001Well, good evening everyone and welcome to Orange County School Board's special recognition ceremony. for 2020 26 202526 school year. We're just thrilled to have so many valued guests here within us in our audience. So many friends and so many colleagues. I know I speak for the entire school board when I tell you we're so grateful to have this opportunity to recognize you. We're grateful for what you do all year long, but we're especially grateful that you carved out a little extra time for us this evening. Few details. we have so much success to to celebrate and recognize tonight that we're going to have to do our honors in two two different groups. So during recognitions recipients will be invited to stand at the front of the dis here so that we can properly recognize you.
002Bring your certificates with you if you have one. Open them and our photographer is with us. There it is. If you have them upside down he will let you know. and also, and there'll be a a photo after each recognition. When the groups in this room have been recognized, when all of you all have been recognized, we're going to ask you to exit by through the back so we can bring the next group in through the side the way you came in. This is to avoid a traffic jam. We're But let's get started. I think I've covered all the all the dos and don'ts here. our first recognition honors are for an employee who has spent her career providing critical expertise to our district. I'd like to call member Vanos to the podium to tell
003us about her honore. Member Vanos. Let me check for a second. Do we have the mic on? Is it on? That's better. I tell you what, they pull them in a little closer to you. Okay. Is that good? Better. Definitely better. Okay. I'll talk I'll try to talk loud. All right. good evening. It is a privilege to recognize a leader who has dedicated more than three decades of her professional life to the success of our students and staff. Tonight, I am honored to recognize our chief financial officer, Dorene Concalino. Miss Concalino, please join us at the front of the room. She loves this. I can tell. Miss Conalina's career began in the private sector in 1982 working as a financial analyst for United Technologies. She started her OCPS journey in 1995 as a paraprofessional at
004Hunter Creek Elementary where she had been volunteering at her child's school. She then started a path that brought her her full circle back to her expertise in finance. She was promoted to school secretary bookkeeper after two years, then to budget specialist and went on to hold multiple roles of increasing responsibility in the office of management and budget. Miss Concalino has seen our schools from every possible perspective. It is one of the things that makes her so special to us. She knows what it's like to balance a checkbook at a school secretar's desk, and she knows exactly what it takes to manage the complex finances of a district of our size. When Superintendent Fazquest officially named her CFO in 2022, it was a moment of celebration for all of us. I wasn't here, but I was
005celebrating because I did listen to meetings in the back and when you came up for your presentations, I loved it because you have such a great voice and you present everything so clearly. So, I appreciate it, too. But you were you were born by then. I was definitely born by then. Just not up there. See these gray hairs? No. Miss Concalino brings a sharp energy to her work, honed at Long Island University and Georgetown, but she pairs it with a genuine heart for our mission. Her expertise is respected throughout the state. This past year, she was honored with the 2024 fiscal management award from the Pineapple Report at its excellence and education awards. It is a well-deserved nod from her peers across Florida who see the same integrity and talent that we see every day.
006And I just want to add in I am a board member who asks a lot of questions and the answers that you provide are always so descriptive. They're so on point and you there's no word salad answers. There's no AI generated emails. I feel like you anticipate what I'm going to say before I even ask it and you really dig in and to find those answers. It is such it's you just promote a level of trust and that is so invaluable to a board member that I know when I ask questions that I can trust the answers that you're giving me fully and that you are thinking about what I really need to know. So I just really appreciate that. another another thing I want to mention, I'm going a little bit off script, but
007it'll be quick. just your positive, upbeat attitude when it comes to talking about budget and finance in our state. It's it's a depressing a depressing topic often, but you are always very positive and professional and upbeat and just really a joy to work with. So anyway, okay. If you ask Miss Concalino about her greatest achievements though, she won't likely point to the awards or the audits. She'll talk about her high school sweetheart, Robert. They are celebrating 44 years of marriage this year. She'll talk about her two children and two grandsons, Lewis and Leo. To us, she is our CFO, but to them, she is Mimi, which she'll tell anyone is her favorite title of all. Miss Concalino, your 31-year journey from the classroom to the district office is a testament to your hard work and
008your commitment to our students. You make sure the money follows the mission. I'm not even going to make the joke here. And you do it with a steady hand and focus on what matters most. Miss Concalino, thank you for your leadership, your friendship, and for the lasting legacy you continue to build for the children of Orange County. Congratulations. Good. Big smile. Big smile again. Hold on. Your husband. Yes, definitely. Absolutely. Husband, family. They're so sweet. Any other family members? No. No. if your f We He'll take pictures. He'll share them. We don't We don't charge for this. All right. Work family. Ex. Meredith. Work family. There we go. I would ask for cheering squad, but that would be the whole audience. I could tell from the beginning. out. Getting closer, kids. Getting a little bit
009tighter. Right about here. You're good. I fall. Good. Tighter. We learned something earlier. We shingled. We're getting close. They're math people. You would think it would be balance. Good. Big smile. Look happy. Good. One, two, and three. Stay there. One more. Excellent. Thank you. Our next recognition for the this evening is to celebrate OCPS collaboration with Rollins College the pathways to teaching program. Graduates would you please join us up at the front here at the front of the room right in front of the dis. Thank you. We are so proud of y'all. For the past six years, for you in the audience, for the past six years, this unique cohort-based program has provided our dedicated pair of professionals with an opportunity to advance their careers. Just a minute ago, you heard that Miss Concalino, who
010is our chief financial officer, started out here at OCPS as a pair professional working in her own daughter's school. So, just like her, these folks have been serving in that role, but they entered a program that we have with Rollins College that were just is just phenomenally successful. They earned either a bachelor of arts in elementary education or a master's of art in teaching. Tonight we have the honor of recognizing this the fifth cohort of students graduates. You've worked exceptionally hard to meet your goals and to become certified teachers. The commitment you demonstrated was remarkable. You successfully balanced it all. Working full-time at OCPS, taking vigorous Rollins courses at night, dedicating your weekends to studying. You preserved and we are we persevered. Oh, and I know most of you, probably all of you have families
011who also you had to care for and I know they sacrificed along the way. So, for the families that are out in the audience and for your giving these men and women your support while they endeavored to increase their educational capacity, but more importantly, their role in the classroom as teachers. As pair of professionals, you have the invaluable role of front seat to observe and be part of effective teaching. You've already learned more than most teachers know in many years. Your combination of extensive classroom experience and court work court work coursework in education theory means that you are going to hit the ground running. I encourage you as you settle into your new roles to also look out for other talented pair of professionals who may want to follow in your shoes. I also want
012to thank Rollins College for their enduring partnership. I see President Brooke Barnett, the new president of Rollins College, is here with us. She's joined by the Rollins team that makes Pathways to Teaching possible. Could you all please stand as well so we can recognize you? And I'd also like to thank our OCPS team that makes sure that the participants have the tools they need to be successful in this program. Bonnie Tofoley. Bonnie, is you are you with us? Why don't you stand up, Bonnie? Kimberly Wood. and Bianca Bianca Ner Nerf. Thank you. Newer, I'm sorry. Thank you. They're part of the evaluation and recruitment team. Great job. I now like to recognize Dr. Angela Grryer, program director for the Pathways to Teaching. Dr. Reiner, would you please introduce our graduates? Yes. Thank you, Chair Jacobs.
013Graduates, please raise your hand as I call your names. Amarillis Mala Malave Aosta, Thomas Bonet, and Calcio Calvin is not here, but she's wonderful. Allesandre Duca, Stephanie Duny, Ruana Holmes, Janice Jones Smith, Shayla Rivero, Michelle Rivera, Senelli Rodriguez, Sandra Lee Rodriguez, Nves, Annette Stalup, and Nina Washington. I just have to say I'm so honored to get to be a small part of their journey. These men and women are just incredible people and their schools are very lucky to have them. Picture. Sure. We'll get a picture of our graduates and then if we could pull up our get a little bit tighter shingle turn sideways in the that way. You're perfect. You're in the middle. You're perfect. Good. Big smile. Happy. Big smile again. Look happy. One more. We pull up our Rollins College team as
014well as our recruiting team. Thank you all. Good. Big smile. Big smile again. One more. Do we want to do friends and family? Now that I've said it, I guess we have to. Friends and family and family. Oh my gosh. Yes. Come on. Friends. Someone was looking here. There we go. Grab your right. Hold on. We got We got a baby. Never too early to talk about three paid college. Good. Big smile. Look happy. Big smile. Look happy again. Everybody on three. Say fox day. 1 2 3. Fox day. Thank you. Okay. So I have to ask. Oh, it was incredible. So I am pretty sure that in all of my days in this chamber both here at the dis and as a citizen on the other side this is the youngest little one I
015have ever seen here. I've seen them younger by the I have four kids so I have seen them younger but not here. How many days old is this little baby? No way. Oh yeah. Oh wow. Okay. He's You forget how how tiny they are. Oh my gosh. How precious. Thank you so much. And chair. And she had a baby. Huh? She had a baby while she was doing this. Wait. Wait. That's That's your baby. Amazing. Oh my gosh. I have goosebumps. Holy mackerel. Okay. Way to go. Well, I said families made some sacrifices, but I had no idea what I was talking about. Okay. all right. So, we are going to move forward and talk about another forward facing program. This one is from the University of Central Florida. Would the graduates of Lheed Martin
016and UCF Mathematics and Science Academy please come forward so you can join us in celebrating you? Thank you. So, the Lockheed Martin UCF Mathematics and Science Academy prepares teachers to offer highquality STEM instruction for grades K through 12. This two-year M's program is generously endowed by Loheed Martin Corporation. It's designed for certified teachers in Central Florida who are looking to enhance their skills and engage more students in mathematics and science. The academy also helps subject matter experts switch careers to become public school teachers. I will pause just for a minute to say you would be surprised at how many people actually do that. I love it. They have these careers they studied all their life to do this one thing. They spend a little time in the private sector and then they decide they really
017want to do something meaningful and impactful. And nothing is more meaningful impactful in my opinion than teaching. So really excited to have both access. Yeah, I did obviously not enough in the speech therapy on my own level. So the academy also I'm sorry the program's mission is to increase the number of highquality mathematics and science teachers for middle and high schools both in our region and beyond. I'd like to thank the College of Community Innovation and Education at UCF for its partnership and its support. Academy Director Sarah Bush is here. Could you and your team please stand? Thank you. And the entire team including Andrea Orochek. Andrea, you're here. Thank you. And director who's the director of the school of teacher education and academy faculty and dire and Dr. Lisa Brooks. Dr. Lisa Brooks, are
018you here? She has something. Okay, she's not here. Embarrass her by saying that. she's the senior lecturer of in school of teacher of education, school of teacher education. So, let's hear it for our partners at Lheed Martin. We couldn't do this without you. I'd also like to recognize Mandy Butterfield, our senior director in secondary curriculum and instruction for her work preparing STEM experts. Thank you so much. Miss Butterfield, don't sit down. Can I ask you to come forward and introduce our graduates? She had that look on her face for a minute like All right, good evening everybody. All right, we know the drill, right? You just raise your hand when you hear your name. Thank you so much. All right, we have Amber Alonszo. We clap for her anyways. Ashley Bledil, Jessica Barrens, Dorothy Ber,
019Katie Cox, Jessica Estes, Makisha Flores, Montalvo, Mary Munis, Hannah Paul, Stephanie Panero, Cynthia Rom, Ellie Richardson, Catherine Roy, Christina Cely, Christina Thorp. There it is. I love that enthusiasm. Elizabeth Weber, and finally, Juliet Williams Barnes. Congratulations to you all. Wonderful accomplishment, and it's been a pleasure to support you alongside the wonderful staff at UCF. Mathematically correct, right? We're going to do red rover. We're safe. Good. Good. Big smile. Look toward me. And on three. Good. One, two, or three. Stay right there. And now we're UCF friends. You have to be balanced. It's a math thing. I wanted to get that out. Good. Big smile. Look happy. Stay there. Look happy again. One more. And friends and family. The people who said woo woo. And everybody else. Any any babies? I'm gonna go. Feel free to
020go faster. Sorry. Hey Frank, we do have a height differential that could work in our favor here. I said we do have some height so fun fact when Chair Jacobs was Mayor Jacobs, I used to say that there's a little rule, look happy on three, good one, two, three, that you couldn't be taller than the mayor and you would see very tall dignitaries going like that. True story. Thank you. All right. Now, we're going to move on to our final recognition for this first segment. This next award signifies a school signifies that a school is a center of leadership and educational excellence. It's it's really kind of cool. We're proud to announce that four of our schools have earned the two-year designation as an Apple distinguished school. I would like to ask the four principles
021whose vision was key to achieving this distinction to please come forward. representing our two 2425 Apple Distinguished Schools, Helena Gone of Kelly Park and Jennifer Lawrence of Zelwood Elementary. And representing our two newest designates, the 202526 Apple Distinguished Schools are Karina Chanu of Wendy Ridge K8 and Angela Murphy Osborne of Hamilton Elementary. This designate H. What did I say? I don't go I love that play. Did anybody else see it? Yeah. Hamlin. Yeah. Okay. I wish this is the time when I just, you know, wish there was like a You're good. Drop gun. Okay. Okay. the designation for K12 schools is an invitation by only invitation only. So, you can't go out and just apply for it. Our four honores joined a highly selective group of just over 1,100 innovative learning environments across 41 countries.
022Wow, that's pretty Yeah, I was like 41 states. 41 countries. Yeah, you can clap. I told you it was cool. The recognition is reserved for schools that have established a clear vision of Apple technology to support student creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. This achievement requires a dedicated staff, strong curriculum, integration, and documented results of academic accomplishments. As winners, these schools earned the right to use the official Apple distinguished school branding for two years, celebrating their status around among the world's most innovative educational centers. If that doesn't set OCPS apart, I don't know what does. We're always we're always talking about how there's there's just no better place to go to school here in Central Florida than at OCPS. and that tells the story to the students, teachers, and leadership teams at these four locations. This
023recognition confirms the value of your hard work, your innovative approaches, and your dedication. Thank you to the principles for demonstrating such a high level of excellence in integrating technology into learning. Now, if we can, let's take a picture and then we'll bring up the cheering crowd. Also, you're gonna get pictures just and then we're going to bring up the prank layers. Everybody got it until we have the whole audience up here. Good. Big smile. Smile again. Hold on. All right. teams. Come on, guys. Cheers. And we're gonna just like all the other big groups, we're going to shingle and turn sideways like each other. She's resetting. Good. Big smile. Look up. And on three. Good. One, two, and three. Stay right there. Look super super happy. Hold on. I heard a laugh in the back.
024Anybody missing a photo? All right. Good. One more. And I have two apples on me. Big smile. Thank you. Congratulations. All right, one more round of applause for all of our honories tonight. Yes, ma'am. Are we okay? Okay. Yeah, I do. Is there are we okay? We're great. Okay. I thought we might be having a, you know, financial emergency, but we're we're okay. We always are. That's okay. We've got lots of mathematicians and folks in the audience that are here to help. All right. So, this concludes the first portion of our special recognition. Honores and your guests, please exit through the back of the room, through the side door. So we I mean through the back door so we can keep the side door open. Thank you all again so much for being with us.
025I did this already. I got Heat. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Thank you. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat up here. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. I'm back. Heat. Heat. Happy bunny. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat up here. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Happy member Gallow. Google. Okay. All right. I hate to break up the party. I'm so glad everybody's having a good time. Good evening and thanks for joining us. We are really excited about honoring so many of you here in the audience and although we're going to appreciate all the things you've done for us in the past. I do want to say we don't take for
026granted your time here today. So, thanks for turning out and letting us celebrate you. I also you noticed you had to wait outside for a little while because I'm happy to say that we have so many people to celebrate that we did it in two groups. Thank you so much for your patience. During each recognition, we're going to ask that the recipients come forward up here in front of the dis and bring your certificates with you and have them open for a photo. And we will begin with our 202526 fall sports recognitions. And I'd like to recognize Lonnie Flores, our director of athletics and wellness to do the honors. Good evening, board Jacob board chair Jacobs, school board members, and superintendent Dr. Vasquez. Thank you for allowing us to be here tonight. we would like
027to kick tonight off with golf. At this time, I would like to recognize the student athletes, coaches, and staff of Innovation High School. Students, please come stand in front of the DAS. Coach, please join me at the podium. Oh yeah. Oh wow. The Innovation High School boys golf team was named the state 2A academic champions with a grade point average of 3.776. Among 47 schools in the state of Florida in this classification with an average grade point average of 3.0, innovation ranked first. Coach, if you can please introduce who you have with you. Students, please raise your hand when your name is called and then coach, if you'll join them for a picture. Sounds great. Good evening. We have Phillip Bandaraa, Lucas Gil, Jacob Shackleford, Aiel Thomas, Van Morris, and Noah Shex Snider. Thank you.
028No, I'm good. I'm good. You get enough pictures of me. Fair. Good. Make sure I can read the writing. Sure. Let's open. Let's go. Let's make the graphic. Good. Are we Are we smiling or not smiling? Your call. Smile. Big smile of happy on three. Good. One, two, and three. Stay there. There we go. Kids, look excited about it. There we go. One more. Thank you. We got We got excited about going home. Family. Yeah. Oh, family. Come back, guys. Did you bring family? Yes. Come on, family. So, See, we keep we keep it. I don't let them take it off. Congratulations. Yes, ma'am. Very exciting. Mr. Coach, your family coach, grab a student. It's a complex for district one. I understand district one struggles sometimes. Good, good, good. We're going to do two. Good.
029Stay there. Hold on. And now the official horn. There we go. Look super happy again. You know who you are. Hold on. One more. One more. We lost a school board member behind us all. Oh, no. Good. Look happy now. Orange's back up. Thank you, kids. No worries. Thank you. Congratulations. I wasn't there. Next up is boys swimming. At this time, I would like to recognize the student athletes, coaches, and staff of Timber Creek High School. Students, please stand in front of the DAS. Coach, please join me at the podium. The Timber Creek boys swimming team was named the state 4A academic team champion with a grade point average of 3.806. They are backto back fall state academic champions. They were first of 34 schools in the state of Florida in this classification who have
030a combined team grade point average of at least 3.0. Coach, please introduce who you have with you. Students, raise your hand when your name is called. And then coach, if you'll step up for a picture. All right, we have Kelvin Serrano, Lozoano, Gummo Garcia Monroy, Ryan De Rocher, Dave Rodriguez, Kaden Figareroa, and Lyndon Leu. Congratulations. Thanks. Congratulations. Congratulations. Good smile. Look happy. Big smile again. And family and friends. Yes. Family and friends. Never. Stop it. Give me five minutes. Take pictures. Hey, you need to stop blinding me. I'll try on three. One, two, three. Stay right there. Hold on. Stay there. Perfect. district. She's not even a wolf in my area. That makes me got Easter coming up too. At this time, I would like to recognize a powerhouse of girls swimming, Windmir High School.
031Students, please stand in front of the DAS. Coach, if you can join me at the podium. state championship championship in the 400 freestyle relay. Riley Ursman, who is committed to the University of California, Berkeley, competed in the Olympic trials last spring and broke the girls national high school 100meter freestyle record with an incredible time of 46.73 seconds. Riley is also a state champion in the 200 medley relay, the 50 freestyle, the 100 freestyle, and the 400 freestyle relay. Bin Levinger is committed to the University of Texas. Sharon state titles in the 100 backstroke, 200 medley relay, the 200 individual medley, and the 400 freestyle relay. Liliana Cristallic, a University of Georgia commit, is a state champion in the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay. and Aiden Ree committed to Florida State claimed the
032state championship in the 200 media I'm sorry medley relay coach Campbell if you'd like to step up and take a picture of the team congratulations amazing amazing ladies Congratulations. Yes, ladies. Yes. Big smile. Big smile. Hold on. Stay there. My assistant go friends and family. his family. Family relationship. No, we're good. We can move. When you're when you're 55 too average to be sport, look happy. Stay there. Look happy again. And mom with phone. Let's do a here. Do do a selfie. Come up here. Just do it. Now you're stuck. Go. I know. At this time, I would like to recognize the student athletes. Coaches and staff for East River High School. Students, please stand in front of the DAS. Coach, please join me at the podium. East River girls bowling team claimed the FHSA
033state 1A championship, giving East River its third state championship in school history. They are now backto backto back state champions. I was asked to add a powerhouse somewhere in here, so I'm going to try. The team had an undefeated regular season going 20 and 0 and they were also the Metro East and district team champions for the 2025 2026 school year. The team won the state title by defeating Space Coast 3-2 in the semifinals. And in a powerhouse effort, they beat Bell Creek 3 to one in the finals. This is Coach Tom Ti's third state championship in bowling. Coach, please introduce who you have with you. students, please raise your hand when you're announced and then coach if you'll step up for a photo. I'd also like to before I recognize the girls, they set
034three state championship state records at this past meet. They by winning three in a row, it's the only girls team that's ever won three in a row. They bowled a team Baker game and a 767 threegame series, which are all state records. so it was very impressive. All right, we've got coach Jason Belchure, Anna Lee McKay Levine, Maya Videl, Emily Marmalo, Jada Videl, Lariel Tharps, who just made Team USA. Camden Nielsson who just committed to Belmont Abby. Emmy Lou Molina and Tara Videll. That's right. Lindsy Galla, but she's out there in the world. Let's just say she's not bowling anymore. Good. Nice big smile. Look super happy. And on three with one, two, and three. Stay there. Look happy. Friends and family. We're doing up three. Stay there. Excellent. I love the t-shirt. I love
035it. Not subtle. I love it. Very strong. Not. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Congratulations. Thank you. You have so much. Good, good, good. Have all the right students. Good. Look happy and on three. Good. One, two, and three. Look happy and we'll do the three sign. Hold on. One more. Perfect. Thank you. Congratulations. Yes, congratulations. At this time, I would like to recognize the student athletes, coaches, and staff of Winter Park High School. Students, please stand in front of the DAS. Coach, please join me at the podium. Congratulations you guys. Awesome. Winter Park girls volleyball claimed the FHSA state 7A championship. They are now backto back state champions. The team finished the season with a 31-1 record. They won the state semifinals over Dal Academy 3 to zero and they won the championship match in four
036sets over plant 3 to one. This is Winter Park's sixth state championship in girls volleyball. All underneath the powerhouse coach Stephanie Gibson. Coach, please introduce who's here this evening. Thank you. Okay, we have so much to celebrate. and I'm just going to take advantage of this opportunity. board. Thank you very much for this recognition. We appreciate this so much. starting on the far side, the Jonathan Zenzel, assistant principal at Warner Park High School, our freshman coach, Kim Duncan, varsity assistant, Emily Euing, and I'm going to go ahead and start with the athletes, but let me say we have seven athletes that have committed to play division one volleyball. Seven. Two of those athletes have already graduated and are already at their new schools. we'll start with Isabelle Burlesen is at Oregon State and go ahead
037and Paige Leman who was all Metro first team consecutive years back toback. she is now at where is she? At Arizona State University. We have Jordi Leman. Jordi is committed to play at NC State. She's only a junior, so we get to have her for another year. Sophia Stalworth, raise your hand, girls. Sophia is a senior that's committed to play at University of Miami of Ohio. We have Amelia Mancino. She is a senior that is committed to play at Appalachin State. Amelia has several accolades to her credit. She is threetime all metro first team. she was 7A FACA 7A player of the year and was just recently named dairy farmer overall athlete of the year. And this is a big deal. And next we have Isabelle Insanelli. She's the tall one in the middle. Isabelle
038is committed to play for the national champions Texas A&M University. Isabelle is a junior, so we get to have her back for one more year. Isabelle is also a threetime member of the first team on Metro. She is the What else did you get, Isabelle? Oh, this Gatorade player of the year thing. Amazing. Amazing. this is a statewide recognition. There's only one athlete that earns this. and then she was also Max Prep's player of the year for the state of Florida. And then one final accolade, Isabelle also was, recognized for three consecutive years. She was invited to play for the national team development program. And then the la this year at the very beginning of the year she was invited to the final 24 for the U7 the U19 national team. So that's look for
039her in the future. She's going to go big time. We have sophomore Sophia Brown played out of position for us and is a fantastic athlete and we get to have her for two more years. Ashley Pagon is an undersized middle. That is fantastic. Grayson Russell, sophomore, right side hitter. Fantastic. The future looks so good with all these sophomores. Amber Mlan. Amber's a senior. Amber's committed to play for Appalachin State University. We're excited for her. Next, we have Dari Adams. Dar is also a sophomore. and she's a defensive specialist. Lobero. Who's next? Autumn Sammons. Autumn is a junior setter. And who we got? Ellie. Ellie Rodriguez. She is a sophomore stud. Our amazing athletic director, Charlie Batalini. And our JV coach, Paul Furukawa. I apologize for taking up so much time, but we have a lot
040to celebrate. We're grateful for them. So exciting. combination. Pardon me. Look happy. And on three. Good. One, two, and three. Stay there. Look happy again. Good. One, two, and three. friends and family. You didn't tell them. Come on. Okay, we have one. And there's a baby. Anybody who came for these kiddos, come on in. Come on. Anyone who knows anyone up here, come up. Oh, how she's so cute. All right, ready for a closeup. Look happy on three. Good. One, two, and three. Stay there. Look super happy. Good. One, two, and perfect. Thank you. Congratulations. And I also want to recognize Winter Park City Commissioner, Commissioner Russell. Wonderful to have you with us. Lastly, I would like to introduce and thank the staff members with who we play for who have helped conduct nearly 1,600
041free ECG heart tests for our middle school students. If I can have the staff please stand up, come up front to the DAS. Rachel, if you'll join me at the podium. Just come on, please. Orange County Public Schools was one of the first school districts in the state of Florida to partner with who we play for to complete echo cardiogram screenings as a requirement for athletic participation. These screenings provided the students and parents with a warning if the athlete had a pre-existing heart condition. These tests have not only saved lives, but ensured many students could participate after receiving a small medical procedure. These screenings were so successful that the district was the first in the state of Florida to add this requirement to not only athletics, but band, cheer, dance, and ROC. And now after
042legislation this year, the state of Florida is requiring all student athletes to receive the screening starting in the 2026 2027 school year. Rachel, if you'll please introduce the staff that is here with us today. First, we have Caitlyn O'Hada. She is one of our hearts screening directors. We have Stacy Cardichini. She's also a heart screening director. And lastly, Christina Farley. She is our outreach coordinator. Lonnie, I wanted to thank you and the school board who you play for is proud to serve the students of Orange County. who we play for last year provided over 53,000 ECGs within the state. we serve all or we serve all students and the work we do is in honor of all every student that lost their life to sudden cardiac arrest. So thank you very much for having us
043here today. Smile. Look happy. Hold on. Stay there. Friends and family. You're all friends. Good. Thank you. Thank you. On behalf of the students, staff and coaches and athletes, I cannot thank the board enough for your support of athletics. And that concludes our presentations for today. And if you don't mind, I would love to get my fist bump to start the year. Always. Thank you, Mr. Forest. Thanks for all you got. But she's cooking at the same time as I am. Mr. Flores, thank you for the incredible job you do for us every year. Okay. Yeah. Well, I get to come down to this level. It feels good. A little strange, but good. next is my personal honor to recognize someone who's been a special partner to Orange County Public Schools for 30 years now.
044Deb Watson of Winter Park Health Foundation. Her retirement on December 31st was a sad day for us, but I'm happy to to hear from her personally as she enters into this next chapter of life that it's good. Deb, why don't you come forward to the dis like everyone else so I can brag about you for a couple of minutes. So I bet most of you have never heard about Deb Watson, and that's because she's been this quiet force of nature and a quiet force of good in our community for decades. We often talk about partnerships in education, but Miss Watson built something far deeper than just a partnership. She built a lifeline for our students. Under Miss Watson's leadership, the foundation has poured more than $25 million into schools in Winter Park, Meland, and Eatenville.
045While that's a staggering number, she never treated it like a budget line. She treated it like a promise to our children. Miss Watson often said that her mission was to optimize health. To her, that meant helping every student be as well as they could be in body, mind, and spirit. Now, back in the late 1990s, student mental health was not on anybody's radar screen, or at least not spoken of publicly. But Miss Watson was already in our schools. She met with principles and district leaders to ask what was really standing in the way of learning. She understood that a student can't f focus on math tests if they're carrying the weight of anxiety or if their family has no access to doctors. From that vision, she helped build the Chill program. Because of her persistence,
046more than 15,000 students have received counseling right on campus at no cost to their families. Miss Watson has been a champion for the whole child. She made sure that our students had licensed nurses in all of their clinics. She fought for fresh fruits, vegetables in our cafeterias. She helped create the healthy schools team model and an idea that was so successful it spread from our local campuses to schools all across the state. What I will remember most about Miss Watson is that she never worked from a distance. She knew our schools intimately. She knew the people, the challenges, and the unique spirit of each campus. Miss Matson Miss Watson often shared a quote, "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." For 30 years, she's been teaching the district how to surf
047through every challenge, including the tsunami named CO. Deb, I know you'll be spending more time with your kids and your grandkids. And of course, you'll be cheering on your FSU seinals or our FSU nles. But remember this, you've left our schools better, safer, and kinder than you found them. That's a legacy that very few people can claim. Thank you for your vision, your friendship, and your 30 years of heart. Wish we wish you a wonderful well-deserved happy retirement. Make sure it's not in the picture. Smile. Friends and family. Yes. All right. Friends and family, come up here. Yes. Here he comes. There we go. There it is. Thank you, guys. That is so cute. I'd be retiring, too. I get it. You're going to have one soon. I know. They don't want you. They won't.
048They'll be doing a lot of kind. Good to see you. Nice big smile. Good. Good. Good. Look happy on three. Good. One, two, and three. Stay there. Perfect. Thank you. Congratulations. Congrats. Bye. All right, we've already set up a play date for her two-year-old grandson and my two-year-old great granddaughter. So, looking forward to that. All right, next I'm going to ask member Bird to come to the podium to recognize her honores. Yes. So you will see. Hi guys. I am so excited to be here. First of all, could we just give another round of applause to our amazing community that we live in that have so many amazing supporters that love our kids and our schools. Sorry, I had to find my place. There's your notes. Sorry. Okay, let's try that again. it is my
049pleasure tonight to recognize a dedicated community partner who has done so much for our students, Pam Dri. Miss Dri, if you'd like to come up, we'd love to recognize you. Miss Dri has led the grant program for the Winter Garden Elks Lodge since 2018. These are some of her fellow Elks Lodge members. Miss Depri under her leadership, the lodge has donated over $91,000 to local groups like Matthews Hope and the Christian Service Center, but we are especially thankful that she has focused so much of that effort on our schools. She has directed $18,000 specifically to Dillard Street Elementary, Tildenville, and Maxi elementaryaries. Yeah, give her a round. But this is the thing. Miss Priest does not just send a check. She's the kind of person who rolls up her sleeves and works with our staff
050to find out exactly what our school's needs are. Across the three campuses, her work has provided clothes for school closets, food for pantries, and computer equipment like headphones. at Dillard Street. She even paid for the buses so the students could take a field trip to Tallahassee together. One of her most important gifts is her support of the Angel Fund. Her donations make sure that no child is left behind. And because of her, every student at these schools can attend field trips with their classmates, regardless of their family's circumstances. a fan of our local theme parks. She has truly embraced living in Orlando for the past decade. She often says that children are the future and any investment in them is worthwhile. Miss Dri, thank you for your kindness, for your hard work for our kids.
051You and the Winter Garden Elks Lodge are changing lives in our hallways and every day. We are so lucky that you chose to call our community home. Thank you. Big smile again. Look happy. Stay there. Friends and family. Come on, Tiffany. Good. Big smile. Big smile again. Look happy. Good. One, two, and three. Perfect. Thank you. Sorry. And now I'd like to invite member Felder to the podium to recognize her honores. All righty then. Good evening. Tonight I have the distinct honor of recognizing a man who truly lives out the meaning of servant leadership. Before I call his name, let me just share with you about this gentleman. Whenever he's getting ready to do something, it's always something in a big big way. He'll call me. He'll say, "Vicki, this Chris, I got some stuff
052I want to take to your schools." I said, "What you taking?" I got all of these trips and all these things I want to take your school. I said, "Can you call him? Let them know I'm coming." I said, "Wait a minute. Let me call Let him know you're coming." His name is Chris Wallace. Chris, would you please come forward? He's my neighbor. Mr. Wallace is an Orlando native who has worked with Fredo Lei for over 35 years. But he will tell you that his true calling is found through the lives he touches with man up mentoring. For a decade now, Mr. Wallace has been on the ground in our neighborhoods visiting with mentees and Ivy Lane, checking in on their families and even tending a community garden. This is really his backyard, but we
053have just taken over the yard with our community garden. We just so grateful that his wife and they let us do that. We growing everything back. And so, beyond his mentoring work, Mr. Wallace has been a constant friend to our schools. He has shared his resources generously, donating to activities and student events all across District 5, where the talent does reside. He is always looking for a way to lift up our children. This specific project at Robbinswood grew out of a father's heart. Mr. Wallace's son, Cam, is a student in the ESC program there. His son's teacher, the late Miss Claudia Young, once shared a special vision with him. She knew her students needed a way to learn real life skills. Things like cooking, laundry to help them grow into independent adults. Mr. Wallace didn't
054just listen. He acted. He brought his leadership team to the school so they could see the heart of the program for themselves. He bought kitchenet stuff, washer, dryer, all of these things for the ESC classes. These are more than just appliances. They are tools that give our students the gift of independence. There is a bittersweet layer to this story. We lost Miss Young to cancer. But because of Mr. Wallace, her dream for her students is now a reality. This gift stands as a lasting tribute to her life and her love for her classroom. Mr. Wallace Chris, thank you for your 10 years of mentoring and for making sure our students have everything they need to succeed. You are a blessing to Robinwood Middle and to this entire district. And I want to thank his wife
055cuz I would call them when I need my doorbell fix all kind of stuff any time of the night. Just call them and they just answer the phone and come over there and help me. Mr. Wallace, we appreciate you. Thank you so much. Friends and family. Yes. Yes. Come. Come, baby. Everybody come on y'all. Good. Look toward me on three. Good. One, two, and three. Hold on. One more. Now I associate Thank you. All right. Next, I'm going to invite member Douglas to go to the podium and share a little bit about her honores. All right. Good evening everyone. Good evening. Thank you for coming. I love the smile. Are you tired? No, not yet. No. Okay. Okay. Tonight I have the honor of recognizing a teacher who has been a steady loving light for
056her students for 30 years. Patricia Carnival, your assistant by the way. Miss Carnival has been a vital part of Sunset Park Elementary since 2013. Her journey as an educator began in New York City and she brought that wealth of experience here in to Florida. Because of her dedication, her college chose her as their teacher of the year in 2019. Currently, yeah, go ahead, please. Yeah. Currently, Miss Carali teaches in our ESC program. She works with students who have varying except exceptionalities. These roles requires a very specific kind of heart. She has a deep personal understanding of special needs both as an educator and as a parent. This life experience gives her a rare level of patience and empathy. When a student is struggling, she sees a child who needs to be understood, respected, and encouraged.
057She has a gift for making her classroom a safe air harbor. Whether she's using the latest technology or simple kind word, she ensures that every child knows they belong. Thank you so much. Miss Car Novali is also a true anchor for her fellow teachers. She leads her peers with a quiet, humble strength. Patricia, thank you for 30 years of dedication to your profession. Thank you for the kindness you pour into Sunset Park every day. We are so fortunate to have you. Thank you so much for your service. That's fine. I'll grab this. They can run. Big smile. Look happy. Perfect. Perfect. Big smile. Look toward me. Stay there. One more. Thank you. Do you want them standing? Sure. Are we still centered? Yes. Yes. Centered if you're right with Jacobs. We'll wait for Wait. Wait.
058Stop in here. There we go. Big smile. Big smile again. One more. And next, I'd like to invite member Ferrant to the podium to recognize her honores. Good evening. I'm excited to be here. Thank you guys for being so patient as we go through everyone. I know students, you've been here for a little while, but thank you for being here tonight to honor everyone. So tonight, I am super super excited to share the story of a woman who has been a huge support in our schools for over 20 years. This is Mrs. Rachel Parker. Miss Parker, please come forward to be recognized. And also your son, Principal Lee Parker, is joining her as well. You can give them a hand. Mrs. Parker began her work with our district back in 2003. That was the year
059her son, Mr. Parker, started teaching at Molly Ray Elementary. Since that very day, Miss Parker has been there to help in so many ways. How awesome is that? As Mr. Parker's career moved forward from the classroom to becoming a resource teacher, then an assistant principal, and now the proud principal of an amazing district 3 school, Stonewick Elementary. Yes. Mrs. Parker has moved right along with him. Mrs. Parker has spent thousands of hours in our hallways at Castle Creek, Lake View Middle, Three Points Elementary, and North Lake Park Community School. She has filled every request a teacher could think of. She has graded student work, chaperoned field trips, organized the library. She has spent hours pasting art projects together and doing the one job that every teacher knows takes forever. Cutting out lamination. But there's one
060detail that I had to share that makes her service even more incredible. The wonderful Mrs. Parker is 92 years young. At 92, she is still choosing to spend her days in school working with students and helping our staff. Maybe she's actually there just to be close to her son. I'm not sure. He's pretty amazing. She is there because she loves her family and she loves the children. She is a dedicated, beautiful person who shows us all what it means to truly show up for your community. Mrs. Parker, thank you for your 202 years of incredible commitment and hard work. Your warm smile, joyful spirit, and servants heart have made such a lasting and profound impact on every student and staff and honestly my own life. I love that you have become the school grandma and
061a sweet presence that makes every child feel loved and special. Thank you again for everything you have done for our district. And it is such an honor to celebrate you tonight. Would you give another round of applause to Mrs. Parker and her awesome son, Mr. Lee Parker? Huh? What would you say? Big smile. Smile again. Hold on. Friends and family. Yes. You have the whole Oh, I forgot to mention that. oh. Okay. She's so awesome that I'm pretty sure. Do you cut lamination for your first grade group? Because they're the ones that came to celebrate you. So, first grade teachers and we have some staff from Stonew. Here, I'll hold this. You hold your flowers. How about that? Big smile. Big smile again. Look happy. Good. One, two, and perfect. Thank you. Yes, it is.
062But it wouldn't hurt to take it. Dr. Thanks. And now, Vice Chair Salamancaka is at the podium to share with us her honory. Yes. Thank you so much all for being here. District 2 is up, which means we're almost there. But it's really important. We do these so that you also get to know the incredible work that we're all doing and you connect with each other and support the full CPS family. I am so thrilled to celebrate a historic milestone for our district, not just District 2, but also all of our CPS. and recently the Orlando Colonial FFA chapter, that's right. Competed in the Florida Florestry state finals. And I'm so excited to share that for the very first time in OCPS history, one of our chapters has won the state championship. Please come on
063up, y'all. as folks on the board know, but as as the schoolboard member for Ken, we know that this did not just happen by accident. This is a chapter that has been doing incredible work for years. These students first had to prove themselves at our local and district events last month just to earn a seat at the table. but they've been doing a lot of preparation and once they got to the state level, they had to demonstrate expert level knowledge. They were tested on everything from identifying forest disorders and specialized tools of measuring timber and reading topography maps. all things that, you know, we all probably should know for survival at some point, but we don't. and we're lucky to have you to know that the National FFA Convention just wrapped up and because of
064this victory, we already know exactly who's going to be representing the state of Florida at the 99th National Convention next year. we're so excited for you to represent us, OCPS, and the state. This team didn't just win, they swept individual rankings as well. That's right. That's how we do it at District 2. so I would like to just give a couple shout outs to folks up here. Caleb Brett, who is the first highstate individual. Caleb, you are the number one forestry student in the entire state of Florida. That's, you know, after we're all out there, you know who to ask questions to. Grafton Harris, third high state individual. Adrien Rivera Morales, fourth highstay individual. And Trun Trurin, sorry if I said that, ninth highay individual. I also want to recognize the teachers and coaches who
065have guided these students and the FFA chapter with everything that it is at Colonial Honestly. This school is stands out in our district because of the work you do. Kayla Sauce and James Prescott, thank you for your leadership. Thank you on behalf of the students who sing your praises all the time everywhere we go. I know member Gal and I have been out to some competitions to be judges as and it's your names are always at the top of students when they talk about you know educators who have changed their lives. agricultural education truly provides a forest of opportunities. That's right. For our students, Caleb Graf, Caleb Grafton, and Adrian Indiana, you have made history at Colonial High and for OCPS. This is your legacy. It will be here forever, but we are so proud
066of you and we can't wait to see you at the national stage. Congratulations. Make us proud. Congratulations. Yeah, it's amazing. Stay there. Hold on. Big smile of happy. One, two, and three. Perfect. People people support us. Friends and family. They're coming. Yes. Friend and we can do that. They're slow. Big smile. Look happy and family. That's with your child. Final answer. Big smile. Look happy. Big smile. Look happy again. Good. One, two, and three. And if a tree falls in the forest, All right. Next up is member Gallo. Good evening everyone. I'm An Gallo, school board member for district 1. They always save the best district for last. So, here we are. so first I'd like to recognize I have the privilege of recognizing a great great community partner, Faith United Methodist Church. They provide
067a constant foundation of support for students and families at Union Park Elementary and really the surrounding community. Volunteers in attendance, please come forward to be recognized. Come on up. We are joined tonight by several key leaders from the church who make this work possible. As I call your names, please raise your hand. Well, actually, I just want you to come down. pastor Ed Edwin Irwin, sorry, Irwin Lopez, Angel Coleman, Pete Bonaric. Did I say that right? Thank you, Pete. And Lzanne McCale. The members of this church just don't say they support our schools. They show it through their actions every single week. Every Thursday, the church operates a food pantry that ensures our families have access to the groceries they need. Throughout the year, the church is the first to step up when a family
068is in crisis. They sponsor families during the holidays and make sure our teachers feel valued by supplying food and snacks for teacher appreciation and welcome back celebrations. Your leadership in these efforts ensures that our staff and students feel the support of the entire community. One of their most significant impacts is the annual food drive hosted at the school. This year, their efforts reached a massive scale as 500 turkeys were given away to ensure that hundreds I know, right? Hundreds of local families could enjoy a holiday meal together. This kind of consistent hand hands on partnership changes lives for the students and their families. the to the leadership and the volunteers from Faith United Church. Thank you for your incredible heart for Union Park. We are so grateful for your partnership. I was actually able to
069go out one Thursday and meet everybody and help hand out food and the people coming through the line. First, they were lined up. So, the need the need out in that area is so great. And it takes community partners and faith leaders like you all to stand up and fill the gaps that we can't feel fill in the school system or even the county can't fill. So Phil, so you from the bottom of my heart, this means so much to me because I know that there's so much need in East Orange County. So thank you so much. We're going to grab a picture. Oh, wait. I got Thank you. Thank you. There we go. Big smile. Big smile again. One more. Friends and family. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you so much for everything. Thank you
070so much. So much so next. She doesn't want to stand alone. And so I'm going to ask her family to come up and stand with her cuz she texted me and said, "I don't want to be up there all by myself." And her mom, Marissa, was supposed to come, but she couldn't make it tonight. So next, I am honored to recognize Latina Leadership, an organization that has served as a pillar of support for Central Florida for over 25 years. We are joined tonight by a woman whose vision and leadership drive this mission. Please come forward to be recognized executive director Maruchcci Guzman along with her beautiful family Renee Placencia, Addie Beard, and Maline Placencia. Ain't that a beautiful family? Latino Leadership was founded in 1999 as a voter registration project and it has evolved into
071a nonprofit that has assisted thousands of families through a wide range of specialized services. At Union Park Elementary, we see their work through their partnership with Faith United Methodist Church, but their reach extends across the entire region. They have developed a series of vital programs. In fact, one of the reasons which I should have honored them earlier because they've been in my district forever and do such great work. But I when I was handing out food at Faith Methodist, I kept seeing these letters that people were bringing in as they were going through the food line. And they were from Latino leadership. So lead Latino leadership was sending out letters to remind our community of the great work that your church does. So the two kind of go hand in hand, but they do so
072much more than just than just that. they have other programs including Santiago and Friends, the first fully bilingual autism ABA therapy center in Orlando, Florida's Children Academy, a private school specifically for children with special abilities, and the Healthy House healthy healthy house happy home housing counseling program. When a crisis hits our community, Latino leadership is on the front lines. They established the Puerto R Puerto Rico Family Response Center as a humanitarian response to families impacted by natural disasters. When Maria hit Puerto Rico, Renee and Maruchcci were on planes down to Puerto Rico to go help those citizens down there find water, find food, and to take care. And she's a good friend of mine. So, full disclosure, I she had me come in and I had to call people. We were trying to find where
073people were, where they were staying, so that she could offer them help with lodging and with food. And I remember being on the call for like I think it was the whole day we were trying to track down people. So that's the type of dedication and work that Latino leadership does in our community. Through this center, Miss Guzman has helped tens of thousands of displaced families with immediate needs like food assistance, school enrollment, and employment referrals. Whether they are providing technology education in their 10person computer lab or helping a family find a path to home ownership, their goal remains the same, self-sufficiency and success for every family. Miss Guzman, thank you to you and all of Latino leadership. Your work ensures that our students and our families are healthy, supported, and ready for the future.
074Thank you. Cherish that food forever. Thank you for being adorable. Any additionals? One more. You're so cute. She's been on here longer than I am. You just Thank you. Thank you, Member Gallo. Thank you board members and all of our wonderful honores, our students, our staff, and our whole community who make this district shine. Thank you for all that you do every day. We're so excited we had this opportunity to recognize you. this concludes our program. We do have some cookies out in the lobby. I know you guys have been here for a long time. but if you got a little time to spare, we'll see you out there. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey.