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Totem Talk: December 24, 2025

Posted Date: 12/24/25 (04:05 PM)


A diverse group of people in festive Hawaiian shirts and Santa hats pose with a cool snowman on a beach, wishing "Happy Holidays 2025".
The words 'TOTEM TALK' are displayed in large white letters on an orange background.

Community Brief

December 24, 2025
Boone High School Principal, Dr. Maestre, in a gray suit smiles at the camera, wearing an orange patterned tie.

Message From Dr. Maestre

As we approach the end of the 2025 calendar year, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible energy and growth we’ve witnessed within our halls this semester. From the classroom to the athletic fields, our students have shown remarkable resilience and spirit.

The winter break is a well-deserved opportunity for students and staffulty to unplug and recharge. Whether you are traveling or enjoying a quiet staycation, I hope this time is filled with warmth and connection. I encourage everyone to take a true "brain break" so we can return in January with renewed focus and enthusiasm.

Thank you for your continued partnership in making Boone High School a vibrant place to learn. Wishing you all a safe, restful, and very happy holiday season!

As always, thank you for reading!


Forever Brave,

Dr. Maestre
Principal
 

Graduation Information Released!

We are excited to announce that the Boone High School Class of 2026 graduation information is now available! The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 7:30 pm. It will take place at the Addition Financial Arena at UCF.

More information regarding senior check out and graduation tickets will be shared in the 2nd semester.
Boone High School Class of 2026 graduation ceremony announcement.
 

Honors Breakfast

Before the break we celebrated nearly 1,000 students who have earned a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher at our annual Honors Breakfast! There was even a special visit from Santa!

These scholars continue to amaze us with their hard work and commitment to academic excellence. A huge thank you goes to our amazing PTSO for organizing and supporting this event, and to our dedicated teachers who inspire greatness every day.

Shoutout to our Braves who are committing to academic success and upholding our long standing tradition of excellence and leadership. We’re so proud of each of you and can’t wait to see how you continue to shine throughout the year!
A group of smiling young women sit at a table in a school cafeteria, with a mural of '2025' on the wall behind them.
A group of teenagers sit around a round table covered with a white tablecloth, smiling at the camera.
A group of young people sit around a table covered with a light blue tablecloth, enjoying donuts and drinks.
A group of teenagers sit around a table covered with a blue tablecloth, smiling at the camera.
A group of smiling young people sit at a long table covered with a light pink tablecloth, enjoying snacks and drinks.
A group of friends pose for a photo with Santa Claus indoors.
 

Tutoring

Attention all SAT and ACT testers!
Every Wednesday you can attend tutoring in the College and Career room for these important tests after school. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Gurley at nicole.gurley@ocps.net.
An advertisement for SAT/ACT tutoring services, featuring a cloud-shaped design and book illustrations.
 

OTC Dual Enrollment Applications for 2026-27 Now Avaiable

Current sophomores and juniors are invited to apply for Orange Technical College (OTC) dual enrollment for the 2026-27 school year. If you are interested in applying you can sign up to attend an informational session at www.tinyurl.com/boonehsde. If you have any questions you can reach out to our CTE Career Specialist, Ms. Borden, at seante.borden@ocps.net.
Flyer for Orange Technical College dual enrollment program, with details and contact information.
 

Classroom Spotlight - Ms. McCormick

In Ms. McCormick’s classroom, learning looked more like an interactive lab than a traditional lesson. To teach students how web pages are structured, she transformed the room into a life-size webpage. Each student entered with a card containing a snippet of code and positioned themselves around the room based on what that code represented—an engaging, hands-on way to bring digital concepts off the screen and into real space.

The lesson also showcased the power of leveraging different learning styles. Students were grouped into tasks that matched how they learn best: some jumped into programming challenges while others explored the room on a scavenger hunt designed to build foundational understanding. When they came together again, peers supported one another in applying what they learned. The result was a dynamic, inclusive, and innovative lesson that demonstrated what thoughtful, multi-layered teaching can look like in a single class period.

CodeHS

The future belongs to those who code! 🚀 During Computer Science Education Week, Lisa Kilper, from CodeHS, visited Boone High School and connected with our amazing CS students. Our students got the full download on why CS isn't just a subject—it's an essential skill for being career-ready in today's job market. Keep coding, Braves! 💻

 

Classroom Spotlight - Dr. Creed

Students in Dr. Creed's AP Environmental Science participated in an engaging hands‑on “mining lab” designed to model the real‑world impacts of mineral extraction. Using cookies to represent land areas and M&M’s and chocolate chips as mineral resources, students practiced carefully “mining” their materials while tracking the amount of land disturbance on a paper grid. This activity allowed students to analyze the environmental costs of mining, consider strategies for land conservation, and reflect on the balance between resource use and ecosystem protection. Assistant Principal Abalo and the students enjoyed the interactive experience as they deepened their understanding of human impacts on the environment.
 

Interested in Softball?

Conditioning for the 2026 softball team begins on January 6. Tryouts begin on January 20.
Softball tryouts announcement with conditioning starting January 6th and tryouts on January 20th.
 

Student Journalism - by Jalen Cruz

The orchestra concert on December 12, carried an electrifying energy from start to finish. Musicians filled the night with festive Christmas music, blending classic favorites with small ensemble performances that rotated between larger pieces. The orchestra also joined forces with the band, creating a fuller, more dynamic sound throughout the evening. “I loved playing my favorite piece, Kyiv 2022. This evening was amazing, and I loved having this experience to define my senior year,” senior Cello player Jalen Cruz said.
An orchestra performs on stage, with a conductor directing musicians playing violins and cellos.
A conductor in a festive jacket leads an orchestra of young musicians on stage.
 

Seniors - Order your Cap & Gown!

You can order online by scanning the QR code in this post. Any questions, email michelle.rojas@ocps.net
 
The Boone High School logo is also referred to as the Brave Head. An orange and white graphic of a profile with a feathered headdress.

Contact info

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Administration
  • Principal: Dr. Hector Maestre - 60998@ocps.net
  • Assistant Principal: Mr. Daniel Abalo - 34823@ocps.net
  • Assistant Principal: Ms. Denine Brown - 54177@ocps.net
  • Assistant Principal: Dr. Timothy Flynn - 100795@ocps.net
  • Assistant Principal: Ms. Kristen Gillespie - 105208@ocps.net

General Contact
  • (407) 893-7200
  • boone_hs@ocps.net
  • www.boonehs.ocps.net