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Freedom HS Newsletter 2026 #25

Posted Date: 05/17/26 (09:19 PM)


Freedom High School graduation graphic with a cap, gown, diploma, and confetti.

The Patriot Report

Freedom High School Newsletter #25

May 17, 2026
Dear Freedom High School Community,

It is with great pride that I take a moment to recognize our incredible Class of 2026. This group of students has demonstrated resilience, determination, and Patriot pride throughout their high school journey. From academic achievements and athletic successes to involvement in the arts, clubs, and service to our community, they have truly made their mark on Freedom High School. We are so proud of all they have accomplished so far and look forward to celebrating them as they reach this important milestone.
We are excited to honor our seniors at the Graduation Ceremony at the Addition Financial Arena at UCF, where they will take their final steps as Freedom Patriots and begin the next chapter of their journey. It will be a moment of celebration, reflection, and well-earned recognition for all they have achieved.
To our underclassmen, this is your reminder that we have just 7 more days left in the school year. Now is the time to stay focused, complete all assignments, and finish strong. Every day counts, and your effort now sets the tone for your future success.
Thank you to our staff, families, and community for your continued support of our students. Together, we celebrate our accomplishments and look ahead with excitement.
We are Freedom! 💙❤️

With Patriot Pride,

Charles M. France
Principal, Freedom High School
 
Text reads 'WEDS. MAY 27 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL' on a gradient background.

Academic Excellence at Freedom

Highlighting classroom success and collaboration

Class of 2026: A Bittersweet Goodbye

This week, we celebrated the final day of school for our incredible Class of 2026. From the unforgettable senior walk-out to the heartfelt hugs and goodbyes shared in the halls, it was a beautiful reminder of the impact this class has made on our Freedom family. While we will truly miss seeing their energy and spirit on campus each day, we are so proud of all they have accomplished. We have also started our feeder schools' Senior Walks, in which our seniors get to walk the halls of their elementary and middle schools, one more time, before they graduate.
Patriots, this is not goodbye—just the beginning. We look forward to celebrating each of you one more time at graduation on May 29th at the Addition Arena at UCF. Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎓
A collage of photos showcasing students at Freedom High School, Class of 2026.
 

Senior Awards Celebration

This past Friday, we proudly celebrated our outstanding Class of 2026 during our Senior Awards Ceremony—an evening filled with well-deserved recognition and Patriot pride. Seniors were honored by their teachers for their academic achievements, dedication, and perseverance, and we celebrated our Top Patriot Female and Male Award recipients.
In addition, we recognized:
  • 8 scholarship recipients
  • 10 Students who achieved 400+ community service hours
  • 27 seniors earning their AA degree through Valencia College
  • 3 seniors earning Orange Technical College certifications
  • 32 AP Scholars with Honor
  • 57 AP Scholars with Distinction
  • 52 Super Scholars
  • Patriot of the Year Award recipients
  • Our Salutatorian and Valedictorian
We are incredibly proud of our seniors and all they have accomplished. Their hard work and determination truly represent the best of Freedom High School—once a Patriot, always a Patriot! 🎓
Freedom High School Senior Awards ceremony with students receiving accolades.
 

Media Center Highlights: Celebrating Literacy & Creativity

Our Media Center has been buzzing with excitement and achievement! The winning designs from our bookmark contest have been transformed into professional bookmarks and are now available for free. Stop by the library to grab yours and congratulate our talented winners!
We are also proud to share that our Patriots logged over 1.5 million minutes of reading during the Let’s Read, OCPS! Challenge—an incredible accomplishment that showcases our commitment to literacy. Congratulations to all of our monthly contest winners, and be on the lookout for our summer reading challenge, where even more prizes await!
Reminder: Our Media Center fundraiser has just 2 weeks left—don’t miss your chance to support and make a difference!
Three students proudly display handmade bookmarks in a library media center, with text indicating 'Free Bookmarks' and 'Student Created Bookmarks'.
A group of students and adults proudly hold certificates of achievement, celebrating top readers.
Poster for Freedom High School's Reading Fundraiser, featuring illustrations of books and text about a Read-A-Thon.
 

A Sweet Thank You to Our Culinary Team

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our amazing culinary team for always going above and beyond to support our staff and school events. From beautifully prepared banquets to stepping in when our staff needs a boost the most, your dedication never goes unnoticed. A special thank you for delivering delicious breakfast sandwiches and cookies on test day—a thoughtful gesture that truly lifted spirits and kept our team going strong. A shout out to our culinary teachers, Ms. Rose and Mr. Reid and our testing coordinator for making this day happen. We are grateful for your hard work, care, and the joy you bring to our Freedom family! 💙🍪
A diverse group of students stands together in a kitchen or cafeteria setting, with a serving cart holding food in front of them.
People gather around a table with food, with balloons and decorations in the background.
People gather around a food buffet at a graduation celebration, with balloons and artwork in the background.

Preparing with Patriot Pride

Your Guide to Upcoming Testing

Underclassmen CFE Testing This Week

Underclassmen Common Final Exams (CFEs) are taking place all week at Freedom High School. Students should follow the modified testing schedule and arrive to each session on time and prepared.
✅ Check your email regularly for important updates and testing details
✅ Verify your testing location and times
✅ Report for any scheduled make-up exams if needed
✅ Bring your fully charged OCPS device
Let’s finish strong, Patriots! Stay informed, stay prepared, and give your best effort on each exam!
A schedule for Underclassmen CFE's from Monday, May 18th to Thursday, May 21st, showing class periods and times.
A flyer announces 'Summer Spirit Week' from May 18th to May 22nd with daily dress-up themes.

Freedom Fine Arts Showcase

Honoring the dedication and excellence of our Patriot artists

🌟 Bravo, Freedom High Theatre! 🌟

Freedom High School’s production of Disney’s Descendants was recently adjudicated for the prestigious Applause Awards, earning an incredible 43 nominations and multiple top honors. This outstanding achievement reflects the dedication of our talented students and the strong collaboration of the three teachers who led this production: Matthew Nash-Brown, Sara Probst, and Thomas Desmond.
🏆 Nominations Included:
  • Outstanding Direction: Matthew Nash-Brown
  • Outstanding Music Direction: Thomas Desmond
  • Outstanding Set Design: Sara Probst, Leah Pileggi, Erik Peugh
  • Outstanding Lighting Design: Adeline Morrissiey, Amber Diaz-Forero
  • Outstanding Costume Design
  • Outstanding Hair & Makeup Design
  • Outstanding Stage Management: Maria Ramer, Alexander Rowe, Emma Freel, Fatima Rafiq
  • Outstanding Ensemble
  • Outstanding Choreography
Outstanding Lead Performer:
Brianna Buchholz, Giovanna Da Silva, Markus Probst, Jordan Rivera, Kylie Scardino
Outstanding Supporting Performer:
Mia Delgrosso, Luan Dos Santos, Tristan Quintero, Cassie Wiggins
Outstanding Dancer:
Giovanna Da Silva, Luan Dos Santos, Emma Puyo, Jordan Rivera, Kylie Scardino
Outstanding Singer:
Olivia Costa, Giovanna Da Silva, Abigail Overberger, Markus Probst, Jordan Rivera, Kylie Scardino
Outstanding Actor:
Isabella Alfonso, Kira Broome, Brianna Buchholz, Bibi Cozzo, Giovanna Da Silva, Anna Carolina De Abreu, Salette Espinosa, Markus Probst, Tristan Quintero, Jordan Rivera, Kylie Scardino, Cooper Terrell, Lyanmaris Torres
🥇 Award Winners:
  • Outstanding Direction: Matthew Nash-Brown
  • Outstanding Set Design: Sara Probst, Leah Pileggi, Erik Peugh
  • Outstanding Costume Design
  • Outstanding Hair & Makeup Design
  • Outstanding Choreography
  • Outstanding Lighting Design: Adeline Morrissiey, Amber Diaz-Forero
  • Outstanding Lead Performer: Jordan Rivera
  • Outstanding Supporting Performer: Tristan Quintero
We are incredibly proud of our cast, crew, and pit orchestra for their hard work, passion, and commitment to excellence. This recognition highlights the strength of our theatre program and the artistry of everyone involved.
A large cast of performers in colorful costumes pose on a stage set resembling a castle.
 
Poster for Freedom High Technical Theatre interviews on May 21st at 2:30 PM in room 824.

Technical Theatre Auditions Opportunity – May 21

Calling all interested Patriots! Students looking to join Technical Theatre for next school year are invited to attend interviews on May 21st. This is a great opportunity to showcase your interest and become part of the team behind the scenes, supporting our outstanding performing arts productions.
🎭 Don’t miss your chance—mark your calendar, come prepared, and take the first step toward being part of something amazing!
 

Band Banquet Celebration at SeaWorld

Our Freedom Band celebrated an unforgettable evening at their Band Banquet held at SeaWorld this past Saturday, where students were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments throughout the school year. This special event highlighted the dedication, talent, and hard work of our musicians and color guard, as well as the many milestones achieved this season.
A special shoutout to Dr. Antmann and Ms. Davis for their incredible hard work, leadership, and commitment throughout the year. Their passion and dedication continue to inspire our students and elevate the success of our band program.
We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful to our directors, staff, and families who continue to support and uplift this exceptional program. 🎶💙❤️
A group of young people stand on a stage, holding awards and gift baskets.
A group of young people stand on a stage, holding awards and smiling.
A group of young people in formal attire stand on a stage, holding awards.
A group of people stand on a stage, some holding awards, in front of a blue curtain.

Marching Band Theme Revealed!

Excitement filled the air at this year’s Band Banquet as our marching band proudly revealed its theme for the 2026–2027 school year! This highly anticipated announcement marks the beginning of another incredible season of music, creativity, and performance.
We look forward to seeing our talented student musicians and color guard members begin bringing this vision to life during band camp this summer. With their dedication and the continued guidance of our outstanding directors, we know another unforgettable season is ahead. Get ready, Patriots—an amazing show is in the making! 🎶💙❤️
The word 'immortal' is displayed in large, ornate font against a dark background with golden light effects.
 

Freedom Summer Music Camp Registration Now Open!

We are excited to announce that registration is officially open for the 4th Annual Freedom Summer Music Camp at Freedom High School! Following the success of last year’s program, we look forward to another two weeks of high-quality musical exploration and growth for students entering grades 1–8.
Our camp offers engaging, age-appropriate experiences for every level:
  • Elementary Music (Grades 1–3): Fun and interactive learning through singing, movement, and percussion activities.
  • Beginning Band & Orchestra (Grades 4–6): Perfect for students with no prior experience—students receive instruments and instruction and will be playing on the very first day!
  • Advanced Band & Orchestra (Grades 7–8): Designed for experienced students, featuring small-group, individualized instruction led by outstanding teachers and professional musicians.
Camp Details:
  • Dates: June 1–4 & June 8–11
  • Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Location: Freedom High School
  • Camp Concert: June 11 at 6:30 PM
The cost of camp includes all instruction and instrument use for beginners. For more information and to secure your student’s spot, visit Camp.Freedomband.net.
For questions, please contact Dr. Michael Antmann, Camp Director, at michael.antmann@ocps.net.
We look forward to an exciting summer of music-making! 🎶

Patriot Athletics Spotlight

Fueling the Fire, Flying the Flag, Competing with Heart!

Celebrating Our Student-Athletes on Signing Day

Freedom High School proudly celebrated an incredible Athlete Signing Day with an outstanding turnout from our community! This special event honored the hard work, dedication, and achievements of our student-athletes as they take the next step in their academic and athletic journeys.
Congratulations to our signees:
Jeson Jonathas, Aiden Santiago, RJ Coleman, Xavier Santiago, Carson Pressler, Masha Renggli, Genesis Escorcia, Gabriela Kerber, and Paola Ramirez.
We are so proud of each of you and grateful to our families, coaches, and staff who came out to support this memorable milestone. Your commitment and perseverance truly represent the spirit of Freedom—the future is bright for our Patriots! 🎉🏆💙❤️
Athletes sign letters of intent on Patriot Signing Day, with a speaker addressing the crowd.
 

Interested in Freedom Wrestling?

Students interested in joining the Freedom High School boys or girls wrestling team are encouraged to contact Coach Bush at david.bush@ocps.net. Summer workouts will begin on Tuesday, June 2 at 9:00 a.m. Please email Coach Bush for the full summer workout schedule and additional information. 🏆🤼‍♂️
Sports Physical Forms LINK
Athletics Highlights/Dates Link

Class of 2026 Countdown

Senior Key Events & Deadlines

College Acceptances LINK
Senior Close out Device Info

Senior Class of 2026 Dates and Events

May 20 | Senior Closeout Make Up
       9:00am - 11:00am in the Media Center.
 
May 29 | CLASS OF 2026 COMMENCEMENT
       7:30 pm at Addition Financial (UCF) Arena

Questions: Contact our SENIOR Sponsor at Charles.Youtz@ocps.net
Cap and Gown order link
 

Few Yearbooks left!

Online yearbook sales have closed, but we still have a limited number of yearbooks available for purchase!
Yearbooks can be purchased through School Cash using the link below:
https://ocps.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/62006/574/False/True
The cost is $85, with taxes and fees bringing the total to $88.50. Don’t miss your chance to secure a copy of this year’s memories—get yours while supplies last! 📘✨
 
Invitation for a Senior Walk Out honoring the Class of '26 Navigators on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 9:15 AM.
Invitation for Hunter's Creek Elementary Senior Walk, Class of 2026, on May 22, 2026.
Waterbridge Elementary School announces its Class of 2026 Senior Walk event.

Class of 2027! Preparing Our Juniors for Senior Year Success

Class of 2027, it is time to start thinking about your senior portrait. This is the first step to ensure your senior information is correct and that you receive important updates from CADY, our official school photographer. Complete Senior Registration today.
A collage of senior photos featuring three diverse students and a large "Senior Photos" title.
Become a Cady Ambassador. Deadline to Apply is May 1st. Visit cady.com/ambassador.

Excellence in Education

Freedom Staff Highlights

Freedom Staff Highlights

We proudly recognize our incredible cafeteria staff for the dedication and care they show our students each and every day. From early mornings to busy lunch periods, they work tirelessly to ensure our Patriots are well-fed and ready to learn. Their friendly smiles, efficiency, and commitment to service make a positive difference across our campus. Thank you for all you do to support our students and school community—we truly appreciate you! 💙❤️
A group of employees in uniform stand together, holding gift bags, with a man in a white shirt kneeling in front.

Upcoming Events

May 17th to May 30th, 2026

A mascot in a red and blue outfit stands next to a calendar titled 'TWO WEEKS AT A GLANCE'.
A calendar grid shows events from May 24-30, 2026, including Memorial Day, device collection, and graduation.

Freedom Family Resources

Helping our Freedom community stay informed, engaged, and prepared for excellence.

Patriot Voices Wanted: Join SAC!

Join Our 2026–2027 SAC Team!

As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, we invite our Patriot families to take an active role in shaping the future of Freedom High School. Elections for next year’s School Advisory Council (SAC) are coming soon, and we would love to see more parents involved.
SAC is essential in supporting our academic programs, planning meaningful events, and ensuring that family voices help guide school decisions. Whether you are new to Freedom or a longtime member of our community, your perspective and participation truly matter.
There is only one more SAC meeting left this school year, making this the perfect time to join in, learn more, and see how you can contribute.
Come be part of the conversation.
Come be part of the Patriot community.
Together, we can make Freedom High School even stronger for every student.
An announcement for the Freedom High School School Advisory Council (SAC) voting session on May 18th, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the FHS Media Center.
The School Advisory Council (SAC) is a team of parents, teachers, students, and community members who work together to support school improvement and ensure that family voices help guide key decisions at Freedom High School. We will be holding elections for the new 2026–2027 SAC board at our May 18th meeting, and we encourage parents to get involved and make a meaningful impact on our school community.
Poster for Freedom High School SAC Meeting Dates, featuring stars and stripes design.
 

PEACE Food Distribution for May & June

Last week, PEACE Food Distribution assisted over 40 families by providing much-needed food support to our school community. As we approach the end of the school year, additional distribution dates are available, and families are encouraged to sign up for May and June.
Upcoming Distribution Sign-Ups:
  • May 28: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448AFAB2AA3FEC16-63410926-may28th#
  • June 11: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448AFAB2AA3FEC16-63411064-june#/
  • June 25: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448AFAB2AA3FEC16-63411276-june#/
Thank you to PEACE and all who help support our families. Your continued partnership makes a meaningful difference in our community.
Logo for Christian HELP Employment & Resource Center, established 1992, featuring an open green door with radiating light.

Patriot Connections: Stay in the Know

🔔 Ways to Stay Updated with Freedom High

Thank you for staying connected with us through our weekly newsletter. At Freedom High School, we are committed to creating a vibrant, supportive environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed—academically, socially, and personally. From classroom achievements to extracurricular milestones, there’s always something exciting happening on campus. We encourage our families and community members to stay engaged, celebrate our students’ growth, and continue partnering with us to ensure every Patriot thrives.
To stay updated with all our events, please connect with us through Skyward, Parent Square, Canvas, and our School Website. These platforms provide timely information and keep you informed about everything happening at Freedom High School. Let’s keep the momentum going!
OCPS Parent Portal login screen with email entry field and 'Next' button.
Image promoting the ParentSquare app, showing a phone with an event notification.
Instructions on how to become a Canvas observer, with steps for students and parents.
A smiling family looks at a phone, with the Orange County Public Schools logo and text about ParentSquare.
Visit Our School Website
Freedom H.S. Patriots school emblem featuring an eagle and a shield.

Freedom High School

2500 W Taft Vineland Rd. Orlando, Fl. 32837 (407) 816-5600