Skip to main content

Totem Talk: November 1, 2026

Posted Date: 11/01/26 (02:28 PM)

A group of diverse adults smile and pose together in a bright school lobby with a large red totem pole sculpture.
A vibrant orange graphic displays the text 'TOTEM TALK' in large white letters with blue outlines, with 'A PUBLICATION OF BOONE HIGH SCHOOL' below.

Community Brief

November 1, 2026

A Message From Dr. Maestre

I hope this finds you with November off to an excellent start! I know thoughts of Thanksgiving break (Nov. 23-27) will naturally be on everyone's mind beginning this week, but I challenge our Braves to remain focused.

We are already into week four of the second quarter, and even though it feels like it is moving fast, we are just hitting the midway point of the second leg in a long journey to the finish line. In this long journey, we must build our endurance to complete what we have started strong. Sometimes when we think of endurance, we think of a marathon and what it takes to compete in one. The mental and physical exertion a marathon takes on your body can be overwhelming, but the reward is great. Much like a marathon, school can be the same way for our students and staff. It is important for each of us to be here every day, so we can build the endurance necessary to perform at the highest levels when it matters most and make Boone even more special than it is. I am looking forward to a great start to November!

As always, thank you for reading and best wishes for a successful week ahead!

 
Forever Brave,
 
Hector Maestre, Ed.D.
Principal
 
An orange flyer with white text announcing an SAC Meeting on Tuesday, November 10th at 5:30 pm in the Media Center.

School Advisory Committee November Meeting

Join us on Tuesday, November 10, for our regularly scheduled SAC meeting. The meeting will take place in the Media Center and will begin at 5:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend!
 
An announcement flyer for Magnet House Open House on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM.

Magnet Open House for the 2027-2028 School Year

If you are interested in learning more about the Magnet Program opportunities here at Boone, please consider attending our Magnet Open House on Thursday, November 12, beginning at 6:00 pm. We will be showcasing our Criminal Justice, Finance, and Law programs.

There will be a brief presentation in the Performing Arts Center, followed by breakout sessions in the classrooms.
 
A promotional flyer for Boone High School Ice Cream Helmets, priced at $3 and sold at Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream.

Boone High School Ice Cream Helmets

Show your school spirit with the sweetest deal in town! Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream has teamed up with Boone to offer custom Boone High School Ice Cream Helmets!

For just $3, you can grab a souvenir mini batting helmet, available in classic orange and white, featuring our iconic Braves logos and filled with your favorite ice cream treat. Best of all, every single purchase gives back: proceeds are donated directly to the Boone High School Foundation to support programs, students, and teachers across our campus. 

Head over after school, practice, or dinner to grab yours before they sell out. Treat yourself, represent the Braves, and support our school community one scoop at a time!
 

Where is Fergus Jr.?

To celebrate the arrival of Fergus, our staffulty is passing around Fergus Jr. to the person of their choice on campus. That person will proudly display Fergus Jr. in their classroom or office for a week before  presenting him to someone new. Stay tuned to Totem Talk to see where Fergus Jr. goes next.
A woman smiles while holding a fluffy stuffed highland cow wearing a blue t-shirt in an office.

Mr. Fieler presents Fergus Jr. to Paula Stelmashenko

This week, Fergus will spend time in Student Services with the incredible Paula Stelmashenko! She is a hard-working member of our Boone family, always willing to help everyone at school. She cares about our students and always advocates for their success. We are very lucky to have her at Boone!
 
A fluffy brown calf and a light blonde calf stand in a straw-filled enclosure, beneath a graphic reading "Welcome MacGuffin".

Welcome MacGuffin!

The Boone family just got a little bigger! Everyone say hello to our newest Brave, MacGuffin. His big brother, Fergus, is excited to show him the ropes and welcome him to Brave Nation. Welcome, MacGuffin! 
 

College and Career Information

A flyer announces college representatives visiting during lunch, listing Samford, Barry, and Capital Universities on upcoming dates in November.
A promotional flyer for Destination FAMU, featuring an image of the campus, event details for November 20 in Orlando, and a link for interested students.
A promotional flyer for the 4th Annual Level-Up Brother Summit on November 7, 2026, lists four speakers and their topics.
An informational graphic lists upcoming scholarship deadlines for the 26-27 school year, from October 31 to November 15.
Financial Aid: Two Applications for Seniors
Financial aid can help make college more affordable through grants, scholarships, work-study and loans. Completing the right applications helps students learn which options may be available to them.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for federal aid that students can use in any state. The Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) is a separate state application. Students must submit it to be considered for Florida Bright Futures, a scholarship program for eligible Florida high school graduates.

Seniors: Requesting Recommendation Letters
If a college requires a letter of recommendation, check the Common App or Xello to see what you need. Before asking a teacher or school counselor to write your letter, complete the appropriate brag sheet:
Give your recommender at least three weeks’ notice and clearly share each college’s submission deadline. This gives them time to write a thoughtful letter on your behalf.
 
A promotional flyer for SAT and ACT tutoring sessions on Wednesdays after school from 1:10 to 2:15 in Ms. Gurley's room.

SAT and ACT Tutoring

Are you getting ready to tackle the SAT or ACT this semester? We are excited to offer free, weekly after-school tutoring to help Braves score their best on these important college entrance exams!

Whether you want to bump up your math score, master the reading strategies, or simply figure out where to start, our targeted prep sessions are designed to help you build confidence and improve your scores.

No advance registration is required, just drop in with your school laptop or notebook! Have questions or need help registering for an upcoming test date? Drop by the College and Career Center during school hours or reach out to Ms. Gurley at nicole.gurley@ocps.net. 
 

PTSO & Brave Outfitters - Holly Jolly

A festive flyer for the Boone Outfitters Holly Jolly Holiday Celebration, detailing ways to donate gifts, money, or small items by December 1st.
Join our PTSO and Boone Outfitters to make the holidays a little brighter for students in our Boone family. There are several ways you can help!

🎁 Donate a Gift: Purchase a new gift valued at $25–$30. Gift ideas include Bluetooth speakers, cozy blankets, makeup kits, sports balls, wallets, tech gadgets, gift cards, and more!
💙 Make a Monetary Donation: Every dollar helps us bring holiday cheer to our Braves!
🛍️ Shop Our Amazon Gift List: Make giving easy! Purchase items from our wish list and have them shipped directly to Boone High School.
🎄 Donate Small Stocking Stuffers: Earbuds, chargers, lip gloss, candy, games, nail polish, and other teen-friendly goodies are welcome!
📍 Donation Deadline: Tuesday, December 1st!
Please drop off all in-person gift donations at the Boone High School front desk by December 1st. Cash and checks are also accepted at the front desk.
❤️ Every gift, big or small, helps make the holidays special for a Boone Brave!
Questions? Email Boone_hs@ocps.net.
 
A graphic design announcement for Brave Connections Parent-Teacher Conference on Wednesday, December 2nd at 1:20pm, with arrival instructions.

Brave Connections - Parent-Teacher Conference

Our second Parent/Teacher Conference date of the school year will occur on Wednesday, December 2. Brave Connections will begin at 1:20 pm in the cafeteria.

During this time, your student's teachers will be available to discuss academic progress, offer recommendations for support, and provide opportunities for families to ask questions about their student's coursework. Brave Connections will only occur once a quarter, and there is no RSVP. To attend, please arrive at Boone by 1:00 pm and check in at the front office.

We can't wait to see you there!
 

Athletics

Poster for Boone High School Athletic Association's 'All Sports Pass' with pricing for student, adult, family, and grandparent passes.
Seven female athletes stand together smiling while holding an orange flag that reads "BOONE BRAVES".

Girls' Golf

On Monday, the Lady Braves competed in the FHSAA District 5 Tournament and earned a top-three finish for the second consecutive year! Their outstanding performance has secured them a spot in the Region 2 Tournament this week at Royal St. Cloud Golf Links.

We are incredibly proud of these student-athletes for their hard work, dedication, and success. Join us in congratulating the Lady Braves and wishing them the best of luck as they continue their postseason journey!

A football player in a white and orange uniform with the number 13 runs with the ball on a field.
A high school American football game at night, with players in black and red uniforms attempting to tackle a player in white and orange.
A group of high school football players in white and orange uniforms huddled on a grass field during a nighttime game.
A high school football player in a black and red uniform is tackled by opponents on the field.

Varsity Football Recap

Our Braves delivered an inspired performance against rival Edgewater this past Friday at the 74th Battle of the Barrel. 

Boone set the tone immediately with disciplined execution on both sides of the ball. The offense capitalized on sustained drives, while the defense came up with crucial third-down stops to keep Edgewater on their heels, heading into halftime tied at 14–14. Even as Edgewater picked up momentum in the second half, our Braves never backed down. Boone's offense continued to battle into the fourth quarter, stringing together high-effort plays to put another score on the board and keep the pressure on until the final whistle. The game ended with Edgewater winning 35-21, and keeping the Barrel.

Join us this Tuesday, November 3, as we travel to Ocoee High School to complete the game postponed earlier this season due to weather. The game begins at 7:00 pm.

Winter Sports

Our fall athletics season is coming to an end and winter sports season is beginning! Take a moment to check out the schedules below and make a plan to come out and support your Braves!  Game tickets can be purchased at gofan.co. You should consider purchasing an "All Sports Pass" to give you access to all regular season home games the entire school year. 
The 2026/2027 boys basketball schedule for William R. Boone High School, detailing dates, opponents, and game times.
William R. Boone High School 2026/2027 girls basketball schedule with dates, opponents, locations, and game times.
William R. Boone High School 2026/2027 boys soccer schedule, listing dates, opponents, locations, and game times.
The 2026/2027 girls soccer schedule for William R. Boone High School features game dates, opponents, locations, and times.
The 2026 girls' weightlifting schedule for William R. Boone High School lists dates, opponents, and staff.
 
A promotional poster for Braves Rowing highlights their success at the First Coast Head Race and Halloween Regatta.

Braves Rowing

Looking for a Spring Sport? Join Boone Braves Rowing! 
No rowing experience? No problem! We'll teach you everything you need to know.
✅ Practice Schedule:
  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
  • 3:15 PM - 5:30 PM
  • Bill Frederick Park
✅ Saturday Practices:
  • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
✅ Race Days Throughout the Season
Not interested in rowing but still want to be part of the team? Become a coxswain! Coxswains lead the boat, direct the crew, and play a vital role in race strategy and team success.
Come be part of an exciting sport, make new friends, and represent Boone with pride!
A recruitment flyer for Braves Rowing features photos of a rowing team, practice schedules, and contact details.
 
A promotional flyer for The Boone Foundation Casino Night at Ventura Country Club on December 3, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM.

The Boone Foundation

You don't want to miss an exciting event to support Boone! The Boone Foundation is hosting Casino Night on Thursday, December 3, at the Ventura Country Club. Grab your friends and come out to this great event benefiting our school!
 
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