001Good evening board. Thank you for allowing us to be here tonight. My name is David McGee. I'm chairman of the Retired Educators Foundation of Orange County. Here with me are four directors also of the board. There's Dr. Kim Stzman. In the middle here, Monica Presley, Jan Quint, and Christy Woods. And they're all past presidents and presidents of the or the retired educators association. We are tasked with award awarding scholarships with the funds that were raised some 40 years ago when some very out forward-looking people said there was not a lot of teaching h teachers housing available and they actually put their money up and helped find places for teachers to live. Well, that lasted about three or four years because the housing caught up and so they sold that properties that they had started with
002and that money was given to this the board to for scholarship funds that we've been working with for the last 15 to 20 years. So, it's the retired educators county purchased housing years later they sold it the proceeds invested and we are the custodians of that great honor of awarding scholarships to worthy applicants. The scholarship committee awards three different types of scholarships. The academic scholarships is awarded to Orange County graduating students. We had 12 of those at $2,000 a piece. Orange Technical College students, which which we have a lot of those students here tonight. they we have 10 of those awards given. Those are $1,000 each. And we also have two educator awards that are going to teachers that are going to be working on their graduate degrees in $2,000 increments. So that's we award
003over $30 to $40,000, believe it or not, every year to students and faculty members like that. And tonight or this evening, we'd like to award Miss Amy Lynn Matson of Cypress Keep High School. Would you please come on up with your husband? And Mrs. Miss Brianna Walsh from Vakiba High School. There you go. Receiving $2,000 each. And congratulations to these outstanding educators. That's our Come on down to the middle. Yeah. Congratulations. Congratulations. And thank you all. We appreciate you so much. Congratulations. See if you can find a way to get a message to Lauren to see if she can find out how much money the foundation is contributing to the CPS programs. All right. Any other cameo performances here? Okay. All right. This evening, I'm also honored to be able to recognize some very special
004guests that are here with us. Senior Judge Emerson Thompson Jr. and the Thompson family. Would you all just stand for just a minute so we can recognize you? There you are. I was trying to find you in the audience. We are so grateful you could join us tonight as we pay tribute to the life and legacy of State Senator Gerald Dean Thompson, your wife, your mother, your cousin, and to us a beloved leader in our community. Before we share more about you, I wanted to personally thank each one of you. Public service is never a solo journey. that requires the support of loved ones. This family has supported not only Senator Thompson, but also Judge Thompson, whose years of service we deeply value. Judge, we thank you for your enduring commitment to this community. So,
005on a personal note, I first met Senator Thompson, then Representative Thompson, shortly after I was elected to the county commission. I was so honored when she reached out to me. She wanted to share her vision for what would become the Wellsbuilt Museum of African-American History and Culture. I also had the tremendous honor and joy of attending what I believe was one of the first events where students attended throughout the years which turned into decades. Like so many in this community, I was inspired by her public service. She taught at OCPS for six years. She served at Valencia College for over two decades. She preserved history through the Wellsbuilt Museum and she was a beloved family matri matriarch and a community trailblazer blazer. Senator Thompson's life was one of purpose, of compassion, of vision and commitment.
006Throughout her career, she remained committed to education, history, community, and public service. Tonight, we honor her legacy with a proclamation. I've asked member Vicky Felder if she will read the proclamation with on behalf of the board with all the heart and passion it deserves. Member Felder, you're reckon. Thank you. I just want to say just before I read this proclamation that I knew Senator Geraldine Thompson for a while when I sat on the Valencia Black Advisory Board. She wanted my mom and I to sit on that board and she knew of my passion and love for theater, but she directed a show about the Aoy massacre and there was a concern about who was going to direct and she knew how much I wanted to do it. So what she did, she did a boss
007move. She made me the artistic director and the other guy couldn't direct and she was always an advocate. Always an advocate. So I take this as an honor. board members to read this proclamation. Whereas, Senator Geraldine Thompson was a dedicated public servant who represented western Orange County in both the Florida House and Senate beginning in 2006. And whereas Geraldine Thompson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and moved to Florida in 1955. And whereas she worked as a teacher for Orange County Public Schools for six years before becoming an administrator at Valencia Community College for 24 years. And whereas she founded the Wellsbuilt Museum of African-American History and Culture, preserving important stories and memorabilia of the civil rights movement and African art. And whereas Thompson wrote the Orlando book in the Black America series recounting 150
008years of black history in the city. And whereas she was a strong advocate for education and a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and greatg grandmother whose wisdom and compassion shaped the lives in the community across the state. And whereas Orange County Public Schools and the entire Central Florida community mourn the loss of Geraldine Thompson, who passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Now, therefore, the school board of Orange County, Florida, does hereby acknowledge and declare that Geraldine Thompson will be remembered as a beacon for education and the civil rights and her contributions have and will continue to help our students and the community in the future. adopted by the school board of Orange County, Florida in Orlando, Florida on this 25th day of February, 2025. Thank you so much, Member Felder. I want also want to
009recognize member Douglas for a moment and then we're going to ask the family if they'll come up for just for a brief picture and to present the proclamation. I would like to honor as well u Senator Geraldine Thompson. she didn't know who I was and I was campaigning to become a school board member and she offered she said you can call me anytime and talk to me and I will help you in any capacity I can. And I took her at her word and I said can we have a Zoom meeting? And while I was in class at the end of the school, we had a Zoom meeting and she really opened my eyes to so many opportunities that I could get, you know, it's just all about funding, you know, in Orange County in
010order to become a school board member. So, I just want to say it was a pleasure. It was an honor and her humility is such an example. and and I would like to become just like Geraldine Thompson because she was always very humble and never just go out there and just say who I am. You are all you never knew who she was when you were she was in the room and I really admire that and I thank you so much. Thank you. You had a fantastic bomb. Thank you so much. Thank you for coming. Judge Thompson, would you give us the honor of joining us up here? And if you have other family members, please, by all means, I should have explained at the beginning, I had foot surgery a couple of weeks ago.
011I would love to come down and join you, but it would take a little while. Thank you so much for making us. Yes, we do appreciate Thank you. Thank you. I know that nothing can ever erase the pain of losing a loved one, but I do want you to know that here at OCPS and throughout this community, we mourn alongside of you of a great loss. All right. My final recognition tonight is to highlight a powerful legacy of giving, the work of the Harris Rosen Foundation. Over 20 years ago, Harris Rosen created the Tangelo Park program. It remains a model today of cradleto career support aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty. Through the foundation, he provided Tangelo Park children free preschool, family support, college, college scholarships for all high school students who graduated. I
012can't put a value or a number on the millions of dollars that he's contributed, but the millions of dollars do not compare to the impact, the ripple effect of changing the lives of so many children and what that means to future families and the families after. When I think about the exponential impacts of affecting a community like that, it's hard to even grasp how big that is. So tonight we're honored to be joined by Frank Santos. He's the CEO of Rosen Hotels and Resorts. And I've had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Rose Mr. Santos at different events, meeting him on several occasions. Every time I have h encountered Mr. Santos. He is just such a jewel, such a gracious man. And he is not just the right hand for Harris Rosen, but he's also been
013recognized for his own philanthropy. He received the 2023 Kenneth F. Murray Esquire Award as Central Florida Outstanding Philanthropist. So the reason that we are here this evening is not only to reflect on the impact of the foundation but also for an announcement. So just a little background a couple of weeks ago maybe maybe it was a little more than a month ago I got a call from Frank and was delighted to hear from him. but he asked me a strange question. He wanted to know if it would be okay if it would be okay if he gave each schoolboard m member $2500 to award to seniors. How many people call you and ask permission to give money? Okay. And for a second I thought, well, how gracious but strange. But then I had this flashback
014to the first meeting I had with Harris Rosen after I was elected. He came to my office and I have to tell you when you're elected to office as a county commissioner, if somebody comes to your office, you can count on something. They're they're either want something or they're going to complain about something. So I'm ready. And he says, "I want to tell you I'm very disappointed in county commissioners." Not surprised. And I said, "So, what's been your experience?" And he and you know, they either don't return phone calls, they don't honor promises. I'm ready. He says, "Nobody's ever asked me for anything." And I kid you not, nobody's ever asked me for anything. And for a second there, I was like, I don't even understand this conversation. He says, you know, when you run
015for office, you should ask people to do something. Ask. So, don't miss an opportunity to ask me. Well, I did ask him on numerous occasions and he always came through overwhelmingly. So, I shouldn't be surprised when Frank Santos, who spent 40 years working with Harris Rosen, that he would ask permission to give money to our kids. So, and it's no doubt in my mind that part of the reason that they've worked so closely together is their values are so closely aligned and their life of caring for others and lifting others up is so similar. So, I've that was a spoiler alert. You know what this is about, but I wanted to call Mr. Santos up to the podium if he would take just a minute or two to talk to us about one the impact
016of the Rosen Foundation and about the scholarships. and I can't tell you how pleased I am to know that the Rosen Foundation lives on and is in great hands. Mr. Santos, thank you chair Jacobs, board members, superintendent Dr. Vasquez, Dr. Williams. it's my honor to be here tonight to represent the late Harris Rosen and his foundation. As we all know, Harris was committed to OCPS and programs he created as you mentioned in Tangelo Park 32 years ago and Paramore partnering with OCPS for over 40 years. Today, we honor his memory with this new, it's a three-year scholarship program, and it is my goal to continue this program well beyond the three years. As Harris said many times, education creates a level playing field where everyone has a fair and equal chance of succeeding. Harris made
017sure that his foundation and the programs that he created would continue in perpetuity. So, thank you for allowing us to have this new partnership with Orange County Public School and the board. So, thank you very much. Thank you very much. Frank, would you come up here so we can get a picture? Yes. I have a big check, too. And a big check. Oh, and a big check. We love those. Those are always fun. Thank you so much. That's so awesome. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you again. All right. Now I would like to turn this ceremony over to member Ferrance so that she can present her recognition. Thank you so much Chair Jacobs. I am so I love these evenings like tonight because we can honor people whether it's students, teachers, community members
018who are truly making a difference. And if there was you know, if I had to sum up the main reason why I ran for school board, it was to make a difference here in Orange County to see our students reading and really, you know, when I say back to basics was something I ran on. It's really about getting those fundamentals right so that all the other things that we offer can really explode. and so tonight I wanted to honor the Reed Charitable Foundation. I'm I'm thrilled to honor Reed Charitable Foundation and since hearing about the foundation three years ago, I have been blown away by their selfless pursuit of ensuring every child can read, not only in OCPS, but in our surrounding counties and even I believe out of state. the Reed Charitable Foundation or
019RCF as I like to call it was formed by a passionate mother, Jen Kaf. Jen, would you mind standing just for a moment? You see, Jen's own son, Reed. Reed D. most of us would think Reed as in Re A D. oddly enough, I love that. Reed was a struggling reader who after many tears and sleepless nights was able to overcome his reading challenges but only with the help from dedicated teachers trained in the science of reading. She quickly realized that her son was not the only struggling reader, but over 50% of students in Florida and nationally are not reading on grade level. Thus, RCF Reed Charitable was formed and now consists of an incredible team of passionate, hard-working teachers, mothers, and community leaders. Could the RCF team stand for a moment as well? the
020whole team, anybody you came with. Their work helps students from all walks of life with varying educational needs. And the confidence that Reed Charitable is bringing to educators is truly invaluable. They help teachers with strategies to teach phonics, phenemic awareness, and how to help students one-on-one. I have personally spoken to so many educators who felt the training they received from ReedCharitable was the missing piece they were so desperately looking for. So team, I just want to say tonight, thank you, Jen, and your incredible team of hardworking educators for pouring into the next generation. Your hard work, your efforts, and your expertise have not gone unnoticed. Today, I honor you. all the hard work, the sweat and tears. Every everything that you do, I know that you make every day you're going into schools, you're helping
021teachers. And not only can I say not only do they train teachers in the gold standard, as they love to call it and I like to call it, but Orton Gillingham is like the gold standard of science of reading. And so, not only do they train teachers, but they're also there if a teacher is in the classroom and they're struggling and going, "Okay, whoa, I just learned this. How would I continue this? How does this work with this child?" They call up the Reed Charitable Foundation and say, "What would I do here?" And they can say, "Try this strategy. Try that strategy." And so, it's not a curriculum, it's just strategies. are literally giving our teachers tools. just like you'd walk into Home Depot and you get your hammer and nails and you get your
022tools to build a house. They're giving teachers those tools to help students of all walks of life because not every kid is able to just look at, you know, site words as we used to do or or different ways of learning to read and just get it. a lot of kids, as we're seeing with data, are not just getting it. And so what they are doing is just absolutely incredible. And so I again want to just honor you, Jen, and your ent entire team. Thank you for what you're doing, for pouring into our schools as a nonprofit. You're just pouring in and really doing this at such a minimal cost. It is absolutely incredible. And as a school board member, we're given like I call them my Oprah Winfrey funds. They're like funds that we're
023able to use to give to schools to help their staff. And so this is something that I've committed with several of my schools who are committed to helping their students and their staff really get on that next level. And so wanting to get them connected and trained. and I know we have our training here in OCPS, but this is like an additional training that they can go to. and the more training the better. So thank you again. I'd love for you all to come up and we'll take a quick picture together. Thank you. It's okay. I just was trying to scoot it up a little bit. Here we go. This is fine. Oh, coincidental. What's that? The color. She wanted to look like me. It's always about Bridget. She wanted to look like me today.
024That's not the actual happy. One more. She didn't see it in the picture, right? She needs to get called out. Go. It's against schoolboard policy. Thank you. Thank you. I told her and she still did it. So, thank you member Fant. And next is board member Douglas with her first ever special recognition. Member Douglas, you're recognized. After 25 years of being in the classroom, it's such a joy to be here and to acknowledge all these wonderful I wish it would have they would have stayed a little longer. it's such a joy to see them succeed and go into AP classes and IB programs and doing the CTE. Oh my goodness, it's just amazing. I'm so excited about all these different pathways that student can take. Now, now as a new member, board member, meet and
025greets are important way to meet people and and to learn about our districts. So, the first round of my meets and greets for employees in my district was held in February. Guess where? Orange. Orange Technical College, West Campus. Oh my goodness. Love. Love. the team impressed me with their profess professionalism and generous hospitality. Ward, Michelle Negron, Scott Widle, and the Orange Technical College West team. Jessica Biones, Rasha Bawad, Denise Tarver, Greg Brown, Seth Knight, Ralph Jan, and Rodney Dansen. Please stand. Thank you. They look great. Thank you. Scott Widle and his team, the principal of OTC portrayed the campus, his team and the school programs in a very positive light. The audience was there was impressed with all the opportunities available within OCPS. Scott was so gracious. He even offered tours of the schools. And
026not only that, he also gave free service, cosmetology service to all the attendees, okay? So they could go and have their nails done and their hair done if they wanted to. So what a great way to build connection. Now I would like to talk to Scott and the team. What you do at that beautiful new OTC campus is so important and it's important not just for our students but for your entire for the entire community. You are also a great example of how to turn a community meeting into a marketing opportunity. You did a good job. and Michelle Negrron, thank you for making sure that every every meeting ran smoothly. I appreciate how you gathered stakeholder feedback in a way that was transparent and thought exchange is a great tool, but you had a master
027behind that thought exchange. You did an amazing job and congratulation. Can you please come all of you so we can take photos? Yes. Come on in. come up and receive your certificate. Thank you so much. Go down. Thank you. I will. I will. Thank you. Great job team and great job member member Douglas. Thank you so much. Now I'd like to invite member Felder to recognize her honores. Thank you chair Jacobs. Tonight I am thrilled to recognize my dear friend and prayer partner for over 30ome years Darus Carlton who has given extensively of her time and energy to help the fellowship of Christian athletes at Carver Middle School. Doris, can you please stand? Jess Darus and I have not only been friends but we worked together as teachers in alternative ed. So and then we
028attended Carver Middle School together. She was, you know, two years younger than me with her older brother and sister. We were all in the same class. So now Dar is a graduate of Carver Middle. Go Bears. Yes. She also believes in giving back to her past, current, and future community. Darus has jumped at the opportunity to help when the school asked her to volunteer. She is an active member of FCA and she is a mentor for those children in that group. She goes beyond helping with her monthly meetings with them. She also brings snacks. They love that. And support at their sporting competitions. And you know she is there because she is one of the loudest members of the cheering section. And she calls me up and says, "Do you know Cara is doing da
029da da?" I say, "Darus, are you there?" "Yes, I am." I said, "Okay, you represent us." Well, thank you. Thank you. So, now let's hear for Doris. She is someone that students can trust and rely on both on the field and off. So now Darus, if you would please come up front and be recognized to receive your recognition certificate and I also have a very nice coin with my name on it. Vicky Felder, District 5, where the talent resides. Congratulations. Thank you for all your work. Appreciate that. How are you? A bet in a club at Molly Ray Elementary. students. They'll learn and grow all year under the guidance of sponsors Miss Heidi Rays and Miss Shelanda Cooper. In January, the club competed at the state junior Beta Convention held here in Orlando. Teams and
030individuals earned high marks in categories related to academics, talents, and more. The theme was radiate and the Molly Ray Club shined bright. With us tonight are Cal Walton, Carmen, Destin, Rob, and Heidi Rays. Can you please stand? Thank you. The club's extraordinary performance included 18 first place championships, two second place awards, and two third place honors. Your performance reflects dedication to Beta's four pillars: academic achie achievement, character, leadership, and service. Of the 58 schools participating, Molly Ray Elementary was the only school transformation office school participating. That demonstrates how much talent resides in every one of our schools. It is just waiting to be recognized and cultivated. Miss Cooper, who was unable to join us, was also voted statewide sponsor elect. That means she will have a key role in next year's convention. Let's hear for
031the Molly Ray Beta Club. I invite you all to come down for a photo and to receive the certificate and of course this coin that I'm giving you with my name on it. Yes. Thank you all. Get this to Thank you. Thank you. One more. Make sure y'all tell Maria Salar how many times I walk up these stairs. Alrighty then. That's a little private joke. The board know what I'm talking about. Vicious stairs. Okay. Now, I am really delighted for this next person. I have a special guest from the Washington Shores Presbyterian Church with us this evening. Reverend Erica Rimbert Smith. Could you please stand? This church was a church I attended when I was a little girl. Also, it's right down the street from my house. This church is the driving force behind the
032rewards program for Washington Shores Elementary School. They have something called the Jaguar house or Jaguar room and they fund all of the gifts from bicycles, computers, all that stuff for the little children to earn at the end of the school year to take home as gifts. Students earn points for good grades. They can use the points to purchase items from school supplies to to even bicycles. Most of the items have been donated to the school by Washington Shores Presbyterian Church and many teachers in Orange County Public Schools and principles attended that church. I may have something to do with it, but anyway, these fun and educational items help motivate students to succeed academically. But that's not all. Students also learn that reward comes from attaining goals through hard work. I can tell you from what
033I've seen firsthand, this program is a huge success and it wouldn't be possible without the generosity of the Washington Shores Presbyterian Church. Could Principal Dr. Vicky Jones Brooks, my name's sake, please rise? Dr. Brooks is also a former employee of Orange County Public Schools and a former principal. She's a member of that church. Let us hear for the amazing program teamwork has made possible. If the two of you would come and join us at the front for certificate and a photo op, please. Thank you. And member Felder, while you're making your way down there, Miss Brooks was also the principal at Metro West Elementary School when my first child was there. How are you? So good to see you. I kept looking at you trying to I know her skin is like flawless. I know.
034Oh, can of the church own Dr. Bridget Brooks Williams grew up in that church. Hi, how are you? Good. Big smile. Big smile again. One more. Perfect. Thank you, Member Felder. Thank you. And I'm particularly excited that you recognize Miss Brooks. I don't know if you heard me saying she was the principal at my kids elementary school. My first child was there. Yeah. I've never forgotten her after all these years. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. All right. So, thank all of you. Now, I'm going to invite member Vanos to introduce her first special recognition honores. Member Vanos. Thank you, Chair Jacobs. I'm proud tonight to recognize Christy Hodes, the theater teacher at Glenidge Middle School. Christy, could you please stand? Christy has built a theater program that rivals any in the state. In fact, her troop has
035represented OCPS at the state level for three years in a row. And they won first place two of those years. Many of her students took home individual awards as well. But what makes Mrs. Hajes amazing is her passion to teach all students and reach all students. As you can see on the screen, whether it's her beginner or production class, her 220 students gravitate toward her enthusiasm. Mrs. Hodes has also always opened her doors to include students with disabilities. Her students have performed for our students with autism and sensory processing disorders. She has also used grant funding to produce and perform a play aligned with the ELA classes, and that has allowed all of our students to see the connection between written text and the arts. As a parent shared, Mrs. Hodgeges also works to create
036good citizens. She comes in early and stays late to accommodate rehearsals for multiple productions each year. And this is in a middle school. Multiple productions each year in a middle school. And despite these long days, she remains patient, kind, and positive. While she guides her students, they take responsibility for everything from acting to costumes, makeup, props, lighting, and stage management. And I just want to share that I learned about Mrs. Hajes while I was on mom duty. I was actually in my car and I heard some of her students sharing about her to some of their friends. and I and having a middle schooler, I can say that the highest praise one can receive is appreciation and positive recognition from a middle school student. so it's really incredible what you are doing that the students
037actually see and appreciate what you do. It takes it takes a lot and so thank you for what you are doing. I could not be more proud of of your work and the students that you have touched to make to make a difference. Glenidge is so lucky to have a teacher like you, Miss Hodgees. So congratulations, Mrs. Hodes and Principal Kempinger. And if you can bring your family up for a picture, please. I love it. That was great to recognize that. That's wonderful. That's Yeah. Okay. And now I'm pleased to recognize a phenomenal student. Adam, can you please stand up? Adam Mendelson is a senior at Edgewater High School. Like many of us, he was concerned about the rise in anti-semitism here in Orange County and across the nation. And he decided to do something
038about it. He raised more than $30,000 to bring a Holocaust exhibit to Edgewater High School in January. His efforts made it possible for students, staff, teachers, and community to experience a small part of what it felt like to be transported via train car to a concentration camp during World War II. Through Adam's work, Holocaust artifacts were also on display, providing a glimpse into the day-to-day realities of this grim time. The propaganda shown in the cattle car and displayed with the artifacts was also provocative. That's because it highlighted the similarities with what we have been seeing in our own society. Two Holocaust survivors also participated and hearing their stories was extremely touching and moving. It's hard to truly appreciate the horrors of the Holocaust through a book or lesson alone. If we really want to learn
039from history, we need to be closer to the experience. and understanding our past through an event like this means deeper knowledge. This exhibit was important for our community. I'm grateful to Adam for his passion for education and advocacy against hate and anti-semitism. I also want to say Adam met with me today and I learned for the first time that he also started a math tutoring company. he works with four OCPS high schools and he pairs them with middle schools for tutoring and he has an online math tutoring program where he employs 15 tutors and over 400 students and his you know he said to me he said my goal isn't about making money. He said I want to come back to OCPS and teach and so I want to make sure it's a strong place
040to be. And unrelated but also impressive, he started a pickle ball app. Adam, congratulations to you, your parents, and Edgewater High School for supporting you. So, if you could please come up for a picture. Oh, he wants a te. That's a blessing. All right. That was that was really that was really cool. I didn't know any of that. I just know him as somebody very engaged and that's really exciting. That is really exciting. And you know what I love too is that entrepreneurial spirit and it it takes me back to Harris Rosen and that entrepreneurial spirit. That's just Yeah, that's so cool. Okay. Well, thank you, Member Vanos. That was like I said, that was so impressive. Okay, Vice Chair Bird, you're up. We're anxious to hear about your honores. Yay. thank you, Chair Jacobs.
041So, my first recognition tonight is for a literal lifesaver, M. Brandon. Could you please stand? So, Nikesha Brmpton is a behavior specialist at Lakeville Elementary. Last year, while Miss Britain was helping supervise lunch, a nightmare scenario played out and a student began choking and stopped breathing. Miss Britain immediately performed the Heimlick maneuver and forced the object out of his throat and that allowed the student to start breathing again normally. The student is now in fourth grade and he is happy and healthy. And as a parent, I can only imagine how grateful his family must be for you. as I know the entire board appreciates you for your heroism and for the work that you do every day. Thank you for being trained and know how to knowing how to do that. And thank you for
042being having the wherewithal to do it and the courage and thank you for everything you do. Come on up. Let go of you. Is that what you said? Okay. So, this next recognition I'm really really excited about. So, I want to recognize an employee that has been doing a job that requires infinite patience, concentration, and attention and love. That's for sure. For, listen to this, 35 years. James Wallace, can you please stand up, sir? So, Mr. Wallace is one of the safest, most cautious bus drivers in the district. I can honestly say, I just know it. And listen to this. He has had perfect attendance for the last 20 years except for I think except for tonight when he had to have somebody cover his last route because of me. but I think he definitely
043deserved that applause for that. But there's so much more. Okay. much much more. Mr. Wallace is currently on route 1502 serving Wakiva High School, Dream Lake Elementary, and Piedmont Lakes Middle School. And actually, I have some of the principles. This is how loved he is. Some of the principles of that school are here tonight to honor him. And Mr. Montgomery, I believe over the weekend when I saw him, he's the principal at Piedmont Lakes. He said that they like he's the last one that comes through in the afternoon and they wait for him and they can't wait to see him. and so they had to be here to honor him. So that goes to show you how much he means to everybody. he's covered just about every route in the area up in Apopka. And
044he's also known get listen to this for his hobby which is impersonating Elvis. He performs he performs all over with that too. But his current district manager describes Mr. Wallace as one of the most reliable and dedicated employees I have ever known. No one in transportation can remember a single complaint about him. Only frequent compliments and praise for his work ethic, his style, and his concern for his students. He maintains a positive re positive relationships with students, parents, school officials, and the transportation team. As one of our most valued veteran drivers, he has mentored and trained many members of our current team, including his current manager and the senior administrator in his area. in fact, the reason I met him was I went to the, love your bus at the Apaka bus depot. I love
045going to that event and I love it making it out to the bus depot whenever I can. And he was introduced to me and I met him and we had this great conversation and one of his one of his employees that he trained that he actually drove was he was her bus driver. He trained her and now she works with him at the Apaka bus depot. Yes. So but what really really warmed my heart about Mr. Wallace. And the reason I wanted to bring him in besides all of the years of service and all of the things I've already said is when he spoke to me, he was telling me about the students that have autism that he drives and how he has learned so much about autism, like studied, you know, autism traits and
046what he needs to do to make them comfortable and how he keeps them safe on the ride and just he was talking about, you know, keeping noises down. I he was just describing all these different things about taking care of these students with autism on his bus route and you could tell that he just absolutely loves what he does and it's just such a blessing. Such a blessing. The families that know him I know are believe that he is a blessing to them. transporting their children safely every day to school. And he's been doing it for so many years. The amount of lives he's probably touched, it's crazy. So, let's give our king of the road a second round of applause and come on up. I want to see the impersonation. So great. Okay. And
047for my last recognition tonight, hold on, let me find my spot. Okay, here we go. there's so much celebrating back there. For my last recognition this evening is the invaluable support of the Apopka Kowanas Club. We are honored to have their president, Francis Portoin, here with us tonight. Francis, can you please stand? And we also have Todd Smith, who is also a Kuanas member with her. the strength of our schools is so deeply entwined with the support of our community. and that is a principle that resonates with the Kuanas mission. As many of you know, Kuanas International is a global volunteer organization dedicated to uplifting children one community at a time. And in district 7, we are fortunate to have the Apaka Kuanas Club as a steadfast partner in our schools. I believe we have
048some pictures that they're going to show, but at this is just some of the stuff that they do, but at Lakeville Elementary and Phyllis Weekly Elementary, the Kuanas Club sponsors terrific kids, a monthly innovative initiative, I'm sorry, that goes beyond academics. This program fosters character development, empowering students to set personal goals and achieve them with the support of their teachers as a goal buddy. The Apacha Kuanas Club also plays a pivotal role in shaping future leaders by sponsoring the Key Club at Apakka High School. The program allows students to make a positive impact as they serve their school and community. As you could see in some of the photos, their commitment extends to community cleanups like the one with my predecessor on the board, District 2, County Commissioner Christine Moore. This and other vital projects
049exemplify the spirit of service that we try to instill in our students. over Christmas break, they worked with our social worker at Wakiva High School to help buy gifts for all of our students that are experiencing homelessness or you know Yeah. homelessness. So she it was just such a beautiful beautiful expression of caring community and that was when I was like okay you're already in they're already in the schools all the time helping and doing so much but when they reached out about that I was like okay I'm bringing them in. I want to ask all of them to please come up because I really do want to extend my deepest appreciation for you Francis and for the rest of the club. the work that you are doing constantly in our schools in Apakka is
050just amazing and we could not do everything we do without your support. So, thank you. Come on up. Smile again. Just in time. Yeah, just in time. Thank you, Vice Chair Bird, and to my fellow board members. Thank you all for bringing forth some amazing people. I said at the beginning, sometimes you can focus so much on what's wrong. You can watch, if you're like me and you watch the news every night. It can be pretty depressing, but all you have to do is look around our community and look at the amazing people who just pour their hearts and souls into our students. here at Orange County Public Schools. We've got incredible teachers. The team that our superintendent has put together, her leadership team is just second to none. and of course, we got a
051phenomenal superintendent and the whole board takes credit for her, by the way. But we made a good choice. anyway, I just I can't thank you all enough for being here and for what you do every day. God bless you. Our ceremony is over. We will have a reception out in the lobby if you want to join us. Thank you.