SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 10, NO. 48
FREE • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2025
Just a brew-tiful morning West Orange High School’s Class of 2026 enjoyed its Senior Sunrise Breakfast. SEE 21A.
LAKER LEGACY
YOUR TOWN
CELEBRATE 120 YEARS WITH US! The West Orange Times & Observer is turning 120 next week, and we’re inviting you to the celebration! The anniversary bash takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden. Join us in person for a celebration commemorating 120 years of serving our community. Get ready for a trip down memory lane: Examine the past 120 years of history in West Orange County through the pages of the West Orange Times & Observer. Enjoy performances by the drumlines from Horizon, Ocoee, West Orange and Windermere high schools. Food and drink provided. We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with you! RSVP at westorangetimesobserver120th.eventbrite.com.
Above: The first staff of Windermere Preparatory School gathered outside for a commemorative photo in 2000. Top: Windermere Preparatory School children had fun on the playground.
WOJSL MEMBER SPEARHEADS HYGIENE KIT DRIVE
Windermere Preparatory School will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Courtesy photos
Carolyn Cappleman Karraker, the first head of school, welcomed students.
The West Orange Junior Service League is proud to celebrate the compassion and leadership of one of its own. Alison Madrid recently organized and delivered 100 girls hygiene kits to three local middle schools — Southwest, Ocoee and Lakeview. Her initiative, rooted in kindness and care, aims to support young women in the community with dignity and confidence. Madrid was joined by staff and administrators who helped make the effort possible. From Principal Damian Rosado at Southwest to Principal Cheri Leavitt at Ocoee to the supportive team at Lakeview, including Omelia Dhanraj and others, this was a community collaboration.
Left: The original designs for Butler, the school’s mascot, were unveiled.
Dr. P. Phillips Hospital celebrates 40 years An administrative supervisor and nurse reflects on serving the community for the past 40 years as Dr. P. Phillips Hospital celebrates its anniversary. SEE STORY PAGE 7A.
BRAINFOOD WINGED WONDERS
In this month’s Brain Food, we teach you how to plant and cultivate a butterfly garden. PAGE 20A.