W E ST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
Observer
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
NEW CLASS JUST DROPPED!
Town of Windermere honors local veterans. SEE PAGE 7A.
FREE • THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025
VOLUME 92, NO. 21
Nothing mid about it!
Look out, world! Like a new track that’s about to take Spotify by storm, the Class of 2025 is fit-checked and ready to make its mark on the world. And, we’re here for it.
We celebrate the Class of 2025 with our special section. INSIDE.
OBSERVER | OrangeObserver.com
GRADUATION
|
2025
2
Buckles leaves the Lions’ den
Senior
moments
After stepping down as president of Foundation Academy, Dave Buckles is using the lessons he learned to help schools across the country with his company, Paradox Consultants. SEE PAGE 7A.
YOUR TOWN HONOR OUR HEROES FOR MEMORIAL DAY
There are several ways to honor our heroes this Memorial Day. Ocoee begins the observances Thursday, May 22, with its Memorial Day Ceremony. Retired U.S. Army Col. Shay Talley-Bradley will speak at the ceremony, which begins at 11 a.m. at Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee. Oakland native John Ward invites the public to attend a Memorial Day Service at 9 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Oakland Cemetery, corner of West Sadler Avenue and South Walker Street. Attendees will help place flags on the headstones of every veteran buried in Oakland. Following the flag placement, a Memorial Resolution will be read, and taps will be played. Winter Garden will host its Memorial Day Community Celebration 2025 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Veterans Memorial Park, 420 S. Park Ave., Winter Garden. This event is presented by the city and American Legion Post No. 63. Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home will host its 75th annual Memorial Day Service at 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, at the cemetery, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha. In Windermere, the town will host a Memorial Day Observance at 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Town Hall, 520 Main St. Windermere.
W
est Orange High School’s Class of 2025 worked for four years
for these moments. And finally last week, they enjoyed them all. The seniors participated in three Warrior traditions — the Sen’ya Later Parade, the Senior Walkout and Senior Sunset — to cap their final week of their high school careers. Photos by Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography
SEE PHOTOS PAGE 4A.
ALSO INSIDE: THE FIRST ACADEMY PAGE 6B | FOUNDATION ACADEMY PAGE 7B
NXT GEN to play in Houston The local flag football team qualified for the Junior Olympics. SEE PAGE 1B.
Winter Garden man faces calls for trial in Peabody abuse suit Dozens allege James Toltz abused them as students in Peabody, Massachusetts, schools. PAGE 5A.