SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025
VOLUME 10, NO. 28
PLAYOFF PREVIEW Four area baseball teams are seeking postseason glory. SEE STORY ON 1B.
YOUR TOWN GASTON INDUCTED INTO NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY Brandon Jermaine Gaston, of Winter Garden, has accepted an invitation of lifetime membership in The National Society of Collegiate Scholars. NSCS is an honors organization that invites fewer than 10% percent of all eligible students nationwide to join each year. NSCS is made up of scholars from two-year, four-year and online institutions. “We welcome Brandon Jermaine Gaston to our community of like-minded, highachieving nationwide scholars,” NSCS founder Steve Loflin said.
EGGS-CITING TIMES AWAIT
In addition to local churches offering special services this Sunday, there are a plethora of options for Easter fun. HORIZON WEST n Dream Finders Homes Hippy Hop 5K — 8 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Hamlin Town Center, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden n Hamlin Easter Bunny Meet & Greet — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at the Hamlin Green Space, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden n Crossline Community Church Easter Egg Hunt — 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at Crossline Park, 17922 Old YMCA Road, Winter Garden n Spring Eggstravaganza — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at The Learning Experience — Windermere, 6290 Lake Smith Circle, Windermere OCOEE n Easter Eggstravaganza — 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive n Glad Tidings Church’s Egg Ocoee — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 19, at the church, 2009 Fullers Cross Road, Ocoee WINDERMERE/GOTHA n Easter Egg Extravaganza — 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 19, at Town Square, 520 Main St., Windermere n Easter Sunrise Service — 6 to 9 a.m. Sunday, April 20, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha
‘You can do hard things’ Pathways for Life Academy helps middle and high school students not only in academics but also in life. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Photos by Liz Ramos
Above: Students Shaan Laddu, Sohan Khubchandani, teacher Abimael River, and students Gavin Felser and Anand Vivek worked together to achieve academic goals. Laddu and Vivek are graduating from Pathways for Life Academy in May. Top: Karen Wise, a teacher at Pathways for Life Academy, taught students Alejandro Resto and Nya Joseph how to make lasagna. Every Friday, students make lunch for everyone in the school.
All fun and games Redistricting Windermere Garden Club members enjoyed some friendly competition at Crazy Game Day. PAGE 6B.
process will affect area
Orange County leaders have begun the process of adding two districts. This means redrawn lines, new county commissioners and much more. SEE PAGE 3A.