YEAR IN PHOTOS: February 2016

The communities of Ocoee Middle School, the Ocoee Bulldogs and beyond have been taken aback by the loss of Lavardo ' Eljay' Fisher, 13. Published Feb. 18.

Denise Fisher — Aflac, Pammie’s Sammies, Observer Media Group and Lek Technologies all were nominated for Small Business Member of the Year at the West Orange Chamber of Commerce’s Big Orange Awards. Observer Media Group won the category. Published Feb. 4

The Betty Fox Band brought its soulful sounds to the 2016 Winter Garden Blues and BBQ festival. Published Feb. 18.

The Winter Garden Chicken Club wants to make backyard chickens legal in Winter Garden and sought to dispel foul perceptions of the egg-producing birds. Dallas, Madelynn and Emily Stone wanted to raise their own chickens — and eggs — in Winter Garden.

Tracey Morrissey, left, Michael Morrissey, Ansley Ardaman and Nick Asma enjoyed a night of food and fun at the SoBo Art Gallery' s 2016. Published Feb. 25.

Lee Holton painted a portrait of his daughter, Victoria, at first Windermere Art Affair Feb. 20. Published Feb. 25.

Shanny Rios, market manager at the Lakefront Farmers Market at Summerport Village, was excited to launch the new market Feb. 21. Published Feb. 4.

Teachers from Keene' s Crossing Elementary, pictured, and Independence Elementary met Feb. 5 on the diamond at Braddock Park for the first Cougar/Eagle rivalry kickball game. Published Feb. 11.

Deanna Hubbard played Dotty in West Orange High School' s production of the Michael Frayn comedy "Noises Off." Published Feb. 18.

For his Eagle Project, Germán Escobar Jr. oversaw planting hundreds of trees at Oakland Nature Preserve for Red Trail Longleaf Pine Forest. Published Feb. 11.

Three West Orange High School dancers — Addison Satmary, Emma Meyers and Elizabeth Victor —performed in the London New Year’s Day Parade. Published Feb. 4.

Keene' s Crossing Elementary fifth-grader Casey Simmerly and his team presented a Harry Potter-themed machine at the 2016 STEM/Rube Goldberg Challenge. Published Feb. 4.

Blaine Goodwin, 17, led the way with a time of 38:07 in the 2016 Winter Garden 10K. Published Feb. 11.

MetroWest Elementary School students and families enjoyed an unforgettable evening Feb. 12 at the school' s annual Sweetheart Dance. Published Feb. 18.

The Orange County Sheriff' s Office hosted a vigil in honor of Deputy Scott Pine. The Florida Senate also passed a bill in his name. Published Feb. 18.