Spotlighting exceptional students, student athletes, educators and all-around boons to the Greater Orlando area.

Star Students
Anfernee Simons & Elijah Williams
Edgewater High School students Anfernee Simons and Elijah Williams recently earned honors for their work on the court as part of Edgewater’s basketball team. Simons was named the 7A Division Boys Basketball Player of the Year, and Williams was named Metro Conference West Academic Basketball Player of the Year.

Star Student
Viet Tran
Lake Mary Preparatory School senior Viet Tran is a member of his school’s National Honor Society, Key Club, and speech and debate program, among other initiatives, but he has a heart for the arts, too. For the past 10 years, he’s been playing piano, and he also enjoys writing and has a passion for singing and acting with the school’s thespian troupe.

Star Student
Maria Mecos
While working at A-Aki Sushi & Steakhouse, Timber Creek High School sophomore Maria Mecos helped save the life of a father who was dining there with his family. Upon noticing that the man was choking, Mecos proceeded to apply the first aid she’d learned at Timber Creek. The man she saved has recovered and is doing well.

Star Student
Cal Crowley
A junior at Lake Highland Preparatory School, Cal Crowley took first place in the state for the Fall Stock Market Challenge. More than 4,200 students competed nationwide, and each student was given a hypothetical $100,000 to invest. Crowley’s return on investment during the 10-week challenge was 47.25 percent.

Star Student
Hannah Rose Cash
Hannah Rose Cash, a senior at The First Academy, has been involved with the school’s theater program since third grade, and she currently serves as thespian troupe 5165’s president. She’s also competed in district and state thespian competitions, where she received excellent and superior scores.

Star Students
Orlando Science School Key Club
Key Club members from Orlando Science School recently volunteered at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to support the Florida Division 10B Lt. Governor’s project. The students sorted nearly 20,000 pounds of food. Founded in Winter Park, Second Harvest works to feed the hungry throughout Central Florida.

Star Student
Madeline Schmitt
Madeline Schmitt, a senior at Winter Park High School, is a textbook definition of well-rounded. In addition to being a competitive dancer, Schmitt’s also a top student, bibliophile, volunteer, teacher, tutor and writer, among other accomplishments. In fact, she’s such an academic achiever that she’ll be graduating as the valedictorian of her class.

Star School
Seminole Science Charter School
Each month, the students at Seminole Science Charter School (SSCS) participate in a Charity Dress Down Day to support various charities. During February’s edition, the school raised $311 for Ronald McDonald House to help families with ill children. Normally, students must adhere to SSCS’s uniform policy.

Star Public Servant
Orlando Police Department Chief John Mina
Marking an expansion of the Cookies and Milk with a Cop program, which started in Winter Garden, Orlando Police Department Chief John Mina visited the Orlando Public Library in January to host the inaugural edition at the new location. The program is designed to strengthen the bond between citizens and police officers.

Know a Star? Submit your nominees to Nate@OrlandoFamilyMagazine.com

This article originally appeared in Orlando Family Magazine’s April 2017 issue.