using Commercial 95 340, the flagship of GALE Pacific’s Architectural Shade Fabrics range. Designed for use on tension structures and suitable for a wide variety of applications, the fabric offers the ultimate combination of maximum sun protection, strength and durability to ensure maintenancefree, long-life performance.

Nora Brophy, Parks and Recreation chair, spoke in support of the shade structure at the meeting.

Brophy said the committee is focused on Palmer Park this year and already has ordered new handicapped-accessible swings and a new teeter-totter.

IN OTHER NEWS

n Brophy reminded attendees about the Windermere Pet Fest, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.

n The Town Council approved unanimously several meeting minutes: Dec. 6 Public Workshop, Jan. 10 Town Council, Jan. 23 Public Workshop and Jan. 24 Town Council Workshop.

n Council members approved unanimously a variance to allow a boat dock at 510 Jennifer Lane with a negative setback from the projected adjacent property lines. The variance allows the construction of a boat dock that extends across the town’s 15-foot undeveloped, platted right-of-way and encroaches across the extended property line at 713 E. Sixth Ave. by 35 feet, for a total of a negative 50foot setback.

n The Windermere council approved unanimously a variance to allow a gross floor area in excess of 38% for the installation of a roof over existing second story balconies at 914 W. Second Ave. The increase will jump from 37% to 40%.

“We lost a couple of oak trees in that park, and now the little kids are in danger of burning their little behinds on the swing,” she said. “The shade will cover most of the swings and the play structures.”

Brophy also mentioned a couple of pieces of playground equipment such as the tire swing were removed from the park recently due to safety concerns.

The council approved unanimously the shade structure.

Family Church rolls out red carpet for Night to Shine

Family Church in the town of Windermere hosted the annual Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, Friday, Feb. 10. Night to Shine is a prom night experience for people ages 14 and older with special needs. The event is hosted by churches all around the world and typically includes a red carpet entrance, limousine rides, dancing, karaoke, gifts, a catered dinner, a Respite Room for parents and caregivers, and a crowning ceremony, during which every honored guest receives a crown or tiara.

— ANNABELLE SIKES

Alec Nachtsheim exited the limo with the help of a Windermere officer. Ashley Green showed off her new waves in the salon.

Above: London Davidson, Rocky Maiorca, Renee Ennis and Kereece Dare.

Left: Janet Laub and Zach Carter were all smiles on the dance floor. Graham Sumner shares a dance with his buddy.

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church

Pastor Tim Grosshans

125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352

Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study

11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana

EPISCOPAL Church of the Messiah

241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM,

4 PM (French & Creole), 7 PM www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com

METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org

Estates at Lake Clarice home sells for $1,805,000

Ahome in the Estates at Lake Clarice community topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from Feb. 12 to 18.

The home at 13225 Lake Clarice Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 16, for $1,805,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths and 4,566 square feet of living area. Days on market: 147.

The home at 15160 Canoe Place, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 17, for $1,020,000. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 4,089 square feet of living area. Days on market: 155.

LATHAM PARK SOUTH

The home at 9307 Bradleigh Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 15, for $625,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,214 square feet of living area. Days on market: 22.

WINCEY GROVES

The home at 5733 Orange Orchard Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 15, for $653,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,270 square feet of living area. Days on market: 155.

OCOEE

BROOKESTONE

CHURCH DIRECTORY

STARKE LAKE BAPTIST CHURCH

PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee

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

CHURCH OF GOD

OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD

Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH 241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com

METHODIST

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM Phone – 407-656-1135 Web: fumcwg.org

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Windermere, FL 34786 407-876-2112 Worship times:

9:00am Adult Sunday School

10:00am Worship www.windermereunion.org

These are the highest-selling homes in each community in West Orange.

HORIZON WEST HAMLIN RESERVE

The home at 15439 Shonan Gold Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 16, for $585,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,302 square feet. Days on market: Two.

HAWKSMOOR

The home at 16261 Taliesin St., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 15, for $625,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,372 square feet of living area. Days on market: 12.

LAKESHORE PRESERVE

The home at 15489 Panther Lake Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 15, for $1,240,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,156 square feet of living area. Days on market: 69.

The home at 1947 Tumblewater Blvd., Ocoee, sold Feb. 16, for $620,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,753 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.

The home at 768 Patriots Point Drive sold Feb. 15, for $555,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,202 square feet. Days on market: 38.

CROWN POINT WOODS

The home at 1799 Crown Point Woods Circle, Ocoee, sold Feb. 13, for $535,000. Built in 1988, it has four bedrooms, fourand-one-half baths and 2,648 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

PELICAN ISLE

The home at 2447 Copperhill Loop, Ocoee, sold Feb. 13, for $479,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,017 square feet of living area. Days on market: 60.

VILLAGES OF WESMERE

The townhouse at 363 White Dogwood Lane, Ocoee, sold Feb. 17, for $395,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,586 square feet of living area. Days on market: One.

WESTYN BAY

The home at 2400 Azzurra Lane, Ocoee, sold Feb. 17, for $465,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,380 square feet of living area. Days on market: 154.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE ROYAL CYPRESS PRESERVE

The home at 10836 Royal Cypress Way, Orlando, sold Feb. 17, for $970,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,779 square feet of living area. Days on market: 149.

ROYAL RANCH ESTATES

The home at 8500 Winter GardenVineland Road, Orlando, sold Feb. 17, for $1,160,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,500 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.

WEST ORANGE CYPRESS SHORES

The home at 10209 Trout Road, Orlando, sold Feb. 17, for $1,800,000. Built in 1953, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,981 square feet of living area. Days on market: 158.

ESTATES AT LAKE CLARICE

The home at 13225 Lake Clarice Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 16, for $1,805,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths and 4,566 square feet of living area. Days on market: 147.

PROVIDENCE

The home at 6224 Andreozzi Lane, Windermere, sold Feb. 16, for $640,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,548 square feet of living area. Days on market: 134.

WINDERMERE LAKE CRESCENT RESERVE

The home at 2909 Sunbittern Court, Windermere, sold Feb. 14, for $1 million. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 3,378 square feet of living area on 1.09 acres. Days on market: Nine.

WINTER GARDEN

BLACK LAKE PARK

The home at 702 Reflections Lane, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 14, for $660,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,676 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

BRANDY CREEK

The home at 1007 BJ Brandy Cove, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 16, for $570,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 1,972 square feet of living area. Days on market: 27.

BRONSON’S LANDING

The home at 2021 Rickover Place, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 13, for $705,000. Built in 2009, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 4,134 square feet of living area. Days on market: 128.

CORSINO PLACE

The home at 1328 Corsino St., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 17, for $420,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,631 square feet of living area. Days on market: 145.

COVINGTON CHASE

The home at 330 Silverdale Ave., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 17, for $629,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,823 square feet of living area. Days on market: 117.

LAKE APOPKA SOUND

The home at 14423 Topaghan Way, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 15, for $549,990.

Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,381 square feet of living area. Days on market: 47.

OAKLAND PARK

The home at 1249 Civitas Way, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 17, for $849,096. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,442 square feet of living area. Days on market: 24.

RESERVE AT CARRIAGE POINTE

The home at 2015 Sandy Garden Lane, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 13, for $777,500. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, fourand-one-half baths and 3,871 square feet of living area. Days on market: 63.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 13914 Eylewood Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 13, for $680,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,456 square feet of living area. Days on market: 18.

VERDE PARK

The home at 13004 Killarney Hills St., Winter Garden, Lake County, sold Feb. 13, for $940,000. Built in 2016, it has eight bedrooms, four baths and 5,101 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

City of Ocoee Municipal Election

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

(If necessary Run-off Election April 11, 2023)

CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR

Chris Adkins

Rusty Johnson

George Oliver III

CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER DISTRICT #1

Hope Bellamy

Scott Kennedy

CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER DISTRICT #3

Richard Firstner

Shante Munns

View sample ballots at www.ocfelections.com or www.ocoee.org

Polls are open 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and are accessible for people with disabilities. You will be asked to show both Photo and Signature Identification.

Need assistance reading or marking your ballot? Bring a family member, friend or ask a poll worker. You are entitled to assistance at the polls, except from your employer or union representative.

For a Vote-by-Mail Ballot, call 407-836-VOTE (8683)

Early Voting: March 6 - 10 only at the Supervisor of Elections Office 119 West Kaley Street, Orlando, FL 32806 Monday - Friday, 8am – 5pm

DUE TO THE 2022 REDISTRICTING, YOUR POLLING LOCATION MAY HAVE CHANGED

Contact the Orange County Supervisor of Elections at www.ocfelections.com/findmy-polling-place or by calling (407) 836-2070 to find your polling location.

Polling Location for District 1 & District 4

JIM BEECH RECREATION CENTER - 1820 A D MIMS RD, OCOEE

Polling Location for District 2

OCOEE LAKESHORE CENTER – 125 N. LAKESHORE DR, OCOEE

Polling Location for District 3 FIRE STATION 39 - 2515 MAGUIRE ROAD, OCOEE

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The 7-Day Yield is the average income paid out over

Foundation Academy cheer co-captain Jada Wilson has been a member of the team for the last seven years. Page 2B.

1Windermere Prep boys

varsity head basketball coach Brian Hoff was named Class 3A, District 11 Coach of the Year by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association. Freshman shooting guard Brandon Bass Jr. also was recognized as Class 3A, District 11 Player of the Year. Bass led the team with an average of 17.4 points per game, a 69 free-throw rate and 469 points this season. On the girls weightlifting side, senior Alexis Beaulieu became the Class 1A state runner-up in the 139-pound division in traditional lift at the 2023 FHSAA Girls Weightlifting State Championship meet Saturday, Feb. 18.

2

Ocoee High School girls soccer player Shaniya

O’Neal was named by Baptiste Orthodontics as the girls Athlete of the Month for being a key factor in maintaining the girls’ eight-game winning streak this season. On the boys side, wrestler Deandre Scott was named boys Athlete of the Month for having an amazing season and becoming district champion.

Windermere High School wrestlers Lucas Drone and Egehan Yilhan became the 2023 FHSAA Class 3A, District 4 champions during the district meet Saturday, Feb. 18. Nick Bittner and Hayden Bate placed third, and Carter Pullen finished fourth during the meet.

3

SEE&BE SEEN

The West Orange High School girls varsity lacrosse team defeated the Bolles Bulldogs 10-7 Saturday, Feb. 18, and currently own a 2-1 overall season record. The Lady Warriors now are preparing to host The First Academy at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, for a non-district game.

4

Travel baseball is nothing short of a phenomenon.

timing of it happens during the summer, when college coaches can actually get out and see players.”

And, more recently, the sport has grown to include even younger players.

5

The Lake Buena Vista boys varsity lacrosse team has currently an undefeated overall season record of 4-0. The Vipers defeated the Ocoee Knights 8-5 Wednesday, Feb. 15, during a non-district game.

Two games away: DP girls seek second state championship

In the 1990s, travel baseball was a niche sport concentrated in baseball-rich areas such as California and Texas. Today, young baseball players see their involvement in the sport as a means to hone fundamentals and skills, as well as potentially capturing the attention of college recruiters. “I have seen the travel industry through every lens that you can see it,” Foundation Academy head baseball coach Jay Welsh said. “I’ve been a travel-ball parent, I’ve been a high school coach, a travel coach and a college coach. (Travel baseball) has become very important because the

“There’s travel ball teams that are 8U,” The First Academy head baseball coach Scott Grove said. “But, at the younger age group, that’s kids that may be a little bit more serious about baseball than actual recreation leagues and little leagues, so it attracts a more of the younger players who want a little bit more competition. But, really as far as recruitment and all that, once you get into ninth grade, that’s when you start going to tournaments where colleges will be there. That’s really what travel base-

SEE HITTING PAGE 2B

ANDREA

MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Only two games stand between the Dr. Phillips High School girls varsity basketball team and their buzz word for the season: “repeat.”

“We just set the bar really high this year because of a selfish goal: We wanted to repeat (the) state champions (title) and also qualify for nation-

At 28-1, the Lady Panthers have put together quite the campaign in their quest to repeat as best in the state. SEE

als if the opportunity presented itself,” head basketball coach Anthony Jones said. “So, the girls have been working extremely hard with everything that we are doing this season, and also with the hard work in practice, (they) have been doing a great job at stepping up to all the challenges and obstacles. I tell them all the time, ‘It’s not going to be easy when you want to repeat as a champion, because there are a lot of stuff that can stop you from reaching your goal, and that stuff is called life.’”

The Lady Panthers snagged the Class 7A, District 5 regional championship for the second consecutive

Kingdom Baseball is one of the travel baseball teams in the area and offers its players one practice a week.

Travel baseball gives student-athletes a chance to develop and, perhaps most important, be seen by college recruiters.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Andrea Mujica

Kingdom Baseball 14U player Logan Melde enjoyed practice on Presidents Day.

OF THE WEEK

Jada Wilson

Foundation Academy senior cheer co-captain Jada Wilson has been a member of the team for the last seven years since she first started at Foundation. This year, Wilson was crowned a back-to-back state champion alongside the Lady Lions. The cheer squad also secured its fourth district championship, and placed second in the nation and third in the world.

Tell us about your years as a cheerleader.

When I first came to Foundation, I was in sixth grade, and I wanted to try something new.

My sister, Juliana — she was already on the cheer team — so, I made varsity because they needed a flyer … I’ve never flown before, but I flew my sixth-, seventh- and eight-grade years, and my goal from sixth grade was to win states. Winning states last year was insane, because it was the first time ever in school someone had gotten a state title; it was so amazing. My one goal that I always wanted to accomplish was accomplished. This year we were so close; we didn’t know if we were going to win. And then we won by a point, and that was amazing.

Why cheer for you?

The second I started cheering, I felt in love with the sport. I loved being in a team with people who are so close to you. … It’s like family, this year’s team.

What do you love most about cheer as a sport?

I love stunting a lot, I love hitting new stunts, hard stunts, it’s the best feeling. I back spot and base. I love back-spotting, because I have a lot of control over the stunt.

How long have you been part of the Lions’ cheer squad?

Since I was in sixth grade.

What do you believe cheer has taught you not only during routines but also outside of them? It’s definitely taught me patience. … I’ve (also) learned how to overcome a lot of things; I’ve learned a lot. I’m definitely sad that it’s over.

Do you have a favorite drill at practice? I like stunts. My favorite stunt

Hitting the road

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

ball is for: Get as much attention from college coaches as you can.”

THE BASICS

Age: 17 Sport: Cheerleading

Position: Base/back spot

Grade: Senior School: Foundation Academy

in competitions everybody is confident.

What will you miss the most about cheering with the Lady Lions? Being around everybody, because I see some of them at school, but it’s not the same. We really bond at practice.

What’s your favorite hobby?

Surfing, (I’ve been surfing) for as long as I can remember.

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

I would take a guitar, I would take my best friend — Annelie — and I would take my surf board.

Who is your favorite superhero? Why?

Scarlet Witch. I like her story, how she got brought up and her powers and everything. As a woman, she really is powerful.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? Maybe reading people’s minds — to know what presents to give to people.

What are three places you’d like to visit? Why?

Hawaii, because I want to surf there. Costa Rica, because I want to surf there, and Norway, because my brother went, and he thought it was really cool.

Which one would you choose: Instagram, BeReal or TikTok?

Despite high school baseball being a key element in terms of player development and characterbuilding, travel baseball offers the opportunity to play a high number of games in a short period of time. Furthermore, because of social media, college recruiters can plan their itinerary accordingly.

“It is the easiest way for these colleges to get out and see a whole lot of at-bats and innings from pitchers in a short timeframe,” Windermere High head baseball coach Eric Lassiter said. “In travel baseball … you can play eight games in five days or so, and (recruiters are) able to watch several players take several at-bats over a couple of days. Then, the youth side of travel baseball has grown into a bigger animal because of social media.”

There are several differences between high school baseball and travel baseball. The biggest difference is that to play the latter, players have to pay a number of fees — such as a dry-out fee, a uniform fee and an organization fee — on top of all the travel expenses required in a single season.

Another difference is that high school games are played like actual baseball. However, travel ball games are set to a specific period of time — usually an hour and 45 minutes to two hours.

“The players are playing two games a day, and that’s kind of hard in baseball, when if you play your first game at 8 o’clock in the morning and then you have a gap and you play your next game at 1 p.m.,” Welsh said. “It takes up the entire day. And because of all of the games that they feel like they need to get in because of the price that they charge for being a part of the organization, it just changes the whole

complexity of the way the game is played.”

Travel baseball tournaments may last several days, whereas high school games take place more throughout the week.

In addition, many players in travel ball won’t play an entire game.

“Some organizations have so many pitchers that have to get in that they don’t allow pitching changes to dictate the game,” Welsh said. “You can have three pitchers (who) are scheduled for one game, and the first pitcher can go out there and be flawless through three innings and only have 35 pitches, and they have to take him out, because the next kid has to get in. Whereas, when you play in high school, and you have a kid out there that’s dealing and has been effective for three innings — let up no hits, no runs and has 35 pitches — there is no way as a coach you are going to take him out.”

Because of equal play opportunity however, players are able to obtain higher college coach visibility.

“In high school baseball, the players are not necessarily my customer,” Lassiter said. “It is my job to develop (them), to get them better and put together the best team out there to win games. In travel baseball, the win is a byproduct of the quality of players you have, but your goal is to make sure that each player has an opportunity to be recruited at a school they can play at.”

POTENTIAL BURNOUT

Travel baseball may offer higher confidence to players after they have reached a higher level of experience and also can prepare younger players mentally for when they are set to start being noticed by scouts. However, it can also has factors that can potentially wear players down.

“The No. 1 ‘con’ is the burnout factor (and) the fact that kids at a young age are playing spring travel, then they play their high school

BEFORE JOINING A TEAM

n Pick an organization in which your child will play. It’s important that players get into an organization where they are going to get playing time.

n Look for good coaches who also can be a good, positive mentor for your child.

n Analyze the network coaches may have within an organization regarding colleges around the country. What is the size of the organization and how many committed players have they had in the past?

n Look into what type of player development the travel baseball organization can provide for your player. Is there individualized training? Can the organization give all players the same experience? What are these organizations doing to help your player develop?

n Weigh in the talent your children has and try them out for a team that is truly going to benefit them.

n Research prices. Is that team something you can afford? How many tournaments does it play? How much is it going to cost you?

season and then play summer travel and then they play in the fall, they never get any rest,” Welsh said. “So, they are not getting time off for their arms to get better. It used to be that you would take off from Thanksgiving to the beginning of baseball season in February and let that arm rest, and kids aren’t doing that anymore. They are just playing more and more baseball. From a physical standpoint, it’s wearing them down, and from a mental standpoint, they get burned out.”

close they can smell it

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

year after defeating Oak Ridge for the third time this season 83-50 Friday, Feb. 17.

“(Winning that game was) like, when you accomplish something big, it makes you want to get something bigger,” senior and guard Jordan Ward said.

SHARING IS CARING

Fundamentals, passing the ball and communication are key elements that have helped the team earn its 2022-23 achievements, including the regional championship and, before, a district championship.

“The more we pass the ball, the more we share the ball and talk (to each other), the more points we score,” Jones said. “The less points we score is when we don’t pass the ball. We are playing out of character and that’s not our style. The more we share the ball, the more we have fun and high five each other and the more we think we are playing fumble, we tend to score more offensively.”

Adaptability and a diverse — but consistent — coaching staff also have bolstered the Panthers’ success.

“I never gave up my old-school ways (of training); I changed and adapted,” Jones — who has been coaching at Dr. Phillips since 2001 — said. “You can’t be successful if you don’t change, That’s part of life.”

The coaching staff at Dr. Phillips comprises Jones and four assistant coaches: Abner Ham, Sam Brown, Tierra Brown and Tyrone Scott.

“We are all so different as coaches, but it works well in the program,” Jones said. “When you have a chal-

lenging coaching style, it makes the team stronger. As long as we are humble, as long as we keep it professional, as long as we can work together and this is what we teach the kids, we don’t always have to think the same or have the same opinions or way of doing things. … We are able to bounce off of each other. … We teach them a lot in practice, so the more different perspective that we teach the girls, the girls have more open minds and different ways of thinking the game out. So it’s been working for us, I’m very happy and blessed to have a great coaching staff and also be able to coach these young ladies.”

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Despite a 28-1 overall season record, the Lady Panthers are taught to stay composed, mentally sound and — above all — respectful.

“It doesn’t matter who the opponent is, my approach is ‘We respect our opponent,’” Jones said. “Every opponent is better than us, and we are going to kill the mosquito with an ax; that’s my motto. We are afraid of everybody, we respect our opponent, because that’s someone who can take something from us.”

For junior and point guard Trinity Turner, respect may come first, but speed is a close second.

“We just try to go out and go fast, because people can’t keep up with us when we are fast,” she said. “We are just trying to get better for states and win (the state championship title) again.”

This mentality solidified from before the start of the season, but as the 2022-23 girls basketball season approaches its imminent end, the Dr. Phillips ladies are working on staying mentally strong despite

having to face another strong opponent in No. 4 Miami in the state semifinals.

“We are defending state champions; everybody is coming to our gym or have already circled our name,” Jones said. “They know exactly who they are going to play, so we have to be prepared and ready for that type of atmosphere. We have to be prepared for those challenges. When we step on the court we already know — and assume — that this team is going to bring its ‘A game.’ They don’t have to tell us to be ready, because we know everybody is going to be ready for us, so we are going to be ready.”

For freshman, point guard and shooting guard Kendal Perry, this season has met all — if not more — of the expectations she had when she made the varsity team at the school.

“When I first came here, that was my main goal (win states), and we are making it happen so I’m really happy with it,” she said.

Ward believes the team’s success this year on the road to making it to states also can be attributed to how the girls bond on and off the court.

“Our success has a lot to do with our teammates and our chemistry,” she said. “We are actually really close; we bond well like sisters. So, when we get on the court, we don’t argue back and forth.”

Come 12:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, the Lady Panthers will face Miami in the state semifinals to continue their pursuit of a back-to-back state championship title — and ring.

“It’s never easy, but everything has panned off as (long) as we have worked hard at practice,” Jones said. “We can smell that we are almost done, we are almost there, so it’s up to us to grab that and just take it.”

SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORING AND SHANNON TILL/STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

So

No. 1-ranked Olympia continues state championship pursuit

The Titans are 26-2 this season and poised to make school history.

The Olympia High School boys varsity team continues its pursuit of a state championship title after it defeated Lake Nona High School 68-41 Thursday, Feb. 16, during the Class 7A, District 5 Region 2 quarterfinal.

“What really went well for us was our system is good and eventually we just wore the other team down and started being a little more patient against the zone tonight,” head basketball coach Rob Gordon said. “Early on, I thought we were impatient and we didn’t let our system work

for us. So, I think as the game moved on we were much better within our system.”

The Titans now reached their point of exit from last season — the regional semifinals — after losing to Dr. Phillips 81-49. However, the boys were scheduled to host the No. 4 Windermere Wolverines (20-7) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, during the regional semifinals, after press time.

Offensively, the boys are led by point guard Jizzle James, who is averaging 23 points per game, an 87 free-throw percentage, a total of 643 points and 62 steals this season. Defensively, center Charles Outlaw takes the lead with 6.3 rebounds per game and 28 blocks this season.

“Expectations are for us to really perform better as we move further on in the playoffs, Gordon said. “We are going to have to perform better, (be) more connected and have a better urgency in some areas for us to move forward in the playoffs. … Everything has to be better, because everybody is good enough to beat us, so we have to improve on everything, every facet — from what’s in the game to what’s in the locker room — everything has to be better and on more consistent points.”

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Photos by Andrea Mujica

Russell Hunt is the athletic director at Legacy High School. He has served in the position for the last two years but has worked since 2012 at the school in a number of roles, including teacher assistant, front desk attendant, basketball coach and physical education teacher. Day to day, he is in charge of scheduling officials for home games, creating and managing practice schedules, running all social media accounts related to athletics, creating and ordering gear/jerseys for athletic teams, marketing and organizing the school’s athletic sponsorship program, and cleaning and maintaining the athletic facilities on site. In addition to this, he teaches two weightlifting classes and helps in the PE department with seventh-graders.

What brought you to your school?

I came to Legacy in 2006 as a freshman and graduated in 2010 from here.

What do you love most about your school?

Personally, I have enjoyed the relationships that I have built with current and past coaches over the years.

What is your motivation?

My motivation when I wake up in the morning is knowing that I have a supportive family I get to see at the end of each day and that I am a part of something bigger than myself. I am also motivated by the fact that I get to impact the younger generation of student-athletes on a daily basis.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

To know that I get to have a longterm impact on the lives of athletes around me is the reason I love my job. My philosophy is life is a lot more than just sports and having high character matters more than how skilled you are. Taking the high road — even when you don’t want to — and facing adversity with a positive and professional attitude are two key components I try to impress upon the athletes here.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to spend time with my wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Hazel. I

REPORT CARD

POSITION: Athletic director TIME AT SCHOOL: Since 2012

also like to lift weights, eat food, play video games and watch the Philadelphia Eagles. Go, Birds!

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

My 11th-grade anatomy teacher, Mrs. Quain. She has always been very sweet, caring and kind. She was always someone who would put in the extra time with her students and is the definition of what it means to be a hard-working teacher. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why? I always wanted to be an athletic trainer throughout middle school and high school. I thought it would be fun to be on the sidelines with athletes as well as get a chance to have more of a hands-on career rather than a desk job.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

Growing up I liked the book “Holes.” The movie is a classic, and the book was just as good — if not better!

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

Teleportation. Have you seen the price of gas?

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

I have a unique interest in music, but in general, most of the songs I listen to are between 20002010. If I had to pick three artists, I would go with Lecrae, Future and Linkin Park.

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

Anything my mom cooked the night before was always a go-to meal for me for lunch the next day, and Dunkaroos for a snack.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas, hands-down. I love getting to celebrate the birth of my savior, Jesus Christ, and spend time with extended family and friends.

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

My best friend in high school was Dejuan Wright, and we still hang out from time to time and make sure to stay connected. I am very thankful for him!

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

I grew up playing tennis until I was 14 and then played recreational and AAU basketball all throughout high school.

ANNABELLE SIKES

Horizon High chorus raising funds for department

Quite impressive for a brand-new school and program.”

PARTNERSHIP PERFORMANCE

RAI$E YOUR VOICE

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24

WHERE: Horizon High auditorium, 10393 Seidel Road, Winter Garden TICKETS: bit.ly/3Sftr0P

only does it attract more people to raise more money for our amazing department, but it also gives us an amazing experience performing with great and talented people,” Taylor Johanneman, ninth-grade chorus member, said.

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

The Horizon High School chorus is partnering with local artists to raise money for the department through its Rai$e Your Voice concert.

Rai$e Your Voice serves a two-part mission. The performance acts as an outreach to the local community and feeder programs. The chorus has even invited the fifth- and eighthgrade choir students from feeder schools to attend as special guests.

In addition, the concert serves as a fundraiser to generate much-needed funding for the program.

Chorus Director Linda Boot is known for her help and expertise in opening not only Horizon High, but also Water Spring Middle School and Windermere High School. Boot first put the Rai$e Your Voice con-

cert together in 2019 at Windermere High.

“I love teaching high school choir, and as a veteran teacher, that feeling never wanes,” Boot said. “The Horizon chorus is an exceptional group of students who bonded quickly as an ensemble and who work every day to establish an outstanding program. When we opened last year, we were still wearing masks and dealing with many pandemic issues — especially the supply chain as we had to wait for our equipment and classroom supplies. When we started school, the room was empty — no piano, chairs, risers, equipment. However, we had sheet music and students who wanted to work together — and that they did. They received the invitation to perform in Carnegie Hall based on our straight Superior ratings at every district event last year.

Audience members will hear a variety of styles of music with something for everyone at the Rai$e Your Voice performance.

Students will partner with wellknown local performers to entice the audience with their talents.

This year’s lineup will feature Billy Flanigan, known as “The Happiest Man on Earth” and the longest contracted Walt Disney World performer, as well as Sheila Ward Smith, who performed with Disney for more than 25 years, as emcees.

The evening also will include Veryl Jones, who will perform a comedy act with audience participation; a world-famous barbershop quartet; and Blake Guyre, a former student, who plays the strolling piano and has his own band.

“It is amazing having local artists come perform, because not

The chorus will use the funds raised to support the department as well as aid the students in their trip to Carnegie Hall in March.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The school has two choirs: an Advanced Treble Choir, which comprises 20 ninth- and 10th-graders, and a Concert Choir, which has 46 members from ninth through 12th grades. The school also just formed its first a cappella group called “Hawkapella.”

The Horizon chorus performs all styles of music. One of the program’s favorite showcases to date was performing in the 2022 Candlelight Processional at Epcot.

“My favorite part about being in the Horizon chorus is the opportunity I’ve been given to do what I love with people who would say the same,” sophomore Mimi Schulte said. “Chorus is my team sport.”

The Rai$e Your Voice concert brings students and local artists together to raise funds for the school’s chorus program.

By Luis Campos

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. “LT CAOBTL UYB ANAO MTLTOAH ETO UMYV MA OAPAXNAH. MTLTO MYB FAAL VMA OAUYOH ETO UMYV MA DYNA.”

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DOCTOR’S ORDERS by Amie Walker and Jeff Chen, edited by David Steinberg

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Business

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 15-year anniversary of Women in the Arts

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 15-year anniversary of Women in the Arts. Based in Orlando, Women in the Arts, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization raising public awareness of women’s contributions to the arts at the annual “Celebrating the Genius of Women” exhibition and awards in honor of Women’s History Month at the Orlando Public Library. The organization’s Community School of the Arts program offers tuition-free art education for people of all ages. Women in the Arts, Inc. was founded in 2007.

To learn more, visit http://www.womeninthearts. org.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Grand Opening Healthy West Orange Wellness Park

The new Healthy West Orange Wellness Park celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, February 14. The new park is located directly across from the Ocoee Police Department at 1320 South Bluford Avenue. The Ocoee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the City of Ocoee partnered with the West Orange Healthcare District to turn two retention ponds into a park. In 2021, the CRA finalized the design of the Healthy West Orange Wellness Park with the goal of building a wellness destination for Ocoee residents to walk, run, bike and train. The five-acre park includes a half-mile, 10-foot-wide multipurpose trail around both ponds and four shaded wellness stations, two of which will have suspension-fitness equipment for strength training. A shaded pavilion sits in the middle of the large pond, connected to both sides of the trail by a boardwalk. The boardwalk and seating areas offer a serene setting for relaxation. The exercise equipment at the park has QR codes that will connect users to a fitness app that can track information including steps and reps. The fitness stations have 10 pieces of equipment with 60 different strength and training exercises. The park will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information, visit www.wohd1949.org or visit www.ocoee.org.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 20-year anniversary of The LifeWealth Group

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 20-year anniversary of The LifeWealth Group. Located at 270 W. Plant Street, Suite 240, in downtown Winter Garden, The LifeWealth Group is a family-owned independent financial advisory firm located in Winter Garden. They are passionate about creating customized financial strategies to help clients achieve their personal and financial goals. The LifeWealth Group offers a unique comprehensive approach by working with every aspect of “LifeWealth”. Their forward-looking IMPACT Map process helps steer their clients along the road of security, success and significance so they can make a potential impact on their families and communities. If you are ready to travel the road to retirement confidence, please call The LifeWealth Group office at 407-299-4129 to schedule a complimentary consultation. To learn more, visit http://www.lifewealthgroup. com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Humble Creative

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Humble Creative. We specialize in content creation and storytelling through digital media. Let us be your creative team to create the perfect content for your business. Videography, Video Editing, Drone and more! We’ll bring your vision to life with the perfect blend of creativity and technical expertise. To learn more, visit http://www.humble-creative. com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Dress for Success

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Dress for Success. Located at 9401 W. Colonial Dr Suite 403 in Ocoee, Dress for Success seeks to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

To learn more, visit https://greaterorlando. dressforsuccess.org/.

The West Orange Chamber recognizes and applauds our long-standing member businesses for their continued commitment to Advancing Community, Collaboration and Leadership.

Congratulations on Membership Milestones to:

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 15-year anniversary of Texas Roadhouse

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 15-year anniversary of Texas Roadhouse. Located at 1150 Blackwood Ave. in Ocoee, Texas Roadhouse was founded by Kent Taylor in 1993 on the principles of fresh, authentic food made by hand. Steaks would be hand-cut, ribs would fall off the bone, the sides made from scratch, and the bread baked fresh every 5 minutes. No shortcuts, just Legendary food, Legendary service. To learn more, visit https://www.texasroadhouse. com/locations/285-ocoeefl.