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Orange County Public Schools announces graduation dates for class of 2021

Orange County Public Schools announces graduation dates for class of 2021

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County Public Schools officials have announced graduation dates for the class of 2021. Timber Creek High School, May 26 at 2 p.m.University High School, May 26 at 7:30 p.m.Evans High School, May 27 at 8:30 a.m.Jones High School, May 27 at 2 p.m.Ocoee High School, May 27 at 7:30 p.m.Orange Technical College, June 2 at 8:30 a.m.District officials said the schedule is based on the availability of the arena during NBA playoffs or Solar Bears hockey games. In the event the Amway Center is unable to host any of the ceremonies on the above dates, alternative locations will be determined, the county said. Superintendent Barbara Jenkins spoke about these preliminary plans during her Community Update video, which was released Friday. All guidelines and protocols are being made in conjunction with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County and the Amway Center.

Florida First Lady efforting curriculum for mental health, partnering professional athletes

Florida First Lady efforting curriculum for mental health, partnering professional athletes

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis unveiled a new program for students Friday that will use curriculum in the classroom, volunteering in the community and the influence of professional athletes to help young people improve their mental health. “One of the biggest barriers, hands down, that we both saw was the stigma,” Casey DeSantis said. “This curriculum will focus on key fundamentals of teaching kids how to be resilient,” Casey DeSantis said. “For example, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, the value of mentorship, empathy, respect, responsibility.”AdThe resiliency curriculum will also include volunteerism. Simon, a former Florida State University footballer and Philadelphia Eagles player, described the stigma and struggles professional athletes face even when they appear to be on top of the world.

Orange County schools to hold in-person graduation ceremonies at Amway Center

Orange County schools to hold in-person graduation ceremonies at Amway Center

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County Public Schools are planning to hold in-person graduation ceremonies at the Amway Center. The announcement comes after OCPS Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins spoke with health officials. The school will also have a backup plan in place in the event that the Amway Center isn’t able to accommodate the dates needed. Ad“All of the graduations will happen in person with face masks at the Amway -- that’s where OCPS has the capacity and permission to have it there,” Jenkins added. School officials have not announced graduation dates yet, although school officials say the dates have already been booked.

Orlando Magic building $70 million training facility next to Amway Center

Orlando Magic building $70 million training facility next to Amway Center

The Magic and AdventHealth announced a new $70 million training facility will be built in downtown Orlando. ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Magic and AdventHealth announced a new $70 million training facility will be built in downtown Orlando. Team officials said the 130,000-square-foot facility will be located in the area of South Division Avenue and West Central Boulevard, just north of the Amway Center. It is a stone’s throw from the Amway Center. The Magic currently train and practice in the Amway Center.

Here’s how the latest COVID-19 relief package could benefit nonprofit organizations

Here’s how the latest COVID-19 relief package could benefit nonprofit organizations

ORLANDO, Fla. – Monday night’s deal reached in Congress for a new stimulus package will be showing some strong support for small business owners and for nonprofit organizations. Funding from the new round of COVID-19 relief will go toward small businesses, including minority-owned businesses, nonprofits, and food assistance programs to help them recover from the pandemic. “In that package, there is some funding for food assistance programs, much like SNAP, which is formerly known as food stamps. Essentially, what happens in the bill is that they’ve allocated $13 billion for SNAP and other food assistance programs.”According to the organization, the current bill would provide them funding through the SNAP federal food assistance program. The much-anticipated federal relief funding also includes $15 billions to help independent movie theaters, cultural institutions and live venues like the Amway Center and Camping World Stadium, which weren’t included in the first round of COVID-19 relief funding.

Orlando Magic release plan to allow fans at games

Orlando Magic release plan to allow fans at games

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Magic announced Friday that they will host their season opener later this month at the Amway Center with a limited amount of fans present. The team said in a news release that capacity will be reduced for the Dec. 23 game against the Miami Heat and social distancing protocols will be in place. Seats will be made available on a game-by-game basis. “As we have said, the health and safety of everyone connected to our game will be top priority,” Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said in a news release. “Our goal is to make everyone feel comfortable that extensive safety precautions have been taken for the return to Amway Center.

Florida Chamber shows breakdown of early voters after 6 million people cast their ballots

Florida Chamber shows breakdown of early voters after 6 million people cast their ballots

51% of early votes in Florida have come from people 60 or older (Florida Chamber of Commerce)The data of early voters statewide provided by the Florida Chamber of Commerce makes it easy to see why Florida is in play this election, as more than 6 million have already voted. “We’ll probably have by Election Day more votes or about as many votes cast prior to Election Day to what we had in the entire 2016 election,” Coelho said. As of Oct. 27, early votes cast by women has reached 54% with votes cast by men trailing behind at 44%. The racial breakdown or early voters shows 15% of Hispanic voters barely outpacing black voters at 12% in the sunshine state. While votes cast by people 60+ make up 51% despite reports of record turnout among young voters in Florida.

1 week into early voting, Orange County sees fewer voters at Amway Center location

1 week into early voting, Orange County sees fewer voters at Amway Center location

ORLANDO, Fla. – Early voting at a new early voting location in Orange County has seen a bit of decline in recent days, but election officials say it could be voter choice or because it’s a new polling location and more people are voting by mail. The Amway Center saw an increase the first day of early voting, then the numbers dropped shortly after. Here’s how to track your ballot]News 6 asked Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles about the Amway early voting stats. He said early voting numbers are actually up countywide compared to early voting so far in 2016. Cowles also said the Amway Center is a new early voting location and that it’s common to see larger early voting numbers toward the end of early voting.

Presidential campaigns to crisscross Florida over weekend

Presidential campaigns to crisscross Florida over weekend

ORLANDO, Fla. – President Donald Trump kicked off a weekend full of campaigning across Florida as both sides try to lock in votes ahead of Election Day. I like The Villages,” Trump said at a campaign stop in Marion County on Friday. “We’re going to win the state of Florida. We’re going to win four more years in the White House.”“The clock is ticking. Clark points to this weekend’s campaign schedule as proof that Florida is a battleground for the presidency.

Events happening near Amway Center to inspire minority voters

Events happening near Amway Center to inspire minority voters

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County community leaders are joining pastors and civic-based organizations to host the Central Florida Vote Fest, aimed at getting more minorities and African Americans to vote. The weekend events will be held across from the Amway Center at the SED lawn. Organizers said the purpose of the Central Florida Vote Festival is to energize and engage minority and Black voters to get out and vote early. Russell, who is also the Orange County Clerk of Court, is one of the weekend organizers. The March to the Polls event is happening Oct. 24 near the Amway Center.

Dozens of pastors march to Amway Center to vote early

Dozens of pastors march to Amway Center to vote early

ORLANDO, Fla. – Pastors from all over Orlando hit the polls at the Amway Center on Friday during early voting. The group met outside Shiloh Baptist Church on Jackson St Friday morning then marched a couple of blocks to the arena where early voting is taking place. [TRENDING: Iran behind ‘Vote Trump or else’ emails | CDC redefines close contact | 2-headed snake found at Fla. home]The march is part of the Central Florida Vote Festival taking place this weekend. Dozens of pastors march to Amway Center to vote early“We recognize every vote matters, our pastors, our millennials have been marching the streets crying out black lives matter and it gave them attention, it gave them an opportunity to be heard. On Saturday, returning citizens with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition are expected to march outside the Amway Center on Saturday for early voting.

Orange County Mayor and Congresswoman Val Demings attend early voting

Orange County Mayor and Congresswoman Val Demings attend early voting

ORLANDO, Fla. – One the third day of early voting, Congresswoman Val Demings and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings joined other voters at the Amway Center on Wednesday. The two were able to cast their ballot and are encouraging residents in Orange County to do the same despite the pandemic. Mayor Jerry Demings described his voting experience inside the Amway Center and said things went smoothly and safely. First day of early voting kicked off on Monday with 20 voting locations opening in Orange County. The mayor explained so far the majority of Orange County voters have voted by mail.

Amway Center hosts National Voter Registration Day event

Amway Center hosts National Voter Registration Day event

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Amway Center played host to a National Voter Registration Day event on Tuesday. Of the 25, Cowles said 22 were Orange County residents and three were from Seminole County. | Gunman shoots 2 teens at skating rink | Michael Jordan forms NASCAR team with Bubba Wallace]Having the voter registration event at the Amway Center encouraged some to come out. He said Orlando Magic player Mo Bamba then started the initiative here and the team reached out to his office. And it’s something Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford said has been important for them as a team.

City of Orlando, Magic team up to turn Amway Center into early voting site

City of Orlando, Magic team up to turn Amway Center into early voting site

ORLANDO, Fla. – The city of Orlando, the Orlando Magic and the Orange County Supervisor of Elections have teamed up to transform the Amway Center into an early voting site. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles and Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins made the announcement Wednesday afternoon from the Amway Center. The site will be open to Orange County residents from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 19 through Nov. 1. Anyone who comes to the site will find coronavirus safety measures in place, a drive-thru ballot drop off location on Church Street and maybe even Orlando Magic players like Mo Bamba greeting voters at the entrance. The Orlando Magic and head coach Steve Clifford met with Orange County Sheriff John Mina to discuss policing in the community, according to the team.

Magic to open arena to voters, as NBA election push grows

Magic to open arena to voters, as NBA election push grows

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Orlando Magic announced Wednesday that their home arena will serve as an early voting site for the upcoming general election, continuing the rapidly growing movement from across the NBA to open buildings to voters in the coming weeks. “Voting to me is the most American thing you can do for a democracy to work,” said Magic center Mo Bamba, who will be working at the arena as a volunteer during early voting. “I think the idea originated with the NBA and the players,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said. Multiple other teams, including Miami, are pushing local and county officials to allow their facilities be early voting sites starting next week as well. Top NBA players such as LeBron James have been promoting the need to vote this fall for some time.

WWE to run shows at Amway Center for 2 months

WWE to run shows at Amway Center for 2 months

ORLANDO, Fla. WWE will run shows at the Amway Center for two months starting with SmackDown on Friday. We are grateful to have WWE choose the Amway Center to keep our window venue staff working during the pandemic, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said. Here is the WWE schedule at the Amway Center for the month of August:SmackDown on Aug. 21NXT TakeOver on Aug. 22SummerSlam on Aug. 23Monday Night Raw on Aug. 24NXT on Aug. 26Smackdown on Aug. 28Payback on Aug. 30Monday Night Raw on Aug. 31During these uncertain times our Amway Center has remained closed other than acting as the distribution center for AdventHealth, Dyer said. Dyer said safety measures are in place for the staff at the shows. They include wearing masks, daily temperature screening, hand sanitation, physical distancing, and COVID testing for WWE talent and staff, Dyer said.

Janet Jackson bringing tour to Orlando in June

Janet Jackson bringing tour to Orlando in June

ORLANDO – Janet Jackson has new music and she’s bringing it to Orlando this summer. Jackson’s “Black Diamond World Tour” will roll through Orlando on June 26 at the Amway Center. This tour will feature an all-new production along with the new music from her album “Black Diamond” set to release this year. There will also be a special performance of Rhythm Nation 1814, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Tickets go on sale Thursday, Feb. 13 at noon.

Magic guard Terrence Ross to change jersey number to honor Kobe Bryant

Magic guard Terrence Ross to change jersey number to honor Kobe Bryant

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando Magic guard Terrence Ross is switching his jersey number to honor Kobe Bryant. Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant and seven other people died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/YwP2MeYu20 — Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 28, 2020As a player on the Toronto Raptors, Ross was No. The Heat and Magic started Monday’s game by honoring the future NBA Hall of Famer. 8. pic.twitter.com/LuYTzPrMeJ — Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 28, 2020Roars of “Kobe” erupted through the American Airlines Arena at the beginning of the game.

‘It was nuts:’ ‘Jurassic World Live Tour’ actors speak about new show making grand entrance in Orlando

‘It was nuts:’ ‘Jurassic World Live Tour’ actors speak about new show making grand entrance in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla – If you’re familiar with “Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic World,” get ready for a whole new adventure. The new show, "Jurassic World Live,” is set to transport audiences to the pre-historic island Isla Nublar from the popular dinosaur franchise. Full Screen 1 / 8 'Jurassic World Live Tour' performs at Amway Center Friday night“Whats really exciting is it’s very authentic to the franchise. Our story is a brand new story that falls in between ‘Jurassic World’ and ‘Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom.' “If you’re a fan of ‘Jurassic Park’ and “'Jurassic World,’ you’re going to be very, very happy," Embrey said.

'Jurassic World Live Tour’ set to invade Amway Center

'Jurassic World Live Tour’ set to invade Amway Center

The new show, “Jurassic World Live,” is set to wow audiences and transport them to the jungles of Isla Nublar from the popular dinosaur franchise. [RELATED: Enter to win tickets to the Jurassic World Live Tour at the Amway Center | Win a VIP Experience at the Rolex 24 at DAYTONA]With scale, speed and ferocity, the animatronic and performer-operated dinosaurs deliver colossal, edge-of-your-seat, live entertainment unlike any other dinosaur experience, tour leaders said. Jurassic World Live Tour (Feld Entertainment)“We have maximized the power of everything we do at Feld Entertainment, pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation to ensure audiences have an authentic, awe-inspiring experience," said Juliette Feld Grossman, chief operating officer of Feld Entertainment. Jurassic World Live Tour (Feld Entertainment)Feld Entertainment has created similar productions such as Disney on Ice, Monster Jam and Marvel Universe Live. The performances, 65 million years in the making, are set to take place at the Amway Center Jan. 17- 20.

Solar Bears hosts thousands of Central Florida students for day of STEM activities

Solar Bears hosts thousands of Central Florida students for day of STEM activities

ORLANDO, Fla. – Nearly 13,000 Central Florida students attended the Orlando Solar Bears’ recent third annual School Game. The field trip to the Amway Center combines hands-on STEM activities with the fast-paced action of a live hockey game. Businesses including Mad Science set up interactive booths and displays around the Amway Center. "A lot of bright minds and just being able to five them the utensils to get their hands on and stimulate their creativity,” Valen Eberhard, with Mad Science, said. “It’s amazing the products they come up within the end.”To find out when you can catch the Solar Bears in action, click here.

Models needed for Orlando Solar Bears ad campaign

Models needed for Orlando Solar Bears ad campaign

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears are hosting an open call Monday to find fans and models to feature in the team's new advertising campaign, "I AM A SOLAR BEAR." The casting call is being held at the RDV Sportsplex Ice Den, located 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd. in Orlando from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.12 winners will be selected for the hockey team's ad campaign and will be featured in web, billboard, and Amway Center in-arena advertising. One grand prize winner will also appear in The Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Magazine, as well as on billboards and venue advertising including the Amway Center JumboTron and Solar Bears collateral materials. The Orlando Solar Bears will begin playing in the ECHL at the Amway Center in October 2012.