compiled by Lauren Salinero
Bay Meadows Elementary
Stilt walker Mike Weakley (back, center)entertains first-graders in Bay Meadows Elementary teacher Julie Gifford’s (not pictured) 2016 class during their end-of-the-year party.
Angela Blum, Bay Meadows Elementary PTA member and homeroom mother for teacher Julie Gifford, coordinated an end-of-the-year party for Ms. Gifford’s 2015-16 first-graders. During the carnival-themed event, stilt walker Mike Weakley made the children balloon hats and displayed his juggling skills.
Keene’s Crossing Elementary
After 45 years with Orange County Public Schools, Keene’s Crossing Elementary teacher Judy Callan (second from right) holds a retirement celebration at Hub 925 with (l. to r.) Carol Walker, Dawn Davis, Susie Ingle, Debbie Dolsak and Piper Hood.
Keene’s Crossing Elementary 2015-16 Teacher of the Year Judy Callan retired from Orange County Public Schools. She guided students with her teaching skills for 45 years. To commemorate the milestone, Ms. Callan held a private retirement celebration at Hub 925 in Dr. Phillips with her family members and friends.
Lake Whitney Elementary
Frank Goldsmith Jr. (back, far left) shares the story of his grandmother and father aboard the Titanic with Lake Whitney Elementary 2015-16 fourth-graders.
Jackie Housego’s 2015-16 fourth-grade class at Lake Whitney Elementary received a visit from Frank Goldsmith Jr., whose grandmother and father survived the sinking of the Titanic. His father was only 9 years old at the time. Frank enraptured the students with the recount of his family’s traumatic experience.
Windermere Elementary
(L. to r.) Ron and Savanna Schenk, Zachary Frank and Windermere Elementary Principal Diana Greer celebrate Savanna’s 2016 Disney Dreamer and Doer Award.
Windermere Elementary 2015-16 fifth-grader Savanna Schenk was named a 2016 Disney Dreamer and Doer for her commitment to improving her community. The program recognizes local students who have inspired others and made the world a better place. Savanna wrote a 300-word paragraph describing her achievements to be nominated for the award. She then had a teacher write a 75-word endorsement. From there, the school’s principal selected Savanna for the honor from the top two essays.
Chain of Lakes Middle
School officials at Chain of Lakes Middle would like to remind parents that all incoming seventh-graders need to turn in their updated immunization cards prior to being able to receive their schedules for the 2016-17 school year. Any students who are missing their Immunization Form Florida 680 will not be allowed to attend classes Aug. 15, the first day of school. To receive needed immunization shots, contact your physician or visit one of Orange County Health Department’s five clinics. For clinic locations, call 407-836-2600.
West Orange High
Daniel Reed, a West Orange High alumni, flourishes during his time in the U.S. Navy.
A 2007 graduate of West Orange High is serving with the Naval Test Wing Atlantic (NTWL), supporting the future of naval aviation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Reed is an aviation ordnanceman with NTWL, responsible for uploading and downloading air-support ordnance for the command’s aircraft and ground forces.
“What I enjoy most about my job is the sense of pride I get when taking care of and supporting my fellow sailors while on deployment,” Daniel said. “Serving in the military has not only strengthened my work ethic and attention to detail, but, most importantly, the morals and values instilled in me by the Navy has made me a better man, father and husband.”
Daniel works directly for VX-20, which is responsible for testing and evaluating the U.S. Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft systems. Through the Navy, Daniel is learning about being more of a leader through handling numerous responsibilities.
Emma Heistand, a rising senior at West Orange High, travels to New York City to perform as a nominee at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards.
Representatives of the Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts named West Orange High rising senior Emma Heistand a nominee for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards. Emma was selected from approximately 21 finalists at the Applause Awards. She received an Applause Award for two leading performances during the school year: Cinderella from Into the Woods and the title character in Mary Poppins. Emma flew to New York City for a weeklong intensive with other nominees from across the country in preparation of a performance showcase that recently took place at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre.
Et Al
Best friends (l to r.) Kayla Rivero of Stoneybrook West, Lukas Gough of Vizcaya, and Anna Daubach of Bay Vista Estates stick together after graduating from The Parenting Experience Preschool Co–op.
Vizcaya resident Lukas Gough and his two best friends, Anna Daubach of Bay Vista Estates and Kayla Rivero of Stoneybrook West, graduated from The Parenting Experience Preschool Co–op. The children, who met at the school, will be attending VPK at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in the fall.
Southwest residents (l. to r.) Nicholas Paone, Julianne Lozano, Meredith Siverson and Isabella Fraley graduate from Holy Family Catholic School.
Katarina Kilmer (left) and Katie Bansmer of Southwest Orlando share a moment in the whirlwind of their graduation from Holy Family Catholic School.
Southwest residents (l. to r.) Maryelis Garcia, Natalie Chater, Vivia Lease, Kiyah Young and Mackenzie O’Neil say goodbye to Holy Family Catholic School at their 2016 graduation ceremony.
Todd “Chief” Rowley uses live snakes to teach Christ The King Lutheran PreSchool youngsters about different types of snakes and safety.
Kids at Christ The King Lutheran PreSchool received a unique surprise. Todd “Chief” Rowley from Snake Education With A Twist visited the school to display snakes and teach about safety. Chief Rowley is a professional snake handler with more than 25 years of snake education experience.
Moms of the 2015-16 Windermere Union Church Preschool VPK class don hats made by their children.
Windermere Union Church Preschool’s 2015-16 VPK class held a special musical performance to honor their mothers. They also created adorable hats made with lots of love.
Orlando Science Elementary 2015-16 third-, fourth- and fifth-grade teams win trophies at the Orange County Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual math competition.
Orlando Science Elementary students won numerous awards at the Orange County Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual math competition. Thirty-nine teams from 14 participating schools competed in this year’s tournament. The 2015-16 third- and fourth-grade groups from OSES placed first, and the fifth-grade team placed second. In addition, OSES students who received the highest individual scores for their respective grades included fourth-graders Meghana Konda of Southwest Orlando and Michelle Li of Windermere, and third-grader Arnav Mujumdar of Windermere. Meghana and Michelle also achieved the highest score for all participants across all three grade levels. In addition, OSES won ribbons for individual team events, such as problem solving, team relay and the estimation activity.
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