New Student Highlight: Eric Butler

by Jerahmeel King

For this week's New Student Highlight, we'd like to introduce you to Eric Butler, a new student athlete here at Orlando Christian Prep. Eric was born on Oct 2, 2001 in the state of Washington. Before moving to Florida, he also lived in Alabama, where he attended Smith's Station High School. 

Eric is sixteen years old and lives with his mother, stepfather, and little brother who is three years old. He moved down to Orlando to follow his dreams and play basketball at our school. Eric likes to play 2k in his spare time, and his favorite subject in school is history. After graduation, he hopes to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Let's all say Hi! to Eric and make him feel welcome at OCP!

OCP's Student Government

by Aaron Bass

Recently at Orlando Christian Prep, we have launched a student government. Each high school grade has two representatives, who will meet with our head staff and teachers to help find ways to

improve our school and make the year go more smoothly. 

We got the chance to talk to some of our representatives, starting with seniors Valeria Rojas and Briela Salisbury. We asked about their intentions for not only the seniors but the whole of the high school and student body in general. Briela wants all student voices to be heard and wants more college preparation to help our seniors be ready for life after high school. She also plans to push for more frequent spirit weeks, as they boost the morale and spirit of students. Valeria wants to make senior year the best year of every student's life in school.

Our 11th grade representatives are Jonthy Candelario and Anna Knight, and they are very thankful and blessed to have the chance to speak for their class.  Among their goals are exempting honors students from midterms and finals, as it relieves a lot of stress and frees a lot of time for them. They also want to push for more field trips for individual grade levels, and high school as a whole, agreeing that there are not enough field trips that are done. Anna personally wants to help her fellow junior classmates prepare for senior year, since time flies by and senior year is right around the corner.

The OCP class representatives all have a big role to fulfill, and it's clear they all want the best for our school.  The Warrior Weekly wishes them much success as they attempt to help our school, their classes, and every single student grow and achieve great things!

New Teacher Highlight: Mrs. Betty Berrios

by Raymond Rodriguez

This week in the Warrior Nation we sat down and talked with Mrs. Betty Berrios. Mrs.Berrios was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1982, to Puerto Rican parents. As a child she moved to St. Cloud, Florida and attended St. Cloud High School. Mrs.Berrios then attended Valencia College for two years, and transferred to Ana Mendez University for her last two years.

Mrs. Berrios is a wife of 15 years and a mother to twin 6th grade boys, who both attend Orlando Christian Prep. She has been teaching for six years, and decided to come teach at OCP for a better education for her sons. In her spare time, Mrs. Berrios loves to four-wheel in the mud and watch her boys play flag football. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Mrs. Berrios currently attends a Spanish church, where she was recently named the co-pastor. Be sure to say hi to Mrs. Berrios if you see her. Let’s give her a big Warrior welcome!

Introducing: Janney Roofing Stadium

by Christian Smith

Having their own football stadium has been a dream of OCP’s that dates back several years, to the start of our football program in 2010, followed by getting our own football field a few years after that, and finally getting our own lights. Getting new seating was the next step. In the spring of 2018, Orlando Christian Prep completed this new football stadium, thanks to the work of our athletic boosters and several donors, the largest of which was the Janney Roofing Company, owned by OCP alumni, Derek Janney. It was a long process from dream to completion, but it was well deserved for OCP athletics. 

The build itself took approximately three weeks, and went very smoothly with next to no hiccups. May 22, 2018, for a spring exhibition game, was the first time “Janney Roofing Stadium” got put to use, which is to say packed out… there was not one seat left! The first fall season varsity football game in Janney Stadium was held on August 19, which also served as the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the complex. 

This upcoming Friday, September 28, is the first homecoming game for Janney Stadium. It’s no more “bring your own chairs” for OCP… instead, football and soccer games can be watched from our beautiful new bleachers! At the game’s halftime, the homecoming king and queen will be announced, so it’s an event you don’t want to miss. Show up in your blue and gold to support your OCP Warriors!

O-Town Highlights: September 27

by Nick Bell

Many exciting things are going on in Orlando and all over Florida right now. On Friday night, UCF played against FAU. The first half was a close contest and at halftime UCF lead with a score of 21-17. UCF came out of halftime rejuvenated and scored quickly. They finished the game with a score of 56-36. On Saturday, Miami played FIU and won with a score of 31-17. FSU played Northern Illinois and earned a good win for the struggling Seminoles. UF had a rivalry game against Tennessee and won with a lopsided score of 47-21.

Heading into the weekend all Florida NFL teams were 2-0 but after this week only one team remains. The Dolphins are the lone Florida team, and one of only three teams in the entire NFL, left undefeated. They beat the Raiders 20-28. The Jaguars lost in a close game that came down to field goals, losing to the Titans with a score of 9-6. Monday night football was headlined by a matchup between the flaming hot Buccaneers offense and the spiraling Steeler defense. The first half was a disaster for the Bucs, as they found themselves down 30-10. After some second half “Fitzmagic” the Bucs found themselves down by only 3 points. Unfortunately, a last minute drive would stall and they lost 30-27.

It is the end of September, which means Halloween is coming soon. All of the Orlando theme parks have exciting Halloween fun. Halloween Horror Nights is here and can be an exciting time for anyone a little older who like a good scare. At Disney, Mickey's “Not So Scary Halloween Party” provides more family-friendly fun. Seaworld's Halloween Spooktacular is also going on now. All of these events last through the end of October and some into early November.

Father Daughter Dance & Mother Son Movie Night

On Saturday, October 6, OCP will be hosting both a Father Daughter Dance and a Mother Son Movie Night.  The dance will feature a live DJ and drinks and desserts will be served.  Fathers have the option of pre-purchasing a souvenir photo and/or flower for their daughter(s).  The movie night will come with free drinks, popcorn and candy.  There is an option for a souvenir photo here, as well.  The big event starts at 6:30.  Tickets are $20 per couple in advance, and $25 at the door.  Advance tickets are available in the school office.  All proceeds will benefit the student leadership trip to Israel this winter.

New Student Highlight: Willie Oliver

by Raymond Rodriguez

This week in the Warrior Nation, we sat down with another new student, 11th grader Willie Oliver, and asked him a few a questions. Willie was raised here in Orlando, Florida, and has two siblings, one of whom also attends Orlando Christian Prep and is in the 5th grade.

Willie comes from Boone High School. He transferred here because he didn’t think Boone was a good school. At OCP, he plans to play basketball and run track. In his free time, Willie likes to play the new Spider-Man game and eat chicken wings. After high school, Willie hopes to attend his dream school, Florida State University.

Join us in greeting Willie in the halls and giving him a warm Warrior welcome!

New Teacher Highlight: Mrs. Renita Atwater

by Jerahmeel King

This we'd like to introduce you to another new teacher here at Orlando Christian Prep. Her name is Mrs. Renita Atwater. Mrs. Atwater grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. She attended Taylor Allderdice High School, where she played basketball and ran track. She graduated in 1980, and after high school she served in the US Army. 

Mrs. Atwater moved to Orlando in 1988.  She has attended both the University of Central Florida and Southern New Hampshire College. Mrs. Atwater wasn’t initially interested in teaching, but she felt the Lord was calling to her to consider it. While she didn’t think that feel she had a lot to offer in the field of teaching, she says it was the Lord's idea. 

Mrs. Atwater has two adult sons and will celebrate thirty-one years of marriage in November.  Join us in giving her a big Warrior welcome to OCP!

OCP Homecoming Court - 2018

by Christian Smith

This week at OCP, six seniors were chosen as Homecoming representatives for their class. The Homecoming King and Queen will be selected from this group. We at the Warrior Weekly sat down with these students to find out their thoughts on the Homecoming court and why they should win King or Queen.

When asked why Briela Salisbury feels she should win, she said, “I think I should win Homecoming Queen because I’m funny, I love this school, and I have tons of school spirit. Vote Briela!!” Bryanna Miller said, “I have been at this school for a long time. Also, my brother has been on the court multiple times so I guess I’m just trying to carry the legacy that my brother started.” Finally, Nathalie Arango admitted, “I am only doing this because it looks good on my college resume.”

As for the boys, Monroe Sanderson said, “I’m just here so I don’t get written up. I don’t need to be elected Homecoming King because me and my boys are already kings in my eyes.” Jalen Carr claims, “I don’t really care about getting the crown because me and my boys only care about getting that ‘dub’ on Friday night.” Lastly, Xavier Weaver also feels, “We really don’t care about getting the crown on Friday. Only thing we focusing on is that ‘dub’ and that’s the bottom line.”

As you can see, our seniors all have mixed feelings regarding their place on the Homecoming Court, but they obviously all care about OCP in their own way. If you want to see who is crowned King and Queen, be sure to come out to the Homecoming Football Game this Friday. Let’s pack those stands!!

Sports Recap - September 20, 2018

by Nick Bell

This past week was an exciting week for OCP sports. On Thursday, September 13, the Middle School Volleyball team won in two sets and the Varsity Volleyball team won in three sets against Real Life Christian Academy. Let’s continue to encourage our girls!

On Friday night, the varsity football team won in a hard fought game against IMG Academy, with a score of 34-28. It was physical game, and our Warriors had over 100 yards rushing. Middle School Volleyball won and Varsity lost against Foundation Academy on Monday, September 17. On Tuesday, both the Middle School and Varsity Volleyball teams lost against Legacy Charter. 

Overall, this week was a good week for OCP sports and will be a great building block for future success. Let's continue to show support for all our Warrior athletes as they represent OCP in their respective sports.