OCPS holds special recognition ceremony honoring schools, staff and community partners

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) held a special recognition ceremony to honor schools, staff, volunteers and community partners for achievements in sustainability, library services, custodial training, student leadership and community partnership. The event focused on awards and long‑service recognitions; no board votes or policy actions are recorded in the meeting transcript.

The district’s Environmental Compliance and Sustainability Office recognized three schools for outstanding sustainability work after noting that more than 47 schools participated in the program last year. Edgewater High, led by Principal Alex Jackson, received third place for its outdoor agriculture program and student‑led recycling and compost efforts. Orlando Gifted Academy, led by Principal Sean Maguire, was named second for student programs on sustainable living and habitat restoration. First place went to Horizon West Middle School, led by Principal Andrew Aguto, for a range of hands‑on programs including energy audits and student stewardship initiatives.

OCPS also recognized media specialists who earned the Florida Power Library School Award for 2025, a statewide honor administered by the Florida Association of Supervisors of Media and the Florida Department of Education’s library media unit. Named winners included Amy Homan (Hamlin Elementary), Kristen Crew (Lake Nona High), Tori Thinnen (Odyssey High), Angela Leslie (Cypress Springs Elementary) and repeat winner Jennifer Drone (Keene’s Crossing Elementary). Board members and staff praised the winners’ work integrating library programs with curriculum and supporting equitable access to resources.

The district celebrated 53 custodial staff who completed the Florida School Plant Management Association’s master custodian certification, a seven‑week program described in the meeting as meeting three days per week. Carlos Mafous, director of custodial services, read a list of winners during the ceremony.

Several board members used the event to recognize community partners and long‑serving individuals. Vice Chair Melissa Byrd honored Apopka City Commissioner and Vice Mayor Diane Velasquez for sponsoring Lakeville Elementary’s Kiwanis Terrific Kids program and other volunteer work. Member Venice recognized Commissioner Robert Stewart on the eve of his retirement and highlighted his decades of local service, including his role with the Christian Service Center and the Love Pantry. Venice also honored Sandra Fatmi Hall, founder and CEO of the United Foundation of Central Florida, for the Future Leaders United after‑school program; the speaker said the program grew from seven students to more than 600 across three schools and asserted that 243 program participants have gone on to college (figures were presented by the board member as reported in the organization’s materials).

Member Douglas recognized volunteers and school‑based leaders who supported Summer Lake Elementary, Windermere High student leaders, and Sunridge schools’ outreach event that brought more than 20 partner services (including AdventHealth, Shepherd’s Hope, OCPS mental‑health staff and the Global Family Welcome Center) to families. Member Felder highlighted volunteers supporting Jones High School, including fundraisers and parent‑engagement leaders. Member Ferrant honored Wanda Coco of the district information office for 15 years of service, and recognized Mark Rickman for long‑term coaching and Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership. Member Salamanca recognized Elevation Scholars, a nonprofit that provides multi‑year college access support; during the remarks the member cited program statistics from the nonprofit’s report (speaker prefaced some figures with qualifiers such as “I believe” and “if they’re outdated”), including a five‑year scholar award described in remarks as roughly $25,000 per student and a claimed 100% graduation rate among the nonprofit’s participants.

Member Gallo presented several staff recognitions, including Nancy Conover for earning Certified Support Professional status from the Florida School Boards Association and John Walsh of Discovery Middle School for being named the 2025 Florida History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute (the state award includes a $1,000 prize and advancement as a national finalist). The district also thanked business partner AquaBend Exterior Cleaning Services and owner Jason Romendio for repeated donated campus pressure‑washing at Timber Creek High School.

Staff coordinated group photos and asked attendees to exit through specified doors and join receptions in the lobby after the recognitions. The meeting closed after closing logistics and group photos.

Ending: The transcript records only ceremonial recognitions and descriptions of program outcomes and partnerships; no motions, votes or formal board actions were recorded in the provided excerpt.