Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Knights Find A Way!
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Ocoee Community Member
This is our final Knight News edition for 2023 and we close out the year same way we began the year—providing our Ocoee community with snapshots of a few of the many success stories occurring every day on this campus. While we still have two days of instruction remaining for the semester, I want to wish all of our Knights, their families, our faculty & staff, and our community members including our OHS volunteers a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season. Once winter break gets underway, I encourage you to relax, unwind, and spend some quality time with family and friends.
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Jaslynn Gaskin had a solo in the 2023 Holiday Chorus Concert. Pictured at the very top of this issue is Mr. Caldwell and our Choir. They put on an excellent Holiday Concert this last week. Bravo Knights, and thank you! |
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At 6:00pm Thursday evening, our wrestlers will compete against the Grenadiers of Colonial on our mat. Please come on out and support your Knight grapplers! |
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Winter break officially begins next Monday, December 25 (Christmas day). Please remember that Monday, January 8, 2024 is a student holiday (Teacher workday). Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. |
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Thank you very much for reading and if you are leaving town over the winter break, safe travels. Happy Holidays!
Dr. Karcinski
Principal
Ocoee High School
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Knight Spotlight
Micah Hannah, Lady Knights Basketball
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Micah Hannah set a new school record for steals in a game with 15! She also had 13 points and 5 assists. To lend perspective to Micah's achievement on defense, the NBA record for steals in a single game is 11 and for the NCAA the record is 14. |
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This month our Student Government Association practiced their Parliamentary Procedure skills by holding mock meetings in class. Parliamentary Procedure, also known as Robert’s Rule of Order, is the official way to hold a business meeting in government and formal settings. Our students will be able to use this skill at state and regional SGA meetings, and as they progress through professional careers. Our SGA will be competing in a Parliamentary Procedure competition in Panama City this coming February. |
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SGA students engaged in a mock-meeting following the fundamentals of Parliamentary Procedure. Students pictured: Edvandamae Saintil, Daniel Pierre-Louis, Sandie Fourrien, Harrison White, Krista Parker, Amberlie Frederic, Dwight O’Neal, Zoë Pender, Mia Lomax, Abigail Theeodore, Remonte Augustin, Molly Dunagan, Kalista Hickman, and Mateo Valeriano. |
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College Acceptances
Spotlight on two of our Knights this week . . .
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Congratulations to our Super Scholar, Diego Mosqueda-Sandoval, on his early action admission to the University of Notre Dame. Based on the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings of national universities, Notre Dame is ranked #20 in the USA. Ninety four percent of their students graduate within four years.
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Congratulations to Kadence Nguyen on your acceptance to the U.S. Air Force JROTC Flight Academy. The flight academy is an 8 week summer aviation program. Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded a private pilot’s certification! |
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Teacher Spotlight
Ms. Royster
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Ms. Robyn Royster-Geometry/Geometry Honors |
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We would like to welcome Ms. Royster to Ocoee High School. A native Floridian, Robyn graduated from Lake Brantley high School and earned her B.S. from University of Central Florida. She then earned her Master's Degree in Teaching from the City University in Tacoma, Washington. Returning home to Florida, she taught math for 10 years at Apopka High school and then moved with her family to Maryville, Tennessee where she taught another 17 at Heritage High School.
Recently, Ms. Royster moved back to her hometown with her loving cat, Daphne. She is excited about visits from her three adult sons who plan on taking her up on vacations to the sunshine state. Meanwhile she is thrilled to be an Ocoee Knight! She is striving to envelope her new students into her fold and become their “Math Mom”.
Welcome to Ocoee Ms. Royster!
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Ms. Royster loves anything outside and she is especially proud of one of her biggest accomplishments from this past fall which was catching a fish larger than her uncles, the man who was teaching her how to cast. |
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Knight sports for the last regular school week of 2023: |
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Congratulations to our girls soccer team for their big win vs. the Mustangs! |
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Ocoee's 3DE program is a highly successful program few US high schools offer. Our 3DE students are learning about real-world challenges with an emphasis upon business relationships and problem solving. The students work on case studies which includes on-campus visits and evaluations from professionals working within a variety of industries. Below are several of their latest success stories.
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December 3DE Real World Success Story #1 (Peer coaching) |
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Coach Axon’s 3DE Knights supported Ms. King’s 9th grade 3DE Knights during the Protiviti Case Challenge! Tenth grade students peer coached 9th grade groups to help them finalize their presentations for the 9.3 Critical & Analytical Thinking Case Challenge. The 3DE sophomores gave presentation tips to freshmen students while providing feedback about their presentations. Tenth grade Knights helped Ms. King’s students edit their decision trees to clearly but briefly state pros and cons for the sustainability initiatives student groups were working on. |
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Above and just below:
3DE students from both grades greatly benefited from peer coaching. Thank you Coach Axon and 10th grade 3DE Knights for helping our freshmen 3DE Knights!!
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December 3DE Real World Success Story #2 (Freshmen business recommendations for Protiviti Global Consulting) |
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Ocoee’s 9th Grade 3DE Knights worked with the consulting company, Protiviti, Inc., for their 9.3 Critical & Analytical Thinking Case Challenge. Students were tasked with researching between two sustainability initiatives: reducing packaging waste and reducing food waste. 3DE Knights were asked to answer the Case Challenge Question: “How does Protiviti advise their client to improve sustainability?”
The behavioral indicator students tackled for this challenge was objective analysis – it was important for students not to base their recommendation on any bias, but rather use evidence gathered from research to make an informed decision. To strengthen their sustainability initiative selection, 3DE Knights relied on the analytical tool known as a decision tree. They factored the pros & cons of each initiative and included a customized decision tree in their presentations to Protiviti. |
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Five top teams presented to three Protiviti Judges during the 9.3 Culminating Event. Congratulations to: Dante Eason, Aiden Freeman, Bebee Alvarez, and Payton Grant for winning the Critical & Analytical Thinking Case Challenge. Way to go 3DE Knights! |
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December 3DE Success Story #3 (Sophomore recommendations to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital) |
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Our 10th grade 3DE Knights wrapped up the semester by participating in a culminating event for the 10.3 Cultural Agility Case Challenge with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital. Four top teams presented to three Arnold Palmer judges. Students had to tackle this case challenge from the perspective of a young patient at Arnold Palmer Hospital. 3DE Knights had to consider a young patient’s needs, expectations, positive experiences, and pain points while working on their recommendations to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Student recommendations varied from updating Orlando Health’s current app, improving the mapping system at the hospital, and many even considered upgrading the waiting areas. |
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Each group presented a different recommendation for Orlando Health APH to improve the young patient’s experience in their hospital. Congratulations to the winning team: Alessandra Roque, Colby Salvatore, Yvonnie Newby, and Addison Wise! |
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Our FFA students have been working hard on weekends to get themselves and their animals ready for show. They recently attended two shows back to back where they worked and showed their animals to get in practice time. We are so proud of the time they have been putting into their SAE projects! |
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*** SEMESTER-END REMINDER ***
Yearbook
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Business Ads
Do you have a business or know someone who does? Purchasing a business ad in the yearbook is a great opportunity to market a business! See ad below for details.
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Class of 2024 - Buy your Senior Ad today! See ad below for prices. |
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Yearbook Sneak Peek
You can purchase a yearbook for $70. The price will increase in January 2024. Buy yours at yearbookforever.com
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College and Career Center |
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FAFSA:
Seniors - we are still playing it by ear with the 2024-2025 FAFSA application. By law, the application must be made available by December 31st. As soon as we know, we will let you know that it is officially open. In the meantime … There have been changes to the form this year. You can familiarize yourself with these links + be ready to submit as soon as the application opens:
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Seniors:
It is imperative that you check your email and school portals. If you have applied to a college, you need to make sure ALL required items are submitted to ensure you receive a decision. If you have questions about your portal, please come by the College + Career Center during your lunch or after school to see Ms. Wolfgramm + Ms. Hendricks.
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This is the easiest scholarship you will complete! Take the time to complete the BigFuture tasks to enter drawings for $40,000 and $500 scholarships! No essay, application, or minimum GPA requirement!
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Bridges to Success Scholarship Program:
The Bridges to Success Scholarship Program is designed to support students in their first two years of school. Students who could benefit from a mentor checking in with you to help you keep on track with your classes/grades will want to consider applying. You do need to be PELL eligible to apply for Bridges. You can find out if you are PELL eligible by completing the FAFSA application. In addition, you will need to participate in community service while in the program and attend sessions geared towards helping you with things like time management, leadership development, and more. Additionally, the Bridges program provides financial support by covering the cost of your two years at Valencia College, provided you meet all necessary requirements while in the program. Bridges starts in the summer after high school graduation – something you must be able to commit to. The Bridges to Success application is due January 25th! See Ms. Hendricks if you are interested in applying.
Valencia College:
Seniors - if you qualify for application fee waivers and still need to submit an application to Valencia College, come by the College and Career Center during your lunch for help with the application fee.
Coolidge Scholarship for JUNIORS ONLY:
Horatio Alger Scholarship: for JUNIORS ONLY. Deadline to apply is March 15th, 2024. Open to students who demonstrate integrity, perseverance in overcoming adversity, strength of character, financial need, a good academic record, commitment to pursue a college education, and a desire to contribute to society. Begin the application HERE.
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Valencia College Dual Enrollment: |
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Industry Snapshot - Healthcare continues to be a key driver of job growth. |
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Student loan debt is contributing to the gap in homeownership among the generations: |
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Making sense of the table for our Knights:
The chart compares three generations of Americans while they were all in their 30's: Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. Nearly half of Millennials with at least some college education have student loan debt in their 30s, compared with only 13% of Boomers at the time they were in their 30s. We also see that Millennials have the highest median debt-to-income ratio of 0.27 (27%), compared with only 0.04 (4%) for Boomers. Gen X is not far behind Millennials on both categories (24%).
The bottom line of our Knights? The burden of student loan payments could make it more difficult for college grads to save up for a down payment. For our college bound Knights, please take advantage of our College and Career Center while you are still at Ocoee. Both Ms. Hendricks and Ms. Wolfgramm are happy to help all of our Knights with their college financial planning.
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Superintendent's Final Message of 2023: |
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The winter break is almost here! On this week's "Mondays with Maria," we're bringing back the popular rapid fire questions for Dr. Vazquez. She's answering some fun holiday questions you won't want to miss! |
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REMINDER: Top Talent applications open Jan. 22, 2024: |
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Top Talent LIVE 2024 is May 4, 2024!
Our casting call will run January 22 – February 23. What does that mean? It is time to start preparing for auditions.
Proceeds from our Top Talent event will help support the Foundation and provide arts enrichment for students experiencing poverty and homelessness.
Top Talent LIVE finalists will be announced on March 29.
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If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988.
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1) Most common 2024 resolutions: |
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2) Holiday season safety tips from the FDLE: |
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3) States that decorate the most during the holiday season and the most popular decoration in each state: |
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4) WISDOM TO LIVE BY
To close out this final edition of Knight News for 2023, read inspirational quotes about inspiring others, measuring your success and finding joy in everyday tasks.
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Maya Angelou On Satisfaction
Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it.
~ Maya Angelou, poet
Ronald Reagan On Leadership
The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.
~ Ronald Reagan, former U.S. president and actor
John Wooden On Coaching
The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.
~ John Wooden, college basketball coach
Roy T. Bennett On Inspiration
Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.
~ Roy T. Bennett, attorney and political executive
Malcolm X On Education
Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs only to people who prepare for it today.
~ Malcolm X, civil rights leader
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Knights Find A Way!
Dr. Karcinski, Principal
Ocoee High School
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
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Ocoee High School Senior Leadership Team |
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This communication may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure and intended only for the use of the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, please note that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Anyone who receives this message in error should notify the sender immediately by telephone or by return e-mail, and delete the message from their computer and any printout thereof. Please note that OCPS utilizes spam and junk e-mail filtration applications in its e-mail systems. That filtering process may prevent or delay delivery of certain e-mail communications. If you do not receive a timely response to an e-mail communication, please contact the intended recipient by phone. |
Copyright Notice
Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS - Ocoee High School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and especially Ocoee High School. Please contact lisa.karcinski@ocps.net (principal) with any questions or for further information.
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Ocoee High School
1925 Ocoee Crown Point Parkway,
Ocoee, FL 34761
Phone 407-905-3000
Fax 407-905-3099
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