As we approach Memorial Day, a time dedicated to honoring the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, our Colonial High School community looks inward to remember one of our own. He didn't walk across the stage at graduation, but his name is permanently etched into the fabric of our history. He was, and forever will be, a Grenadier: Corporal Larry Eugene Smedley.

Born in Virginia, Larry’s family eventually settled in Central Florida. He walked these very hallways as a student at Colonial High School until March 1966. Just days after turning 17, driven by a profound sense of duty, Larry left school to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. Though his military journey took him far from Orlando, his roots remained here. Decades later, in 2008, the school board righted a piece of history by posthumously awarding Larry his honorary high school diploma.

By July 1967, Lance Corporal Smedley was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, serving as a rifleman and squad radio man with Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. Known for his leadership, he was promoted to Corporal on September 1, 1967.

On the night of December 20–21, 1967, Corporal Smedley led a six-man squad to an ambush site at the mouth of Happy Valley in the Quảng Nam Province. Darkness covered the valley until an estimated 100 heavily armed enemy regulars, carrying rocket launchers and mortars, were spotted moving toward Hill 41. Realizing this massive force was positioning itself to launch a devastating attack on the vital Danang complex, the 18-year-old squad leader did not hesitate.

After radioing for reinforcements, Larry courageously maneuvered his small team into a better position and led an attack against overwhelming numerical odds. Heavy machine-gun fire from the enemy's flank immediately pinned them down, inflicting severe casualties. A rifle grenade exploded nearby, shattering Larry’s right foot and knocking him to the ground.

Disregarding his severe pain and injury, Larry struggled to his feet, shouting words of encouragement to his men. He fearlessly led a charge directly into the enemy machine-gun nest, firing his rifle and throwing grenades until he was struck a second time. Weak from blood loss and gravely wounded, he rose again, launching a heroic, single-handed assault. His relentless attack successfully destroyed the enemy machine gun, but a final round struck him in the chest. He fell mortally wounded, having gallantly given his life to save his comrades and protect the base. For these actions of conspicuous gallantry, Corporal Smedley was awarded the nation's highest military decoration: the Medal of Honor.

Larry was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, but his legacy breathes heavily across Central Florida and right here on our campus:

"His inspiring and courageous actions, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of certain death were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps..." —

This Memorial Day, when you see his name on a highway sign or step through the hallway in Building 3, take a moment to pause. Remember the 17-year-old kid who sat in these classrooms, who chose a path of unimaginable courage, and who defined the true spirit of what it means to be a Grenadier.

Our Speech and Debate team will be going to Richmond, VA, next month for our National Tournament! Unfortunately, due to Spirit Airlines' shutdown, our flight costs have tripled in just a few days. We need to raise $2,000 in a very short amount of time. We are asking for donations. If you are willing and able, you can donate at tinyurl.com/CHSRoadtoNats. If you wouldn't mind sharing, we would greatly appreciate it! Thank you all for your continued support and for helping Cadarian and Mauvy get to Richmond next month!

We extend our deepest gratitude to our cadets and all volunteers for their dedication and service in replacing flags on the graves of our veterans. This commitment to tradition, now in its second year, not only preserves the memory of our heroes but also inspires our community to reflect on the profound contributions of our veterans. This meaningful tribute to their legacy was a tremendous success, and we are incredibly proud of the role our students played in this Memorial Day remembrance. A special thank you is extended to VFW Chapter 4305 for their cooperation, assistance, and for generously donating the flags. We also want to recognize Cadet in Charge Xavier DeLeon for his outstanding leadership. We thank Ms. Arnoux, Ms. Lilavois, and Ms. Hylton for sharing this important and moving experience with our cadets.

We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Yaneyla Pedraza from Colonial High School for being selected as the Winter Female Athlete of the Season!

Yaneyla was recently presented with a prestigious plaque from the OCPS Metro Athletic Conference to honor this significant achievement. The recognition celebrates not only her exceptional skill and dedication on the field but also her positive and inspiring presence within the school community.

If you’ve noticed the faculty acting a bit more bizarre than usual lately, don't worry—you haven't lost your mind! The secret is officially out: our faculty and staff have been participating in a top-secret Underground Spirit Week to celebrate the final stretch of the school year.

The classified fun kicked off on Monday (5/18) with Anything But a Cup Day, where teachers ditched their mugs for flower vases and syrup bottles, followed by Tattoos-day on Tuesday (5/19), featuring a mailroom full of temporary ink and strict orders to convince students the tattoos were 100% permanent. Wednesday (5/20) marks the 'Stache Bash, with the sudden influx of fake mustaches being worn with total, straight-faced normalcy. Thursday (5/21) teachers Dressed Like a Student by rocking the ultimate "Gen Z" uniform of hoodies, Crocs, and pajama pants, before wrapping up the week on Friday (5/22) with Float Away Friday, featuring tropical attire and pool floaties, as they coast right into summer vacation.

A huge thank you to our hilarious staff for bringing so much energy and joy to the hallways as we finish the year strong! 

All student-athletes MUST have a completed physical on AthleticClearance.com prior to participating in any tryouts. The physical process includes an EL2 (physical), an EL3 (student and parent signature section), and an ECG. All of the necessary forms can be found on AthleticClearance.com. Please note that the EL2 physical form is different than the school physical, and a school physical will not satisfy the requirements for athletics.

All athletes must maintain a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.0 or higher to be eligible for athletics. Freshmen are exempt from this requirement for the first semester only since they do not have a high school GPA. Cumulative GPAs are only updated at the conclusion of a semester, so an ineligible athlete cannot become eligible until the following semester begins. Below is the list of our Fall Sports contacts.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our Super Scholars for their outstanding academic achievements and their acceptance into several prestigious colleges and universities. Through hard work, perseverance, and dedication to excellence, these students have demonstrated what it truly means to strive for success.

Their accomplishments reflect not only their individual commitment but also the strong support of their families, teachers, counselors, and school community. As they prepare to take the next exciting step in their educational journeys, we know they will continue to represent our school with pride, integrity, and determination.

Please join us in congratulating our Super Scholars on this remarkable milestone. We look forward to seeing all that they will achieve in the future!

Community schools are more than places for academics—they serve as hubs for learning and support. These schools connect students and families to essential services like health care, mental health support, after-school programs, and community resources. The goal is to remove barriers such as poverty, housing challenges, and lack of healthcare so every child can thrive.

Community schools operate on four key pillars:

A Community School Coordinator helps organize these services. Success is measured not just by test scores, but by attendance, engagement, health, and family stability.

What began as a grassroots effort has grown nationwide. Today, community schools are embraced by urban, suburban, and rural districts. This movement promotes equity and democracy and makes schools the heart of strong communities.

●     Join school committees or advisory groups.

●     Volunteer for events or after-school activities.

●     Share feedback with teachers and the Community School Coordinator.

●     Connect with other families to build a support network.

●     Advocate for resources that benefit all students.

Community schools thrive when families are active partners. Together, we can create a school that supports every child and strengthens our community.

 

Attending school every day is crucial. Excessive absences can lead to a suspended driver's license. Punctuality is also key, as five tardies will result in one day of absence.

 

 

This year, a 90% attendance rate is mandatory for all students who wish to participate in extracurricular activities.

The Freshman Campus Grenadier Closet is now open every Tuesday during A and B lunches for all your school supply and wardrobe needs!

In today's connected world, digital literacy and safety are as critical as traditional academic skills. We encourage all families to engage in ongoing conversations about responsible technology use.

Establishing clear, consistent boundaries around technology use is key to balancing academic success, physical health, and social development.

 

●     Create a Family Media Plan: Decide together on limits for non-academic screen time, especially during school nights.

●     Tech-Free Zones: Designate areas and times, such as the dinner table and bedrooms after a certain hour, as tech-free zones to prioritize face-to-face interaction and sleep.

●     Prioritize Sleep: Ensure all devices are put away at least one hour before bedtime to support the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep for teens.

Approaching online safety as an open dialogue, rather than a lecture, fosters trust and cooperation.

 

●     Be Curious, Not Critical: Ask open-ended questions about what they enjoy online and what they are learning.

●     Discuss Digital Citizenship: Talk about the permanence of their digital footprint and the importance of being kind, respectful, and safe online. Remind them to think before they post.

●     Focus on Problem-Solving: If they encounter something uncomfortable or risky, ensure they know they can come to you without fear of immediate punishment.

Many tools are available to help parents manage device use and monitor online activity.

 

●     Built-in Device Controls: Utilize the parental control features available on iOS (Screen Time) and Android (Digital Wellbeing) to set limits on app usage and content.

●     Router-Level Filters: Consider using smart Wi-Fi routers or third-party apps to manage internet access across all devices in the home.

●     Discussion Over Surveillance: While monitoring tools can be helpful, we encourage parents to prioritize open communication with their teens about online safety as the primary strategy.

Parents, your voice is crucial to our school community! We encourage all Colonial High School families to get involved by joining our School Advisory Council (SAC) and Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA). These groups play a vital role in shaping our school's future, providing valuable input on everything from academic programs to school events. Your participation ensures that the needs and perspectives of our students and families are heard and addressed. Come be a part of the conversation and help us make Colonial High School the best it can be for every Grenadier!

Betzabeth Reussow, Principal - Betzabeth.Reussow@ocps.net

Tayler Boyer, Assistant Principal - Tayler.Boyer@ops.net

Daniel Caliari, Assistant Principal - Daniel.Caliari@ocps.net

William King, Assistant Principal - William.King2@ocps.net

Paul Maldonado, Assistant Principal - Paul.Maldonado@ocps.net

Krystin Roviaro, Assistant Principal - Krystin.Roviaro@ocps.net

Adrian Thomas – Senior Manager, UPI Community School - Adrian.Thomas@ocps.net