Teams ready for postseason play

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B we’ve ever been before,” head water polo coach Leonardo Ramirez said. “Two seniors, only one junior so most of the team are underclassmen, and we didn’t really know what to expect. It has been an extremely good season. … We thought it was going to be a rebuilding year; now I feel like it was mostly a loading year. I believe we are in the mix, and anything can happen.”

Junior utility Ryan Tannus is leading the stats for the team in every category with 135 goals, 65 assists, 120 steals, 276 shots and 200 points scored. Sophomore goalkeeper Mete Gunduz has accumulated 233 saves this season.

“We are very young, and the youth does come out at different times,” Ramirez said. “But, we have definitely ... exceeded expectations, I believe, and it’s good that those boys will be with us for a few more years.”

The Panthers were scheduled to travel to Boca Raton at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, after press time.

OLYMPIA

GIRLS

The Olympia High Schools girls varsity water polo team ended its regular season as the No. 3 seed in Class 1A, District 5, and advanced to the regional semifinals game after defeating Boone High School 4-3

Saturday, April 1, during the regional quarterfinals.

The Lady Titans currently hold a 13-7 season record. Senior utility Annelie McGhee leads the team with 59 goals, 15 assists and 74 points scored this season, while junior attacker Camila Soares leads with 35 steals. Senior Rosa Priest leads with 47 shots, and senior goalkeeper Addison Stump has prevented the ball from entering the net 84 times. Olympia was set to play West Orange at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, during the regional semifinals, after press time.

West Orange Boys

The West Orange High School boys varsity water polo team surprised the Lake Nona Lions after defeating them 20-8 Monday, April 3, during the regional quarterfinals. Currently ranked No. 6 in the state, the boys are excited to continue to put their abilities to the test and see all the hard work they have put in during the off season — and the spring season — pay off.

“We’ve had a lot of really highly competitive games this season — that’s helped my teams quite a bit,” head water polo coach Jennifer Dailer said.

To achieve success during the games, both — the boys and girls water polo teams at West Orange — work on their conditioning constantly.

“They have to be fit, the athletes, concentrate on leg strength and swimming strength, we hit that in conditioning,” Dailer said. “Ballhandling skills are important for their success, but ultimately, I … try to work with inclusion with my teams. I try to stay positive with them and not allow them to be negative with each other, try to build … unity.”

Leading the team on statistics are junior Daniel Raz with 102 goals, 142 shots and 136 points; senior Jack Caffrey with 44 assists; and junior Devon Hessert with 55 steals and 189 saves.

The Warriors were set to face Saint Andrew’s Scots (Boca Raton) at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, during the regional semifinals after press time.

GIRLS

The West Orange High School girls varsity water polo team advanced to the regional semifinals after defeating Suncoast 22-5 Monday, April 3, at the regional quarterfinals.

Currently ranked first in the state, the Lady Warriors also have the No. 1 seat in Class 1A, District 5, and currently hold a 23-1 overall season record.

“(I believe) in having positive rein- forcement and acceptance in my teams,” Dailer said. “We do a lot of team bonding; we try to contribute back to the community once during the season; we build benches for Matthew’s Hope … so the athletes can see the importance of that team unity to get them to the success.”

Senior Surrey Fadloullah currently leads the team in goals with 69, in shots with 111 and points scored with 98, while junior Ashlyn Thomas leads the team with 30 assists, sophomore Bailey Dunn with 63 steals and senior Mya Salvador with 140 saves. The Lady Warriors were set to play Olympia High School at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, after press time, to determine which team will advance to the regional championship game.

Yolanda Drislane Lakeview Middle School

Yolanda Drislane is the SAFE Coordinator at Lakeview Middle School. “If you know anything about my position, you know I do a little of everything, but I am usually dealing with students and their families,” she said. “I spend my days ‘behind the scenes,’ being a listening ear and a problem-solver.” Jackie Ihnenfeld, assistant principal at the school, said she would not be able to function without Drislane. “She is an amazing human being who is always going out of her way to help students who need it the most,” Ihnenfeld said. “She is creative, loving, determined and an all-around amazing spirit that works relentlessly to help students who have had, or are currently experiencing, trauma. The things she’s put in place to help our students and families would astound some folks. I can say with absolute certainty that we are a better school and our kids are better humans because she is here with us.”

What brought you to your school?

My life was turned upside down when COVID-19 hit. A good friend joked about having a job for me and all I had to do was move to Florida. A new job in a new state (across the country) seemed like the next best adventure, so my family and I took the leap!

What do you love most about your school? We have a staff like no other! We are a group of the best-kept secrets, and I appreciate, deeply, how people continue to show up to support our students and families.

What is your motivation?

I want to support young people and their families through the confusion that is preteen-hood. I want to help them communicate, connect and create long-lasting bonds. I also have a family of my own, and our bond will always inspire me to keep going.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Watching middle-schoolers learn how to get through some of the most challenging times of their lives.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

What spare time?! I am a baseball mom, but when we are not at a game, we like spending time together or with friends.

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

I went to Catholic school, so it was Sr. Rose Marie Chamberlain in third grade. She didn’t dress like the other nuns, and she was a little sassy. She also taught us how to love and appreciate ourselves and our work.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Why?

A ballerina or a social worker. I wanted to create art and help people. It’s funny, because every job I’ve ever had has included a form of both.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

I adored the book “Corduroy.” I was pretty young, and I think it was the first time I connected with a character in a book.

What are your hobbies?

I love to read, dance and create! Painting, writing or taking pictures are all my jam. I also like to go on mini adventures with friends and family.

REPORT CARD

POSITION: SAFE Coordinator

TIME AT SCHOOL: In her third school year

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

I’ve always wanted to be able to become invisible. I’m an introvert. If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why? That’s too hard. Music is my love language, and I can’t limit myself. If I had to choose, it would probably be anything that comes from 1990s hip hop and R&B.

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

Because I went to Catholic school, we didn’t have a cafeteria, so we lived for pizza Friday. As for treats, most weekends I spent at my grandparents’ house, and I remember some of my favorite treats came from a bakery down the street from their house.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

I love Christmas! It’s the one time my siblings and I (and our families) are in the same place, plus it’s my brother’s birthday. It’s a pretty special time.

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

We didn’t go to school together, but to this day, I am still friends with my very first friend. We shared a playpen when we were babies, and now we enjoy getting our families together to make memories.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors? I was a dancer. I trained in ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical for years. Any awards I can remember receiving in school usually had to do with community service or working with younger children.

Annabelle Sikes

Palm Lake families flock to carnival

Palm Lake Elementary families enjoyed an evening of fun and games Friday, March 31, at the school’s annual spring carnival. The field was filled with inflatable games and slides, and a deejay provided entertainment. Students could soak their favorite teacher in the dunk tank, participate in a cake walk, challenge their friends to inflatable races and dance to energetic music.