From Staff Reports
The design is complete, and lettering is underway for the Orange County Public Schools site at South Central Avenue and West 18th Street in Apopka. It is slated to become a satellite branch of Orange Technical College, known as the “Orange Technical College – Apopka Campus.”
However, we would like to provide an opportunity for the community to vote on an official building dedication and recognition which will commemorate this building upon opening.
This survey will allow community members to vote on this “building dedication,” honoring a prominent local figure who has been instrumental in developing and improving the Apopka community. Upon opening, the building will feature adult and technical education programs that serve the local community.
While the building will be officially named the Orange Technical College – Apopka Campus due to accreditation and geographical college-wide naming conventions, this unique accommodation is being made to honor the contributions of the local community, and we look forward to your vote.
The following link - https://tinyurl.com/OTCApopkaSurvey - will allow community members to vote on the building dedication to honor a prominent local figure who has been instrumental in developing and improving the Apopka community. The three names are the names that have been shared with the district for consideration.
Which person would you most like to honor through the dedication of the OTC - Apopka Campus?
Frank Smith: As an early 1960s African-American settler, entrepreneur, and visionary in Apopka, Mr. Frank Smith provided much-needed business opportunities to the community south of Apopka. On the site of the new Orange Technical College campus in Apopka, Mr. Smith had opened a gas station with a general store, was the pioneering entrepreneur of the first taxi-cab service for the area and built a two-story building, including a hotel with a boarding house on the second floor. His businesses served the community for over two decades across the street from Phillis Wheatley Elementary School.
Dr. James Subbs: Dr. Subbs, former Associate Superintendent of Technical and Adult Education Services for OCPS, Apopka native, and Phyllis Wheatley High School graduate, was a leader in Apopka and beyond. He taught agriculture at Apopka High School, sponsored vocational and technical clubs, and was a dedicated mentor and Apopka sports booster. After teaching, he helped lead the Westside and Orlando Vocational Technical Centers and the Mid-Florida Technical Institute. He was active in civic, fraternal, and social service groups and served local and state boards focused on vocational education.
Dr. Shirley Sharpe-Terrell: A "servant leader" who passed away in December 2021, Dr. Sharpe-Terrell was a key problem solver for the community south of Apopka as the longtime District 2 commissioner’s aide. She also served in the South Apopka Ministerial Alliance and helped start the National Day of Prayer event held on the Apopka City Hall steps. She was a founder of Apopka’s National Prayer Day breakfast and was recognized with a Pillar Award from The Apopka Christian Ministerial Alliance; and was honored at a Marvin Zanders Love Recognition banquet, an event she also spearheaded.
Once voting is complete on Decenber 23rd, look for more announcements on the selected figure and an official grand opening.