OCPS | 2026-04-21 School Board Recognition Meeting

001Okay. Good evening. My mic is on. There we go. Good evening everyone and welcome to our third school board special recognition meeting for the 2025-2026 school year. We are so thrilled to have so many valued guests in our audience along with their families, friends, and colleagues. This is one of the board's favorite times of the year where we get to bring folks um here to recognize the incredible work that they do throughout the years. Um and it's a very large district, so it's always very difficult for us to just pick one or two people uh or organizations or clubs um that do this work. Uh but we do it and that's why we get so excited when this day comes around. So, a few details and logistics before we get started. Uh obviously we have

002so many students, staff, and community members to honor that we have a full room, which means we have two groups. Um and during the recognitions, yourself um will be invited to stand in front of the dais, so right over here. You're going to bring your certificates that you have um and the board member who will be speaking um will uh have a few words and then we will take a picture. Uh usually we do a quick picture of just the board member and yourself and then we have uh family, friends, anyone that you would want um in that picture with you. And so, right, Frank? Those are the two instructions. There we go. Um when all the groups in the room have been recognized, then I will let you know so that you can all

003head off to celebrate uh however it is you all will and then we'll take it from there with our second amazing group. Um but we're all very excited to get started, so let's begin. Um and we begin with district one, a favorite of mine, board member Gallo to tell us about her honorary. Good evening everyone. So happy to have Salamanca in charge. Are we not? Are we just Let's give her a little round of applause. Look what she's doing. She's She's lowering it on purpose. That's her way of telling me that I'm short. I have the pleasure tonight of um recognizing a very, very special somebody. I actually met her at an event that I went to a couple years ago. Um and we were talking about mental health and the needs of of students

004and she was there. She was one of the panelists. Um Mary Bridges was there as well. I don't know if Mary's here tonight. There she is. Um and after Jan spoke, I was like, "Oh my gosh, I can't believe that's happening like in our schools, with our children, every day. What can we do about this? What can we do about this?" And um for anybody that knows Jan Edwards, you know that all you got to do is ask her once and she's going to tell you exactly what we can do to help. And that's what she did. Um so, after that conversation, we started a task force here in Orange County Public Schools. It's a Orange County Public School Task Force and what we basically do, it's Human Trafficking Task Force, is we Our goal

005is to educate students, to educate parents on what human trafficking looks like cuz it's not what you think. It's not traditionally what you think is apparent. It's It's so much um it's so much more hidden than that, right? Like it's It's you It could be happening right now and you could be sitting right next to your student and they could be your child and they could be getting trafficked and you don't even know. And it's prevalent prevalent um in Florida. I think Florida is the third the third state for human trafficking. So, I'm going to get back to my script. So, tonight it is my privilege to honor a lead a leader dedicated to our most precious resource, the safety and dignity of our children. I am proud to recognize Jan Edwards and the Paving

006the Way Foundation. Ms. Edwards, please come forward to be recognized. >> [applause] [applause] >> Paving Paving the Way is founded on the principles of education, empowerment, and prevention. They stop harm before it begins, an effort that has reached nearly 50,000 individuals since 2017. The urgency of this mission is clear. Florida ranks third nationally for human trafficking calls and the average age of victims is heartbreakingly young, between 10 and 13 years old. Ms. Edwards and her team equip families with the specific tools needed to identify grooming and online risk. Jan, your expertise is essential to our district as chair of our Human Trafficking Advisory Committee, you lead a team of 30 experts, including OCPS staff and the FBI, to ensure Orange County remains a leader in student protection. You inspire, you build core courage, and you

007save lives. On behalf of Orange County Public Schools, thank you for your unwavering passion. You truly are paving the way to a more secure future for every student. So, now I'm going to meet her um I'm going to come up and we'll have some pictures and you can call your team up, too. But again, I And then we have something that we want to show, but um I'm just so proud of the work that she's done in Orange County. If you ever saw her speak to middle school students or even high school students, the impact that she has is just so great and she's literally saving lives one child at a time and for that I will be eternally grateful. >> [applause] [cheering] >> Can I say because we did it we got it branded.

008Um so, this is our banner for our Human Trafficking Advisory Committee. >> [cheering] [applause] >> Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. We have more people. Any other Any other members Any other members of the advisory committee? Any other members? Last call. All right. Frank, you're good to go. Good. Fill in the banner. Good. Good. Good. Hold on. Big smile. Stay there again. Perfect. Thank you. Come on, crew. This is If you take it to schools, I know we take it to schools. Okay, we're going to slide the banner over. We're going to slide the banner over. You said to bring it out. Usually it's just them. We'll We'll smile up here so we don't ruin the picture. >> [laughter] >> Good. Make sure Make sure no one's head is blocking the poster. Look up toward the

009lens, the circle thing. Look happy on three. Good. One, two, and three. Stay there. Awesome. Hold on. Let me get a snap. Do we need Yes, let's have the people stand. All right. We don't usually always do, but what I guess we're doing that. Do you want to tip over the tissue? Is she too short? He can't see her. I can't see her cuz the tissue is blocking her head. Yes. They're very tall tissues. Big smile. Big smile again. Hold on. Perfect. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you so much, member Gallo. Um Setting the tone correctly and we all will meet Frank through all the picture taking. A delight. Um Yeah, I think that's right. So, just for the board so that we're not awkwardly in the back sitting, I think we're just all

010going to one picture with the board member, one picture with the board. Okay. Perfect. Um next, I'd like to invite board member Douglas to the podium to share with us about her honorary. Thank you, Vice Chair Salamanca, for your leadership tonight. Thank you. Good evening everyone. Next, it's my privilege to recognize a remarkable group of student athletes, the Orlando Magic Dreamers Wheelchair Basketball Team. >> [applause] >> Players and coaches, please come forward to be recognized. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. >> [applause] >> A little history here. Organized under Dreamplex, the Dreamers bring together students age 8 to 18 from across Central Florida. This marked their third season playing together and they compete at both the prep and junior national levels. Wow. Orlando is one of only two cities in Florida with a youth wheelchair

011basketball program. This provides a unique and powerful opportunity for our student athletes to excel. I want to specifically recognize three of our athletes who are with us tonight. Chance Kern >> [applause] >> Adrian Rosario Padilla from Timber Creek High >> [applause] >> and Elias Rider from Audubon Park School. >> [applause] >> All right. These students have shown great skill in their athletic endeavors. I am so proud of their accomplishments. The success of these student athletes is made possible by strong leadership. I want to recognize Miss Idr- Iris Woodard >> [snorts] >> whose dedication and passion are so evident in everything she does. The mentorship as her mentorship has guided this team to the junior national competition this season. This achievement is the result of year-round fundraising, extensive travel I heard of that and the incredible

012incredible support of their families. Families value Thank you. >> [applause] >> Really. >> [applause] >> Thank you. These students represent our community with determination and teamwork. We are so proud of your excellence on and off the court. Congratulations and let me join you for a photo. >> [applause] >> And then I know member Gallo has a few words to say as well. So before you head out Yes, member Gallo, do you want to uh people come up? You guys can come up. >> So just real quick, I um Mrs. Kern sent me an email about Iris earlier today and I just want to congratulate Iris for doing such a phenomenal job, for really taking over at the last minute when they went to Nationals um over spring break. I just in hearing from the parents

013her dedication to the kids and stepping up and really moving it forward has meant so much. So I just want to personally say thank you, Iris, for everything that you do um for these kids every day. You're very special. >> [applause] >> All right, picture. No, no, we're waiting for you. I do. They'll be on Flicker, kids. OCPS has a Flicker page. Good. We we do. The '80s called. We do. We have MySpace also, okay. Look forward and look happy and on three, good. One, two, and three, stay there. We have a Flicker. Hold on, hold on, hold on. Wait, wait, sorry. I got two phones. And I'm not 14. Hang on, I'm not done. Look, when you hang out with enough teenagers Thanks. Congratulations. >> [applause and cheering] >> Thank you. Now I understand

014that the team has a 6:00 p.m. practice, so uh I'd like to dismiss our Dreamers and their coaches at this time as well, so that you can get to that. Good luck. Thank you for coming. Y'all are awesome. Yes, you do. >> [laughter] >> Still still have practice. Bye. Thank you for coming. >> [applause] >> All right, back to you, member Douglas. Okay. Next, as an educator myself I am very happy to recognize an educator who has served our students for more than 15 years. Miss Sally Marjama Where is she? [applause] And she was right in front of me. I'm so sorry. I have seen you once and I was like, where is Miss Sally Marjama? And you were right there. Okay, anyway. Miss Marjama, please Okay, you are already here. Thank you. >> [laughter]

015>> Miss Marjama is a drama teacher at Southwest Middle. She's being honored tonight for her passion and I'm just telling you, passion. For many years she has helped students to find their confidence through the performing arts. Most recently, Miss Marjama led to production the production of Beauty and the Beast. It was an incredible an incredible performance. I am still in shock. Really, truly. It showed her leadership and the hard work of her students. This is a great example of the high quality arts education we have in our district. Miss Marjama also organizes the Southwest Festival at the Arts of her school campus, which brings the community together to celebrate our talented students. Miss Marjama, thank you for everything you do for the students of Southwest Middle. And we I mean, if we can just duplicate

016and replicate you all you all all over the schools, that would be wonderful. You are absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much. Congratulations. Let me join you. >> [applause] >> All right, board picture and any loved ones or family can come up. >> [laughter] >> All right, board. I have to look at them. Good, nice big smile, look happy. Look happy again. One more. Hot apple, please. He agrees first. Assistant Principal, thank you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for coming. One more Wait, one more picture. Sorry, I'll get that out, but Come on, sir. Come on, sir. Are you leaving? >> [laughter] >> Look here first. Yeah, okay. Every smile. Good, big smile. We're not related. Hold on. Are you sure? Cousins? Yeah. Good. Thank you. All right, now I get to go down

017here. Um thank you, member Douglas. Um really appreciate it. One of the main reasons we also started doing this and doing it all in the same day was we wanted everybody to get to see the amazing work that you all do amongst yourselves um to build connections and and and potentially ways to collaborate and just meet other folks who love their craft as much as all of you do. Um and so that's really the purpose of this aside from the recognition. Um today I get to recognize some incredible um teachers and educators that impacted my life um back when I was in the classroom. Um the first one is my 11th grade English AP language teacher, Margaret Bermudez. Um Come on up. >> [applause] >> I will also say that the teachers I chose are

018the two teachers I would absolutely say I do not want to be recognized. Um and so just hang in there with me. We're we'll do this together, but it is absolutely deserving. You know, there are teachers who teach a subject and then there are teachers who change the way you see yourself as a learner, who plant something in you that keep growing long after you've left the classroom and Miss Bermudez is that kind of second teacher. This board today and myself get to say out loud what many of her students and colleagues have known quietly for many years. I want to start with something that sounds very simple, but I remember from back day in in classroom because the simplest things are often the hardest things to actually do. And I do not take them

019for granted. Ms. Bermudez read all of our essays multiple times a year. She didn't skim them. She didn't just quickly look over a few things. She read all of them, annotated them, multiple drafts, multiple times a year, multiple classes. Every single student, every single paper, she gave feedback that was personal, that was in-depth, genuinely thorough, and allowed us to grow as writers, even those of us that hated writing. She knew your voice on the page. She knew how your voice evolved over the years. In a classroom of 30 students times, I don't know, five, six classes of the day, that kind of individual attention is truly extraordinary. And what is communicated to each of us without ever having to say it directly was, "You are worth my time." That message sticks with a person. It

020can change the story that they tell about themselves. She held us to AP standards, not to sort us, not to intimidate us, but because she believed we could handle the real thing. And when we walked into that exam, we were ready. Because she had already shown us what high-quality work looked like by modeling it herself. She worked hard. She was responsive. She was thorough. She graded with depth and returned work back to us with the kind of feedback that made you feel seen and not evaluated. She did it for every student. And that consistency over the years is not a personality trait. It is a professional commitment, a sustained by genuine love for the work of teaching. One of her former students described her classroom this way, "I've never seen a teacher like her, seemingly

021effortless in her ability to command respect from every student." But here's the thing about that word, "effortlessness." That's what mastery looks like from the outside. The effortlessness was earned. It came from years of genuine investment in her craft, in her students, and in all kind of culture where she where respect goes both directions. As another former student put it, she gave all her students a space to feel necessary. She showed us the same respect that we all gave her, and she knew, crucially, when not to take things too seriously. Her students remember bringing her gingerbread cookies designed to look like characters from storybooks that they read in class. And that's the kind of relationship that you build with those students. And I want to share some moments that I think tell us the most about

022Ms. Bermudez as an educator. Ones where her investment in students didn't just improve a grade, but changed lives. One student told me that her class was, in their words, "The origin story of my love for bad movies." They described watching The Scarlet Letter film adaptation, apparently a gloriously terrible piece of cinema for any of you who have watched it. And watching Ms. Bermudez laugh hysterically period after period right alongside her students for the bad acting, what that student witnessed was a teacher who was fully present, fully human, and who understood that joy and rigor are not the opposite. That student went on to build a relationship with film that has shaped her life and her career. Another student brought her copy of The Pillowman, a dark, challenging play, not an assigned reading, just something a

023teenager wanted to share with a teacher that they trusted. Ms. Bermudez didn't set it aside. She read it, and she came back, and she asked the question, "Why do you think it's important to feel shocked by work like this?" That question, asked by a teacher who took a student's curiosity seriously enough to meet it, became, in that student's own words, "The deciding factor in my love of theater, not just being an actor today, a vocation shaped by a question." That is what she does quietly, year after year. Her principals have seen this from a different vantage point, and what they describe is not just a great classroom teacher, but it is someone who holds the school together. One of them said, "Her impact is felt everywhere, in the way she supports students, in the guidance

024she offers other teachers, and in the tone she helps set for the entire campus." She brings a steady, genuine presence and a tone that helps all of us. And he said something that I think deserves to stand on its own. "The teachers she has mentored over the years are now highly effective educators themselves, shaping students, mentoring new teachers, and carrying forward what she gave them. That is a legacy that compounds. Most people will never see it because it doesn't announce itself, and she definitely doesn't, but it just keeps showing up in classrooms across our district and at Timber Creek." The other principal put it this way, "She puts the professional in professional educator, and she supports the whole school and develops others." Ms. Bermudez, you've shaped readers, writers, thinkers, and school board members. People who

025went on to build lives in film, in theater, in writing, in the school board. You've shaped teachers who went on to shape other teachers and other students, and a culture at Timber Creek High School that I still remember. I would not be standing here today without you. As an immigrant kid, I was especially insecure about my writing and my voice, the way I communicated, and how messy all my thoughts were on paper. But you treated those things not as flaws to hide, or as things to just grade and forget, but as strengths to develop, and you changed the trajectory of my life. So, on behalf of this board and of myself, thank you for everything you do. >> [applause] [laughter] [applause] >> I was waiting for the member Gallo comment. Uh district I, you know,

026we're we're only staying our districts usually, but uh she made the exception for me cuz I went to Timber Creek. I used to be in district two, but it's okay. Okay. The next one is another incredible educator who I did not have the pleasure to be in the classroom with, but your legacy goes beyond that that so many other students have told me about. So, you know, there's obviously the high test scores and the rigorous curriculum and the impressive outcomes that you have in your classroom. But come on up, Ms. Chafin. Sorry I forgot about Ms. Chafin coming up. >> [laughter] >> At Innovation High School. >> [applause] >> And just like Ms. Bermudez, there's those teachers that also serve the student and that's student's trajectory, and you have also managed to do both. You've

027been at this for a while, uh at Boone, which is the first time I heard about you, like Nona High School, and now Innovation so very lucky to have you in my from school to school is a reputation for meeting students exactly where they are. She teaches everything from the foundational math all the way to AP Calculus, and whether student is catching up or pushing ahead to the limits of math, the bar stays very high. That's the thing about Ms. Chafin. She doesn't lower expectations to meet students where they are. She raises them, and the students rise to meet them. The proof is in where the students end up. They go to the top colleges and develop genuine love for math, for physics programs, for engineering departments, and STEM careers. This doesn't happen by accident.

028It happens because somewhere along the way a teacher like you really believed in them. And there's this. One of her students shared something with us and with me that more than any list of credentials could, and you know who it is. After a very traumatic car accident of one of my best friends in high school that took the lives of some of her closest friends, Ms. Chafin showed up before school, after school, and dedicated her own time to help the student graduate on time. She was a senior. To get her after her long stay in the ICU and losing her friends in this traumatic car crash. And she didn't let the student give up. She made sure she got her through graduation. That student, who's still one of my best friends in the world, went

029on to found a club called Always Wear Your Seatbelt. Ms. Chafin has been its sponsor since day one, and in true form, she doesn't just support the club, but she plants a new one at every high school that she goes to, spreading seatbelt safety awareness through a partnership with Orlando Health. That's what great teaching looks like. It doesn't stop at the classroom door, and it doesn't stop at the times of teaching. We're also recognizing her work with the United States Space Force 45th Weather Squadron and the NASA program. A team that supports weather operations and launches at Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center. Her students perform quality control launch safety data build sizes. They build data visualizations. And I believe it's tomorrow that they're going to go out there. Um but this NASA program is

030something I get emails about from kids all other high schools be like, "Can we do the NASA program as well?" And I say, "You got to get yourself a Miss Atienza." But high standards, real stakes, students doing the work that matters in the classroom and beyond it. I'm so proud to recognize the work that you've done all these years. Thank you for being here. Thank you for all you do. >> [applause] [applause] >> Okay. I'm going to go up there and knock stuff down. I never go on the script. As the taller board member, I'll raise the dais there. >> Okay. Um Good to go, member Foron. I'm good. Okay, awesome. Thank you, Vice Chair Salamanca. Um good evening. I am so excited this evening to recognize an educator, a teacher, who truly represents District

0313 so well, Miss Atienza from Winegard Elementary. I'm going to have you come on up. >> [applause] >> Every time I visit Winegard Elementary, I make it a point to stop in and see Miss Atienza's classroom. Uh for many years, she has been the pre-K teacher. She has shown a true gift for teaching our youngest learners. I'm always amazed by the growth of her students. They arrive in August just beginning their school journeys, and by the second semester, every child is reading, writing, and solving math problems. Every time I walk in, they I mean she is just beaming. The kids are so excited and well-behaved, and they just are excited to show off their learning. Miss Atienza's impact goes far beyond academics. She builds their confidence and creates a joy for learning that stays with

032them. Even for our students who are just beginning to learn English, they thrive under her guidance. Her commitment shows year after year as her students go on to be high achievers throughout their entire elementary school time. I know that this year, particularly, has been uh a challenge as you've lost your dear husband. But the way that you show up every single day for these students, the way you pour into them like a little mama bear, it shows. And every time I walk in that classroom, and it's all it's never like a scripted thing. She has no idea I'm ever coming, and we just pop in, and she says, "Well, who wants to show member Foron what we're doing and what we're learning?" And they come and just are so excited to share, and it shows.

033So, today I want to honor you and recognize you, Miss Atienza. Your heart for students and the difference you make in their lives is felt throughout our community. So, congratulations. >> [applause and cheering] [applause] >> Frank. Oh, look at the photo. Color coordinated, too. Hey, great to meet you. Miss the pink, member. Are you going to have me? >> I'm close. You could You could blend. No, you can't blend. You're dark and dark and dark and twisty. >> [applause] >> Okay. Thank you so much, member Foron. Uh next I'd like to recognize member Felder. >> [clears throat] >> Good evening. They recognize me. I am, again, Vicki Elaine Felder, and I represent District 5, where the talent, indeed, resides. It gives me great pleasure and great honor to recognize a group of people um that

034are deep in the recesses of my heart. I'm going to recognize tonight members of the Jones High School Tiger Pride Committee. J- Yeah, come on, give them a hand. >> [applause] >> Jones High School is over 130-plus years old. It was also a school that I attended in 7th grade, the fall of 1968 through '69. And I uh was 2 and 1/2 years old, and I was the first little mascot there when the Citrus Bowl Stadium was called the Tangerine Bowl. And these people that are coming up, one of the ladies that's coming up, her name is Mrs. Barbara Burns. My mother was her math teacher, and she also taught uh at Jones High. Her sister-in-law was my math teacher, and her nephew, I was his English teacher, so the thing just keeps going on

035and on. So, let me just say this. As they are coming forth, Barbara Burns, Shannon Wilson, who is the Booster Club president, if you could step out. Uh co-chair is Sonya Hill. I already mentioned Barbara Burns, Hope Massey, Malika Mobley, Heidi Howard, Glorious Ross, who's a member of the class of 1974 JHS, the class with class, my class. Imani Brooks, who's related to our own Dr. Bridget Williams, Greg Richardson, and Capri Frazier. For those who might not know, Tiger Pride Day is a cornerstone of the Jones High experience, and JHS JHS is an experience. It is an annual celebration that brings together generations of alumni to honor the rich history of the first public high school for African Americans in Orange County. This has never happened on this wise. And again, we had something uh

036to happen on uh Monday that was strategic and wonderful, and now to have the first, the oldest, predominantly black high school to be recognized at the district because they continue to want to recognize their pride. This is a momentous occasion. This event does not just happen. It's made up entirely of alumni from the class of 1974 to the class of 2012 works tirelessly behind the scenes. Dr. Vasquez has often said to me, she says, "Vicki, I've never seen anything that the alum like the alumni JHS." I said, "Dr. V, you not." >> [laughter] >> They are quite rare. So, um they spend months in meetings dedicating their own personal resources to ensure the Tiger legacy remains a living, breathing inspiration for the students of today. And the person that introduced this idea, she's not here.

037Her name I don't know Ivy's last name. W- Wynn. Ivy Wynn. She's in Tennessee. Her son was going to Jones High and she recognized, she said, "Oh my god, these children need to know their history and their legacy." And I'm so sorry Ivy's not here, but she was the first one to come up with the idea, but she's in Tennessee. I think she's taking care of her mom. So, she's not here. They are being recognized tonight for their stewardship of our history and it's a rich history. I would uh suggest when the museum gets up and going, you need to go and see it because it's a rich history. It's over 130 years old and we're still standing. Thank God for that. Thank you for the heart you pour into Jones High. And for your

038unwavering commitment to our heritage. Thank you so much. We are truly better because of your services and all the old teachers, I know they are just happy up in heaven looking down. I know they are. I know they are cuz they probably never imagined it would go this far. That is something, 130 plus years. Jones High is older than the county is as Orange County because the first name of the county was Mosquito County. Then it became Orange County. Let me give you some history right now. We are truly better because of your service. Congratulations and I'm going to join you for photos and I have little mementos to give you. >> [applause] [applause] >> Thank you. Thank you. They were very literal back there, huh? Mosquito County. Dr. Boyd uh Boyd over at OTC.

039Yes, this alumna. Come on. Yes, sorry. Yeah, all of y'all. Come on. Come on. Baby, we are a living legacy. Since we got such a wide shot of my side of the board. Oh yes, I stand, baby. Look here first. Okay, big smile. She's so quiet. Big smile, big smile again. Look super happy on three. Good, one, two, and three. Thank you. Thank you. Thank >> [applause] >> Member Felder always has the most spirited recognitions. All right, thank you board member Felder. Member Vanas, you're up next at the podium if you want to make your way down there. You're welcome. Thank you, Vice Chair Salamanca. Um, it is my pleasure to recognize an individual who has made a significant impact in a very short amount of time. >> [laughter] >> Please join me in celebrating

040Annelise Rivera, a senior specialist with school board services, who also who also happens to be on my team. >> [applause] >> Um, in the 10 months since Annelise has been part of our department, she has consistently demonstrated professionalism, initiative, and dedication. She mastered processes quickly, jumped into complex responsibilities, including managing my calendar. Thank you. And has become a tremendous asset to the team. She is ready to help out in any way, whether again, whether it's managing scheduling, um, whether it's making sure my most dreaded administrative tasks don't fall through the cracks, um, whether it is planning large events, um, whether it is listening to my constant steady stream of ideas and providing valuable input. So appreciate all of the ways that you are helping us and we're so lucky. Um, but what stands out the

041most is that Ms. Rivera approaches every task with a positive attitude, attention to detail, and a constant willingness to go above and beyond. And I dare you to find a day where she is not smiling. This is how she is all the time, no matter what. Um, her drive for professional growth was recently highlighted when she earned statewide recognition as a certified support professional from the Florida School Boards Association. Yep. >> [applause] >> This distinguished honor reflects the high standard of service she provides every day. Ms. Rivera, we are incredibly incredibly grateful to have you on our team and we are proud to celebrate your achievements and your many contributions to the district. So, thank you. >> [applause] [applause and cheering] [applause] >> Okay, next I am honored to recognize Principal Derek Fontaine from College

042Park Middle School. >> [applause] >> And just a quick fun fact, Principal Fontaine was Ms. Rivera's teacher when she was in high school. Um, since taking leadership of the Pride of the Park, Mr. Fontaine has stabilized employee turnover and managed the school through extensive campus renovations. He has built strong relationships within the community resulting in reactivating the PTA and now an active PTA that works directly with him to improve school culture. Mr. Fontaine is a visionary leader. He is currently launching the Blueprint to a B initiative and has created a new gifted scholastic academy that will begin this fall. He understands that parent relationships are foundational to a school's success and he is always ready to meet with families to build that trust. And when I say always ready, I I will be out in

043the community, I will meet a parent who will say, "You know, I have a couple of friends and we're think you know, we're we're zoned for middle you know, College Park Middle School. We'd love to meet the principal." And I'll call or I text Principal Fontaine and he is ready. He's like, "Any day, 7 days a week, 24 hours, you tell me when I'll meet with the parents." So, he truly is constantly working to continue to develop the relationship within the community. So appreciative of that. Um, he goes above and beyond for his students as well. For example, he spent over a year, well over a year, working to obtain a free wrestling mat so he could personally coach an after school wrestling program. He recognized his students needed this outlet and he made it

044happen. And I want to share that um he just received the official charter from USA Wrestling and so they will be able to start um working with the kids after testing and this summer. >> [applause] >> Mr. Fontaine is a gift to the College Park community. Thank you for your innovation and your dedication to the Bulldogs. >> [applause] [applause] >> Next, it is my pleasure to recognize Jenny Gibson, our principal leader for Middle School Quadri 1. >> [applause] >> Ms. Gibson oversees a diverse group of schools and is being honored for her individualized approach to leadership. She never applies a cookie-cutter strategy. Instead, she understands that our principals know their schools best. She looks to them for the primary strategy and then provides the specific support they need to reach their goals, and I have

045seen this in action so many times in different schools. Um Ms. Gibson brings over 25 years of experience to this role. Before becoming a principal leader, she served for 6 years as an executive area director and led multiple schools to A ratings. She uses her decades of knowledge to mentor our newest administrators and help them navigate the complexities of school leadership. And I will say that some of my very favorite administrators were mentored by you, and so it just speaks to the amazing work that you've done over your years with OCPS, and your legacy will live on. So, um those who work with Jenny value her authentic style, true, and her ability to provide guidance without overstepping. She is a steady resource for our District 6 schools, ensuring our leaders have a true partner in

046their success. And she's also just really fun. Look at her fun outfit. Thank you, Ms. Gibson, for your commitment to our school leaders and for the respect you show to each of our school communities. Let me join you for some photos. Thank you. >> [applause] >> MY FRIENDS, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. WE NEED A MAD PERSON. GOOD. Big smile. Big smile again. Look happy and on three. Good. One, two. Perfect. Thank you. >> [applause] >> All right. Thank you so much, Member Vanos. Next, I'd like to welcome Member Byrd to the podium. There she is. So, we all bring different props, different gifts. The flowers. I didn't bring my script. Hi, everyone. Okay. All right. Hi, everyone. Um thank you for uh giving me this opportunity. I am so incredibly excited to honor the

047excellence in our department again, because tonight um we are recognizing another senior specialist, my senior specialist, Ms. Cynthia Gomez. Ms. Come on down. >> [applause] >> WOO! WHILE WE ARE FORMALLY recognizing Ms. Gomez tonight for earning her statewide designation as a certified support personnel professional, we know her value goes far beyond her certifications, which by the way, this is not an easy task getting this certification. They had to do hours upon hours of extra work and training and meetings to learn about being a support person for school board members, and um the different things they had to learn was it was remarkable, and the amount of work they put in on top of just their regular job, which is a lot, cuz we're a lot to deal with, right? Um So, you know, her dedication

048to her job and to every person she serves, not just me, is truly commendable. She always shines with a signature grace and kindness, and she's just the sweetest person you will ever meet, but so professional and efficient, and I literally do not know how I would do my job every day without her. Um Don't even start. Uh she's just she's always there for me in every way, even personally. She's just always checking in on me. So, she's just the sweetest ever. Um Professionally, Ms. Gomez is at the top of her class. She has a remarkable gift for anticipating needs and consistently going above and beyond the call of duty. This proactive investment in her work is what makes her a vital asset to our board and a true leader in the field of public education.

049The FSBA rightly identifies Ms. Gomez as an unsung hero of our school system. We are so incredibly proud of this milestone and so grateful for the light she brings to our district. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> Center. Yes. We are the friends and family. >> [laughter] [applause] >> Um I do have another uh another person to recognize tonight, and I'm so excited for this one as well. Um it is my pleasure to recognize a dedicated partner for our Northwest Orange County Public Schools, and that is Mr. Ramon, please. Mr. Ramon, can you come down? >> [applause] >> Anyone in Apopka knows Mr. Ramon. He is um he is what we call our hype man. And I tried to get him to do some of his hype tonight, but he was like, "Yeah, I don't really want

050to do that." Um but I mean it, if you guys ever have an opportunity to go to an event where he is um volunteering his time to bring the excitement, oh wow. I mean, he makes a room get excited, get up and dance. Just He is actually, though, besides the hype man, he is a community development banker at City National Bank, and I'm honoring him for tonight for his work with our District 7 families and his support of our local schools. In Apopka, we value leaders who look for ways to truly serve, and Mr. Ramon has been a steady advocate for financial literacy and community growth. He understands that when our families have the tools they need to be stable, our students are much better positioned to succeed in the classroom. He has been instrumental

051in connecting our school community with the resources they need to thrive, and I have um Oh my gosh, where did I do with it? Oh. Oh, no. I had a lit Oh, here it is. Okay. The um the amount of things he did I could literally stand here all night, but I won't, but I mean, providing meals for students, supporting food school food pantries, donating his time and his talents to um doing the financial literacy, uh and at Christmas time he supports single mothers, uh he just he's always there in our schools, in our community, doing what needs to be done. Um And even, you know, serving as the board chairman for Reimagined Communities, which is in our schools, um constantly helping. He's right now he's serving as the PTA treasurer treasurer treasurer at Wheatley

052Elementary. He's not a parent at Wheatley. Just serving on the PTA. That's the kind of man he is. He is always there doing what needs to be done for our students in our community. Um His work ensures that our families have a trusted advocate and that our students see the value of community investment first hand. Mr. Please, I want to thank you for your leadership and for being such a strong ally for our schools. Let me join you for some photos and um >> [applause] >> Get come on, family. Come on, family. So, So they get here Good, good. That's good. We'll kill some time. Good. Come on up, Ann. Somebody else is coming up. Am I else? Okay. Good, good. Big smile. Look happy. Look happy again. One more and on three. Good. One,

053two, perfect. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you so much, remember Bird and truly, so many of our schools would not have all the incredible opportunities if it wasn't for our volunteers. So, um we we love to to highlight the work that they do um outside of any official roles that really moved any needle for our schools. So, um Here we go. Our next So, it is my distinct honor to welcome the leadership and members of the Orange County Retired Educators Association who are with us in the audience this evening. We are grateful for the association's enduring commitment to fostering professional growth within our district. You can come on up. I would like to invite two exceptional OCPS teachers to join me in front of the room, Anna Collins from Union Park Elementary and Sierra

054Peteck from Oakridge High School. Come on up. Tonight, the school board is proud to announce that these two educators have been awarded scholarships by the OCREA to support them as they seek their master's degrees. By investing in our teachers as they pursue advanced graduate studies, the association ensures that the expertise within our schools continues to grow. Mrs. Collins is known for her unwavering commitment to her students and her drive to deepen her instructional impact. Ms. Peteck has demonstrated a remarkable desire to elevate her teaching practice. This scholarship will support her as she tackles the rigors of her graduate coursework. The selection committee was unanimous in its choice of these two outstanding professionals. This shows that when we invest in our teachers, there's no limit to what our students can achieve. Please join me in recognizing

055the OCREA team and congratulating these two dedicated teachers in their accomplishments. >> [applause] >> And it's it's my honor to announce the two educator scholarships of $2,000 each to these young ladies for their further their work in education. Sierra is going to is art teacher at uh Oakridge High School. She's going to go on and major get her master's degree in art. She does ceramics and she's going to be learning a lot more as a master's teacher to get her kids more interested in keeping moving the art. And the other young lady we have tonight is uh from Union Park Elementary, uh Ms. Anna Collins and her principal Mr. Vega is here with her. So, thank you very very much for being here. She's a fourth grade teacher and she's getting ready to go back

056and study math and science uh for her master's degree so she can go to middle school and teach. So, we congratulations and we have members of our directors of our board here to give you the $2,000 check and certification. >> [applause] [applause] >> All right, let's do a picture. All the board. That's so exciting. Great job, guys. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> Okay, and I believe our last recognition would be to introduce an amazing group of students who represent the pinnacle of technical and academic excellence. A total 70 students 70 students have been designated as CTE scholars for their unwavering dedication and outstanding performance to their studies. At this time, I would like to invite those CTE scholars who are here tonight to join us in front of the room. So, you all can start heading

057over here. IT'S A BIG GROUP. >> [applause] >> YOU [applause] HAVE TO ADJUST YOUR CAMERA, FRANK. That's a big angle. All right. So, come on in. To earn this prestigious title, these students have successfully balanced the demands of high-level academics with specialized training found at Orange Technical College. Each scholar standing before us has achieved three remarkable milestones. First, successfully completed their OTC dual enrollment program. Woo! Second, they have earned credit in five or more rigorous courses including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, ACE, or Academic Dual Enrollment. Clap for that, too. And finally, they have maintained a weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher. >> [cheering] [applause] >> These students prove that technical expertise and academic rigor are two essential parts of a successful career. Their hard work is a testament to the fact that when our students

058pursue their passions with such intensity, there's no limit to what they can achieve. I would now like to invite Dr. Don Raymond and Dr. Rosa Grant to the podium to read the names of these exceptional individuals and scholars, please raise your hand as your name is called. Okay, so we're going to start with the Apopka High School and from the lodging operations program, we have Zula Adora. From patient care assistant, we have Sheila Aserrondo. From electricity, we have Tyler Brown. From fundamental foods, we have Shayna Pierre, Destiny Walker, and Damian Williams. From Boone High School, from accounting operations, we have Jordan Furlow. From game simulation, animation, and visual design, we have Daniel Riccardi. Logan Schroder. And from Colonial High School, from patient care assistant, we have Mary Nashid. And from Dr. Phillips pharmacy tech program,

059we have Ruth DP. And from East River High School gaming simulation, animation, and visual design program, we have Lashara Shamone, Benjamin Porter, Gabriel Robinson. And from Edgewater High School patient care assistant, we have Shanaya Johnson. Um Anaya Taylor. And from pharmacy tech, we have Anaya Major. From Horizon High School fundamental foods, we have >> [laughter] >> Allison Amaya Francis. We have Natalia Gomez. Liam Hammer. Lilia Hernandez. Eli Raymo. Ryan Shields. Aiden Vivaz. And from patient care assistant, we have Destiny Townsend. We also have Isabella De Luca and Gabriel Pina. Innovation High School. And for Innovation High School, for pharmacy technician, we have Caitlin Wimett. For Jones High School, practical nursing, we have Tasha Assenet. Kaylin Bright. Adriana Collier Williams. Anwan Gaskin. Shamaya Haggins. >> [snorts] >> Tiana Hall. Elianta Joseph. Memora Lafluer. Mariah Nelson. Navaya

060Robinburg. Kevin Roll. Anasia Smith. And for patient care assistant, we have Brooks Brooke Jefferson Waiters. And then also for Jones, for accounting operations, we have Bianca Tondreau. For Oakridge High School, patient care assistant, we have Briana Canales. For game simulation, animation, visual design, Kevin Dooley. For Kow High School, fundamental food service skills, we have Amari Brown. Martin Crasco Hernandez. Eglismar Carillo. Ariana Ochoa. And for patient care assistant, we have Anaya Major. Amaya Pennet. From Olympia High School, we have Colton Dickey for digital video technology, Michael Ibarra, digital video technology, Isabella Jabara, digital video technology, Amber Khan, digital video technology, Allegra Martel, digital video technology, Ann Neo, electricity, and also from Olympia High School, Eli Wing for digital video technology. At University High School, we have Isabel Abad for fundamental foods, >> [clears throat] >> Cindy

061Beltre for practical nursing, Ariana Infante for fundamental food services, uh Sin Shu Lu for fundamental food services, and Demar Silverio Rosario for pharmacy technician. From Wekiva High School, Valeria Gonzalez for patient care assistant, Kelis [clears throat] Grant for patient care assistant, Trinity Parker for patient care assistant, from West Orange, Ashlyn Axtell for fundamental food service skills, West Orange High School also Connor Bogos for fundamental food services, Sarah Dawson, patient care assistant, Lila Kadobs Kashani, fundamental food service skills, Logan Lucas, fundamental food service skills, and finally Bianca Suarez, fundamental food service skills. Congratulations, everybody. >> [applause] >> Congratulations to all of our scholars. We are so incredibly proud of your accomplishments, and we look forward to everything that's ahead. Let's do a picture and Frank >> [cheering and applause] >> I don't know how you're going

062to do this. So you guys from here over So you're going to turn sideways, you're going to shingle, you're going to start smooshing this way, face this way. From this my first person facing that way, you're going to turn and smoosh. That's right. All right, so now you're going to kneel. Kneel. Good. And guess what, row? You my group of friends here, from here to here, you're going to come kneel. Right in the front. And if you're if you want to stop somebody, ask somebody. Or just squeeze in. Just squeeze in. You can squeeze in. Good. I need them over here. We've got a We've got a hole there for someone who's really nice. Just hang tight. Quickly after this picture, don't leave. We have a board member. So hold on first. You're going to

063need a bigger boat. I might have to sit on your lap. >> [laughter] >> Good. Look toward me, guys. Don't look at your parents. I know they love you. Hold on. Back up that way a little bit. Don't look. You guys are all going to make photos. I trust in you that you'll wait. So I want all your loving people to look at me. Look happy on three. Good. One, two, and three. Look happy. Don't look at everybody with the cell phone. I see you. Hold on. Look toward me. And now, in a coordinated event, look on that side. Everybody on this side. Yeah, just the side, not the middle. Good. Now the middle Now look toward the middle. Middle opportunity. Good. >> [laughter] >> That's great. Look toward that side. Oh, we have some

064illegal middle people. >> [laughter] >> Are you parents Are you feeling brave? And principals. Everybody. >> And principals. >> [laughter] >> And principals. Yes. Here I am. I want to get the principals to get on the dais. Frank, we have faith in you. I want the principals to get on the dais. That would have been nice. Can we have principals as well? Yeah. Yeah, we got principals. Are they Yeah. I don't know. Can you sit on the dais? Would it Would it let y'all stand up there? Okay. All right. If you're a principal, push >> [laughter] >> Good. I need you guys to get in closer. This side get in closer. Just duck, Serati. You can duck. If somebody's behind you and you're Thank you, Serati, sir. >> [laughter] >> Serati. Fall over. Don't laugh.

065Thank you. >> [cheering] [applause] >> Okay. Uh Member Byrd, a few seconds. Yeah. Hey, a real fast before everybody leaves, eyes up here real quick. >> [laughter] >> Real fast. Listen, can all of you guys who are here tonight Hello. Hello. Hello. Can all of you guys that are here tonight go out into the community and share about these programs because we hear so often schools need to bring back technical education in the in the high schools. And look, it is alive and well and available to all of our kids. So go out and share the news and spread it far and wide. Thank you, guys. Congratulations. Thank you, Member Byrd. We all echo this, but this does conclude the first portion. Whether you're leading our schools or protecting our children, your commitment is seen

066and appreciated. Hold it up. Oops. Last group. We will be taking a 5-minute break, board. When you going to see him? Send that picture to him. Give him the picture I took with the baby right here. Yes. Yes. Congratulations. That's right, Jones' baby. Yes. Hi, brother. Give me a Got it. I mean, seriously, now that you got me in this season, a small It did. It did. You know, like you saw that and then you're probably like This is how I actually work the day. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. >> [applause] >> That's right. That's right. No, they're all good principals. Yes. Go ahead. You're welcome. Right. Yes, I don't know if >> [laughter] >> We're going to get started in 5 minutes here. So, find your seats. Okay. If you have an open

067seat next to you, raise your hand cuz we have a couple folks we're looking for seats. Okay, if you have an open seat next to you, keep your hand up. If you're in the back looking for a seat, keep an eye on the hands. Okay, we have a couple right here in the middle, open seats that are empty. Keep your hand up so folks in the back can see it. We have so many people worthy of recognition. We can't fit you all into one room at the same time. It's hard. We're ready to work. Okay. Any more seats? If you have an empty seat next to you that is not from someone who you know is going to come back, raise your hand. Raise your hand if you got empty seats next to you. Okay,

068I believe we have We have two seats up the front. Actually four what? Three seats. More? Okay, two seats right here. One seat over here. Thank you. I appreciate your patience. We're just Okay, we have a few right in the middle that are still up and then we're going to get started, folks. There you go. All right. I think our last folks are grabbing their seats, but good evening and thank you for joining us. Welcome to the spring OCPS special recognition meeting. We are so happy to have you here. I see many of the people we will honor this evening have brought families, friends, colleagues. I know I speak for the entire school board when I tell you that we are so pleased that you are joining us tonight to recognize your loved ones as

069well and their incredible work and what they give to Orange County Public Schools. Thank you for your patience. I know all of you are excited to get started. I know you all had to wait a little bit to get back in here. But during each recognition, um recipients will be invited forward, right over here, I think right in front of me, for a photo and bring your certificates with you. Hold them open cuz we'll have a photo with the whole board. Um and And you'll have your school board members or uh myself give a couple words while you're up here. And we're so excited for all of you to get to see the work that you do amongst yourselves. One of the reasons why we do this is so you all get to see the

070the collaboration and the programs and everything that's going on across the district. Sometimes obviously we're all heads down in our schools um doing really cool stuff. So hopefully you get to meet others and see what's going on around. Um to begin today we're having board member Bonnus. Can you please kick us off? helping us celebrate two of our most creative students at Orange County Public Schools. It is my pleasure, Vice Chair. Um from Orlando Gifted Academy we have Case >> [laughter] >> Thank you, Vice Chair. Okay, I'll start over. From Orlando Gifted Academy we have Case and Backhaus in the seventh grade. And just come on up. >> [applause] >> And from Dr. Phillips High School Alyssa Andreyevskaya who will be graduating this year. >> [applause] >> These students showed extraordinary creativity. Their artwork rose

071to the top of all of the entries across the entire district to earn them recognition as Magnet Schools of America Art Poster Contest winners. In addition, both students represented OCPS on the national stage where Alyssa was honored as a national finalist. For Alyssa this follows her recognition in February for being a Stellar Awards artist. >> [applause] >> These milestones are a testament to their hard work and their unique artistic voices. We are so proud of you and how you represented our district. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> All right, board picture. >> [snorts] >> Principals, teachers, friends and family who are here to support the students come on in for a picture. >> [applause] >> Thank you, member Bonnus. Next we celebrate outstanding OCPS principals who have guided their schools to national distinction earning prestigious Magnet Schools

072of America recognition. The commitment to innovation and excellence these schools have shown has transformed classrooms and elevated our entire district. To recognize the winners whose schools have achieved this extraordinary honor, please join me in welcoming Michelle Thomas, Director School Choice Services. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Vice Chair Salamanca. Principals, as I call your names please come forward with your team to be recognized by the board and you'll stand up here at the end for a picture. We begin with our Magnet Schools of Distinction. Principal Hector Maestre, Boone High School providing a specialized pathways in criminal justice, finance, and law. >> [applause] >> Principal John Joel Jones, Liberty Middle School implementing the internationally recognized Cambridge curriculum. >> [applause] >> Principal Vanessa DeMars, Arbor Ridge 6-8 delivering >> [applause] >> delivering Yes, come on. Come on in.

073delivering a rigorous integrated middle school's academic program. Principal Joanne DeRice, Bay Meadows Elementary >> [applause] >> integrating career focused STEAM curriculum at the elementary level. Principal Agatha Alvarez, Tildenville Elementary >> [applause] >> developing a biliteracy through our dual language model. Principal Jackie Ramsey, Dr. Phillips High School >> [applause] >> maintaining a premier center for the visual and performing arts. Principal Dr. Alex Jackson, Edgewater High School >> [applause] >> training future engineers and educators through specialized technical tracks. Principal John Linenhan, Lake View Middle School prioritizing world language fluencies and cultural studies. Next we would like to introduce our Magnet Schools of Excellence. Principal Bethany Shipman, Hillcrest Elementary >> [applause] >> fostering foundational foreign language mastery and global awareness. Principal Thomas Ott, University High School >> [applause] >> combining a high level in performing arts with the

074International Baccalaureate Diploma. Principal Shawn Maguire, Orlando Gifted Academy >> [applause] >> meeting the unique social and emotional and academic needs of our gifted learners. Principal Jackie Ramsey, Dr. Phillips High School This time focusing on the international diplomacy and global economic studies. And finally, our top Magnet School of Excellence. Principal Khalil Ortiz, Sally Ride Elementary >> [cheering and applause] >> leading the nation in elementary level aviation and aerospace education. Yes, all right. Um Sally Ride Aviation and Aerospace Magnet is also a nationally certified Magnet School. With this honor Sally Ride joins 12 other elite programs to become the 13th school at OCPS to earn this national status. This national certification is awarded for exemplary teaching and innovative programming. It follows a rigorous evaluation of leadership, curriculum, and family engagement. Sally Ride Elementary continues to provide hands-on

075learning and real-world connections. These opportunities inspire curiosity and achievement for every student. The Magnet program demonstrates a commitment to creating an engaging and inclusive learning environment. Congratulations to all the principals who are helping make OCPS a national leader in Magnet education. Let's get a photo together, but we really could not do this without you. >> [applause] [applause] >> Next we recognize four schools that demonstrate what it means to exceed expectations. Board member Byrd, please tell us more. You're good. Good evening. Uh this is my honor to do this tonight. These campuses serve as models for academic growth and leadership across the state. At this time I would like to invite the following staff members to the front of the room. Principal Sarah Friedman from Lawton Chiles Elementary >> [applause] >> Is she here? Oh, you

076here? Oh, come on up. Okay. It's Allison. Oh, that's okay. Um Dr. Betsy Santana from John Young Elementary. >> [applause] >> Principal Melanie Simmons from Molly Ray Elementary. >> [cheering and applause] >> And Principal Shawn Downing from Prairie Lake Elementary, District 7. The Exceeding Expectations conference allows Florida educators to share the specific systems and decisions that drive student achievement. Coming up in June this year at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, the conference will feature keynote speaker and national teacher of the year Ron Clark. To be recognized at the state level is a significant honor. These schools have set high standards and proved what it is what is possible through focused work. The 2026 award school designation for Lawton Chiles Elementary recognizes a long-term culture of high academic performance. The 2026 Rising Stars schools, John Young,

077Molly Ray, and Prairie Lake have shown impressive growth and a clear path toward even greater results. The efforts of these educators ensure that our classrooms remain places of constant progress. Their dedication provides the best possible environment for our students to thrive. Please join me in a round of applause for these four exceptional schools. >> [cheering and applause] >> All right. Photo time. I just want to say that the principal of Lawton Chiles is Allison Garsky. She's my principal and the name in the script was wrong. Apologies. So, congratulations Allison. >> [applause] >> Okay, board member Felder. Felder? Board member Felder, can you please tell us about Khan Academy winners? Is that what I should say? Khan Khan Academy? This is it's a very It's not easy on the map on the pronunciation here. Khan Academy?

078But it's Khan. Thank you, vice chair, and good evening. Tonight we celebrate a monumental victory for our district. The Khan Academy is a rigorous national competition focused on student achievement. At this time I invite the principals and staff from our eight winning schools to the front of the room. This competition requires relentless focus. Students must prove total mastery in mathematics, reading, and writing throughout thousands of lessons. Our students did not just compete. They dominated the leaderboard SECURING EIGHT TOP FIVE finishes across five categories nationwide. Each school is led by its principal, a Khan champion who serves as a leadership advocate and a Khan ambassador who implements the program in the classroom. We honor them tonight for their hard work and dedication. Here are our winners. Please raise your hand as your school is called. OH,

079BABY. FIRST PLACE in the nation. [snorts] Dr. PHILLIPS HIGH SCHOOL. OH, DP. >> [applause] >> SAT Scholars reading and writing led by Principal Jackie Ramsey. And Oak Ridge High School. The Ridge, baby. SAT Sprinters mathematics led by Principal Dennis Gonzalez. As a reward, our first place teams are meeting with the founder of the program, Sal Khan. Yes. Mr. Khan is the founder of Khan Academy and a pioneer in digital learning. Additionally, our teams placed in the top five of winners nationally. Please raise your hand when I call your school. They include second place IN THE NATION, HORIZON High School. SAT Scholars reading and writing. CYPRESS CREEK HIGH SCHOOL. SAT Stars reading and writing. >> [cheering] >> Third place in the nation, East River High School. SAT Scholars reading AND WRITING. AND JONES HIGH SCHOOL. SAT

080STARS READING AND WRITING. FOURTH PLACE IN THE NATION, Evans High School. SAT Scholars reading and writing. HORIZON HIGH SCHOOL. SAT STARS MATHEMATICS. FIFTH place in the nation, Dr. Phillips High School. SAT STARS READING AND WRITING. LAKE NONA HIGH SCHOOL. SAT Stars mathematics. The brilliance shown by these students provides a shining model for academic growth across the state. We celebrate the grit required to reach this level of national glory. And this is public education, I need to remind you all. Congratulations to the team leaders. Let's get together for photo ops. LET'S GIVE THEM ANOTHER HAND. COME ON. >> [cheering] >> OKAY, EVERYONE COME ON up for a photo. Yeah. Thank you, member Felder, for such spirited award announcement. >> [laughter] >> We are all hyped and it's not from the diet Cokes. I'm going to go

081up there. >> [laughter] [applause] >> Thank you all. Member Felder really raised the bar on the hype. I I'm going to set you up for success. There you go. All right, we're going to keep going. Board member Foran, can you please tell us about the art of the screen behind us? It's coming. It's coming. Beautiful. I am thrilled to share about the beautiful work of art chosen to represent Orange County in the Art in the Capitol competition. The statewide competition uh contest celebrated the incredible talent found in middle schools across Florida. Please join me at the front of the room, our winning artist, Ms. Reese Mayor. Her teacher, Ms. Stephanie Viliotis, and her principal, Mr. Derek Nappins. >> [applause] >> So incredible. Our selection committee of art teachers reviewed many wonderful submissions this year. They

082had a very difficult time selecting only one piece from such a gifted group of students. Reese, your work is currently on display in the Florida Capitol for the 2026 legislative session. This is so exciting. >> [applause] >> We are so proud of your achievement as an eighth grader at Blankner School, and your creativity is a point of pride for our entire community. And I have to say, um I absolutely love art. The way that you did the shading, uh the it looks like a photo, but it's really just the the drawing, and it is absolutely incredible. You did such a great job. And Ms. Viliotis, the way that you teach your children, the students, and train them, and give them the tools that they need to really exceed and and thrive. And Mr. Nappins, the

083way that you honor the arts in your school, thank you, um all of you. And so, congratulations. We'll take a quick photo. >> [applause] [laughter] [cheering] [applause] >> Beautiful. May the Capitol be inspired by such art over the next legislative session. Um our next recognition celebrates a group of incredible problem solvers from Orlando Gifted Academy. Board member Vanous, please tell us more. Woo. Thank you. This team of young mathematicians recently competed in the 2026 Elementary Math Olympics and claimed a first-place victory. At this time, please join me at the front of the room, our winning team members, their coach, Lindsay Goldfarb, and principal Shawn Maguire. Come on up. Okay. Gina Ortiz is the math coach because the other teacher is on leave, but will be back. Yeah. Oh, that's exciting. Um the Elementary Math Olympics

084is a rigorous competition that pushes students to solve complex mathematical problems with speed and precision. The remarkable sportsmanship and skill your team showed throughout every round of the tournament is a testament to your hard work. Your dedication has truly paid off with this top distinction. We also want to thank the teachers and the families who supported these students during their journey toward their gold medal. Your achievement brings a sense of pride to our entire district. Please join me in a round of applause for the Orlando Gifted Academy Elementary Math Olympics team. >> [applause] >> Picture? >> [laughter] >> We love the T-shirts. Thank you all. Um Our next recognition honors the winner of the 2025-2026 OCPS Spanish Spelling Bee. Board member Douglas will share about our annual competition. Thank you, uh Vice Chair. The Spanish

085Spelling Bee is a true test of linguistic skill. Students must master complex vocabulary, precise pronunciation, and the correct use of accent marks. Please join me at the front of the room, our champion from Hamlin Middle School, Pedro Nascimento. >> [applause] >> On January 21st, 40 students from across 24 of our middle and K8 schools gathered to compete. This year event was particularly demanding, lasting 16 intense rounds. In an unprecedented display of skill, 11 of those rounds consisted entirely of words from the most rigorous erudito list. Pedro, your ability to remain calm and focused through such a challenging series of words was truly impressive. Truly impressive. Your performance reflects a high level of dedication and academic excellence. We also want to recognize the educators and families of Hamlin Middle who supported Pedro as he prepared from

086this achievement for for this achievement. Sorry. Please join me in a round of applause for Pedro, our Spanish Spelling Bee winner. Family, coaches, [applause] come on. Thank you. Let's gather. Let's gather together. >> [laughter] [applause and cheering] >> Next, we are proud to recognize two outstanding students from our traditional schools who have earned the honor of representing Orange County at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Board member Gala, will you do the honors? Make sure I lower the podium for you. >> You do not need to lower the podium. The podium The podium is just fine. She likes to point out that I'm vertically challenged every time I get to speak. Thank you, uh member Salamanca. At this time, it would be my pleasure, um to ask Anay Mahesh and from Arbor K

087Arbor Ridge K8 and Louie Aventis from Discovery Middle School, please join US UP FRONT. >> [applause] >> ANION AND LOUIE outlasted nearly 100 of the top spellers in our the county through round after round of challenging words to secure their spots on the national stage. Next month, they will join elite scholars from across the globe at the Gaylord National Resort in Maryland Maryland for Bee Week. They will compete for the prestigious Scripps Cup in a nationally televised competition. The event will test not only their spelling, but their mastery of word origins and definitions. This achievement is a direct result of their incredible discipline, focus, and scholarly persistence. To have two students qualify for this level of national competition is a remarkable feat. We are so proud of you. Congratulations on this incredible honor and we

088wish you the best of luck in Washington, D.C. Now, let's get together for some pictures. >> [applause] >> All right, picture time family, friends, teachers, come on up and then do you two remember? What was the word? >> [laughter] >> I know. >> [applause and cheering] >> Good luck in Washington. You're going to do great. Our next recognition honors the champions of the 2026 OCPS District Chess Tournament. Very very difficult, let me tell you. This event transformed the Sunridge Middle and Elementary campuses into a vibrant hub of intellectual competition. Our individual and team winners, along with their coaches and principals, please come up to the front of the room. >> [applause] >> There you are. Ah. Another good set of t-shirts. Ah. Look at them. Okay. Students and teams, please raise your hand as I

089call your names. Elementary School champions from Keenes Crossing Elementary, K to two individual winner Alan Go and first place overall K2 team. Woo. >> [applause] >> From Sand Lake Elementary three to five individual winner Zack Khan and the first place overall three five team. >> [applause] >> The secondary school champions from Orlando Gifted Academy, middle school individual winner Zane Thai and the first place overall middle school team. High school champions from Boone High School, high school individual winner Antoine Ganados and first place overall high school team. >> [applause] >> This tournament set new records with 750 students representing more than 80 schools. Wow. Students ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade navigating six grueling rounds in a Swiss style format. That sounds intense. Anything that says Swiss style intimidates me immediately. A Swiss style format pairs

090players against opponents with similar scores in each round ensuring everybody plays every round. While the trophies are highlight, the real victory was in seeing so many students come together over a shared love of the game. We want to thank the CDL competition team and the volunteers who meticulously set up nearly 400 chess boards to prepare for this event. To our champions, your discipline and mental agility set you apart in this record-breaking field. We are proud of your achievement and the way you represent our schools and I can't wait to see everything you do ahead. We'll keep the chess up, but please join me in a round of applause for 2026 District Chess champions. >> [applause and cheering] >> Okay, so we'll do Frank, let's do a picture with the students first and then we'll bring

091families. Good. Now, look at the middle. All the happy people, find your parents. Now, look at them on this side. Come on, Mom. Look on the left. My left, good. Parents, go find your kids. Go. All right, parents, come on up. Squeeze. Squeeze, the board is limited. The board is limited. Good. Squeeze in tighter this side. You're holding up the board. Good. Somebody owns him. Good. Look toward me. Look happy. Don't look at the running parents. On three, good. One, two, and three. Stay there. One more. Excellent. Hold on. Good. Hold on. Good. >> [cheering and applause] >> Okay. We have one last set of awards. If folks could find their seats or head out if they need. Last, but certainly not least on our agenda, we end with our 2025-2026 winter sports recognition. >>

092[cheering] [applause] >> I'd like to recognize Loni Flores, our director of athletics and athletics and wellness. Apologies, it's been a long day. Good evening, Vice Chair Sam Monica, school board members, Dr. Vasquez and school staff. It is my honor to recognize our winter sports champions. The first team I recognize is our Freedom Game Day Cheer with the team. >> [cheering] [applause] >> If the team and coaches could please stand while I recognize your accomplishments. >> [cheering] [applause] >> Freedom Game Day Cheer won the 2A State Championship for the second year in a row. >> [applause] >> They won the regional competition with a score of 93.90. This qualified them to advance directly to the the state championship finals with West Shore High School from their region. They won the finals with a score of 93.50

093defeating Sebring, Forest, Seminole, Zephyrhills, Lake Gibson, Boone, Palm Beach Central, Riverview, and Sebastian River to win the championship. >> [applause] >> This is the second year for this division making Freedom High School the first ever back-to-back Game Day Cheer champions for Orange County Public Schools. >> [applause] >> In addition to back-to-back state championships, the team completed an undefeated season while also bringing home metro and regional championships and a national high school cheerleading championship. >> [cheering and applause] >> The team was also recognized as an academic team champion with a team grade point average of 3.497. >> [applause] >> At this time, I would like to recognize the student athletes, coaches, and staff of Freedom High School. Principal Charles France, athletic director Bobby Rego, and head coach Mike Kafalumanu Smith. Coach, could you please come up

094and introduce your athletes? >> [cheering] [applause] >> It is my pleasure to introduce Freedom High School state and national cheerleading championship team. First up, Adelyn Santos, Aliana Morell, Anna Flores, Ayana Pernia, Chloe House, Dallas Tate, Isabella Salinas-Volpe, Jayla Vega, Cadence Stanley, Kaylen Brasch, Carla Fonseca, Madison Johnson, Natalia Boden, Sabrina Frangillo, and Zaria Brooks. Along with coach Logan Moore and coach Bettina Corwin. >> [cheering and applause] >> Probably do double file. Teacher, the right group together. Rearrange. Good. Good. Good. Look forward to me. Thank you. Look really sparkly and on three, good. One, two, and three. Look happy. Good. One, two, and three. One more. Awesome. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Yes. Friends Nope. You said no. Nope. You said no to friends and family? She said you want friends and family. Come on up, friends.

095Come on, friends. Parents, friends, family. If you can take a photo, you can be in the photo. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Yes. And then, parents, you have to do your best pose. You got a runner? Where's my friend? Did you find your parents? Good. Big smile. Look happy and on three, good. One, two, and three. Look super happy. Awesome. Thank you. >> [applause] [cheering] >> As you will notice tonight, our ladies of Orange County Public Schools carried the day for the winter sports. The next team I'd like to recognize is Windermere competitive cheer. If the team and coaches could please stand while I recognize their accomplishments. They won the regional competition. Excuse me. Windermere comp- competitive cheer team won the small division 2A state championship. They won the regional competition with a score of

09686.60. This qualified them to advance directly to the state championship finals with Sebring High School from their region. They won the finals with a score of 88.10, defeating Tate, Cooper City, and Tohopekaliga Creek to win the championship. This is the school's third state championship in competitive cheer, and they are now back-to-back state champions. >> [cheering and applause] >> At this time, I would like to recognize the student athletes, coaches, and staff of Windermere High School. Principal Andrew Lethakis, athletic director Jeremy Campbell, and head coach Annie McGlenn. Coach, could you please come up and introduce your student athletes? Hi. Thank you so much for having us. It's my honor to announce my team, and we have a lot missing tonight because they're at practice for their club sport. So, but here today, we have Anna Oysted,

097Julie Nudigate, Addison Angelino, Livia Lima, Stella Cardoso. I'm skipping over the ones that we don't have. Mila Ching, Blakeley Green, and I think that's it. Right? And Ali Scramoncin. >> [applause] >> And then, the girls that are not present, should I recognize them also? Okay. That is Sorry, I'm also vertically challenged. Uh that is Casey Eamon, Caitlyn Walsh, Ella Keefer, Kennedy Cohn, Autumn Adkins, Chloe Mosby, Macy Hall, and Adelyn Blitz. Thank you. You did Great job, coach. Congratulations. Is it picture time? Picture time. Good. Look right toward me. That's everybody. Look happy and on three, good. One, two, and three. Look there. Super happy. One more. Excellent. Friends and family? Come on, kids. They drove you You drove yourself? Yeah. What time are you guys leaving so I can be on the road before you?

098>> [laughter] >> Oh, don't say that out loud. I'm sorry. Look happy and on three, good. One, two, and perfect. Thank you. Needless to say, Orange County Public Schools can cheer. The next team I'd like to recognize is Winter Park competitive cheer. >> [cheering and applause] >> If the team and coaches could please stand while I recognize your accomplishments. Winter Park competitive cheer won the large division 2A state championship. They won the region competition with a score of 92.40. This qualified them to advance directly to the state championship finals with Spruce Creek High School from their region. They won the finals with a score of 85.80, defeating Plant, Spruce Creek, Creekside, North Port, and Olympia to win the championship. This is the school's 14th state championship in competitive cheer. >> [applause] >> Winter Park is

099now tied for the most all-time team championships in the state of Florida with West Nassau. >> [applause] >> At this time, I would like to recognize the student athletes, coaches, and staff of Winter Park High School. Principal Michael Meechum, athletic director Chardy Charlie Battaglini, and head coach Angela Austin. Coach, please come and introduce the student athletes you have with you today. Thank you. Is that good? You want to lower it? >> Yes. Thank you so much for having us today. I would like to personally thank our new principal, Dr. Meechum, who's been so wonderful to the cheer program this year. And I would also like to thank my assistant coach, Amy Retz, who also cheered at Winter Park, and I was her coach as well. So, our assistant coaches, we are not near as good

100without our assistant coaches. So, thank you, Amy. I'm now going to introduce the athletes. We have Layton McAndrew, Sutton McAndrew, Sloan Pistor, Rylan Guilford, Sophie Miller, Remy Story, Addison Barnes, Addison Frame, Sarah Odell, who's not here tonight cuz she's at the orchestra concert. Grace Logan, Grace Milam, Addison Hinnen, Kennedy Mangan, Giselle Jones, Amalie Guton. We are missing Janaya Williams, who is at track tonight. We're also missing Avery Avery Burns and Adia Tella, who's at their club team. And we also have Stella Schwartz, Juliet Pancake, and Arya Tisdale. Congratulations to this amazing team. >> [applause] >> Thank you. >> Congratulations to Good. Look up, look happy, and on three, good. One, two, and three, stay there. If you didn't drive yourself, did you have someone bring you? Yes. Okay, come on up, people. Sarah. Sarah. Come

101on up. Sarah. Come on, come on. Come on. Let's do it. Anybody else? We're good? Look happy, and on three, good. One, two, and three, stay there. And parents, do your best cheer pose. I've been fortunate to save our loudest group for last. The Freedom Girls Wrestling Team. >> [cheering] >> IF THE DEMON COACHES COULD PLEASE stand while I recognize your accomplishments. >> [cheering] [applause] >> Freedom's Girls Wrestling Team won the 1A State Championship. They become the first school to win two state titles IN GIRLS WRESTLING. >> [cheering] >> THEY WON THE FINALS WITH A SCORE of 125 to 92 over South Dade to win the championship. And in addition to winning the state championship, the team also was the metro, district, and regional champions. They had 11 state qualifiers and eight state placers, the

102most placers in FHSAA GIRLS WRESTLING HISTORY. >> [cheering] [applause] >> IN ADDITION TO THEIR SUCCESS on the mat, they competed in the classroom. The They qualified as an academic team champion and had the highest grade point average in the county for the sport with a 3.275 GPA as a team. >> [cheering] [applause] >> At this time, I would like to recognize the student athletes, coaches, and staff for Freedom High School. >> [applause] >> Principal Charles France, Athletic Director Bobby Rego, and Head Coach DAVID BUSH. >> [screaming] [cheering] >> COACH, IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME UP AND INTRODUCE YOUR TEAM. CONGRATULATIONS. I appreciate it. Thank you. All right. thanks for having us tonight. Um Our team's coming up. Uh we have Joseph a junior, Josephine Reeves, senior, Hannah Neil Gregory, senior, Gabriella Kerber, sophomore, Mia Alvarado,

103junior, Elizabeth Isabella Barrera, senior, Genesis Escorcia, senior, Paula Ramirez, junior, Eduarda Franklin, sophomore, Camilla Alves, junior, Ce'Asia Brown, sophomore, Gabrielle Gilman, ninth grader, Sophia Chavez, 10th grader, Emma Donastorg, and 11th grader, Mikaela Malave, and coaches, Marcus Jean Baptiste, >> [cheering] >> Jaequan McIntyre, Randall Grant, >> [cheering] >> Lindsey Doll, and Michael Bush. >> [cheering] >> I'd also like to recognize three of our seniors that have um signed scholarships to wrestle in college. Uh first with a 4.2 GPA going to Upper Iowa University, Gabrielle Kerber. >> [applause and cheering] >> Second with a 4.8 GPA going to New College, Genesis Escorcia. >> [cheering] >> And third with a 4.5 GPA going to West Liberty University, Paula Ramirez. >> [cheering] [applause] >> You're off center, though. You lose points for that. Oh, never. Good, good. Look toward

104me, look happy, and on three, good. One, two, and three, for the adults, please inhale. Stay there. I don't know why. Let's do that again. Um anybody brought you? Yes. Let's go. My parents come on up. Come on, parents. >> [laughter] >> There you go. You have a cell phone on you? You must let somebody hop in. Everyone else put their phones back. Thank you, parents. Big smile, look happy, and on three, good. One, two, and three, look super happy, good. One, two, and perfect. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Yeah. On behalf of the student athletes, coaches, and staff, I would like to thank the school board for always supporting our athletic endeavors, as well as Dr. Vasquez and the school staff. It is my highlight at every meeting to be able to come up

105and get a fist bump as from these fine ladies for all their support. Thank you, and have a good evening. >> [applause] >> Ours. Oh, there we go. All right, thank you, board members and all of the wonderful honorees, students, staff, and community members who make our district shine. We appreciate each and every one of you. Please enjoy your evenings, go celebrate. This concludes our program. Thank you again, and have a wonderful night. >> [applause]