04.13.23 West Orange Times & Observer

Page 17

CHAMBER’S BEST FEST RETURNS

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce’s Best Fest is back after a several-year hiatus. This year’s food and business expo is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee. For tickets, visit wochamber. com/event/best-fest.

Enjoy the taste of West Orange and indulge in a variety of beer, wine and spirits along with many delicious food offerings from some of the best local restaurants, bars, caterers and breweries in West Orange County. This festive party in the park boasts more than 50 vendors for you to enjoy throughout the night.

Food and drink vendors are 4Rivers Smokehouse, Bailey Bleus, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Windermere, Chick-fil-A, Corwin’s Personal Chef and Catering Services, Crooked Can Brewing Company, Culver’s of Winter Garden, Home State Brewing Co., Maple Street Biscuit Company, Mayson’s Wine Shop, Pammie’s Sammies, Pilars Martini & Loft, PRP Wine

International, South African Jerky, Southern Steer Butcher, TableTop Catering, Texas Roadhouse, Toastique, Tom West Blueberries/ West Tree Service and TooJay’s.

Other participating businesses are Acahand Foundation/ Light Orlando, AdventHealth, Bright Future Electric, Boyd Street Radio, City of Ocoee, Complete Power Resources, Computer Business Consultants, Floor Coverings International, Florida Foam Factory, Florida Blue, Foundation Academy, Foundation for a Healthier West Orange, Giant Yard Games, HAPCO Music Foundation, Think Minion,

WEST ORANGE TIMES & YOU YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. Observer FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023 Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland VOLUME 90, NO. 15
Valiant Realty, Love Motorsports of Ocoee, Mark’s Floors, McCoy Federal Credit Union, Observer Media Group, Roe Family Chiropractic, Roper YMCA and West Orange Habitat for Humanity. YOUR TOWN Orlando Health, Horizon High partner for medical education Biomedical academy students are getting hands-on training at Horizon West Hospital. SEE 7A. Hero in
Huey Winter Garden native and U.S. Army veteran Cleve Pickens received a face-toface thank-you from the man whose life he saved in the Vietnam jungle more than 50 years ago. STORY ON PAGE 4A. SOFTBALL SUPERSTAR She’s only 12 years old, but Kylie Konstand is already a force for the Lakers. SEE PAGE 1B. EGG-STRA SPECIAL There were plenty of opportunities for Easter family fun in West Orange County. SEE PAGE 6A.
Burger Bar now open The eatery celebrated the opening of its fifth location — this one in Winter Garden — last week. PAGE 5A. Windermere student to vie for Miss Florida Teen USA. 3A. Courtesy photos
a
Beth’s
Fifty-two years after Cleve Pickens saved his life, Lawrence Seeger met him face-to-face to shake his hand and thank him.

Town workshop tackles traffic solutions

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

The town of Windermere on Thursday, April 6, hosted a virtual public workshop to gain input on the final permanent diversion options for the intersection of Oakdale Street and Ninth Avenue.

Mike Woodward, representative from Kimley-Horn, presented three options to consider — the utilization of only signage, a diverter with a middle pass-through and a diverter with a side pass-through.

According to a short poll conducted by Town Manager Robert Smith at the end of the meeting, a majority of residents expressed favor toward option three, the diverter with a side passthrough.

Tonya Elliott-Moore, director of public works, said the department is estimating the project will cost about $20,000.

“However, this is a small project, so until we get the plan details and can quote that out to contractors, we aren’t sure exactly of the cost,” she said in an email. “Concrete work is in high demand, so for a small job, it is hard to say what they will provide as a quote for the project.”

Smith said staff will have a workshop with the Town Council, and if the council is favorable to the changes, the plan would have to go through two ordinance readings before construction is started.

CONSIDERING CONCEPTS

Regarding signage, Woodward said the town could remove the temporary barriers and keep signage in place, as well as possibly add signs in more locations, with a focus on more signs in advance.

Woodward said the diverter with a middle pass-through could be on the northwest, middle or southeast side. This option would allow for golf carts, walkers and bicyclists to pass through the diverter. The landscaping is to be determined and would be coordinated with the town’s Garden Club.

The diverter with a side passthrough would provide a larger area for planting and is easier to build and maintain, Woodward said. Having the diverter on the southeast corner, as opposed to the northwest corner, would allow for less washout and better constructability, he said.

“This shows the tight amount of space that would be here for golf carts — while still allowing enough space for vehicles,” Woodward said of the rendering for the diverter with a side pass-through. “If there’s ever a condition where all three vehicles arrive at the same time,

there will have to be some communication. … I think that with this here, once people learn that there is no ability to cut through, it’s not going to be a super busy intersection.”

Woodward said this is all something that could be accomplished not only within the existing right-of-way but also using the existing edge where the road meets the yard. It will not require extra space.

RESIDENT DISCUSSION

Residents voiced both concerns and praise for the diverter.

Brandi Haines said her concern is that if the implementation is low, people will still choose to drive over the area.

“There are still 15 or so cars a week that still drive over the existing barricade,” she said. “I think that whatever landscaping is there needs to be substantial enough that it’s going to prevent people from driving over it. And as much as I understand the situation with the police, I thought that … we had checked all that out. That if this road was closed, like permanently, that they were able to get around, they were able to maneuver, so I think the better the landscaping, the higher it is, the better.”

Betsy Whittington said she has been a resident of the town for 30 years and has witnessed the traffic issues the area faces. However, she said she is opposed to the pass-through.

“I’m a resident; I think I should have access to all the streets,” she said. “You’re not doing anything to help me and the traffic on Main Street. Why should we divert more of that traffic to me and take it off of Oakdale? That is just totally not fair.”

Bill Bardoe said as a resident for 40 years, the diverter is “the best thing that’s ever happened for traffic in our neighborhood.”

David Sharpe believes the issue comes down to a slight inconvenience in exchange for a safer neighborhood. However, he does think the landscaping needs to be substantial for the proposed plans and the area for golf cart access should be made smaller.

“It has significantly reduced the amount of speeding traffic, cutthrough traffic and just complete disregard for the residents that live in this neighborhood,” he said. “The roads are much safer, they are much quieter, they are hopefully to a point where there are mostly residents on there. … And we’ve eliminated the folks (who) don’t care about any of us.”

Roberta Martin said she lives almost at the diverter on Oakdale and her property has been one of the most negatively impacted by the diverter.

“If we could do something to reduce the turn-around traffic, the parking, obstructing my driveway. … Just wanted to put it out there that it’s not all rosy for those on Oakdale,” she said.

BACKGROUND

Residents along Oakdale Street have expressed issues with cut-through traffic, speeding, stop sign running and aggressive driving behaviors for years.

The Town Council passed a temporary traffic-calming program to alleviate traffic concerns along Oakdale Street at their July meeting.

The approved temporary measure included only the use of a diverter with no road closures and authorized flexibility to Smith to implement the program, providing for a re-evaluation period after three and six months and requiring an ordinance for permanent traffic-calming measures.

The 30-day review, discussed in October, showed that traffic was reduced in the area by 55.91%.

According to data collected by the town, traffic traveling down Oakdale has continued to trend downward over the 90-day review period. The number of vehicles per day during the peak hours in the first 30-day review was 34.56 vehicles per day. From Sept. 18 to Nov. 16, the town collected 40 days of data and averaged 28.3 vehicles per day during the same peak hours.

Council members approved to move forward implementing the diverter as a permanent solution at their meeting in December.

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Amazing Grace

Grace Drummond has been in the spotlight ever since she was a little girl — first in gymnastics, then in cheerleading and now in pageantry. Grace — who won the Preteen Florida USA title in 2021 — is this year’s Miss Winter Garden Teen USA and is vying for the competition’s Miss Florida title.

She said she is hoping to win the crown and become the competition’s youngest title-holder ever at age 14.

It was her pageant coach, Peter Morales, who suggested she compete for Miss Florida Teen USA. She said she was hesitant because she is among the youngest contestants and doesn’t have as much experience as the older girls, but she went for it and is gearing up for the pageant in mid-May in Coral Springs.

She is looking forward to the opportunity for the judges to learn more about her in the interview portion of the competition. It’s also a chance for her to bond with the other teens in the competition because it creates a tightknit sisterhood that is an important part of the process to her.

“The people I’ve competed with, we communicate every day,” she said. “If (I didn’t) have the bond with the people (I was) competing with, I would have never made it. I was a nervous wreck; … they encouraged me.”

She returns that encouragement to all the competitors, she said.

“I love encouraging people: ‘You’re stunning,’ ‘You’re show-stopping,’ ‘You can go out and do anything you want to do,’” she said. “If I bring them up, it brings me up as a person, if I can make one person happy — that’s enough for me.”

Grace hopes to expose a younger face to the competition.

“One thing I want to achieve in the Miss Teen Florida USA Pageant is to change the age stereotype of (the pageant), because as the years have gone on, it’s been 16 years and older,” Grace said. “If I were to get the opportunity to win and be granted the crown … it would prove that age doesn’t matter. Just because I’m 14 doesn’t mean I can’t win the crown.”

Her real platform, however, is to promote an organization she created called I Am a Citizen. Grace and her family are from the United Kingdom. They moved to Winter Garden when Grace was 3; she became a U.S. citizen in December.

“We provide a safe space for young teens and underage students to come to this space and talk about their journey of nationalization and not fitting in,” Grace said.

“One of the organization’s main goals is to propose a bill in which underage students are allowed to obtain their U.S. citizenship by achieving their academic goals or having really good goals, all A’s, good attendance, in case their parents … don’t speak English and can’t pass the test,” she said. “It’s hard for the students to get their U.S. citizenship if their parents can’t speak or read English.”

FROM TOMBOY TO PRINCESS

Grace fell in love with the pageant life when she attended a friend’s competition at age 11. Although she was too

NEWS BRIEFS

Horizon West resident Grace Drummond hopes to become the youngest contestant to win the Miss Florida Teen USA crown.

DRIVERS NEEDED FOR FOOD DELIVERY

Southeastern Food Bank is looking for drivers to deliver boxes of food to 1,000 families in need in West Orange County. The deliveries will be made from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 15, and drivers will meet at West Orlando Baptist Church, 1006 E. Crown Point Road, Ocoee.

The program is organized by Southeastern Food Bank; Food for Families has provided food for needy families for 31 years.

Volunteers have sorted and packed 1,300 banana boxes of food, totaling more than 50 pallets weighing 40 tons, that will be delivered to the local homes. Each family will receive a box plus two bags of items including produce and baked goods. The food is donated by Publix and Kroger.

Volunteers are asked to sign up at southeasternfoodbank.com/ events but can show up even if they haven’t registered.

OCOEE FIRE TO HOST OPEN HOUSE

The Ocoee Fire Rescue Department will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Station 25, 563 S. Bluford Ave.

Attendees can see all the fire vehicles, meet Ocoee’s firefighters and take a tour of the fire station. The event also will include games; raffle prizes; and food, such as hot dogs, chips, popcorn, cotton candy and sno-cones.

UCP HIRES NEW PRINCIPAL

UCP West Orange Charter School has announced the hire of a new principal.

The new principal will replace former principal Tom Brickel, who resigned from his position due to the pressure of his job responsibilities, a statement that differs from what the school told the Observer less than a month ago.

Sean Mikels will serve as the new principal for the school.

“The education leadership team interviewed a number of candidates and then some of the teachers/paraprofessionals and campus leadership joined us in interviewing our final selection,” the school told parents in an email.

young to enter, Grace’s experience watching Alyssa Racquel Hill participate ultimately set her on her journey to the preteen competition. In 2021, she earned the title of Miss Preteen Florida USA and advanced to the Miss Preteen USA competition.

“I was extremely nervous, because it was my very first pageant … but I pulled it together, and I went in and held my head high,” Grace said. “I went in there thinking I would (go) just for the experience. The last day, we worked hard throughout the week, practiced long days. … I went into the interview room, six judges were throwing me questions.

“I get out of the interview room with the biggest smile on my face; I thought I did so well,” she said. She earned a spot in the top five and ultimately won the crown. She spent the next year attending photo shoots and making appearances.

“I went on this whole journey from tomboy to princess,” she said.

When Grace isn’t working on her pageantry passion, she is cheering as a side base for the J-Dub team at Top Gun Orlando in Ocoee. Her cheer team has competed all over the country and is getting ready for several competitions in the next few weeks.

She also does volunteer work at

Courtesy photo

her church, The Center Arena, and at charity events through Nathaniel’s Hope and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Grace is a freshman taking honors and Advanced Placement classes at Windermere High School. She hopes to attend Harvard Medical School and become an anesthesiologist.

“I have tried everything under the sun with helping people,” Grace said. “If I can give my love to people who need it and want it, I feel like that would be a very good opportunity for me to be a doctor.”

Mikels will join the school with past experience as a principal, assistant principal and an ASD/ Autism teacher, according to UCP. School officials said Mikels will join the team at the end of May.

ROTARY ROLLS WITH TOILET PAPER DRIVE

The Horizon West Rotary Club is collecting toilet paper to benefit Eight Waves. The club is hoping to round up 2,000 rolls from local community members.

Collection will take place at the next club meeting on Wednesday, April 19. Those who wish to turn in donations can call (407) 4519738.

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Vietnam veteran called a hero

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Cleve Pickens was not prepared for the phone call he received.

“This guy just called me out of the blue and said, ‘You don’t know me, but my name is Lawrence Seeger, and you saved my life. Without you, I wouldn’t be here.’”

In an instant, Pickens’ mind traveled back 53 years ago to his stint in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a UH-1 Huey pilot, and his job was to save lives — the lives of rangers whose names he never captured as he flew them from their crash sites to the Army hospital.

“I never met them,” Pickens said. “When I picked them up and dropped them at the hospital, they got off, and that’s the last I saw of them.”

That second assignment in Vietnam lasted one year.

Pickens, now living on Lake Dora in Tavares, was born and raised in Winter Garden. He graduated in 1962 from Lakeview High School, worked on the construction of the Florida’s Turnpike for two years and then spent the next 20 years in the Army. He served twice in Vietnam — once in the infantry and a second time in 1970, after flight school, with the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles. He was an aircraft commander and went in as a first lieutenant and returned home a captain. He was a major when he retired in 1984.

‘YOU’RE MY HERO’

Seeger and his wife traveled from Canton, New York, to Central Florida, and the two soldiers met three weeks ago in an emotional reunion full of tears, memories and gratitude.

“He said, ‘You have no idea what it means,’” Pickens said. “His wife was sitting here, and she said, ‘I wouldn’t be here either and neither would our kids.’”

The Seegers have three children and many grandchildren.

The hero and the survivor relived the day their lives briefly connected, and they both remembered it like it was yesterday.

Seeger was flying in a Chinook helicopter that was returning after dropping off supplies when it was shot down in Laos. Pickens heard the call that the helicopter crew was in trouble, radioed for help and took off.

“I said, ‘I’m going in; I’m going after them,’” Pickens said.

He said when an aircraft that large is shot down, the North Vietnamese Army will be at the crash site immediately, so several U.S. choppers were sent out to assist in the rescue of the seven men aboard.

Seeger told Pickens he had spent years researching that day to find the pilot who saved his life.

“He knew the date it happened, and he looked it up, he knew the unit, he just didn’t know me,” Pickens said. “He found out I was flying that day and picked them up, and so he finally called me and said, ‘Listen, you don’t know me, but I know you.’

He said, ‘You’re my hero, and I want to meet you.’ I said, ‘I want to meet you, too.’ I’ve never been able to talk to someone I picked up.”

It’s rare for a pilot to receive a Distinguished Flying Cross medal, Pickens said, but he returned home with three. His air medals totaled 28, and he earned multiple other medals as well.

“I was a little crazy,” he said. “I

went to the commander when I got there and I said, ‘Sir, I’ve got a request, and I would sure like you to honor it. … I don’t want any married men flying on my helicopter.’ … They’re too cautious. All of us were single.”

M*A*S*H UNIT Pickens described what it was like in the Vietnamese jungle.

“It was pretty bad,” he said. “Flying a Huey, you really had to go out and pick up rangers, pick up a lot of wounded people, no arms, no legs, stepped on mines. We would pick them up and take them to 63rd hospital, it was a M*A*S*H (mobile Army

surgical hospital) unit. The doctors would run out with stretchers and take them off my chopper, and I would hover over. We would pick up a fire hose and we would wash the blood out of our chopper, and then we’d head back out for some more. It was a daily thing to do.”

It’s not easy to land a helicopter in a jungle, Pickens said, so he oftentimes had to hover over the people he was rescuing, drop ropes and wait for the men to tie onto the rope. He remembers one particular day when he was being shot at by the enemy and didn’t have time to completely lift the men into the helicopter.

“I just took off, and they were going through the trees,” Pickens said. “They were all scratched up … but when we got back, they came over to hug my neck. It shocked me. It was another one of those days where we had to do what we had to do. They were after them and if they had caught up with them, they wouldn’t be here. And it happened a lot.”

FRIENDS FOR LIFE

Pickens has many mementos from his days in the Vietnam War. His scrapbook is full of certificates. He has a handwoven flag made by one of the local villagers. A Newsweek magazine filled pages of photos and descriptions of “the helicopter war.” Several Orlando newspaper articles chronicle Pickens’ unit.

And now, after 53 years, he has added something else to his memory bank: a friend for life.

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Cleve Pickens, now living in Tavares, reminisced about his time in the U.S. Army in Vietnam during the war. Amy Quesinberry Courtesy photos Cleve Pickens stood in a rice patty the morning after a huge monsoon. Cleve Pickens and his crew chief relaxed in hammocks in their helicopter while on standby.

Award-winning joint heats up burger scene

Beth’s Burger Bar opened its fifth location near Stoneybrook West last week.

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

Since she was young, one of Beth Steele’s dreams was to own a bar.

When a spot in downtown Orlando opened up more than 10 years ago, she called her father, who said, “If anyone can do it, it’s you.”

And do it she did.

Since then, Beth’s Burger Bar has become known as one of the most popular burger joints in Central Florida. It has has been recognized as “Best Burger in Orlando,” for multiple years in a row by various organizations in the area.

The bar’s Winter Garden location, which opened last week in Stoneybrook West Village, is its fifth. The other locations can be found in Edgewood, Lake Cay and Lake Mary and in the Orange County Convention Center.

Steele said Winter Garden has been on her list of locations for a long time.

“It was one of my No. 1 priorities,” she said. “We weren’t able to find anything in the area forever. … The good thing about this location, too, is that it was already a restaurant. So once we got the space, we were able to go through a fast turnaround for opening.”

BURGER BAR

Steele’s infatuation with burgers and beer began at the young age of 16.

She developed a habit of customizing her burgers at every restaurant she visited. Many times, she said the burgers would leave her disappointed. Failing to find the perfect burger, Steele decided she would make her

own. That’s when the idea of Beth’s Burger Bar was born.

The burger bar’s menu includes signature burgers such as The Peanut Butter Burger and The Morning Burger, as well as customizable burger options. In addition, the eatery serves up sides such as chili cheese fries, pretzel sticks and tater tots. Desserts, beer, wine, cocktails, salads and wings also can be found on the menu.

“There’s a lot of burger places, and there’s a lot of really good ones, but I think that we do a lot of the little things here,” Steele said. “We handpatty every burger, so it’s all fresh. We get our buns delivered from a bakery every day. We come up with some crazy ideas like the Jalapeño Cheese Crunch burger that has Cheetos on it, so I think just staying on top of it and making sure our products are good, our staff is trained well.”

The new location is 2,024 square feet, not including the outdoor patio area.

Beth’s Burger Bar will host live music every week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, beginning in May. The location also will have games and activities for children.

In addition, the eatery still is looking for seven more employees. Steele is searching for four more line cooks, as well as a few strong cashiers who will help with tasks such as the register, cleaning up tables and delivering the food.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Steele said the Winter Garden community already has been outstanding in its support.

Steele has a personal connection to the community, with many of her friends living in the area, as well as her brother and his family, and has sponsored a Winter Garden Little League team.

She posed for more than 70 photos on the first day and has given out

BETH’S BURGER BAR

15502 Stoneybrook West Parkway, Suite 120, Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 395-3005 WEBSITE: bethsburgerbar.com

numerous T-shirts and hugs.

“Everyone has been so positive and has thanked us for opening in the neighborhood,” she said. “We had people trying to come in at 10:30 a.m. the very first day before we were even open. We’ve had a lot of people peeking their heads in even before that for the last couple of weeks. We’re very excited to finally be open.”

Steele said her business places an importance on giving back to the community.

“We do a lot of stuff for charity, a lot of auctions, a lot of stuff for kids and cancer patients,” she said. “I think I’m lucky, because I have a really good staff, so we have 17 people that have been here over five years, which is almost unheard of in the restaurant business. I am very involved in the business, too. I take customer service very seriously, and I care a lot about the community.”

Throughout the years, Steele said her passion for the business contin-

ues to be inspired by her staff and the families.

“I’ve made some really, really great friends over the years, and also with having my staffing company, a lot of my customers from there come here,” she said. “I get to meet so many people and form so many connections, and I suppose I enjoy the chaotic part of it, too.”

Another one of Steele’s passions is working with the younger employees.

She shared she likes to teach kids to work hard and go after their goals.

Although the new store currently has 37 employees, 15 of them are under age 18.

The general managers from the Lake Cay and Edgewood locations have helped with training, and many of the employees have trained at various

locations to ensure the new business is running smoothly and properly.

Steele hopes the restaurant can continue to win best burger, as well as build regulars in the new store, host events, do work with local charities, and overall, help out where it can to build a stronger connection with the community.

“I don’t want it to just be somewhere to go and eat,” she said. “I want it to feel like home.”

The new location will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony in the near future.

“I really want everyone to know that we are very thankful to be here and grateful that everyone has been so welcoming,” Steele said. “We hope to meet lots of people and make a lot of people happy.”

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Photos by Annabelle Sikes Beth’s Burger Bar, led by owner Beth Steele, opened in Stoneybrook West Village last week.

BUNNY BUSINESS

West Orange and Southwest Orange families had plenty of opportunities for some Easter fun last weekend.

In the town of Windermere, the Windermere Police Department escorted the Easter Bunny around town Saturday, April 8, so he could spread some holiday cheer to children and families. He and Police Chief Dave Ogden sat together on the back of a pickup truck to wave to residents along the route, and their helpers followed behind to toss bags of candy and treats to the kids.

A few miles away, the city of Ocoee celebrated the arrival of the spring season during a beautiful morning Saturday, April 8, at Bill Breeze Park. Families enjoyed food, fair games and rides, a climbing wall, a bubble bus and other

activities. Children hopped around the park with their Easter-themed outfits and baskets waiting patiently for their respective egg hunts, where they could snag a couple of colorful eggs. Even the Easter Bunny made a special appearance during the event to wave to the children and take photos with them.

Finally, in Hamlin, Horizon West residents had a chance to schmooze with the Easter Bunny during the Hamlin Easter Bunny Meet and Greet Saturday, April 8, at Hamlin Town Center. Families enjoyed a plethora of springtime fun, including carnival games, lawn games, face-painters, a caricature artist, stilt-walkers, crafts, dance contests and much more.

6A OBSERVER | THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023 OrangeObserver.com
MICHAEL ENG, ANDREA MUJICA AND AMY QUESINBERRY Ryan Eicher enjoyed playing with his son, Lucas, in the bubble zone, at Ocoee’s event. Above: Children were eager to see the Easter Bunny as he traveled around Windermere handing out treat bags. Below: Stephanie Killory with Elliott, 9 months, enjoyed a beautiful Saturday morning in Ocoee. Nicole Jimenez, 7, sat still while an artist finished her face painting at Hamlin’s event. Uriah Johnson, 18 months, enjoyed spending a few moments with the Easter Bunny in Hamlin. Anabella Cardenas, 7, center, loved doing the Chicken Dance in Hamlin. Families loved getting their photos taken with these two stilt-walkers at the Hamlin event. Right: Krish Desai, 10, raced to pick up as many eggs as possible during one of the egg hunts at the Ocoee Easter Eggstravaganza. Windermere Mayor Jim O’Brien prepped the Easter Bunny’s helpers before their drive through the town. Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson and Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen smiled to everyone while welcoming them to the festival.

Hawks get hands-on training at hospital

Most of the students have been putting in volunteer hours at Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital in Ocoee.

Kentucky Derby Party

A new educational partnership between Horizon High and Orlando Health — Horizon West Hospital is the culmination of multiple people putting their heads together to create a program that benefits both the school and medical facility.

When Horizon High opened in 2021, the husband-and-wife team of Graig Smith and Melissa Brisbin-Smith wanted to give their biomedical students something other than a traditional textbook education in the field of medicine. They approached the administration at Horizon West Hospital to see if the hospital would be willing to work with the school to provide a hands-on learning environment to seniors in Horizon’s biomedical science, biomedical innovations and biology program.

“(Principal Andrew) Jackson gave us the free rein to do something special,” Smith said. “We really wanted to focus on providing unique experiences while they were still in high school. … It’s a great opportunity for students to learn by doing … and we looked at what could we do to take that to the next level. … It’s difficult to get students excited about things.”

Smith and Brisbin-Smith co-teach the school’s four-year biomedical academy — he teaches years one and four, and she is in charge of years two and three.

PARTNERSHIP

The hospital and school devised a program in which the 20 biomedical students go to the hospital monthly for different programs pertaining to the health care field. They have met with teams from the hospital’s emergency medical services unit, firefighters, doctors and more. They have toured the various hospital departments, met administrators and learned about HIPA and other hospital protocols.

This is the first year of the partnership, which started in January. Alisa Slimick, chief nursing officer at the hospital, said the program will begin at the start of the next school year and run through May.

On a recent Wednesday, the topics were pediatrics and stopping bleeding through the use of tourniquets and pressure. Students practiced tourniquet application and applying pressure on fake limbs.

Ed Hall, EMS liaison, told the students about the time he was at the beach and a young woman ran out of the water bleeding profusely. She had a deep cut on her leg, and he grabbed a towel, packed it in her wound “and saved the day,” he said.

“If you’re out in the field … you have a chance to make a difference,” Hall said.

“We’re finding they like the hands-on kind of stuff, so next year, we’re looking for more experiences,” Slimick said.

“They’re just so excited to share what they’ve learned,” Smith said. “(The hospital has) been more than welcoming to the students. … They’ve really gone above and beyond what we expected, and we’re grateful for that opportunity.”

For Hayley Makin, Rebecca Klavans and Alyssa Miller, the class offers a chance to discover the path they want to take in college before graduating high school.

“I’d always been interested in the medical field, so I really joined this when I entered high school because … this class would allow me to further that interest and let me figure out what I wanted to do,” Miller said.

She said she has narrowed down her decision to either nurse practitioner or physician. Helping her make the decision, too, has been her volunteer work in the spine and orthopedics unit.

“It’s really let me know what my options are and see what it really takes to get into that field,” Miller said.

She will attend the University of Central Florida in the fall.

“I wanted to join the biomedical program, because I’ve always been interested in the medical field, and I wanted to explore what I really wanted to do,” Makin said. “I didn’t want to get to college and try to figure out.”

She has been volunteering in the medical surgical unit at Health Central Hospital. She will attend Florida State University in the fall.

Klavans plans to be a geneticist but wanted to explore all the different options the hospital could provide in case something else caught her eye, she said. So far, she still wants to stick with genetics.

“You know in your heart,” she said of her passion for the medical field.

Klavans will attend Boston University after graduation.

“They’re very committed and very excited and passionate about what they want to do — and very driven,” Slimick said of the students in the program. “It takes a very goal-driven student in high school to really know what they want. … I think it’s important for them to have to as much exposure and experience as they can.

“Horizon West Hospital is so excited to be able to partner with this school and help these students get experience in health care,” Slimick said. “We’re really excited to see where it grows from here.”

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the City of Ocoee City Commission will consider the adoption of the proposed Resolution, creating the Northwest Ocoee Brownfield Area for remediation, rehabilitation, and economic redevelopment pursuant to the requirements as amended in Ch. 97-277, Laws of Florida, codified as Sections 376.77 - 376.86, Florida Statutes.

The OCOEE CITY COMMISSION will hold the 1st public hearing on TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2023, AT 6:15 PM or as soon thereafter as practical. The public hearing will be held in the City Hall Commission Chambers located at 1 N Bluford Ave. The OCOEE CITY COMMISSION will hold the 2nd public hearing on TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2023, AT 6:15 PM or as soon thereafter as practical. The public hearing will be held in the City Hall Commission Chambers located at 1 N Bluford Ave, Ocoee.

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, CREATING THE NORTHWEST OCOEE BROWNFIELD AREA; FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION, REHABILITATION, AND ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO NOTIFY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF SAID DESIGNATION AS REQUIRED; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Interested parties may appear at the public hearing and be heard with respect to the proposed action. The complete case file may be inspected at the Ocoee Development Services Department located at 1 North Bluford Avenue, Ocoee, Florida, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. You are advised that any person who desires to appeal any decision made at the public hearings will need a record of the proceedings and, for this purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing special accommodations or an interpreter to participate in this proceeding should contact the City Clerk’s Office 48 hours in advance of the meeting at (407) 905-3105.

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Courtesy photo Horizon High students learned about the flight team during EMS Day at Horizon West Hospital.

Retreat at Walker Pond estate sells for $4.2M

Ahome known as the Retreat at Walker Pond in Winter Garden topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from April 1 to 7.

The home at 12408 Walker Pond Road, Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $4,200,000. Built in 2016, it has nine bedrooms, seven baths, three half-baths and 10,765 square feet on 5.81 acres. Days on market: 133.

These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.

DR. PHILLIPS

BAY HILL

The home at 6132 Indian Meadow St., Orlando, sold April 7, for $1,225,000. Built in 1983, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 3,086 square feet. Days on market: 51.

CYPRESS POINT

The home at 9069 Great Heron Circle, Orlando, sold April 5, for $1,400,000. Built in 1993, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,016 square feet. Days on market: 127.

SAND LAKE SOUND

The home at 7517 Alpine Butterfly Lane sold April 8, for $1,025,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,100 square feet. Days on market: Five.

The townhouse at 7121 Carrickbend Lane, Orlando, sold April 4, for $560,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,626 square feet. Days on market: 44.

SAND PINES

The home at 6233 Dowdy Court, Orlando, sold April 5, for $645,000. Built in 1986, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,304 square feet. Days on market: 33.

VENEZIA

The home at 7714 Pointe Venezia Drive, Orlando, sold April 6, for $2,310,000. Built in 2011, it has seven bedrooms, six-and-one-half baths and 5,787 square feet. Days on market: Five.

VIZCAYA HEIGHTS

The condo at 8755 The Esplanade, No. 104, Orlando, sold April 7, for $560,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,162 square feet. Days on market: 94.

HORIZON WEST

HICKORY HAMMOCK

The townhouse at 1176 Orange Season Lane, Winter Garden, sold April 6, for $421,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,012 square feet. Days on market: Two.

LAKE AVALON GROVES

The home at 4505 Spyglass Hill Road sold April 4, for $460,000. Built in 1981, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,850 square feet. Days on market: 148.

LAKES OF WINDERMERE

The home at 6937 Dalemain St., Windermere, sold April 7, for $500,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,245 square feet. Days on market: 12.

PRESTON SQUARE

The townhouse at 11365 Evesham Drive, Windermere, sold April 3, for $347,500. Built in 2008, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,098 square feet. Days on market: 27.

SOUTHBRIDGE VILLAGE

The townhouse at 6338 Southbridge St., Windermere, sold April 3, for $390,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,534 square feet.

STOREY GROVE

The townhouse at 15090 Book Club Road, Winter Garden, sold April 7, for $483,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,992 square feet. Days on market: 272.

SUMMERLAKE

The home at 14756 Spotted Sandpiper Blvd., Winter Garden, sold April 5, for $705,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,124 square feet. Days on market: Three.

The home at 15019 Night Heron Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 6, for $580,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,090 square feet. Days on market: Four.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 13606 Salamander St., Winter Garden, sold April 6, for $502,990. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,689 square feet. Days on market: 66.

The townhouse at 13335 Pontoon Road, Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $437,740. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,817 square feet.

Days on market: 12.

The townhouse at 12075 Holystone St., Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $421,740. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,567 square feet.

Days on market: 40.

The townhouse at 12031 Holystone St., Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $418,740. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,567 square feet.

Days on market: 35.

The townhouse at 12079 Holystone St., Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $407,740. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,567 square feet.

Days on market: 38.

The townhouse at 13263 Pontoon Road, Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $403,990. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,567 square feet.

The townhouse at 12083 Holystone St., Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $401,740. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,567 square feet. Days on market: 75.

The townhouse at 12019 Holystone St., Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $399,995. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,567 square feet.

Days on market: 64.

WATERMARK

The home at 14627 Winter Stay Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $581,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,072 square feet. Days on market: One.

The home at 14749 Crimson Bluff Alley, Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $507,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,838 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

WESTSIDE TOWNHOMES

The townhouse at 1302 Cardinal Lane, Winter Garden, sold April 5, for $242,500. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 984 square feet. Days on market: Five.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The townhouse at 8637 Coventry Park Way, Windermere, sold April 5, for $420,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,822 square feet of living area. Days on market: 54.

OAKLAND JOHNS LANDING

The home at 482 Orionvista Way, Oakland, sold April 5, for $645,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,057 square feet of living area. Days on market: 49.

JOHNS LANDING

The home at 605 Strihal Loop, Oakland, sold April 4, for $555,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,397 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

OCOEE ARDEN PARK NORTH

The home at 2916 Sugar Magnolia Drive, Ocoee, sold April 3, for $535,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,441 square feet. Days on market: Five.

LAKE MEADOW LANDING

The townhouse at 1703 Terrapin Road, Ocoee, sold April 5, for $415,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,807 square feet. Days on market: 106.

PEACH LAKE MANOR

The home at 900 Wurst Road, Ocoee, sold April 5, for $270,000. Built in 1960, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 851 square feet of living area. Days on market: 12.

SAWMILL

The home at 6930 Log Jam Court, Ocoee, sold April 6, for $330,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,246 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.

WESTYN BAY

The home at 2336 Pesaro Circle, Ocoee, sold April 6, for $595,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,281 square feet. Days on market: 206.

The home at 2911 Cardassi Drive, Ocoee, sold April 6, for $575,000. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,407 square feet of living area. Days on market: 19.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE CYPRESS CHASE

The home at 9343 Pecky Cypress Way, Orlando, sold April 3, for $538,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,264 square feet of living area. Days on market: 32.

PROVENCE AT LAKE SHEEN

The home at 10414 Lavande Drive, Orlando, sold April 6, for $775,000. Built in 2013, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,420 square feet. Days on market: 210.

ROYAL ESTATES

The townhouse at 12152 Via Caselli Lane, Windermere, sold April 3, for $559,995. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 2,335 square feet. Days on market: One. The townhouse at 12030 Via Caselli Lane, Windermere, sold April 6, for $488,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 1,885 square feet. Days on market: 63.

WINDERMERE

BELMERE VILLAGE

The home at 11663 Vicolo Loop, Windermere, sold April 3, for $800,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,095 square feet.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 8298 Tibet Butler Drive, Windermere, sold April 6, for $2,099,500. Built in 1999, it has six bedrooms, six baths and 5,249 square feet of living area. Days on market: 170.

The home at 11461 Claymont Circle, Windermere, sold April 3, for $740,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,117 square feet. Days on market: 271.

RESERVE AT LAKE BUTLER SOUND

The home at 11113 Consiton Way, Windermere, sold April 6, for $2,100,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 5,246 square feet. Days on market: 27.

SILVER WOODS

The home at 9100 Palm Tree Drive, Windermere, sold April 3, for $540,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,723 square feet of living area. Days on market: 21.

WATERFORD POINTE

The home at 12712 Water Point Blvd., Windermere, sold April 3, for $1,735,000. Built in 1994, it has six bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 5,707 square feet. Days on market: Two.

WESTOVER CLUB

The home at 1949 Katie Hill Way, Windermere, sold April 3, for $685,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,695 square feet of living area. Days on market: 31.

WINTER GARDEN

ALEXANDER RIDGE

The home at 2032 Solar Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 5, for $695,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,764 square feet. Days on market: Two.

BAY ISLE

The home at 14404 Hampshire Bay Circle, Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $725,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,280 square feet of living area of living area. Days on market: Five.

BLACK LAKE PRESERVE

The home at 14414 Black Lake Preserve St., Winter Garden, sold April 6, for $645,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,852 square feet. Days on market: 38.

CAMBRIDGE CROSSING

The home at 12227 Rebeccas Run Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 5, for $706,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,896 square feet. Days on market: Four.

FULLERS LANDING

The home at 615 Monte Vista Way, Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $700,000. Built in 2006, it has six bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,920 square feet. Days on market: 113.

JOE LOUIS PARK

The home at 1670 Bay St., Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $299,000. Built in 1987, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,325 square feet. Days on market: 104.

LAKE APOPKA SOUND

The home at 14429 Shaman Way, Winter Garden, Lake County, sold April 5, for $575,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,107 square feet. Days on market: 38.

LAKEVIEW RESERVE

The home at 72 Desiree Aurora St., Winter Garden, sold April 5, for $470,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,853 square feet. Days on market: 12.

MCALLISTER LANDING

The home at 1534 Juniper Hammock St., Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $680,000. Built in 2019, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 4,192 square feet. Days on market: 58.

OAKS AT BRANDY LAKE

The townhouse at 735 Bending Oak Trail, Winter Garden, sold April 5, for $395,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,789 square feet. Days on market: 105.

RETREAT AT WALKER POND

The home at 12408 Walker Pond Road, Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $4,200,000. Built in 2016, it has nine bedrooms, seven baths, three half-baths and 10,765 square feet on 5.81 acres. Days on market: 133.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 2012 Sailborough Court, Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $750,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,238 square feet. Days on market: 69.

TOWNHOMES OF WINTER GARDEN

The condo at 375 Douglas Way, No. 57, Winter Garden, sold April 3, for $239,400. Built in 1988, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 930 square feet of living area. Days on market: 14.

WINTER OAKS

The home at 342 Sunset Oaks Road, Winter Garden, sold April 7, for $515,500. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,052 square feet. Days on market: One.

8A OBSERVER | THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023 OrangeObserver.com
Courtesy of Realty International The home at 11113 Consiton Way, Windermere, sold April 6, for $2,100,000. It was the largest transaction in Windermere from April 1 to 7. The listing agent was Mark Allen, Realty International.
SNAPSHOT Total Sales: 74 High Sale Price: $4,200,000 Low Sale Price: $198,500 REAL ESTATE

ORANGE HISTORY

THESE OLD TIMES FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

85 years ago

With 13 victories and four defeats, Lakeview High School girls closed one of their most successful basketball seasons. The Lakeview misses compiled a total of 616 points to their opponents’ 339. Team members were centers Carolyn Peters, Wilma Tilden, Mary Henderson, Vera Marvins and Mary Jane Seagraves; guards Christine Kitchen, Bobbie Joe Henderson, Evelyn Bray, Janie Ruth Fairchild, Lydia Tilden and Harriet Pounds; and forwards Gertrude Martin, Lou Evan Reddich, Mary Roper and Kathryn Mellon.

60 years ago

Adele Moody presented her students in a piano recital held at her home on North Woodlawn Street in Winter Garden. Performers were James McKey, Susan Thompson, Ginger Thompson, Cindy Kannon, Sue Ann Starr, John McKey, Ellyn Kadel, Nancy Maguire, Michael Hurley and Leila Ann Bell.

55 years ago

The Ocoee Teen Council was making a drive to raise funds to carry on the work for teenage activities. They were selling cartons of matches each containing famous cooking recipes plus a free comb donated by the Gulf Life Insurance Co. Council members were Ray Ungara, Sandy Barnett, Lonnie Warr, Sherrell Dann, Kay Anderson, Brenda Watson, Carol Andersoon, Margaret Robbe, Pat Minor and Ronnie Hagen.

45 years ago

Boy Scout Troop 210 of Winter Garden announced Pete Wiley and Noel Griffith as the new scoutmaster and assistant scoutmaster. At a recent West Orange Scout Show, scouts

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Grace Mary Mather-Smith’s first birthday was celebrated in Oakland’s Speer Park 111 years ago. The photographer captured a scene in which just about every child living in Oakland had been invited to honor the little girl. Charles Fredric Mather-Smith and his wife, Grace, moved to Oakland from Chicago in 1908. They bought parcels of land in town and set up a homestead on North Tubb Street called Edgegrove Farms (no longer in existence), which eventually included a 28-room house. The generous pair eventually improved a park (Grace Park) situated on two blocks west of Town Hall, established the original West Orange Country Club on Avalon Road (the c. 1915 entryway survives) and contributed to improvements to Oakland’s black churches. Grace is seen in front, holding her daughter.

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.

recruited seven new prospects. The troop was sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden.

30 years ago

Letter to the editor: “The article that appeared in your newspaper regarding an industrial plant in Windermere was apparently supposed to be an April Fools’ joke. But it was no joke at all. It was poor journalism that cost a

lot of people wasted time, money and tremendous discomfort in already unstable times.” Robert L. Kazaros, president, Kazco Communications Inc.

Letter to the editor: “Being an immediate neighbor to the Bumby Point property, and having grown up in western Pennsylvania, I am extremely excited about the Wyandotte Company putting their plant next to our house. … I really miss the pol -

THROWBACK THURSDAY

APRIL 3, 1942

The Florida Public Service Company (“in the service of customer, community and country”) placed an advertisement in The West Orange News in 1942 to discuss women’s rights.

“The American woman has made significant political, social and economic strides under the protection of the Republic. Women possess nearly half the private wealth in the United States — they own 40% of all real estate, 23% of all stock shares and 65% of all savings accounts. Women are the beneficiaries of 80% of all life insurance policies, receiving a billion dollars in annual benefits.

“They inherit about 60% of all estates. Their collective holdings exceed ($210 billion). Women spend more than three-fourths of all money spent for consumer goods.

“Whatever weaknesses our profit system of free business enterprise may have, it has been exceedingly generous to the American woman. Certainly she would not exchange the American way for some alien -ology or -ism that would turn back the clock of time to destroy the gains of her greatest century.

“In home, school, church, club, office, shop and at the ballot box, the influence of the American woman has become essential to the preservation of our way of life.”

HOW

luted air, the soot and the stench that was released by the steel mills, and the slimy feeling that one gets from swimming in the Alleghany. … George, you got me good. I thought the article was true for quite a while.” Karen Fay

20 years ago

The Jimmy Neutron Nicktoon Blast attraction opened at Universal Studios.

Money Funds. SWVXX seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, but cannot guarantee it will do so. SWVXX may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Schwab Money Funds is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Schwab Money Funds’ sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds, and you should not expect that the sponsor

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023 9A OrangeObserver.com 399366-1 CONGRATS GRADS! CLASS OF 2023 Show your support of the area’s public, private and charter high school graduates in the Class of 2023 Special Section!
TO PARTICIPATE Publishing: Thursday, May 25 Ad Deadline: Monday, May 8 CALL YOUR ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE TODAY! Earning a high school diploma is an accomplishment worth celebrating. That’s precisely why the Observer is creating an extra special Graduation section. In it, we will celebrate seniors from our area’s public, private and charter high schools. Be a part of saying “Congratulations” and “Good Luck” to our graduates. 407-656-2121 advertise@orangeobserver.com Sponsor a high school Congratulate a special senior with a graduation card Advertise your services to parents of graduates Certificates of deposit available through Schwab CD OneSource® typically offer a fixed rate of return, although some offer variable rates. They are FDIC-insured and offered through Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Investors in money market funds should carefully consider information contained in the prospectus, or, if available, the summary prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. You can request a mutual fund prospectus by calling Schwab at 1-800-435-4000. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. You could lose money by investing in the Schwab
will provide financial support to the Funds at any time. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. For the most recent 7-day yields, see schwab.com. The 7-Day Yield is the average income paid out over the previous seven days assuming interest income is not reinvested and it reflects the effect of all applicable waivers. Absent such waivers, the fund’s yield would have been lower. Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM), the investment advisor for Schwab Funds, and Schwab, Member SIPC, the distributor for Schwab Funds, are separate but affiliated companies and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation. ©2023 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC. CC7019834 (0423-31AU) ADP119092R-00 (09/22) 00278560 SCH10645-15 CD rates Money Market Fund 6 months (as of 4/4/23) 5.06 Minimum deposit $1,000 APY % 12 months (as of 4/4/23) 4.90 Minimum deposit $1,000 APY % 2 years (as of 4/4/23) 4.60 Minimum deposit $1,000 APY % 7-day yield (with waivers) as of 4/3/23 Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund® SWVXX $0 investment minimum 4.69 Minimum deposit $0 % Competitive yields on money market funds and CDs available through Schwab could help you meet your financial goals, and that’s always a good thing. Compare rates to see how we stack up. The funds’ Investor Shares have no initial investment minimum; however, Schwab systems require a minimum of $1 per trade. Visit schwab.com/windermere or schwab.com/clermont. Charles Schwab Windermere 4848 S. Apopka Vineland Rd, Suite 204 Orlando, FL 32819 407-909-0485 Charles Schwab Clermont 1600 Hancock Rd, Suite D Clermont, FL 34711 352-404-5238 400465-1
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Earning a high school diploma is an accomplishment worth celebrating. That’s precisely why the Observer is creating an extra special Graduation section. In it, we will celebrate seniors at all of our area’s public, private and charter high schools.

Tell your graduating senior how proud you are of their accomplishments with a personalized congratulatory card in our 2023 Graduation section.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: MONDAY, MAY 1

DATE OF PUBLICATION: THURSDAY, MAY 25

First Baptist Church @ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden

Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org

Starke Lake Baptist Church

Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org

Victory Baptist Church & Christian Academy

1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 (407) 656-3097 www.VBCOCOEE.com

Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM Wednesday: 7 PM

CHURCH OF GOD

Ocoee Church of God

Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee (407) 656-8011

EPISCOPAL

Church of the Messiah

241 N. Main St., Winter Garden

Sunday: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM., 4PM (French & Creole), 7 PM www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com

METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org

125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135

Services: 9 AM Traditional

10:45 AM Contemporary

Also viewable on YouTube

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Purpose Church Orlando 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, Winter Garden (407) 654-9661

Sunday Service: 10:05 AM

Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 PM Saturday Service: 6 PM www.purposechurchorlando.org

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The Lake Buena Vista High School boys lacrosse team defeated Foundation Academy 5-4 Monday, April 3, in a nondistrict game. The Vipers took the lead during the first quarter of the game and were able to maintain it until the final whistle.

Lake Buena Vista defeated Apopka 5-4 during its last game of the regular season Tuesday, April 4, while Foundation played its last game of the regular season at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 6, against Tampa Prep.

PINT-SIZED POWERHOUSE

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

At only 12 years old, Windermere Prep sixth-grader Kylie Konstand is the youngest member of the Lady Lakers varsity softball team — and its starting third baseman.

Everything started two years ago, when her parents —Bill and Stacy Konstand — asked the team if she could practice with the girls and be the bat girl. The team said yes.

“If you are in elementary school, you can’t join the team,” Kylie said.

“So in sixth grade, we had a new coach, because all of our players left — they were all seniors — and they accepted me on the team.”

The Foundation Academy boys weightlifting team were crowned district champions. “The team has worked extremely hard, and their dedication has paid off,” weightlifting coach Andre Walker said. “I would like to congratulate the entire team on their remarkable achievement.”

2

Three members of the team earned individual first-place finishes during the meet: Edward Byrd, Elijah David and Cody Cramer. The Lions competed at the regional meet at 3 p.m. Friday, April 7, at The Villages High School.

After tryouts and a couple of trial runs at second base, Athletic Director Patrick Hollern — currently the head softball coach — moved her to third base, aka “the hot corner.”

“They realized how quick my reaction was and (in) third base, (the ball) gets hit much harder to you,” Kylie said. “(Because) I had such a quick reaction, they put me to play in third base.”

And being the one in the hot corner is a dream come true to Kylie. She loves to get involved in all the action that is taking place during every play and also use her arm strength to throw the ball — when needed — all the way to first base.

SOFTBALL ROAD

3

Windermere Preparatory School senior soccer player Joao Vitor Baldin recently was named to the United Soccer Coaches Florida All-State Team. Baldin finished his last season as a Laker with 14 points, five goals and four assists.

Kylie has played softball since she was 5 years old. In that time, her parents combined have missed fewer than three games; they love to see her perform on the field.

4

The Horizon High School girls varsity lacrosse team ended its regular season with a 19-3 win over Lyman High School Wednesday, April 5. Hayley Makin and Kara Garcia each scored four goals and contributed an assist, while Amarah Mills reached the net three times and had a couple of assists. Alyssa Miller, Anatasia Cisco, Ashley Renk, Camila Marcial, Courtney O’Rourke, Kelsey McCaffery, Kiera Will and Rebekah Tabosa all scored during the game. The Lady Hawks ended their regular season with a 13-4 overall record and are currently the No. 2 seed in Class 1A, District 6. The girls hosted All-Saints Academy in the district semifinals at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, after press time.

“We are extremely proud,” Bill Konstand said. “We want her to get everything that she can out of the sport (and this experience). The day she decides she doesn’t like it anymore, she will not have to do it anymore, but she says she loves it, so we love it for her.”

Kylie practices five days a week at school, a couple of days a week at her travel team — The CF Phoenix— and also works on her swing every so often

SEE PASSION PAGE 2B

Kylie Konstand loves playing softball, and her parents, Bill and

5

The Windermere High School varsity baseball team currently has a 14-3 overall season record and a six-game winning streak as they are the No. 1 seed in Class 7A, District 5. The Wolverines defeated Cypress Creek 10-0 Friday, April 7, during a non-district game and were set to travel to Dr. Phillips at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, for a district game, after press time.

Depth, communication keys to Warrior water polo success

Both the girls and boys water polo teams from West Orange High School advanced to their respective regional championship games.

The West Orange High boys and girls water polo teams remain alive in the battle for a state championship title.

“They put in the work for the past year,” head water polo coach Jennifer Dailer said. “They have been in the water together basically since last season with our club team, and they’ve just put in the work they needed to put in for the past year to get through (to the regional championship game).”

BOYS

The boys currently own a 20-4 overall season record and are ranked second in the state just behind Boca Raton (21-3-1) — the team they are scheduled to play during the Class 1A regional championship game.

“It’s going to be a tough one; my boys did defeat Boca (Raton) in the super tournament, and I know Boca was missing one of its key players that

APRIL 13, 2023
SPORTS
1
HIGH 5
SEE WEST PAGE 2B
Dr. Phillips volleyball standout Joseph Rocco Del Rossi has had 356 assists, 45 kills and a .631 hitting percentage. Page 2B. Andrea Mujica Stacy Konstand, are her primary support system and No. 1 fans.
Despite being only 12 years old, Windermere Prep sixth-grader Kylie Konstand stands tall on third base as part of the Lady Lakers varsity softball team.
Andrea Mujica

Joseph Rocco Del Rossi

Dr. Phillips junior and boys volleyball setter Joseph Rocco Del Rossi is on his second year running a 5-1 offense. This year, Del Rossi accounts for 356 assists, 45 kills and a .631 hitting percentage. Dr. Phillips head volleyball coach Maureen Del Rossi said of Rocco: “It can sometimes be hard for a parent to coach their child, but Rocco makes it easy. He is dedicated to the sport and to improving, is a hard worker and a true team player, who is always interested in lifting up his teammates and highlighting the positive in everyone.”

Tell us about your years as a volleyball player.

I’ve been playing volleyball since I was in the seventh grade, I think. We used to live in Virginia, and I started doing my little clinics here and there, and when we moved to Orlando, I got involved with club volleyball.

What do you love most about volleyball as a sport?

I really like the infinite possibilities of what can happen on the court. There is so much going on that you have to pay attention to There is so much happening; it’s a really complex sport.

What do you think makes you a unique player on the volleyball court?

I think that I’m a really good teammate, and I’m not very selfish, which, I mean, not that there are a lot of volleyball players (who) are selfish or anything like that. But I feel like I bring a lot of positive energy to the team, and I feel like I get along with a lot of my teammates.

How do you believe you instill leadership in your team?

(With) my positive attitude. If things are going bad for us or if things aren’t going our way, I try to bring everyone in a huddle and tell them that we can do it. … Bring everyone together so that we have one goal and a winning mentality.

Do you have a favorite professional volleyball player?

Probably Erik Shoji — he’s the libero for the U.S. men’s national team. Playing libero at that level, and even at the high school level, can be very difficult, and he makes it look like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

What do you love most about being a part of your team?

I feel we have a really talented group of kids (who) are willing to put in the

THE BASICS

Age: 16

Sport: Volleyball Position: Setter

Grade: 11

School: Dr. Phillips

What would you like to study in college? I want to major in linguistics

What’s your favorite hobby? Probably playing my clarinet.

What do you like to do on the weekends? Hang out with my friends and my girlfriend. I used to play video games a lot, but my computer broke, so I’ve just been hanging out with friends.

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

I wouldn’t want to be exposed to elements so probably a really nice air-conditioned tent, my brother — someone to keep me company, and me and my brother get along pretty well — and also maybe a volleyball net.

What’s your favorite movie?

Probably “Ocean’s Eleven.” It was the first real grown-up movie I saw, and I was just so amazed with the twist at the end.

What’s your favorite type of music?

I’ve been listening to a lot of Spanish music (such as) reggaeton. I really like jazz and classical music and punk rock.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Batman. I went over to my friend’s house one day when I was 3 (years old), and I came back putting my bib on backwards, and I was saying I was Batman.

I can’t tell you why he is my favorite, but for the longest time, my favorite superhero has been

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? Probably to fly. I could go wherever I wanted, wouldn’t need to worry about getting in an accident on I-4. I could just fly over, not get stuck in traffic or worry about paying for gas.

What are three places you would like to visit? Why? I would love to visit Italy. I love Italian food, my ancestors are from Italy, and I really like the culture and the language. Probably Japan or an Asian country, because it’s so different. … And maybe a Spanishspeaking one, because I listen to reggaeton, and I’m trying to learn Spanish, so maybe Mexico.

What color would you say represents your personality?

I feel like I have a very funny and charming personality so … maybe blue.

Passion fuels Konstand

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

with her swing coach Nikki Rombough, from RBI Training.

“She’s grown a lot, but she puts in a lot of hours,” Bill Konstand said. “She works extremely hard. … We’ve watched her grow but she’s grown because she has put in the work.”

One of Kylie’s goals is to take 100 swings every day.

“I practice almost every day,” she said. “But, (because) I do practice almost every day, it’s also good to have a day or two for a break, because if you practice every day, you would get tired of it.”

Her earliest memory on a softball field was back when she was still playing T-ball, as she remembers swinging her very sparkly — and very pink — Hello Kitty bat.

“It would go ‘Ding!’ every time I hit the ball,” Kylie said.

Recently, as part of the varsity softball team at Windermere Prep,

KYLIE’S STATS

n Kylie leads the Lady Lakers in RBIs with nine runs batted in this season.

n She is third in the team under the on-base percentage with a .522 OBP.

n Kylie has one triple this season, which puts her third in the leaderboard of the team for triples.

she hit her first almost-homer, and that motivated her to continue pushing hard to soon be able to take the ball out of the park.

“The ball hit the fence, and everyone was cheering,” Kylie said. “I haven’t hit a home run yet, but I’m really close.”

LEADING LADY

For Stacy Konstand, her favorite memory of Kylie in the softball world happened earlier this year, when she got asked by her teammates at the CF Phoenix travel team to be their captain.

Her contagious cheerful personality is one of the reasons Kylie believes her travel softball teammates chose her as captain. And even though she is not a captain at Windermere Prep, she still arrives at the softball field — for practices or games — with the same energy.

“I think I can just be really loud and cheerful,” she said. “I’m always cheering at the pitcher when she’s pitching and at the batters when they are at bat. So, I think that’s one of the things (I bring to the team) and also, if I make a mistake, I am really good at just shaking it off.”

During the years with the Lady Lakers, the Kondstands believe Kylie will get stronger and better thanks to the opportunity to play with older and stronger opponents.

“You only become better at things when you compete against people that are a lot better and a lot stronger,” Bill Konstand said. “This teaches her to compete, to be resilient, to not get nervous. … She has to get herself over (those nerves). Now,

“I practice almost every day. But, (because) I do practice almost every day, it’s also good to have a day or two for a break, because if you practice every day, you would get tired of it.”

the girl (who) plays shortstop next to her is a senior, and they (her teammates) love her, they can’t believe she’s out there (on the field) playing with them.”

For Kylie, her favorite thing about playing — and the reason she loves softball — is her team’s camaraderie and getting good plays during a game.

“I love the feeling after you get a good hit or if you get a really good field,” she said. “And even if you don’t, your teammates are always there to cheer you on. I just love to say I’m on the varsity team.”

West Orange pool power

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

game and that a key player makes a difference in games,” Dailer said.

However, one key element Dailer and his players believe to have honed in this season is depth.

“My boys have a lot of depth … they play really well as a team,” she said. “So, as long as they continue to work together and count on (one another), it’s a winnable game, but it’s going to be a hard match for sure. Boca has an impressive water polo program.”

For junior utility Daniel Raz, 16, depth also has become part of the success he and his teammates have had this season.

“We don’t have one or two start players who do really (well),” he said. “Our entire team and our entire starting six are good players. We have good players on the bench, good depth and a lot of players who can show up and be helpful.”

The boys were set to travel to Boca Raton at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, to play for the regional championship title, after press time.

GIRLS

The West Orange High School girls currently are ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 1A and own a 24-1 regularseason record.

“They have come up together the past few years and have stayed in the

water together,” Dailer said. “They are not playing just high school; they are playing year-round, playing club together. It’s been a really powerful thing to see them all connecting this season and staying united and having that camaraderie.”

For junior attacker Surraya Fadloullah, 16, camaraderie has been a key element on the water for the girls this season.

“Our team right now is so close, we are all friends with each other so it’s really easy for us to play together because we have a good bond with each other,” she said. “We can trust each other (in and out of the pool).”

The girls were set to face Lake Nona High (23-2) for the regional championship at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, at the National Training Center in Clermont to title, after press time.

THE WARRIORS

Last year, both Warrior water polo teams saw their seasons come to an end during the regional semifinals. Both teams lost against Boone High, the boys 14-13 and the girls 7-3.

Both teams are excited for the opportunity to be able to bring home a regional state championship title for the first time since the sport was sanctioned by the FHSAA.

“It’s an honor to really be a part of this team, having such great success, and to say that I’m part of it and that

I’m contributing and helping out with it,” Raz said. “It’s just a really great honor to be a part of this team that has had such success and has a chance to win the regional championship (game).”

When it comes to the girls, pride and excitement reigns between all members of the team.

“I am proud of how far we have made it,” Fadloullah said. “It’s a strong accomplishment — the (number) of teams we have (defeated) to get to where we are today.

That’s a big accomplishment for the whole team. … I feel like this year, we really focused on working more as a team instead of working individually. If one person gets better, that’s good. But if the whole team gets better, that’s better.”

Despite good communication on the water, Dailer believes both teams could benefit from more open communication methods during games to help them get even stronger.

“We need to increase communication,” she said. “Although they play together as a team and they look for (one another), they are not necessarily talking as much as I would like on the water. That’s my biggest thing I’m trying to get my team to focus on — the communication with one another.”

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In

OrangeObserver.com OBSERVER | THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023 3B LOCAL NEWS FOUND HERE in the Big Red Box Each week, the Observer is full of local news you can’t find anywhere else. It’s always about You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood. Pick up your FREE copy every Thursday. Find a big red box near you, visit www.orangeobserver.com/ rack-locations GENERAL DENTIST DR RAMDIN GENERAL DENTIST DR GIL PERIODONTIST DR JIMÉNEZ ll d l i l d IMPLANT DENTISTRY PEDIATRIC DENTIST DR BERNAL PEDIATRIC DENTIST DR WANG Dental needs for adults Same- day CEREC crowns In-office whitening Implants Clear aligners & retainers GENERAL DENTISTRY CALL TODAY 407-614-5955 1317 Winter Garden Vineland Rd Ste 110 Winter Garden FL 34787 All Your Dental Needs In One Place All Your Dental Needs In One Place Meet Our D Meet Our D Board Certified Pediatric Dentists In-office sedation & nitrous oxide Parent always welcome during Preventative restorative & PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY treatment emergency dentistry 401099-1
Southwest Orange’s buddy rivalry, the Lady Titans tennis team defeated the Lady Vipers 7-0, while the Lake Buena Vista boys defeated Olympia 7-0 Wednesday, April 5.
The Viper boys increased their winning streak to five for an overall season record of 11-3 after defeating Celebration High School 5-2 Thursday, April 6, during their last game of the regular season.
— ANDREA
Olympia, Lake Buena Vista tennis splits recent matchup
The Olympia High School varsity boys tennis ended its regular season with an overall season record of 10-7. On the girls side, Olympia took the win during the match against the Lady Vipers 7-0. The Lady Titans ended their regular season with an overall season record of 15-2. For the Lake Buena Vista High girls varsity tennis team, the season ended with an overall record of 3-11 after losing against Celebration High School Thursday, April 6.
MUJICA

AMBER SHAW, OCOEE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Amber Shaw is the administrative dean at Ocoee Middle School. She started at the school as an eighth-grade language arts teacher. After she obtained her master’s degree in educational leadership from Stetson University, she transitioned to her current role. “While those roles are very different, I have enjoyed the move into leadership and the relationships I’ve built with my grade level,” Shaw said. “I move up with them each year, so I have years to mentor and build relationships.”

What brought you to your school?

I had recently graduated from Oswego State University in Northern New York and was looking for a warmer climate. Ocoee was the first school that I had a really good feeling about. The interview was focused on engagement and relationships, and I felt that is where I would excel most.

What do you love most about your school?

I love the culture and family atmosphere of OMS. The educators here genuinely care about our students — and it shows. OMS is a safe space for a lot of our students, and they know that they are loved here.

What is your motivation?

I was a military brat and moved around a lot when I was younger. I always wanted a school I could call home and felt like I didn’t get that. I want to provide that to my students.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Getting invited to high school graduations. Middle school is such an important time for our students, and the staff here pours into our students. It’s the best reward to know that those students have made it to graduation.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy fishing and spending quiet time at home. Sometimes, I get the travel bug, but I really prefer the peace and quiet of my home.

REPORT CARD

POSITION: Administrative dean TIME AT SCHOOL: More than 10 years

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

I would say my high school English teacher, Mrs. Edgar, made the most impact on me. She was the reason I pursued education. She was always fun and showed a genuine interest in her students.

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

Since I can remember, I’ve wanted to take care of and nurture others. So, I wanted to be either a nurse or teacher. I pursued both and decided on a teacher, because I found it to be more fulfilling.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

I enjoyed reading Disney fairy tales when I was younger. I had a collection of short stories and liked to read different stories.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy fishing and boating. I enjoy reading and spending quiet time at home.

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

I’d like to be able to teleport or fly. I’d love to be able to get to travel destinations quickly without the long travel hours and airports.

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

I enjoy listening to R&B and rap for the most part. I would say if I were limited it would be Lil Wayne, Charlie Wilson and Beyonce. Those three artists would give me a well-rounded musical experience.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas is, of course, my favorite. Being around family and friends and enjoying one another’s company. I enjoy the fact that time slows down during Christmas and you really get to feel joy and connection with loved ones.

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

Are you still in touch?

Being that I moved around so often, I didn’t get to establish roots when I was in elementary and middle school. I really started to develop long-lasting friends in high school and college. I still keep in touch with a few but have found my lifelong friends while working here at OMS.

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

I was involved in soccer and lacrosse as a student. I was in the honor society for both high school and my technical nursing program in high school.

SIKES

A DREAM COME BLUE

challenge — and they did,” Farley said.

He said his wife sprayed on the blue coloring before school a few weeks ago.

“I think she had more fun doing it than I did,” he said, laughing.

Farley made his blue-haired debut at SunRidge on the school’s morning announcements.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Douglas Farley knows how to motivate his students at SunRidge Elementary.

The principal issued a challenge to his fifth-graders: If they met the mark he set on the final science benchmark test, he would color his hair SunRidge blue. The students took this challenge seriously and worked their hardest to get the chance to see a blue-haired principal.

“They made the mark I set, which is higher than we have been on this test in the past,” Farley said.

The fifth-grade class takes three progress-monitoring tests throughout the year in preparation for the state science proficiency test at the end of the school year.

“The last one we took was in March, and it covers all the standards, and it gives us our best indicator of what they need to work on,” Farley said. “I challenged them to outscore their last tests.”

Students took the test just before spring break.

“We did all the calculations and found out they made it by .4 points — by the skin of their teeth,” he said.

“When I announced it to each of the classes, I told them, ‘Hey, guys, you missed it by .4 points,’ and they said, ‘Oh, man.’ They asked, ‘But can we round that up?’ and I said, ‘Yes, we can.’” They used their math skills. They were super excited.

“I set a benchmark that the students had never met before, and I was hoping they would rise to the

“Most of the students were shocked when they saw me,” he said.

“They stopped when they saw me. Some of them didn’t have the words. Some thought I was going to wear a wig.”

On the school’s Facebook page, parents were commenting on the stunt.

“Mr. Farley is awesome!” one parent wrote. “Had my fifth-grader studying hard for her PMA.”

Another wrote: “Mr. Farley, you’re pretty amazing always doing something awesome for the kids, no matter how dramatic!”

The blue ’do was short-lived, however. Farley’s hair returned to its normal color the same day after about a dozen shampoo sessions, he said. Students were disappointed to see it wasn’t a permanent change.

The challenge was for the fifthgraders, but Farley said the whole school got excited, even the kindergartners.

This is not the first challenge Farley has issued his students. He said he sets various challenges throughout the year, including a schoolwide challenge for students to meet their math facts fluency. Those who reach the 25% and 50% and 75% benchmarks get to enjoy a party in the cafeteria with treats such as Moon Pies and popsicles.

As for the blue hair — students might just see it again someday.

“I’ll do it again,” he said. “That was worth it. It was fun.”

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OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE
Douglas Farley walked around school with a head of shocking blue hair for one day following successful testing.
Courtesy photo The SunRidge Elementary staff, including Assistant Principal Adasha Elmore, clamored for photos with Principal Douglas Farley and his blue hair.

Hamlin Elementary School enjoys first Spring Carnival

Hamlin Elementary hosted its first Spring Carnival on Friday, March 31, at the school in Horizon West. The carnival was hosted by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization, led by President Silvia Goulart. The event included games, a rock wall, a live deejay, food trucks, bounce houses and inflatables, an electric train, a dunk tank, balloon art, and airbrush tattoos. In addition, the carnival featured a silent auction with items donated from local organizations, such as Sky Zone, the Orlando Science Center and the Solar Bears hockey team.

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IT department member Edward Love was soaking wet after being dropped into the dunk tank.
had the opportunity to enjoy delicious bites from a plethora of food trucks.
A stilt-walker entered attendees as
wandered through the
Children faced their fears while braving the rock wall. Attendees
Right:
she
crowd waving.
Children took turns riding throughout the school parking lot in the train.

Windermere Prep leaders discuss safety, growth at State of the School

begin to install those courses in next year’s offerings, that carves the way for pathways to begin to be put into place.”

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

Windermere Preparatory School hosted its spring 2023 State of the School address Tuesday, April 4, at the Cypress Center for the Arts.

Head of School Dr. Mitchell Salerno discussed a wide range of topics — including recent highlights and opportunities.

“It’s been a really incredible year so far,” Salerno said.

Some of the accomplishments include the middle school band achieving a superior rating for the first time from the Florida Bandmasters Association; 11 National Merit finalists in this year’s senior class; the boys basketball team finishing as the Class 3A FHSAA state runnersup; the school’s participation in the Junior Global Games in Costa Rica; and a school-led trip to Tanzania.

SCHOOL SAFETY Salerno said he would be remiss not to talk about school safety and safeguarding, especially following the recent Covenant School shooting in Nashville, Tennessee.

“All school shootings are horrendous,” he said. “The one that happened last week was different for schools like ours. It was the first time that a private school, that largely has done everything that we’ve been told to do from a best-practices standpoint, had an incident. … The school in Nashville had done everything right that we had been told with lockdowns, with all of the measures. The only two things that they didn’t have: gate security … and a police officer on site.”

Salerno said the school is currently reviewing its safety protocols.

He also has invited Barry Armstrong, head of safeguarding at Nord Anglia Education, to campus, who will arrive at the end of the month to complete a full-campus review.

VOUCHERS/SCHOOL CHOICE

Salerno mentioned House Bill 1, a major expansion of Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarship, by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Essentially, the bill eliminates income restrictions and enrollment limits and allows almost any Florida household with a student in elementary, middle or high school to receive a school voucher.

The voucher would contain the amount their local public school would have received if they had attended and can be used to pay for private school tuition, for homeschooling resources if state guidelines are met or, because of new “education savings accounts,” to pay for other school-related costs.

Salerno said he attended a meeting with the Florida Council of Independent Schools, the school’s accrediting body, where attendees discussed the legislation.

“There is a lot of confusion still as to what the Legislature has actually done and what the governor actually wants,” he said. “We’re trying to figure out what it is and what it means for schools. This much we know: Based upon council from our accreditation agency, the money is probably going into buckets where the McKay, Gardiner and Step Up scholarships go. … Windermere Prep has never taken money out of those buckets.

… The challenge is that, at a governmental level, there has not been an explanation of what the strings are that come when you take the money

from a school level.”

Salerno said WPS has yet to make a determination as to whether the school will start to take money out of those areas in the future. He said the money that goes into those areas also will most likely be limited and will first go to categories such as income level.

“Is that something that we can do, should do, wise to do?” he said. “We don’t know, but my recommendation to you is do not expect to have money from the state that you will be paying to WPS this year.”

ACADEMICS

Salerno said one of the key highlights of academics this time of year is where students are going to college. This year, students already have been accepted into schools such as New

York University, Stanford University, Yale University, Vanderbilt, West Point and Brown University.

A brief update also was given on the high school pathways and concentrations Salerno had discussed at the fall State of the School address in September.

Salerno said Steve Murphy, the high school director who started in July, has completed a full review, with the help of the high school team, on the courses the school offers, and he determined many of the International Baccalaureate offerings are heavily academic and, in some ways, out of reach for a lot of high school students.

“There are other offerings that are far more accessible, which allow a broader variety of students to benefit from the philosophy of IB teaching and learning,” Salerno said. “As we

Salerno said the school also will transition from seven periods to eight periods next school year.

“Good work has been done; we’re on our way to pathways,” he said. “I promised it was going to be a two- to three-year process, and we will be able to deliver on the back end on the timeline that we said we would.”

The school also has begun reviewing the primary years program and the middle years program and is considering the possibility of becoming a continuum school — a school that offers at least three of the core programs from IB. The school will be looking at aligning the curriculum for all grade levels.

CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS

The school announced the work on the school’s stadium, the addition of a proper running track with rubber and a turf field, at the fall address. In addition, it announced the work on the courtyard transformations in the Lower School area, where the courtyards are being removed to build patios and turf play spaces for students, and the replacement of the Lower School playground.

Although the school originally predicted the playground work would be completed in January, Salerno said the playground has not yet been touched, as the school is still waiting on a permit from Orange County.

“We’ve been told, hopefully, that within a couple weeks, we should have that finished and that playground work should begin,” he said. “The work for the stadium has also gone through the joys of permitting. It is very, very close. … Hopefully, sometime this month ground will break on the stadium. Both projects should be completed before the start of school (in August).”

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OrangeObserver.com OBSERVER | THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023 7B
Head of School Dr. Mitchell Salerno shared highlights from the year, areas of opportunity and growth, academic insights, and campus improvements.
Annabelle Sikes
celebrity cipher sudoku
the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively. ©2023 Andrews McMeel Syndicate crossword ©2023 Universal Uclick ACROSS 1 Private areas in a modern office 5 Bloke 9 Capital of Kansas 15 Float, as an aroma 19 From the top 20 Special Agent ___ Scully 21 Tippy-tops 22 Opera solo 23 Business headline about a dominant year in the cruise industry? 26 Skateboarder’s sneaker brand 27 Private student 28 Toyota takeback 29 Makeup of bath bubbles 30 Way to pay 31 Inconsistent 33 No. on an invoice 35 Ride with a chauffeur 37 Freezer cubes 38 Also 39 ... search engine censorship? 43 Tidepool vegetation 46 They can be massaged and bruised 47 Mitigate 48 ... wasted efforts on incremental iPhone improvements? 51 Arthur ___ Courage Award 52 Luxuriate (in) 53 “Big hair, don’t care” ‘do 54 Laptop brand 56 Org. with ergonomics standards 59 “Sure about that?” 62 Busy group in Apr. 64 Org. defending free speech 66 First choice for dinner, for short? 68 Key in a “three-finger salute” 69 ... counterfeit products sent through Prime delivery? 74 Feathery accessory 75 Genre to get in your feels 76 Muck 77 Reddit Q&A 78 Second cup of coffee, maybe 80 Finales 82 Fort on the Ohio River 85 Executive office shape 88 Chemistry concept 89 They carry a charge 91 ... extensive airport delays? 95 Luxury Italian clothier 97 Not this 98 Devotion 99 ... car rental data processing? 103 Airport code near Temple Square 104 Molecule at the center of the central dogma of biology 105 Cambodian continent 106 Short flight 107 Negatives from the White House 110 Commentator Rashad 112 List in a bibliography 115 “Daddy,” in El Salvador 117 Yosemite peak, familiarly 119 Barbecue briquette 120 ... construction equipment with faulty brakes? 123 Cruella portrayer in 2021 124 Strapping young lad 125 Is under the weather 126 Sheep-ish mates? 127 Visualizes 128 Gift for an aspiring mixologist 129 Good Queen ___ (Elizabeth I) 130 MRI order? DOWN 1 Treaty 2 Barely best 3 Greek D 4 Uses persuasive language 5 Peer of a Lt. Col. 6 Unshaved 7 Chips for a hand 8 Venmo alternative 9 Paving product 10 Latin “work” 11 Cancun currency 12 Blows off steam? 13 “That’s for you” 14 Donkey 15 Surfer’s platform 16 Coffee variety 17 Overly particular 18 Flavors 24 Turn into 25 Free room, maybe 30 Property that requires some imagination 32 Horseshoe spot 34 Biblical pronoun 36 Degrees for some CFOs 39 “You wish!” 40 Taj Mahal city 41 Brown pear 42 World Cup cheers 43 “Enough with the sob story” 44 Greek E 45 Madrid Mrs. 48 Humble home 49 Snap, Crackle and Pop, for one 50 Ripped 51 West Coast gas station 55 It can be lent or bent 57 Zoo enclosure 58 ___ tour (opportunity to make amends) 60 “This is the end for me!” 61 “I can’t unhear that!” 63 Rejuvenating place 65 Printer tray abbr. 67 Tropical trees 70 Boats like Noah’s 71 Aim of some meditation 72 Love, in Bolivia 73 Patel of “Ghosts” 79 Leaf-peeping lure 81 Small dent 83 “The Gathering Place” island 84 Rogue or Storm 86 Common sports injury sites (Abbr.) 87 Vientiane resident, say 90 Pedant’s picks 92 Write in stone 93 FiDi trading floor 94 Get cold feet 95 Best Musical Tony winner in 2015 96 Sushi bar appetizer 97 Backstabber 99 Orthodontist’s application 100 Insect with a 17-year cycle 101 Pueblo people 102 Smog testing site? 107 Small beakers 108 Sparkle 109 Hayek of “House of Gucci” 111 Sighed word 113 Perfect scores 114 Pennsylvania port city 116 Barre bend 118 Whispered “Over here!” 120 Ride with a driver 121 Winter hrs. in Washington 122 Online aggregator format letters
Head of School Dr. Mitchell Salerno led the school’s spring 2023 State of the School address.
Complete
BUSINESS NEWS by Rebecca Goldstein, edited by Jeff Chen
© 2023 NEA, Inc. 4-13-23
INFORMATION & RATES: 407-656-2121 redpages@orangeobserver.com • orangeobserver.com/redpages RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here! THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023 Observer Media Group reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Observer Media Group to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property. Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. DEADLINES: Classifieds - Friday at Noon Service Directory - Friday at 10AM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card peekers’ place ©2023 NEA, Inc. This week’s Sudoku answers This week’s Crossword answers ©2023 Universal Uclick You’re only cheating yourself. Puzzle One Solution: “The number one job for me is to make people laugh. If I can also make people think, then that’s a cool thing.” Richard Belzer Puzzle Two Solution: “Goodbye my dear ... friend. I will miss you ... and your singular take on this strange world.” Mariska Hargitay on Richard Belzer Puzzle Three Solution: “Richard ... Belzer. A beautiful soul. ... Never met anyone like him, and I never will again.” Chris Meloni This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers You now get the dry flower to SMOKE! 407-755-0012 1801 E. Colonial Dr Orlando, FL 32803 We provide Medical Marijuana in a variety of forms such as tinctures, pills, pain patches, vapes, concentrates, buds, vape shatter pills, dry flower & much more! www.CMMDR.COM GET YOUR MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD HERE FAST & EASY CERTIFICATION Call now for your FREE pre-evaluation by phone FREE DELIVERY delivered directly to your home or business 401072 Announcements years! HELP US CELEBRATE Let your spare change make a change. by pledging $13 for 13 months SCAN HERE TO PLEDGE 401819 Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales Glynwood Community on New Stonecrest Blvd. in Winter Garden will hold their spring yard sale Saturday, April 15. Gates will open at 7:30AM and close at 2PM. Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales 400943 Meadow Ridge Community Annual Garage Sale SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2023 8am - 1pm Enter from Jordan Rose Ave. Ocoee, FL 34761 FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE! Merchandise Wanted NOW PURCHASING SCRAP 407-65613178 Winter 349888 NOW PURCHASING SCRAP BATTERIES 407-656-3495 13178 W. Colonial Dr. NOW PURCHASING SCRAP BATTERIES 407-656-3495 13178 W. Colonial Dr. Winter Garden 401070 Accounting 401069 First 15 words $15.00 per week Each add’l word 25¢ RED PAGES AD RATES 15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN Color background: $5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 407-656-2121 Email: redpages@ orangeobserver.com Online: orangeobserver.com/ redpages Call 407-656-2121 or visit OrangeObserver.com Made for where you live. Here! RED PAGES TREASURES Looking for something? Your lucky discovery is closer than you think. found here. Search the RED PAGES for great deals. To place an ad, call 407-656-2121
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