Oviedo fourth graders hunt for history

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May 25, 2022
Fourth grader Emily Kushner and her brother, Alex (first grade) completed the scavenger hunt activity of “jumping for joy in front of the [Round Lake Park] mural since you are so happy to live in Oviedo.” Photo courtesy of Julie Grunther.
Fourth grader Abigail Willadsen said her favorite element of the Black History in Oviedo mural is the huge stalk of celery. Photo courtesy of Julie Grunther.
Fourth grader Emily Kushner and her brother, Alex (first grade) completed the scavenger hunt activity of “jumping for joy in front of the [Round Lake Park] mural since you are so happy to live in Oviedo.” Photo courtesy of Julie Grunther.
Fourth grader Kinsey Boucher and her brother, kindergartener Collin Boucher, posed in front of a “hidden” commemorative brick at Partin Elementary with the school’s principal, Martha Garcia. Photo courtesy of Julie Grunther.
Students received bonus points if they rang Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek’s doorbell while visiting the historical marker at Lake Charm. About 60 students visited the mayor, according to Grunther. Pictured left to right: Partin teachers Julie Grunther, Mayor Megan Sladek, Sandi Johnson, April Hartling. Photo courtesy of Julie Grunther.

Partin Elementary fourth graders scattered throughout the city of Oviedo on Saturday, taking photos in front of historical and meaningful places for a scavenger hunt called Mission Oviedo, A Historical Adventure.

The event is the brainchild of the school’s fourth grade team in an effort to immerse the students in local history and will now be an annual activity, according to Partin fourth grade teacher Julie Grunther, who said they partnered with the Oviedo Historical Society to pull it off.

Student assignments included visiting Oviedo’s Veterans Tribute at Center Lake Park to locate the monument honoring Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe; stopping at the Lawton House to ask Oviedo Historical Society members historical questions; taking a photo with any chicken found at the My Oviedo Store; and recording a video of their best train impression at mile marker 4.24 on the Flagler Trail where the train passed through.

Grunther said the most memorable part of the day was “the excitement from the kids and their parents. Everyone had a blast and learned so much that they did not know about Oviedo.”

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Author
Megan Stokes

Megan is co-founder and editor-in-chief of Oviedo Community News, the only independent news source for Greater Oviedo and Winter Springs. She oversees editorial content, policy and staff. She attends meetings, sends out the e-newsletter and curates conversations in the community to understand the information gaps that OCN needs to fill. She also works to create partnerships that can strengthen the bond between community and newsroom.

She has served as an award-winning community journalist for more than 20 years, including as associate editor for the East Orlando Sun and a reporter for the Seminole Voice, the Winter Park-Maitland Observer and Orlando Magazine.

In 2024, Megan was named Editor of the Year by the Society for Professional Journalism. With the Central Florida Foundation and Central Florida Public Media, she co-found the News Collaborative of Central Florida, a collective of independent local news outlets and aligned partners working toward a more informed and engaged Central Florida.

She served as treasurer for the Florida Press Club for seven years and has won awards from the Institute for Nonprofit News, the Florida Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalism. Megan holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism (now called the Reed College of Media) at West Virginia University.

Megan also loves yoga, running and playing board games with her family.

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