SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 11, NO. 34
FREE • THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026
We are forever grateful West Orange honors our heroes at Memorial Day ceremonies. SEE PAGES 8-9A.
Amazing Grace
YOUR TOWN APPLY NOW TO SERVE ON OCOEE YOUTH COUNCIL The city of Ocoee is accepting applications for the 2026-27 Ocoee Youth Council. Members of the Ocoee Youth Council will participate in service events, explore scholarship opportunities and learn about local government and careers in public service. Spaces are limited and availability is on a first-come, firstserved basis. Council members can be residents or non-residents of Ocoee, and the council is for students entering high school in private or public school. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28. To download an application, visit ocoee.org.
FOUNDATION CERTIFIES CPR, AED RESPONDERS
Foundation Academy announced it has added 27 newly certified adult and pediatric first-aid, CPR and AED responders to its Tilden campus. The students were able to be certified through Foundation’s First Aid and Safety course. Each semester, a class of students learns the proper handson treatment and assessments to make sure they are proficient and confident in their skills in order to earn the American Red Cross two-year certificate.
HELP ONP RECEIVE MATCHING GRANT Photos courtesy of American NInja Warrior
Grace Gordon held on tight during the battering ram obstacle.
Dr. Phillips High’s Grace Gordon, 17, competed in two seasons of American Ninja Warrior, a sports entertainment and reality game show competition. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Scooter fatality prompts discussions Orange County Commissioners are searching for ways to manage the rapid increase in usage of micro-mobility devices. SEE PAGE 5A.
WHOOP WHOOP! ALMA MATTERS WOHS grad AJ Burnett follows in his family’s footsteps. PAGE 3A.
Windermere High School celebrated its 800-plus Class of 2026. PAGE 6B. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
FOUNDATION ACADEMY | PAGE 5B THE FIRST ACADEMY | PAGE 6B
The Oakland Nature Preserve recently received a Challenge Match Grant totaling $10,000. The preserve has raised $7,265, or 73%. It needs to raise another $2,735 by Tuesday, June 30, to be able to receive the matching grant. Checks can be made to Oakland Nature Preserve and mailed to P.O. Box 841, Oakland. Cash also can be dropped into a donation bin at the preserve.