2026 TLab Scholars Announced
This year’s Central Florida ESU TLAB Scholars are a wonderful group of teachers from Orange County.
Pictured left to right: Jan McClure (Branch President), Olivia Ciliberti, Lisa Barrows, Brenna Warner, Andrew Browne, and Kristina Thompson (VP Scholarships).
Lisa Barrows, Brenna Warner, and Andrew Browne will be traveling to the Globe in London, England. Lisa and Brenna both teach middle school theatre courses and run busy programs at Hamlin Middle School and Lake Nona Middle School, respectively. Andrew teaches high school English at East River High School.
Additionally, two high school English teachers, Randi Campbell and Olivia Ciliberti, will be attending Oxford University to study English Literature!
Read more about our Scholar and the TLab Program
2026 Central Florida ESU Shakespeare Competition
Our ESU Branch Shakespeare Competition was a night full of talent! We had twenty participating schools from Orange, Seminole, and Osceola Counties. Each of their winners proudly represented their institutions on the Margeson stage of The Orlando Shakes, as they entertained an audience full of supporters.
From left to right, De’Mari Marsh from Lake Nona High School took First Place with his portrayal of Bottom from A Midsummer Night’s Dream under the direction of his sponsors, Ms. Jennifer Gautier and Ms. Gail Chase. Second Place went to Ella Kelly from Boone High School. Ella was coached by her teacher, Ms. Marie Gentile. In Third Place was Avni Patil who was trained by her teacher, Ms. BambiEllen Fadoul at Windermere Preparatory School.
Please Read More About Our Amazing Judges and Other Awards!
2026 Winter Dinner
The 2026 Winter Dinner at the Racquet Club was a delight for all in attendance. Members and guests were treated to a special highlight of the evening when Heather Thorn and her Vivacity band lit up the stage. Mallets were flying with the extreme precision and grace as the audience stared in awe It was a special evening, indeed!
2026 Jessie Drey Memorial Scholarship Recipients
We had special guests of honor at our recent Fall ESU Dinner. The UCF College of Teacher Education recipients of the Jessie Drey Memorial Scholarships represented our efforts to carryon on Jessie’s vision. We had four honorees, from 2025 and 2026 funds, pictured Left to Right: Angel Maldonado, Doctoral Candidate, seeking a PhD in Mathematics Education, Andrew Williams, Doctoral Candidate, seeking a PhD in Mathematics Education, Lauren Carter, Master’s Candidate, seeking a MA in Elementary Education, Dr. Andrea Borowczak, Director of Teacher Education, UCF College of
Community Innovation and Education.
In Loving Memory
The ESU Board would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of “Jackie” Marie Abrams. Jackie served the ESU as treasurer for many years, and even more than that, her cheerful smile and gentle spirit were the first to offer support when any member fell ill. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Jackie’s memory send a donation in her name to the Advent Health Altamonte Springs Inpatient Hospice Unit. Her family confirms that “the staff there are AMAZING, and they treated our mom with dignity, with loving attention, and tended to her every comfort.”
Congratulations, once again, Adam Bouchachia!
Not only did our Central Florida ESU Branch Shakespeare Competition winner, Adam Bouchachia, go on to place in the Top Ten at National Finals in New York in April of 2025, he returned to New York to be honored once again in June!
“After being named Male Jimmy Nominee at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Art’s 11th Annual Applause Awards, Orlando student Adam Bouchachia earned national recognition in New York City. The Lake Nona High School rising junior placed as a top four finalist for the Best Performance by an Actor award on June 23, 2025—earning a $5,000 scholarship and a spot among the nation’s brightest young musical theater talent.” This award was for his mesmerizing performance as Quasimodo in Lake Nona’s production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Read More Here
Central Florida ESU 2025 Shakespeare Competition
On February 24, 2025, we held our Shakespeare Competition! I was a great success, and we’re happy to announce our branch winner, Adam Bouchachia from Lake Nona High School! We cannot wait for Adam to represent us at the National Shakespeare Competition in April!
Read More About the Competition Here
2025 TLab Scholar Announcement
We are so excited for this year’s six scholars to study abroad through TLab. Our membership met on February 23rd to congratulate these passionate educators. Congratulations to Alison Dimino, Marlene Alguila, Laurie McLeod, Angela Xan Khan, Amy Hughes, and Anne Hering (not pictured) on their upcoming adventures!
Central Florida ESU January Dinner
On January 21, 2025, world-renowned pianist Carol Stein transported us on a state-by-state musical journey across America. Toe-tapping, sing-alongs and silliness, was an evening of just pure joy!
Remembering Deborah Williams
On January 6, 2025, our branch lost one of its most devoted members, Deborah K. Williams. From the time that she retired from being a high school classroom teacher and assistant principal for Orange County Public Schools, she joined in on our Central Florida projects. With her education background, Deborah became a valued member of the Drey Education and Scholarship Committees, and she was a member of our Executive Board, serving as both our Secretary and a Director. Her focus remained centered on promoting the futures of Central Florida students and teachers. Members wishing to make a donation in her name can do so, designating our ESU Central Florida Branch as the recipient.
Central Florida ESU Fall Dinner
The night of October 15, 2025, was full of music and merriment as our branch members came together for the ESU Fall Dinner at the Winter Park Racket Club. We were all “abuzz” with excitement as we sang along with the Buzzcatz!
TLab Scholar Reunion & Reports
A reception was held on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at The University Club of Winter Park honoring our 2024 TLab Scholars. Each scholar recipient gave a report of their rewarding experiences at Oxford over the summer.
The Central Florida ESU 2024 Program Season Begins
Timothy Riley, Director and Chief Curator of the National Churchill Museum (NCM) at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, kicked appeared as our September Program guest speaker. His lecture on Winston Churchill outlined how this iconic figure played an essential role in the Allied
victory during the war and throughout his long and storied career. Riley’s eloquent focus on the power of prose to win the war and preserve peace held our members captive!
ESU Approves Grant to the Opera Orlando
In July, an exciting Memorandum of Understanding was created, and with the approval of our Education Committee, the grant proposal for $10,000 and MOU with Opera Orlando and our ESU Branch was sealed. It is an exciting opportunity to partner with a vibrant organization in our community; one which will benefit both of our organizations.
Branch Board Members Visit Orlando Shakes, The Young Company
On June 30, 2024, Jan McClure, Donna Miller, and Barbara Hughes attended The Young Company’s performance of Henry IV, Part 1 at Orlando Shakes. It was an afternoon of hilarity, action, and incredible talent! Weeks later, we received a collection of messages from the cast and crew. Each one expresses gratitude to the Central Florida ESU for the funds we contribute to support this dynamic experience.
The Passing of an ESU Patron
Ken Hubble, a man of many talents, skills, interests, and down-to-earth wisdom, died of heart failure on May 25, 2024, at The Mayflower Health Center. Ken’s loss brings sadness to all who knew him, especially those mentored by him. His contributions have helped our Central Florida ESU Branch in its journey to become the worthy organization it is today. For that, Ken Hubble will – and should be – remembered.
OCPS Media Festival
Past President Donna Miller and new President Jan McClure represented our Branch at the Orange County Association of Media Educators Student Media Festival on April 25. Our Drey Endowment grant of $2000 purchased student trophies and printed programs.
ESU National Shakespeare Competiton
The Central Florida ESU was honored for Julia Kaufman
to represent our branch in the 2024 ESU National Shakespeare Competition. We also applaud Julia’s family, as well as Windermere Prep sponsor, BambiEllen Fadoul, for paving the way to Julia’s success through their support and coaching.
