YEAR IN PHOTOS: Southwest Orange Observer, June 2019

Michael Matson began honing his craft in magic at age 5 as a way to help cope with his father’s battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After beating the cancer, his father taught him how to shuffle cards, which led him to card tricks.

Sunset Park Elementary School Eagles showed off their skills at the school’s annual Talent Show Thursday, May 23. Ben Bunnell, Michael Streibig, William Trimble and Ricardo Rico sang and danced to James Brown’s “I Feel Good.”

Chris Van Dorn transforms into Batman, and his dog, Mr. Boots, becomes Robin. The Dr. Phillips High alumnus moonlights as Batman, using his ‘Batmobile’ to transport animals in need to forever homes throughout Florida and beyond.

Donning their own aprons and chef’s hats, children proudly stationed themselves around the dishes they cooked Friday, June 7 — the last day of the Rosen JCC summer cooking camp.

It was a wild week over at Holy Family Catholic Church June 17 to 21, as the church was transformed into a jungle for the safari-themed Vacation Bible School.

Gotha resident Stephanie Bowman lives out her testimony daily through the works of her nonprofit, One Heart for Women and Children.

Thomas Thorspecken’s class at the Elite Animation Summer Camp worked in this corner of the studio. Thorspecken used to work as an animator for Disney. His first project was the stampede scene in, “The Lion King.”

Betty Harvey, left, Louise Krazit and Jaxson Krazit gathered with about 100 relatives of multiple generations for a family reunion in Ocoee.