05.11.23 West Orange Times & Observer

Ocoee moves District 4 election to 2024

ANDREA MUJICA

STAFF WRITER

A special election to select a new District 4 Ocoee city commissioner has been postponed until 2024.

The Ocoee City Commission at its Tuesday, May 2, meeting approved 4-1 a motion to postpone the election.

Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen was the lone dissenter.

The election now will take place the same day as the Presidential Primary elections, March 19, 2024. The move to hold the election on the day of the primaries will save the city $10,000.

Attorney Richard Geller, of Fishback Dominick LLP, clarified the commission was under no legal obligation to host the special election given the next general election would take place less than 12 months after the last general city election.

According to the City Charter: “If a general city election will not be held within 12 months, the successor shall be elected at a special election which shall be called by the City Commission within 90 days of the vacancy. The successor shall serve for the unexpired term of the member who created the vacancy.”

Former District 4 Commissioner

IN OTHER NEWS

n The commission recognized the week of April 30 to May 6 as Municipal Clerks Week and extended an appreciation to Municipal Clerk Melanie Sibbitt as well as the entire City Clerk’s Department and all the municipal clerks for their service to their respective communities.

n The commission performed the first reading of an ordinance for the annexation and rezoning of a .372-acre property that already has been included in the design for the Siri Office Building PUD Land Use Plan. The second reading of an

George Oliver III resigned from the post to run for mayor. His resignation took effect March 21, 2023. The new election date falls within 12 months of that date.

Ocoee resident Ages Hart was sworn in as interim District 4 commissioner Tuesday, April 18.

“I believe in the charter; I would have voted yes, but I felt as though I was very torn after our previous vote,” Wilsen said. “I support the charter, I

ordinance will take place during the Tuesday, May 16, meeting.

n The commission approved renaming the Human Relations Diversity Board to the Idea Advisory Board. It also appointed three new members to the board.

n The commission tabled the second reading and public hearing of a resolution to create the Ocoee Northwest Brownfield Area to a future date that has yet to be specified.

n The commission denied the petition from Heartland Dental to

believe in the charter, but I was torn.”

Ocoee residents criticized the decision.

“We can place amendments with words all we want, but there comes a point where something is right or is wrong,” former mayoral candidate Chris Adkins said. “You voted to have a special election in June. I think that it is not only doing the District 4 constituents a disservice for changing your vote that was just a few weeks

allow for sign-size variances that would allow the increase of size for two signs on the building located at 1110 Blackwood Ave., Ocoee.

n The commission agreed to provide names to vote on as members of the Charter Review Commission by Friday, May 12, so these can be discussed during the Tuesday, May 16, meeting.

n City of Ocoee attorney Scott Cookson — along with ShuffieldLowman law firm — has officially submitted his resignation to the City Commission.

ago, but it’s doing our city a disservice, too. … Not only the constituents of District 4 deserve an elected leader … we should stick to the things that we say and the things we tell our taxpayers. It sows a really bad seed; it makes it seem like we can’t trust you.”

“Even though we may be able to legally move this election the question is ‘Why?’” former District 1 Commissioner Larry Brinson said. “We need to fill that seat now. Why should we have to wait almost a year to assign a person to that seat? There is no reason; I don’t understand. … We have mechanisms in place, and it’s not about $10,000. We sneeze and blow $10,000. That’s what we call in finance fiscal dust. That is nothing compared to our budget.”

Oliver, who is running again for the seat, said postponing the election affects everyone in District 4.

“This whole situation is about … every citizen that is registered to vote and has the right to vote,” he said.

“We have citizens (who) were expecting to have a special election, and now that has been taken away from them for another 10 months. I think Commissioner Wilsen — she had it right.”

Mayor Rusty Johnson said District 4 residents have strong representation with Hart on the commission.

“The citizens in District 4 are not going to lose out until next year,” he said. “We’ve got a gentleman (who) is going to fill that seat and is going to work on that job as good as anybody else. I think he’s a good person, and I think he will do a great job.”

Candidate Nate Robinson said he will continue campaigning.

“The City Commission weighed the outside legal opinion and public comments, and voted to move the election to March 19, (2024),” Robertson said. “I would have preferred the election stay as they had originally called it, but I am now focused on continuing the campaign to win the election on March 19, (2024).”

¡ÓRALE PUES!

The city of Ocoee turned its downtown into an evening fiesta as it celebrated Cinco de Mayo Friday, May 5. Hosted by the Ocoee Parks and Recreation Department and Toll Road Brewing Company, the event gave residents a place to enjoy the holiday. The event featured plenty of activities, including live music, bull-riding, a rock wall, food and much more. Event partners included DG Doughnuts, Pelican’s Snoballs, Nessa’s BBQ, Let It Go Lifestyle Emporium, Bike Life Cafe, The Ocoee Book Rack and Ocoee Taco Company.

Ni hao! Asian Cultural Festival returns to Ocoee

Attendees can get a taste of the cultures of Asia at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center through live music, dance performances, food and drink.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

The Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida is giving residents a chance to experience the flavors and sounds of Asia at its 13th annual Asian Cultural Festival Sunday, May 14.

“It’s Mother’s Day, but we encourage everyone to bring their mother to enjoy the day,” said Pauline Ho, event sponsorship chair.

The event will be held at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, with activities inside and outdoors. The food hall will be set up outside in Bill Breeze Park, and attendees can purchase Asian foods and desserts from restaurants selling delicacies such as jerky, grilled squid, mango sticky rice, barbecue pork noodle bowls, mochi, kimbap, teas and coconut drink

Indoors, entertainment will take place from noon to 4 p.m.

The schedule includes a Parade of Nations, Taiwanese Dragon Dance, Filipino folk music, Japanese drumming, Chinese poetry, Indian dance and Thai music. There will be a ribbon dance from Taiwan, a yo-yo performance and Lion Dance from China, kung fu and tai chi performances, and more.

The Japanese drumming includes more than 20 performers, so it will be held outside, Ho said.

“That’s always our signature performance,” she said.

The lion and dragon dances also are popular cultural performances at the event.

“They represent prosperity, and they represent good luck to those who enjoy the festival,” Ho said.

The council is partnering with the city of Ocoee. The cultures participating in the festival take turns chairing and hosting the event. The festival is a fundraiser for the council’s Asian American Student Achiever Award Scholarship. There is no entry fee, but there is a charge

ASIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 14

WHERE: Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee

for the food items.

“My favorite part of the festival will be the food, definitely,” Ho said. “We have something different, and I like that. My other favorite part is how we are so many different organizations (coming) together (for) one event. The unity of it.”

Ho is grateful for the sponsors who are annual supporters; any restaurants return each year to participate.

“Their support means a lot to our festival and our Asian students as well,” she said.

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and Asian Americans celebrate their culture and heritage through talented performances and cuisine.

The Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida is an umbrella nonprofit comprising several Asian American member organizations — groups ranging from social, cultural, business, religious, educational and professional to health and fitness, and diversity networks. It was established in 1980 by community leaders of ethnic associations representing the various countries of Asia led by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Korea and Laos.

In 1995, the group reorganized as the AAHC to include all 41 countries of Asia. In the last few years, more than 35 Asian American organizations have participated in the celebration of National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month through the annual cultural festival.

festival

Courtesy photo

The

provides a chance to learn about the various Asian cultures represented in Central Florida.

ANDREA MUJICA

Stilt masters Aaron Hagedorn and Allie Marshall from Ever After Character Events walked around Downtown

Maverick Garrison, 11, lasted several seconds on the riding bull attraction before falling to the mat.

Right: Rose Etienne, 4, sparked her creativity at the arts and crafts table.

Below: The group Mariachi Nuevo Guadalajara comprised by David Ron, Yuri Borjas, Miguel Ravago and Oscar Rosales.

Above: Aiden Evans, 5, sat still while he had a serpent painted on his face.

Left: Zaire Bombard, 8, had a lot of fun riding the attractions.

Maxey Elementary School student goes the extra miles

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

Third-grade student Kalyn Foster never was interested in anything — until he discovered running.

Kalyn, who attends Maxey Elementary School in Winter Garden, has been part of the Westly’s Mile running club at the school since the program started in October.

Westly’s Mile was announced by The Foundation for a Healthier West Orange in collaboration with Healthy West Orange and the American Heart Association.

According to foundation CEO Lesa Boettcher, the walk/run club is designed to give elementary students in West Orange County a foundation of healthy habits.

This year alone, Kalyn has run more than 50 miles and was recognized as the No. 1 runner at his school out of about 75 students who are part of the club.

In total, Maxey students ran 1,137.46 miles this school year.

NEWFOUND LOVE

Nivia Foster, Kalyn’s mother, is a teacher at Maxey Elementary. She said she has seen her son’s love for running grow both at home and at school since he first began.

She said Kalyn is the one who decided he wanted to be part of the club.

“I didn’t know anything about it, but these flyers came home, and he was like, ‘Mom, Mom, I’ve got to join this club,’” she said. “And I was like, ‘What club are you talking about?’ I thought it was another thing he said he wanted to do and then he wasn’t going to do it, but he surprised me. He has kept with it.”

Foster said her son, a child with high-functioning autism, has never been interested in anything besides video games.

She said she doesn’t know what it is about running that makes it different from anything else for her son, but she can tell he truly loves it.

A few weeks ago when the weather was bad on the Thursday run day, Kalyn cried because he was sad he could not go.

Kalyn also participated in the school’s 3K run April 15. He came in second place out of everyone — including participating adults.

“It makes me feel good that he found something like this that he loves,” Foster said. “Hopefully, he will continue it. We’re looking for stuff in the summertime that he can do involving running to see if he will stick with it.”

Although Kalyn excels in school —

he earned all A’s and B’s this year and is referred to as “Rain Man” because he’s a math genius — Foster said her biggest worry is about how people will treat her son in the future.

“I won’t say he’s naive, but he’s so black and white,” she said. “I worry about people being mean to him when he gets older. Everyone is so loving here, and I just want him to be accepted and not treated like an outcast when he goes off to middle or high school in the future.”

Kalyn said he has made a lot of friends while participating in the running club.

“What I like about running is that I run so fast,” he said. “I’m like the wind. It makes me feel great.”

HEALTHY HABITS

Westly’s Mile is hosted at five participating elementary schools: Maxey, Ocoee, SunRidge, Tildenville and Westbrooke.

Heather Maloney, executive director at AHA, said the organizations wanted to start with schools that had previously partnered with HWO and AHA in the past.

Over the next five years, Westly’s Mile will expand to 29 elementary schools. Long-term, Maloney said the goal is to provide the program across the entire West Orange County community.

To support the program, Boettcher said each school received program materials, guidance and stipends for teachers who lead the run/walk club.

Maxey’s club was led by coach Jesse Cooper and teacher Amanda Pryor.

“Studies show that kids who are regularly active are more likely to

have improved mental well-being, higher self-esteem, better sleep and better academic performance,” Boettcher said.

According to Maloney, since last October, nearly 400 elementary school students have walked or run more than 6,700 combined miles.

Some milestones achieved this year include 17 students completing 50 miles, two students finishing 75 miles, one student completing 100 miles, one student reaching 125 miles and one student completing 150 miles.

“Students are moving more and having fun learning to keep their hearts healthy,” Maloney said. “They enjoy spending time with friends and the feeling of accomplishing goals. Parents and caregivers have also noted that their children have more energy, are sleeping better, have increased mental focus and are eating healthier.”

At the program’s year-end celebration, Maloney said she asked parents and caregivers to describe Westly’s Mile in three words. A few of the responses received included “fun,” “active,” “entertaining,” “best experience ever,” “absolutely loved it” and “amazing healthy opportunity.”

“This is the first time we’ve had a club like this, and I think it’s really wonderful that it’s given the kids something else to do and a different way to express themselves and be a part of something,” Foster said.

Boettcher said the foundation hopes Westly’s Mile will continue to provide a fun and meaningful way for kids in the community to stay active.

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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Photos by Annabelle Sikes Kalyn Foster was recognized as the No. 1 runner at his school as part of the Westly’s Mile running club.

County addresses Reams Road concerns

District 1 Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson hosted a Town Hall meeting to discuss traffic concerns and an updated timeline on the two associated projects in the area.

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

Horizon West residents learned more details about Orange County’s plans to improve Reams Road during a Town Hall meeting Wednesday, April 26.

The meeting, hosted by District 1 Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson, featured several Orange County staff members involved with the projects as well as emergency management personnel, including Raymond Williams, manager of the engineering division; Joe Kunkel, director of public works; Renzo Nastasi, transportation planning manager; Roberto Ng, project manager; Abdul Azim, senior engineer; and Dennis Ela, Orange County Sheriff’s Office captain in Sector 3.

The meeting was the first of two. The next will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, June 26, at Bay Lake Elementary School.

“I take your concerns very seriously,” Wilson said. “I wish I had a magic wand, and I wish I had the ability to really speed the process up and make things immediately better. … It has been a big, long slog, but I want to assure you I’m with you every step of the way.”

REAMS ROAD

The purpose of the Reams Road project is to widen Reams Road from south of Summerlake Park Boulevard to Taborfield Avenue.

The proposed design includes two 11-foot-wide travel lanes in each direction separated by a raised median. In addition, a 5-foot-wide sidewalk is located on the south side of the roadway and a 14-foot-wide multi-use trail is planned along the

north side of the roadway.

The project also plans to incorporate drainage improvements, lighting, landscaping and a wildlife crossing. Right-of-way acquisition is needed for the roadway and stormwater improvements.

For interim improvements, the county has installed a flashing wildlife crossing, trimmed down vegetation to maximize wildlife visibility, cutback vegetation over sidewalks, installed a speed feedback sign, and milled and resurfaced the roadway between Center and Newmarket drives.

Currently, the project is in the design phase. Right-of-way acquisition also is taking place and is expected to run through the end of 2026. Construction is estimated to begin near the end of 2026.

Williams said the Reams Road project is estimated to cost about $55 million.

FICQUETTE ROAD

Ficquette Road is being widened to improve the level of service, enhance traffic operations and improve safety along the corridor.

The project runs from south of the Reams Road/Summerlake Park Boulevard intersection to south of the Ingelnook Drive intersection.

The proposed design includes two 11-foot-wide travel lanes in each direction separated by a raised grassed median. A shared-use trail will be provided on the west side, and a five-foot concrete sidewalk will be provided along the east side.

The project will include realigning the existing S-curves at the Ficquette Road/Reams Road/Summerlake Park Boulevard intersection. Intersection

“I take your concerns very seriously. I wish I had a magic wand, and I wish I had the ability to really speed the process up and make things immediately better. … It has been a big, long slog, but I want to assure you I’m with you every step of the way.”

improvement also will be provided at Old Thicket Trace, New Independence Parkway and the Deputy Scott Pine Community Park entrance. New stormwater retention ponds will be required and additional rightof-way is needed for the roadway and stormwater improvements. Lighting and landscaping also will be provided along the roadway corridor. The project is expected to finish final design halfway through this year. Right-of-way acquisition is ongoing and is expected to continue halfway through 2025. Construction will begin shortly after. Williams said the cost of the Ficquette Road project is estimated to be about $35 million.

CRASH COURSE

Ng presented a map with the traffic engineering improvements in the area. From 2018 to current, Ng said, there have been about 125 crashes along the corridor. Of those, there were two fatalities, nine severe crashes and 23 non-incapacitating crashes; the rest were minor.

Ng said the crashes did not take place in one specific area but rather throughout the corridor.

“All of Southwest Orange County is experiencing a lot of growth — and a lot of pains and aches as a result of that,” Ela said. “We actively work with all of the county partners and the school board as well to try to come up cooperatively with a plan to keep everything cohesive, peaceful and keep traffic flowing and keep kids safe.”

Ng cited improvements added including signs, raised lane separators and span wire signals.

Many residents expressed concern for short-term improvements to traffic in the area as well as flooding with the projects not planned to be completed for another few years.

Don Kendzior, naturalist and president of Noah’s Notes, a nonprofit environmental organization, was not able to attend the meeting but shared his thoughts regarding wildlife mortality through email.

“Although long overdue, the first community meeting afforded the public the opportunity to voice their

concerns over Reams Road issues that have far too long gone unaddressed,” he wrote. “As we did not hear anything specific regarding actions to be taken to reduce wildlife mortality, we have sent Commissioner Wilson a letter outlining the short and long-term actions we are calling for to improve public safety and reduce wildlife mortality on Reams Road.”

According to Noah’s Notes, around 1,000 animals — averaging more than 100 per year or one every 3.6 days — have been killed since the issue of wildlife mortality along Reams Road was brought to the county’s attention more than seven years ago.

Kendzior said if short-term actions are not implemented by the end of June, the organization will commence transfer of the matter to its national environmental and animal welfare partners.

“At such time, they will assume the lead and employ whatever resources and actions they deem necessary,” he wrote in an email to Wilson. “Thus, the time that I can remain meaningfully engaged with the issue and facilitate solutions is coming to an end.”

Courtesy photo

This image shows the multitude of traffic engineering improvements added to Reams Road in the past few years.

— Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson

SECOND LOTTERY WOULD VIOLATE STATE STATUTES

In addition to the merger, the idea of conducting a lottery for seventhgrade spots at Innovation Montessori also elicited concern among students and parents. Although the school ultimately decided against this plan, communication from school officials in the past six weeks caused confusion among some parents.

Innovation Montessori High School Principal Jared Stewart, Innovation Executive Director Patrice Cherico and K-8 Principal Cathy Tobin, announced March 24 they would be conducting a second lottery for children in the seventh grade, starting in the 2024-25 school year. After parents voiced concerns, Kia Scott, senior director of OCPS Charters, wrote: “I have spoken to one of the school’s board members as well as to Ms. Cherico regarding the ability to hold a secondary lottery for students already enrolled. It is our stance that this is not allowed.”

Montessori school to merge middle, high school campuses

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

Students and parents are speaking out against Innovation Montessori’s plans to merge its middle school program with its high school campus.

Innovation Montessori moved its charter high school to a new, separate campus on East Silver Star Road in August 2022, with the original Innovation Montessori High School charter draft setting a cap at 800 students.

After having to pivot during the pandemic, in July 2022, school officials said the school would start with 170 students with a student capacity of 288 — 72 planned for each grade level.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MERGE

Innovation Executive Director

Patrice Cherico said the merger was discussed with the board at a working session in January.

Four weeks ago, the school announced the board voted to merge the middle school program with the high school campus.

Cherico said the merger could benefit students in both programs.

“It was always our intent to staff and support our middle school program at our North Lakewood campus alongside our high school,” she said. “Our plans had to change when construction costs accelerated during the pandemic. Our original plan was always to have a principal over middle and high, and a principal over primary and elementary. It was just November 2021 that we realized we were being priced out of building our high school on that property. While we had to face the possibility of losing our high school program entirely at that point in time, our board and administration worked hard to keep the high school moving forward, ultimately purchasing the Silver Star building just last spring.

“With this new reality, we now need to think about the future of the program and what is in its best interests,” she said. “I strongly believe that, with our student body on two separate campuses now, the most logical thing to do is to create a unique space for our adolescents.”

Cherico said she believes this is the logical move from two perspectives: pedagogically and operationally.

“We are fully aware that the timeline seemed short and fast, but we had to wait for the decision from OCPS,” Cherico said. “And though the merge would not happen until 2024-25, it had to be voted on in March … for administration to allocate spaces correctly for 2023-24 in order to support the direction for 2024-25. We asked for the community to give us trust and time to work out the details.”

IMHS Principal Jared Stewart sent a message to parents March 24 about the merger: “Following the merger (consolidation of our two charter

contracts with OCPS) of our K-8 and high school charters — which was approved at February’s OCPS board meeting — at Wednesday night’s board meeting, our board voted to consolidate our middle and high school programs.”

Stewart then sent a newsletter to parents saying he met with students to “collect their thoughts on how to make the transition as smooth as possible.”

“While this change will certainly create challenges, I was pleased to hear students share their thoughts on how we can make the transition happen in a way that supports all students at all grade levels,” Stewart wrote. “Concerns and ideas were shared, and I fielded a lot of questions. Overall, I believe the discussions were productive and gave students an opportunity to be heard.”

However, students and parents claim the school never asked for their input.

Cherico said although the school is in support of the student voice, it also knows “adolescents don’t always have all the facts or the full perspective, which is exactly why we don’t include them in operational decisions.

“Running a school sometimes calls on us to make unpopular decisions in the school’s best interest,” she said. “At these times, we hope that the trust and goodwill we have grown with our community will help us through. Clearly, not everyone is there with us just yet.”

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

At a board meeting Tuesday, May 2, Innovation students spoke out against the decision to merge the programs.

One student said she felt “betrayed by the administration and the board of directors.”

“This has been very stressful for the high-schoolers who had no warning about this change and weren’t

allowed to have a voice in this decision,” the student said. “We are not happy with this decision, and many have been silenced when they’ve tried to speak up.”

The student referenced a survey conducted by other students where 136 out of the 164 surveyed stated they were against the merger. Out of 24 neutral students, a large number said they voted neutral, because “they don’t care because they’re leaving this school anyway.”

The students also created a handsigned petition against the merger signed by 125 out of 134 students. Additionally, students have created an online petition called “Save Our Schools.”

Another student asked the school for transparency and honesty.

“Our trust — the student body, the teachers, even the parents — has been shattered,” he said. “Not just that, there is an air of paranoia within the entire school … truly a whole atmosphere of not knowing what’s going on. … We simply ask: Be transparent and have empathy.”

Board President Stacey Williams asked the board to consider the communications shared but also to consider the long-term focus.

“We cannot make decisions in this role based on one perspective,” she said. “We do need to consider the whole health of this school and what would provide the best opportunity for students…”

Board member Marissa Caravelis said she based her decision to support the merger on the school’s mission.

“Through the discussion that we had, we felt like we could do better for adolescents,” she said. “If we feel like we can do better to reach our mission, then this is the right thing to do.”

After much discussion by the board, the board also heard public comment from staff and parents.

“This would have avoided two months of stress from top to bottom in our school community,” parent Alain Dawson said of the discussion. “A lot of us have gotten information that we’ve been dying to have and have been asking for, and it just has not been presented in a way that we could understand and put together. We may not all be happy about it — I’m sure you guys aren’t all happy about it — but we understand where you’re coming from. ... Without information you have speculation, and that’s what’s been going on.”

SHOW OF SUPPORT

Although few spoke in support of the merger at the meeting, Orange Observer received more than 15 emails from staff members at Innovation in the days following the board meeting speaking of positive experiences with the school.

ported and there is an open-door policy.

“The recent decision to bring middle school to the other campus is one I support, because I truly believed, based on my training and knowledge of Montessori, that this is the best way to foster an authentic program,” she said. “Ever since this change has been announced, the amount of disinformation that has been thrown around is ridiculous. People have perpetuated false information. What is known to be true is that the choices made by the IMO administration have gotten us this far and have built something beautiful. Now is not the time to stop believing in those who we have trusted this much.”

Parent and staff member Arielle Pandolph-Schmidt said although she was unprepared for the decision to merge the middle school with the high school — especially because her daughter will be in the first class affected — she believes parents have gone too far.

“The administration and board of Innovation Montessori have always led the school thoughtfully, purposefully and respectfully,” she said. “I was more disappointed in the disrespect this group of parents showed toward the administration and the school than the decisions the school made. They allowed their emotions — and dare I say ‘entitlement’ — to overrun their logical minds and neglected to consider that professional school administrators might really know more about running a school than they do.”

To improve open communication in the future, the board discussed starting a School Advisory Council again, as well as a student committee and a communication committee.

Cherico said the board’s decision is to continue moving forward.

“As a board, we affirm our commitment to the direction of merging middle school and high school, while aligning enrollment numbers with the intent that we will not need a second lottery at any grade,” the board wrote in a prepared statement composed at the end of the meeting.

Cherico said she believes school culture is not one meeting and done — it’s a collective daily effort.

However, in a newsletter sent to parents April 24, Cherico wrote: “As discussed in our previous communications, we are working through the details with the goal of reducing/eliminating the need for a lottery. While we understand that people desire specifics, we need time to flush it out fully.”

Cherico provided an updated comment on the issue Sunday, April 30.

“I can tell you that we are looking to strengthen our adolescent program by better utilizing our resources and staff to support quality instruction and enrichment activities for students in seventh through 12th grades,” she said. “Currently, we are in the early planning stages of how that would work, beginning in the 2024-25 school year. We don’t need a lottery for this transition.”

Cherico also shared that if she had an opportunity to have a do-over of the last few weeks, she would not have shared the potential for losing 20-30% of rising seventh-graders in a second lottery.

“I truly regret the anxiety that has caused, and had I practiced what has helped us over the years — and not provided those numbers until we had taken the time to dig in deeply — I expect that much of your concern and anxiety could have been avoided,” she said.

In a May 1 letter to Innovation board chair Stacey Williams, Scott indicated the second lottery would have violated state statutes.

“In the future, as you plan to update your Enrollment Policy, keep in mind that it must be in alignment with Florida Statutes,” Scott wrote.

— Innovation Executive Director Patrice Cherico

Teacher Natalie Zanini said the administration team goes out of its way to ensure the teachers are sup-

“We are far from perfect, and we understand that we will always have work to do and ways to get better, but we are very intentional about the culture of our work community,” she said. “It’s something that is not taken for granted and something that we remind staff that we are all responsible for every day. … We work toward a culture where clear is kind. We circle back and follow up if we’re not content with how a conversation went, and we hold each other and ourselves to account. Being brave isn’t easy, we know, but we owe it to each other to speak our peace.”

“To ensure this will not become problematic, discussion with your sponsor will ensure there is no potential statutory conflict and contract violation before sharing information with parents. As a reminder, the original application for your school includes the following verbiage on pages 13, 72, and 73:

‘Returning students will not be required to re-apply each academic year.’ This is of importance as your application is within the appendix of your current charter contract.”

“Running a school sometimes calls on us to make unpopular decisions in the school’s best interest. At these times, we hope that the trust and goodwill we have grown with our community will help us through. Clearly, not everyone is there with us just yet.”

Polis continues talks in east Winter Garden

The institute held its second community revitalization networking meeting with residents April 26.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Polis Institute has been working in the east Winter Garden community since last fall to create and strengthen relationships and organize a largescale collaboration plan for revitalizing the area.

The second Community Revitalization Network session was held April 26 with core revitalization stakeholders: city leaders, foundations, nonprofits, investors and the people living in east Winter Garden.

William Jefferson, director of community projects at Polis, said positive impacts already have been made on the east side. Polis has conducted extensive community canvassing and held a public dialogue series, youth sessions and outreach efforts in the community.

Jefferson presented a survey conducted that asked residents how they felt about the “East Winter Garden” name and about renaming it. An overwhelming number of folks were neutral — 52% and 50%, respectively — regarding both issues, with 4% hating the name, 17% loving the name, 12% strongly disagreeing with renaming the community and 12% strongly agreeing with the renaming.

Polis shared several of the residents’ opinions: “I prefer Winter Garden over East Winter Garden,” “What’s changing the name going to do?” “The name is perfect the way it is,” “It should all be referred to as Winter Garden” and “It’s unimportant; there is other stuff to worry about.”

Winter Garden City Commissioner Mark Maciel, whose district includes the east Winter Garden community, reiterated the importance of keeping the lines of dialogue open.

BY THE NUMBERS

3The number of community leaders and organizations provided with capacity-building coaching

5The number of community partners provided with community marketing support

15The number of community events for which Polis Institute contributed collaboration, logistics, staffing, planning or facilitation

225The number of community residents who responded to a neighborhood survey

490The number of households engaged through feedback opportunities and events

8,470The number of door-to-door connection points made by the Polis Institute Community Outreach Team in east Winter Garden

“Communication is going to be the savior of this community,” he said. City Manager Jon C. Williams gave an update on action taken by the city. This includes the city purchasing land and focusing on safety at the intersection of Tenth and Center streets. The city also has approved 30,000 square feet of space for retail and office tenants at the corner of Ninth and 11th streets, and officials are working with a developer to acquire more space for businesses.

Dr. Bahíyyah Maroon, a cultural anthropologist and CEO of Polis Institute, also shared information at the meeting. She provided a list of priority issues of concern to residents: economic mobility, housing, health care, education, safety,

child care, mental well-being, career paths, social justice, transportation, food security, political representation, neighborhood infrastructure and environment.

Maroon asked participants to fill out a prompt based on a statement: “Five years from now the east Winter Garden community will …” The responses — which were made with each participating organization’s mission statement in mind — will help Polis set goals for the east side.

Participants discussed jobs and reducing and eliminating the generational cycle of poverty. The conversation included the importance of holding job fairs, finding jobs for people who need jobs, creating job opportunities, and offering resources for teaching skills for resume writing and interviewing.

MEETING SERIES

Sponsored by the city of Winter Garden and facilitated by Polis Institute, the Revitalization Network Series is a set of action-oriented events that give community leaders and agencies practical tools and steps that improve the community communication network to ensure all residents and all organizations have up-to-date information on activities, opportunities and services; establish shared goals that residents and organizations actively work toward together; and enhance a shared system of accountability so residents and organizations actively know what advances are being made in community revitalization and how everyone can best support the shared vision of a fully revitalized community.

The first meeting was held in September. Folks in attendance spoke about their organizations, and a master list was created.

“When we come and work with communities at Polis Institute … we want to leave communities better than when we came — and we leave the communities with all the capacity they need to lead themselves,” Maroon said.

Roper Y promotes healthy lifestyle at family celebration

The Roper YMCA celebrated local families at the 2023 Healthy Kids Day Saturday, April 29. Children and families flocked to the green space outside of the center to enjoy interactive activities, inflatables, community vendors and more.

Community vendors included Orlando Magic, Orlando Health, Healthy West Orange, Orange Observer, State Farm Agent Jo Barsh, HiLite Coaching and Consulting, and V’s Barbershop.

— ANNABELLE SIKES

Esther, Abigail and Hannah Brown cooled off with shaved ice treats.

Zoe Rivera played with a giant Connect Four game.

Giovanni and Isabella Thomas ran through the inflatable obstacle course.

Lake Down Village estate sells for $2.55M

Ahome in the Lake Down Village community in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions

from April 29 to May 5.

The home at 9525 Lavill Court, Windermere, sold May 5, for $2,550,000. Built in 1989, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 4,097 square feet of living area. Days on market: 313.

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

DR. PHILLIPS HIDDEN SPRINGS

The home at 5803 Cedar Pine Drive, Orlando, sold May 2, for $650,000. Built in 1985, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,273 square feet. Days on market: 89.

ORANGE BAY

The home at 6305 Orange Cove Drive, Orlando, sold May 5, for $524,500. Built in 1982, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,251 square feet. Days on market: Three.

SAND LAKE POINT

The home at 10125 Culpepper Court, Orlando, sold May 2, for $675,000. Built in 1988, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,403 square feet. Days on market: Four.

VISTA CAY AT HARBOR SQUARE

The condo at 4804 Cayview Ave., No. 30412, Orlando, sold May 1, for $510,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,097 square feet. Days on market: 317.

HORIZON WEST ASHLIN PARK

The home at 7242 Rambling Water Way, Windermere, sold May 2, for $920,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,051 square feet. Days on market: 72.

ENCLAVE AT BERKSHIRE PARK

The home at 13522 Darchance Road, Windermere, sold May 1, for $525,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,147 square feet. Days on market: Four.

HAMLIN RESERVE

The home at 15675 Honeybell Drive sold May 2, for $649,900. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,226 square feet. Days on market: Three.

HAWKSMOOR

The home at 16651 Wingspread Loop, Winter Garden, sold May 4, for $603,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,020 square feet. Days on market: Three.

HIGHLAND RIDGE

The home at 12044 Bracco St., Winter Garden, sold May 2, for $526,990. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,985 square feet. Days on market: 65.

HIGHLANDS AT SUMMERLAKE GROVES

The home at 15772 Murcott Harvest Loop, Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $800,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,225 square feet.

INDEPENDENCE/

SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 6125 Cypress Hill Road, Winter Garden, sold May 2, for $875,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,711 square feet. Days on market: 40.

The home at 6814 Point Hancock Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 4, for $574,900. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,500 square feet. Days on market: 270.

The home at 6771 Pasturelands Place, Winter Garden, sold May 2, for $480,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,650 square feet. Days on market: 13.

LAKEVIEW POINTE

AT HORIZON WEST

The home at 7172 Half Moon Lake Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $700,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,654 square feet. Days on market: Three.

LATHAM PARK NORTH

The home at 14071 Aldford Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 2, for $633,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,623 square feet. Days on market: 125.

ORCHARD HILLS

The home at 4924 Wildwood Pointe Road, Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $585,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,523 square feet. Days on market: 12.

The home at 5789 Mangrove Cove Ave., Winter Garden, sold May 5, for $480,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,820 square feet. Days on market: 128.

OVERLOOK 2 AT HAMLIN

The home at 5365 Bowman Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $1,100,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 4,008 square feet. Days on market: 90.

SUMMERPORT TRAIL

The home at 13832 Summerport Trail Loop, Windermere, sold May 1, for $500,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,150 square feet. Days on market: 237.

VINEYARDS AT HORIZON WEST

The townhouse at 13736 Bravante Alley, Windermere, sold May 3, for $455,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,912 square feet. Days on market: Two.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 8702 Sonoma Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 3, for $1,325,000. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,910 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

The home at 9597 Waterway Passage Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $745,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,267 square feet of living area. Days on market: 36.

The home at 16084 Bayou Crest Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $575,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,477 square feet of living area. Days on market: 25.

WATERMARK

The home at 10439 Austrina Oak Loop, Winter Garden, sold May 4, for $540,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,082 square feet of living area. Days on market: One.

WICKHAM PARK

The home at 12973 Emersondale Ave., Windermere, sold May 5, for $457,500. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,772 square feet of living area.

WINCEY GROVES

The home at 16404 Orange Seed Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $780,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 3,123 square feet of living area. Days on market: 166.

OCOEE ARDEN PARK NORTH

The home at 1533 Sourwood Drive, Ocoee, sold May 1, for $545,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,874 square feet of living area. Days on market: 48.

CROSS CREEK

The home at 585 Darkwood Ave., Ocoee, sold May 4, for $445,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,576 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

HARBOUR HIGHLANDS

The home at 801 Burr Oak Drive, Ocoee, sold May 1, for $540,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,960 square feet. Days on market: 20.

WINDSOR LANDING

The home at 243 Braelock Drive, Ocoee, sold May 3, for $715,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,245 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE

ROYAL CYPRESS PRESERVE

The home at 10481 Royal Cypress Way, Orlando, sold May 3, for $839,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,390 square feet. Days on market: 23.

SNAPSHOT

WEST ORANGE ENCLAVE

The home at 6373 Sawnson St., Windermere, sold May 3, for $795,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,178 square feet. Days on market: 13.

WINDERMERE ESTANCIA AT WINDERMERE

The home at 1146 Estancia Woods Loop, Windermere, sold May 1, for $1,450,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,374 square feet. Days on market: 43.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 6234 Greatwater Drive, Windermere, sold May 1, for $2,500,000. Built in 2003, it has six bedrooms, five baths and 6,857 square feet of living area. Days on market: 299.

The home at 11237 Macaw Court, Windermere, sold May 5, for $1,650,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 4,502 square feet. Days on market: Six.

The home at 8531 Eagles Loop Circle, Windermere, sold May 1, for $915,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,169 square feet. Days on market: Three.

LAKE DOWN CREST

The home at 2800 Pinnacle Court, Windermere, sold May 5, for $1,020,000. Built in 1995, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,080 square feet.

WESTOVER RESERVE

The home at 1901 Westover Reserve Blvd., Windermere, sold May 1, for $950,000. Built in 1999, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,764 square feet. Days on market: Four.

WINTER GARDEN FOXCREST

The home at 922 Home Grove Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 2, for $930,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,826 square feet. Days on market: Two.

JOHNS LAKE POINTE

The home at 740 Sandy Bar Drive sold May 3, for $595,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,517 square feet. Days on market: 14.

OAKLAND PARK

The home at 1200 Union Club Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 5, for $1,700,000. Built in 2016, it has six bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,911 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

TUSCANY

The home at 1601 Malcolm Pointe Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 4, for $550,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,821 square feet. Days on market: 116.

VERDE PARK

The home at 16004 Ollivett St., Winter Garden sold May 5, for $720,000. Built in 2014, it has seven bedrooms, four baths and 4,704 square feet. Days on market: 160.

WINTER OAKS

The home at 531 Autumn Oaks Loop, Winter Garden, sold May 5, for $531,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,116 square feet. Days on market: Two.

Courtesy photo

The home at 243 Braelock Drive, Ocoee, sold May 3, for $715,000. It was the largest transaction in Ocoee from April 29 to May 5. The selling agent was Adam Lee, Own Florida Realty LLC.

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

SPORTS

Laker becomes a Lion

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Windermere Prep alum Ryan

Swoboda recently made Laker history after becoming the first Laker to sign with an NFL team.

Swoboda, who graduated from Windermere Prep in 2017 to later attend the University of Virginia for four years and play a fifth year of football with the University of Central Florida Knights, is ecstatic at the opportunity.

“I love football; I want to play football for as long as I can,” he said. “That’s another reason why I did my last year at UCF, because if I had declared to go to the NFL a year ago at this time, it’s not guaranteed. I wanted to play football for as long as I could. … And now, the option is to go and play professionally. So, going to Detroit is a great opportunity, and I just want to keep playing as long as they let me.”

GROWING INTO IT

Even though he grew up loving football and watching the game with his family, Swoboda did not step onto a football field until his sophomore year of high school.

“I played basketball since I was probably 5 years old,” he said. “I could have (gone) to college to play basketball. … Playing basketball helps with your footwork in football so much because you have to have quick feet.”

Joining the Lakers football team during his sophomore year was a challenge; Swoboda’s growth spurt happened when he was a freshman in high school. He went from being 6-foot-3 at the beginning of the summer to 6-foot-8 before the beginning of his sophomore year.

“The coordination — it takes a while (to get used to the body),” he said. “Especially when you grow a lot so quickly. A lot of people will think if somebody is tall, they’ll naturally be good at basketball and naturally be good at football. Well, I’ve been 6-foot-9 and a bad football player. But you grow into it, you develop the things, you learn how to use your body properly. You learn how to bend and you have to do a lot of work to develop those muscles, because it’s harder when you are taller.”

For Swoboda, returning to school after experiencing such a huge change in stature proved difficult.

“When I first started being an offensive lineman, essentially what you do is you are moving backwards as fast as somebody is sprinting forward, and then you stop them from getting a point behind you,” Swoboda said. “So it’s one of the most unnatural movements of the human body to

SEE NFL PAGE 2B

Offensive tackle Ryan Swoboda is the first Windermere Prep alum to make it to the NFL.

1

The Foundation Academy boys track and field team conquered the regional meet that took place Saturday, May 6. The Lions claimed first, second and third place during the meet, with James “JT” Bronaugh becoming regional champion, Chris “CJ” Bronaugh placing second, and Zephaniah Rogers crossing the finish line soon after him to take third place on the podium. The Lions now are preparing to compete at the state meet Wednesday, May 17.

2

Windermere Prep varsity softball senior team captain Piper Hofmann recently was named to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State and All-Academic teams. Hofmann, who usually moves around the third and second bases, also was named FACA Class 3A, District 11, Player of the Year.

3

Frentorish “Tori” Bowie, 32, a three-time Olympic medalist and two-time world champion, was found dead in a home in the Horizon West area Tuesday, May 2. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were requested to do a welfare check on Bowie at about 1 p.m. at a house located in the 5400 block of Bowman Drive, in Hamlin. The deputies did not find any signs of foul play, and the Medical Examiner’s Office will determine cause of death

4

The Windermere High School varsity baseball team became the Class 7A, District 5 champion after defeating Lake Nona 12-0 Thursday, May 4. The Wolverines — who currently own a 23-3-1 overall season record — advanced to regional play and were scheduled to host Lake Nona for the regional quarterfinals at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, after press time.

5

The Horizon High boys volleyball team made school history by becoming the Class 1A, District 9 champion for the first time ever after defeating Olympia 3-2 during the district championship game Thursday, May 4. The Hawks hosted Tohopekaliga at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, after press time.

Lake Buena Vista boys tennis serves up school’s first state appearance

The Vipers also brought home district and regional championships in their historic season.

The Lake Buena Vista boys varsity tennis team became the first sports program in school history to qualify for a state championship meet.

“This was the first time that any team at (Lake Buena Vista) has gotten all the way to states,” head tennis

coach Nelson San Pedro said. “(At least) the first sports team (at the school). Unfortunately, we came a bit short, but they did well. ”

The Vipers had a season for the history books as they became district champions for the Class 3A, District 13, and regional champions after that.

Although tennis is an individual sport, San Pedro attributes the success of the boys on the tennis court to the way the team aspect is introduced to them once they join the team.

“Kids grow up going to tourna-

Foundation Academy’s Elizabeth Ozim currently leads the Lady Lions with 33 runs, 30 hits and five triples. Page 2B.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Andrea Mujica

Ryan Swoboda will take any opportunity to continue playing football, the sport that has his heart.

Courtesy photo

After a historic season for the program and the school, the Vipers are excited to return to the tennis courts next year.

Elizabeth Ozim

Foundation Academy sophomore centerfield Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ozim currently leads the Lady Lions with 33 runs, 30 hits and five triples. Ozim owns a .484 batting average, a .535 on-base percentage, has four stolen bases, a .693 slugging percentage and two doubles. Assistant softball coach Armand Winters said of Ozim: “I’ve coached her since she was 8 years old. I feel like over the years, she has always been kind of the underdog, yet every single season she does as much or more than everyone.”

Tell us about your years as a softball player.

I started softball when I was 6 years old at Windermere Little League, and I played travel ball since I was 9 years old.

Why softball?

When I was little, I just grew up liking the game. My dad always loved watching baseball, so I just kind of grew up loving the game.

What do you love most about softball as a sport?

The environment that the team brings and the culture. It’s always fun to play with my best friends.

What do you believe softball has taught you not only on the field but also off of it?

Softball has taught me that I can’t always be perfect. Being a perfectionist, a lot of my life I have liked to do things perfectly. Softball is a game of failure, so it’s important to learn that you can’t always be perfect.

Do you have a favorite drill at practice?

It’s not really a drill, but my favorite thing to do at practice while we are warming up is long toss. I love throwing the ball super far over my friends’ heads.

Do you prefer hitting or batting?

I love hitting; it’s probably one of the best feelings to hit a walk-off. I love to hit.

What do you think makes you a unique player on the softball field?

A unique player to me means that you have to be strong physically and mentally, and be a good leader to younger teammates. I always try to be a good leader, especially (now that we have) a young varsity team. Being a sophomore, I’m one of the older girls in the team, so I try to be a good leader for the younger girls.

How do you instill leadership in your team?

I try to keep the

THE BASICS

Age: 15

Sport: Softball

Position: Center field

Grade: Sophomore School: Foundation Academy

help them with fundamentals

— work on throwing and hitting on the T, (and) helping them see little things they may need help with on their swing.

Do you have a favorite softball team or player?

Skylar Wallace on the Gators is probably one of my favorite players to watch. She is a shortstop, and she makes really cool plays all the time. She’s just fun to watch.

What is your favorite hobby?

I like to go to the beach. It’s definitely my favorite place to be when I’m not playing softball.

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

A pilot, a plane and a co-pilot, so I can leave.

What is your favorite movie?

I’ve always liked the movie “Finding Nemo.” I don’t know why, but I’ve always liked that movie since I was little.

What TV series are you watching right now?

“Outer Banks” — I’ve been watching it all the time.

What’s your favorite type of music?

I love Taylor Swift.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Why?

I don’t really have a favorite superhero, but maybe The Flash, because he is really fast. I want to be really fast.

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

I’d definitely like to teleport, because my parents are late a lot. So, if I could teleport, I would always be on time.

What are three places you’d like Hawaii, Bora Bora — I’ve always told my parents I want to go to Bora Bora — and maybe Greece, because of the beach.

If you could go back in time to a specific period of history, which one would it be and why?

Definitely the 1970s — just the clothes that they wore and the style.

What color would you say represents your per-

Definitely pink. I just think of myself as a bright person with a bright personality.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why?

I’d probably want to be an ant, because when I see them on the ground, they work very hard and they are super small. So I would like to see what life

— ANDREA MUJICA

NFL dream fulfilled

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

be kick-stepping — is what we call it — backwards and stopping a full grown man’s momentum from getting past you. So, it took me a long time to grasp the speed of learning how to move so quickly — but also being able to stop on a dime and be powerful at the same time.”

Windermere Prep head football coach Brian Simmons — defense assistant at the time Swoboda played with the Lakers — describes him as intelligent and willing to learn.

“He’s kind of a laid-back guy,” he said. “He’s always been one of those kids (who) just wanted to get better on the field — always soaking up information. You could challenge him, and he would accept challenges and not get offended. He’s one of those kids who didn’t want to hear what he wanted to hear. (Instead), he wanted to hear things that would get him better, and he would respond to those things.”

MOTOR CITY

Swoboda spent the time waiting through the 2023 NFL Draft in the garden with his parents.

“I knew up to that point, I’d done all my training,” he said. “I played all my amateur football, ... There is nothing I could do on that weekend to change what would happen. … So, I went and I bought a couple of trees, and I worked in the yard landscaping all day, and I just left my phone in ringer on to see if a team would call me. … I just worked in the yard all day to get my mind off of it. … I planted an orange tree, a papaya tree and then a couple of banana trees. I just dug, and it took all day.”

And perhaps his chosen way to pass the time — in the trenches and doing the dirty work — is what impressed the Detroit Lions enough to sign him to a free agent contract. Swoboda will be among 90 players who will participate in the Detroit Lions minicamps for several weeks to determine who will make the final 53 on the roster.

“What I love about being an offensive tackle is that it’s a thankless position,” Swoboda said. “If things go well, the quarterback, the running back, the receivers will get a lot of love, a lot of credit. And, if things go wrong, it’s usually the offensive line’s fault. So, you don’t win, generally. But, if you play football, everybody knows that the games are won in the trenches with the linemen, together. So, just

FUN FACTS

n Ryan Swoboda is learning

American Sign Language

n His wingspan is 85.5 inches

n Swoboda graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history

n He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in education at UCF

knowing that you are doing something for the greater good of the team, you are sacrificing everything to try and help other people her successful and — if you are unsuccessful — somebody else could get hurt, because somebody else is getting hit now. So, just doing that thankless job and trying to free other people up to be successful, it’s a powerful thing.”

Swoboda said he is excited for his opportunity to beat the odds and secure a spot on the Lions roster. In fact, his position — as an undrafted free agent — motivates him.

“Being a free agent, you start at the bottom of the totem pole; you are an undrafted free agent,” he said. “And I’m kind of used to that. When I came to Windermere, I started at

the bottom of the totem pole and I remember looking up at the people playing the games and thinking, ‘God, I wish I could be there.’ I really wanted that, and I slowly climbed. … It’s my job to make the most of it.”

And as he reports to Detroit this week, Swoboda will do so with some of his earliest football memories at the forefront of his mind.

“One of my favorite early memories was my sophomore year,” he said. “I had just started playing football … and a senior on the team … returned a kickoff. I was on the sideline, and he runs it in for a touchdown. On the film, the camera pans over to just (him), and you see me on the sidelines sprinting, freaking out — like I have my helmet, and I’m just wailing, celebrating — running down the sideline.”

And what about being the first Laker to get signed by the NFL? Swoboda believes it’s pretty cool.

“It’s awesome,” he said. ‘The team has ... got a lot of guys who will be playing at the next level and, hopefully, I can just kind of help with the stigma (that) small-school guys generally don’t go to college and play football for a long time. Hopefully, you can give some other people some opportunities.”

LBV tennis makes history

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

ments with their parents, sometimes with their coaches, so they don’t have that team concept,” he said. “So, for them, this is kind of exciting to go to high school, where you (know) you’ll have your teammates cheering you on. It’s a win for these kids to be a part of something and play the sport that they like and love.”

Last year was an experimental one for the Vipers, because it was the school’s inaugural year and COVID-19 still was affecting sports play. However, this year, the program saw a big shift in its performance, San Pedro said.

“The first year … we just got to get to know each other a little bit, the kids found out what they were looking from me as a coach, and I think the second year we were able to put together a good team,” he said.

And numbers show the progress the team had from the 2021-22 season to this one. Last year, the team ended their play time with a 7-3-2 overall season record. This year, the

boys conquered on the tennis court with a 11-3 season record.

The Vipers played a tough schedule, defeating Freedom, Horizon, Dr. Phillips, Gateway Ocoee, Wekiva, Edgewater, Boone, West Orange Olympia and Celebration. Their three losses came against Windermere, Lake Highland Prep and Winter Park.

“The most important thing is getting them mentally ready,” San Pedro said. “Let them know how to work as a team and get them in physical shape so when we play matches, they can last longer.”

To do this, the athletes train all year long — some with San Pedro and others with their own coaches.

“We do drills for stamina (such as) running and other things that are going to help with their conditioning,” San Pedro said. “We do a lot of that during the season, (but) before the season is when we work hard.”

With only 11 players, the team is graduating three seniors this spring and hopes to return stronger next year with some new players on the roster.

THE

To keep competition at bay between his players, San Pedro strives to maintain a positive energy and atmosphere during practices and among his players.

“These are kids who have been playing tournaments for quite a few years already, so they have that in them,” he said. “They are very competitive, but it’s all about keeping the team alive and keep them moving in the right direction. We (focus) in one match at a time and little by little we see where the results take us.”

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

Courtesy photo

Swoboda is excited to share a locker room some of the NFL’s elite players.

Windermere High softball claims district championship

The Windermere High School varsity softball team became the Class 7A, District 5 champion after defeating crosstown rival West Orange Thursday, May 4.

Despite an eventful third inning during which the Lady Warriors took the lead 3-0, the Lady Wolverines were able to reach home four times during the top of the fifth inning and a final time during the top of the sixth inning to secure the win 5-3.

Windermere right-handed pitcher Lexi King led the Lady Wolverines from the pitcher’s mount through all the seven innings, allowing only four

hits and three runs while striking out three.

Offensively, Ariana Lara led the team with a .667 batting average, two hits and two RBIs. Kaitlyn Defranco, Emilie Ching, Mollie Downes and Sophie Sheik all contributed to the win by reaching home at least once.

Currently, the Lady Wolverines own a 22-3 overall season record and a 3-0 district record — which places them as seed No. 1 in their district.

Both Windermere and West Orange advanced to the regional quarterfinals. Windermere will play East Ridge at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at Plant High School while West Orange will face Sarasota at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at the same location.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

STEPHANIE XENIAS PANTHER LAKE ELEMENTARY

Stephanie Xenias is the front desk/attendance clerk at Panther Lake Elementary School. Her duties include greeting families, parents, staff and community members who visit the school. While at the desk, she answers the phone and helps manage the front desk for any needs students or staff members might have. Xenias also is the ADDitions and Partners in Education coordinator and brings volunteers and businesses to the school to support the students. This year, she was nominated for Support Person of the Year at Panther Lake.

What brought you to your school?

I honestly feel fate brought me to Panther Lake. I knew it was going to be opening in the fall of 2022, and one special day, a past coworker stopped by the previous school I was at. I asked about a possible position, and then I waited for the posting. Soon thereafter, I had my interview, and I felt an immediate connection with the principal and her goals for the school.

What do you love most about your school?

I absolutely love the school community and family connections that have been made in this first year. The school has been able to make such a strong foundation with its neighboring families and businesses. Panther Lake really makes sure to make all of its members feel like a family.

What is your motivation?

(To) make an impact on every person I see. A smile and a hello can go a long way to a child — and even an adult. I want to make sure I make everyone feel welcome and they know how much they matter.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

There are so many rewarding parts to my job. The biggest reward is when I get to interact with a student. I try really hard to learn as many of the student’s names as possible. I think it makes a real personal connection and makes them feel special when I use their name to have a conversation with them.

REPORT CARD

POSITION: Front desk/attendance clerk

TIME AT SCHOOL: One year at Panther Lake; 10 with OCPS

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love gardening. In my spare time, you can find me outside working with my plants. I find planting succulents especially a great use of my time.

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

My favorite teacher when I was in school was my high school journalism teacher (specifically yearbook).

Renee Burke taught me how important it was to build and make connections. She not only believed in each one of her students, but she also valued them!

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

At an early age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I had the pleasure of being a teacher for 11 years. I have now moved on to working in the front office of a school. Being in a school environment … will always be with me. It’s in my soul!

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

My favorite children’s book is “Where the Wild Things Are.” It is a book filled with love and imagination. It shows how children can dream of a world where anything is possible.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies are gardening and organizing. I love helping friends and family with the outside gardening needs, as well as their inside house organization.

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

I would love to have the ability to teleport as a superpower. If I could just think of a place, blink and instantly be there … that would be a great power to have.

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

I would say Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift. This would cover my childhood, young adult and adult years. I would be very happy to have them on repeat.

What was your go-to lunch as an elementary student?

I can’t say I was the healthiest eater as an elementary student. I always had a sandwich and a juice box. I definitely enjoyed Fruit Roll-Ups, Koala Yummies and Doritos.

What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday is either Thanksgiving or Christmas. I love when all the families can come together and we can enjoy a meal together. Recently, I’ve been tackling the holiday meals, and I’ve really been enjoying cooking.

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

I would say I had two best friends growing up. My best friend Amanda and I grew up together starting at birth; she moved away to North Carolina while in middle school, but we have never lost touch. My middle/high school best friend was Kathy Mae. She also moved away to Virginia, but we are still actively involved in each other’s lives. I feel blessed to have made such great friends.

— AMY QUESINBERRY

Scout selects church prayer garden for Eagle project

Alonzo Ramessar is refurbishing an area at Ocoee Oaks United Methodist Church to create a small space for prayer and reflection.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Alonzo Ramessar has a vision for a small space at his church, Ocoee Oaks United Methodist Church. It looks bare and neglected, but when he’s finished with his project, he hopes it will be an inviting garden area for reflection and prayer.

The space is underneath the bell tower at the front of the church. Ramessar plans to repair the motor on the existing fountain; pressure wash the eight-by-eight-foot concrete slab; put in landscaping with mulch, pea gravel, plants and flowers; and add stepping stones, lights, a cross and two benches.

The church has donated two benches for the project; they need to be sandblasted and painted, and the wood must be replaced and the new wood sealed. With the funds raised, he will pay for the church to have a memorial engraved on one of the benches. He also wants to place a large stone that will be engraved with a Bible verse of the church’s choosing.

“I thought it was something I could do to give back to the church,

FUNDS NEEDED

To help Alonzo Ramessar with his Eagle project, donations can be made using his CashApp account, $922Eagle, or by visiting Gofund. me/4cd531d9.

and they’ve been wanting to do this for a while,” Ramessar said.

“I have been attending Ocoee Oaks United Methodist Church all of my life, and I am so thankful that they are offering their space to Pack and Troop 922 to help the scouts fulfill their goal of earning the Eagle Scout rank,” he wrote on his fundraising page.

The Eagle candidate organized a car wash at his church over the weekend, and more than $500 was raised.

Any money left over after all the materials are purchased will be donated to the church.

Ramessar expects to start working on his project in late May or early June, once school is out. He hopes to have it completed before school begins again in August.

Nine years ago, Ramessar started his scouting journey when he became a cub scout with Pack 217. Four years later, he crossed over to boy scout with Troop 922 in Ocoee. He enjoys everything outdoors and is the first to say yes when it comes to camping. He has spent a week camping at Florida National High Adventure Sea Base in Key West and has participated annually in — and won — the raft building and racing competition with other troops at

Camp La-No-Che in Paisley. He also is a brotherhood member of the Order of Arrow. Ramessar has 25 merit badges and more than 2,000 service hours, most of them from volunteering at Ocoee Elementary when he was a student at Ocoee Middle. Ramessar is a sophomore at Ocoee High and is involved in Student Government and the AICE Program. He also is a member of the Beta Club and Escape Room Club.

Amy Quesinberry

Alonzo Ramessar has plans to beautify this space at his church in Ocoee.

Ramessar’s plans for the prayer garden. Courtesy

Windermere High Chess Club earns first place

The tournament was held April 29 at SunRidge Middle School with hundreds of students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Hundreds of students played their best chess Saturday, April 29, for the chance to come out on top in this game of strategy. At the end of the Orange County Public Schools chess tournament, held at SunRidge Middle School, the club from Windermere High School was the top team.

The club sponsor is Christian Voltzke. On the tournament roster were club president Jayden Mathura, John Piza, Aaron Gomez, Gabriel Rugeles, Brandon Nova, Brenda Nova, Laiba Rafi, Aarav Joshi, Ethan Parekattil, Grant Stace and Victor Valvassori De Jesus Silva.

Mathura said Rugeles and Brandon Nova were the decisive players and integral to the team’s success. He also recognized Piza and Gomez for their excellent playing skills and holding the best records on the team.

“They just played such great chess and elevated us to be in first place,” Mathura said. “Along with everyone else, we played great chess. … We all

played the best chess there.”

Teams of 10 played six rounds each.

“It was a grueling nine hours,” Mathura said.

“The kids who participated have been a dedicated group who meet once a week to play and challenge one another,” Voltzke said. “They are extremely competitive, and that was evident on Saturday with the firstplace district placement.”

The Windermere High Chess Club meets from 1:10 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays in Room 6210, and newcomers are welcome to join the players. About 20 students attend the weekly meetings. For information, students also can check out the club’s Instagram account: whs_ chessclub.

“We try to get as many people as possible to play chess,” Mathura said. “We come in and set up boards … and show people how good chess is for the mind. We try to promote how chess improves the brain, and we try to get people to come and learn.

“It’s a very nice environment,” he said. “Most of my friends now are through the club, so I really enjoyed the good environment we’ve been able to foster. And (we) make sure the introduction to chess is nice and warm.”

“Queen’s Gambit” was a popular miniseries in 2020, and Mathura said the chess playing was realistic.

Courtesy

The Windermere High Chess Club outplayed the other high schools to become champions of the OCPS chess tournament.

“The way it depicted chess was very well,” he said. “With chess, you have to put in the work. People misconstrue that if you play chess you’re automatically gifted, but if you put in the work, you can be good.” Mathura has been playing since he

was 7. He learned it by watching his father, Devan, and his brother, Evan, play. Mathura tutors students in ninth grade and younger, and he can be reached at jaydenmathura@gmail. com.

Hamlin daughters, dads enjoy magical evening at Arabian Nights

“I just want the community to see that chess is involved in this community and they shouldn’t have to be afraid or restrained in their interest in chess,” he said. “It’s open for them to learn more about.”

Families enjoyed one of the many available photo opportunities, complete with fun props.

Below: Girls donned their best attire for the enchanted evening.

Hamlin Elementary welcomed young girls and their fathers to the school for the Arabian Nights Dance Saturday, April 29. The event, hosted by the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization, included colorful corsages and boutonnieres, with profits going toward the fifth-grade celebration. The evening was filled with dancing, tasty treats, photo opportunities, a surprise visit from Princess Jasmine and more.

ANNABELLE SIKES

Volunteers Esther Carballido, Katrell Gray, Ashley Smith, chairperson and leader of the dance committee; Fernanda Garrucho, PTO event coordinator; and Jackie Tomassi helped to put together the dance.

Brooke Joyce and Emma and Caroline Hide ran around the cafeteria collecting colorful balloons.

Sara and Alina Galindo snacked on light bites and refreshments.

THESE OLD TIMES FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

90 years ago

Chief Grimes, of the Winter Garden Police Department, issued a warning to motorists speeding through the city. Arrests will be made for persons exceeding the limit of 20 mph through town.

Members of the Gotha PTA met at the schoolhouse on the last day of school, and all scholars were presented their deportment cards.

Bray Hardware Company featured 25 feet of garden hose for $1.25; and ball-bearing, highwheel, 16-inch lawnmowers for $5.50.

The Winter Garden Theater was featuring four movies: “Sailor Be Good,” with Jack Okie; “Hidden Valley,” with Bob Steele; “Sign of the Cross,” with Fredric March and Claudette Colbert; and “Island of Lost Souls,” with Richard Arlen and Lelia Hyams.

85 years ago

The Rev. S.L. Hunter, new pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Oakland, addressed the members of the Lakeview-Tildenville PTA.

Roller skating at the Orlando Coliseum cost 30 cents for ladies and 35 cents for gentlemen.

Folks wishing to purchase cut roses were asked to call Mrs. “Foots” Vandergrift at 14 Black.

60 years ago

Thirty-five Winter Garden merchants began giving profit-sharing stamps to their customers.

Mervin Lee was named the new president of the Winter Garden Lions Club, with Foy Maloy as first vice president.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

This century-old postcard — sent from Lalla Sullivan Sims to her sister, Palla — depicts the Sims family’s Lake Apopka boathouse. Lalla married dentist Eugene Sims, the son of Ocoee’s famed steamboat operator, Bluford Sims. Before railroading radically improved shipping and vegetable operations throughout the region, steamships ferried produce from the groves and fields situated south of Lake Apopka across the water and then over land to railroad lines that ran north of that wide body of water. When rail arrived in the area by 1886, the steamboats were rendered obsolete.

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.

50 years ago

Bethlehem Baptist Church’s Martin Luther King Memorial Choir marked its 10th anniversary with a weekend of events. The group was created in 1963 as the Young Adult Choir, under the leadership of president Eva Holt. Dr. Robert Williams was its musician.

The construction of the new Tri-City Shopping Center in Winter Garden was kicked into high gear. Bill Luten, vice president of Orlando Metro Mortgage, announced several new leases in addition to the major tenants,

Publix Super Markets, Eckerd Drug and TG&Y Family Center. White Auto and Griffin’s Mens Wear signed on, along with a gift shop by the owners of Shaw’s Flowers and Gifts. Under negotiation were a bookstore, shoe store, teenage shop, toddler shop, ladies apparel store and beauty salon.

40 years ago

Agreement was reached between Chase Groves Inc. and Arnold Palmer regarding the sale of more than 1,500 acres of lake -

THROWBACK THURSDAY

APRIL 26, 1973

THE WINTER GARDEN TIMES

Anyone craving a “scrumpdillyishus” banana split? In 1973, the Winter Garden Dairy Queen at the corner of Highway 50 (West Colonial Drive) and Park Avenue offered a 39-cent deal on its famous delectable DQ delight.

“You’ll go bananas for this great sale on the famous Dairy Queen banana split,” read the advertisement in The Winter Garden Times. “Two fresh-cut banana slices and America’s favorite treat, topped with chocolate, strawberry, pineapple and whipped topping. … Treat the whole gang during this special offer.”

The former DQ building now is home to Enterprise Rent-a-Car.

front property on the south edge of Windermere.

30 years ago

Cablevision Industries, the cable company that served most of West Orange County, moved to a spacious and attractive new facility in Ocoee. Conoley Citrus Packers in Winter Garden distinguished itself by placing first in two categories of the Farm Credit Fresh Fruit Competition: Indian River Pineapple Orange and Florida Gulf Navel Orange.

88 Genetic messenger (Abbr.)

89 Switch from a GR86 to a Prius, say

90 Agent Jimmy Woo’s org.

91 One can be drawn, figuratively or literally

93 Baking soda amt.

98 Gumbo vegetable

99 Composure

100 Chip dips

101 Bit of ink

103 Operatic solos

107 Stockholm citizen

108 Hathaway and Rice

109 Constellation component

110 Word before “vault” or “dance”

111 Slid into an inbox (Abbr.)

112 One of the seven deadly sins

113 “May It Be” singer

114 ___ in (join a Zoom call)

116 Actress Moore

purchase

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“UOXWBABK DGC ZG WG FXHL ECTTBEE, DGC OXAB WG OXLF HL WOBKB XLZ

OGJB FGGZ WOHLFE OXJJBL. XVUXDE WOHLI JGEHWHAB.” ZGL KHTIVBE I

Clue:

Puzzle

“K’T EVARORPN YVKZKSF THGKJ SAY UAV ZXB GOTB VBOGAS OG K GZOVZBC YVKZKSF GASFG YXBS K YOG 14 -- ZA TBBZ YATBS.” MSLXNPCJ MKLLANN

celebrity cipher sudoku

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS by May Huang, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

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