Orlando Family Stars
Each month, Stars features exceptional students, student-athletes, educators and all-around boons to the Greater Orlando area. Sid Kasi Kasi, a Lake Highland Preparatory (LHP) School senior, recently implemented software he developed through LHP’s ASPIRE program. By making a user interface for it, he was able to use it at SALT Outreach, a local homeless shelter,... Read More
Strength in Numbers
With the national shortage of health care providers affecting Florida’s doctors, nurses, specialists and more, medical professionals are doing everything they can to avert those incoming issues—and minimize the challenges that patients are already experiencing. It’s no small task ensuring that Central Florida residents have access to the high-quality health care they deserve.... Read More
Home Is Where the Heart Is
November is National Adoption Month, signifying a celebration of families coming together through adoption, as well as spreading awareness of the modern options available to help Floridians experience the joy of becoming a parent while changing a child’s life for the better. The unification of a child and a parent is a beautiful occurrence, and it is something that adoption... Read More
Room to Grow
As more and more people find themselves relocating to the Orlando area, officials are eyeing a future full of potential. It seems that folks across the country are steadily realizing what locals have known for quite some time: Central Florida is the place to be. For the first time since the late ’50s, Florida is the nation’s fastest-growing state, according to the U.S. Census... Read More
Palate
TOP FIVE: EGGS A quintet of tasty things to try this month PARMA HASH at First Watch MULTIPLE LOCATIONS This plate consists of two cage-free eggs cooked to your preferred style and placed along with seasoned potatoes, Italian sausage, house-roasted crimini mushrooms, onions and tomatoes with finishing touches of both Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. EL MONTADITO at Egg-Celente INTERNATIONAL... Read More
Private School Report Card 2023
With the new school year underway, it’s time for us to take our annual look at how some of the region’s leading private high schools are challenging students academically while also engaging them socially to give them the tools needed to succeed. We worked directly with several schools across the region to glean information in key areas like average SAT scores, graduation rates,... Read More
Palate
TOP FIVE: BBQ A quintet of tasty things to try this month KOREAN BBQ CHEESESTEAK at Yard House ICON PARK A unique twist on the typical cheesesteak, this sandwich is made with chopped ribeye, white American cheese, kimchi, gochujang, caramelized onions, green onions and roasted garlic aioli. It is served on a toasted hoagie roll with a side of house fries. BBQ MEATBALLS at the... Read More
Inspired to Take Action
Progress continues to be made in women’s health thanks to dedicated providers throughout Central Florida who are researching and implementing new treatment methods. Although Lindsay Kissane, MD, long knew that she wanted to pursue a career in health care, it wasn’t until medical school that her goals really started to come into focus. That’s when a beloved family member suffered... Read More
Leading the Way
Seb Hines is originally from London, but is quite familiar with the Orlando area. Having previously been a player for Orlando City, he followed his playing career by joining the front office of the Pride, working as a scout and in player development. In 2020, he became an assistant coach with the team before being named the Pride’s head coach in 2022—a historic hire that made... Read More
Leading Ladies
A look at some of the area’s female business leaders as they reflect on their various paths to success and share their advice for the next generation of young women following in their footsteps. Over the past few decades, there have been modest gains in gender equality in the workplace; however, women are still significantly underrepresented in leadership roles. Although there... Read More
Top Dentists 2023
Whether headed to the office for a routine check-up, cleaning or in desperate need of pain relief, trips to the dentist are an important piece of maintaining one’s overall health. Here in Central Florida, the region is filled with skilled dental professionals who provide the utmost care while forming meaningful bonds with their patients, young and old alike. Our... Read More
Orlando Family Stars
Each month, Stars features exceptional students, student-athletes, educators and all-around boons to the Greater Orlando area. Public Allies Central Florida A group of diverse young professionals from Central Florida recently took the trip of a lifetime to Washington, D.C., to witness policymaking at the highest level. Public Allies Central... Read More
Destination Relaxation
As summer draws to an end and school gets underway, many residents are not quite ready to get back into their fall routines. Thankfully, there are plenty of day trip and staycation options that can provide a fun and relaxing escape from day-to-day life. One of the great things about living in Central Florida is the close proximity to all of the amazing things that the Sunshine... Read More
Suicide Awareness and Why Kindness is Key
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. suicide rate is at the highest it has ever been, with almost 50,000 Americans taking their own lives documented in 2022. Experts explain why a centuries-long epidemic is getting worse. Suicide has been a devastating epidemic in society that demonstrates no sign of losing momentum. The stigma surrounding mental... Read More
Homegrown Star
Matt Lauria may often play a tough guy on TV, but in casual conversation, it only takes a few moments for his sensitive side to rise to the forefront. In fact, the first words out of his mouth, following a very polite greeting, involve an offer to move a phone call over to Zoom, just so his facial expressions can be seen and all of his answers during a wide-ranging interview can... Read More
2023 Top Physicians
As hard as one may try, living a completely healthy lifestyle is an impossible task, and sooner or later, illnesses and injuries are going to happen. Fortunately, when that time comes, the Central Florida region is blessed to be home to many skilled medical providers across a number of specialties. These doctors not only have the drive to push their fields further... Read More
The State of Tourism
Orlando, Florida, USA downtown city skyline on Eola Lake. It’s no stretch of the truth to say that Orlando is where people want to be, thanks to the likes of its rich cultural offerings, endless entertainment options and, of course, year-round beautiful weather. From fellow Floridians to globe-trotting international visitors, the town and the world-class service industry it boasts... Read More
Orlando Family Stars
Each month, Stars features exceptional students, student-athletes, educators and all-around boons to the Greater Orlando area. Dylan Crews Crews, a 2020 graduate of Lake Mary High School, was chosen by the Washington Nationals with the second overall selection in the Major League Baseball Draft. An outfielder, Crews won the 2023 Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the best... Read More
An Open Book
Bestselling horror writer Chuck Wendig has had many writing jobs in his time, including storytelling for role-playing games, comics, television and film. On one writing job—his very first, in fact—he wrecked a van … but more on that later. Wendig has written fiction since 1997, but his reputation as a novelist reached a new height in 2019 with his pandemic thriller novel Wanderers.... Read More
Falling Short
There have been a lot of headlines made recently about the struggles school districts across the country are faced with as they grapple with a nationwide shortage of teachers. Closer to home, it’s certainly a cause for great concern and so Florida has taken measures to address the growing problem. But is it enough? The answer to that pressing question depends on who you ask. Clinton... Read More
In Perfect Harmony
Ever since Gloria Estefan was a young child she claims she “saw” or “knew” things that were going to come to pass at some point in the future. And as time went on and this happened frequently enough, she began to rely more and more on these instinctive feelings whenever they arose. So it should come as no surprise that after first meeting her now-husband Emilio and joining... Read More
