Class Notes: High School Showcase Dec. 2 at Ocean Center

The 16th annual High School Showcase will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach. This is an excellent opportunity for middle-school students and their parents to learn about the outstanding programs offered in Volusia County high schools.

The showcase highlights the many educational choices and programs that are tailored to help students graduate both college-ready and career-ready.

All Volusia County high schools will be represented at the showcase. School administrators, teachers and students will be available to speak about opportunities and programs, including Cambridge/AICE, IB, AP, Dual Enrollment, Career Academies, Career & Technical Education courses, JROTC, extracurricular clubs and activities, and fine and performing arts.

There will also be representatives of more than 20 district departments on-site to answer questions about high-school services.

Parents are encouraged to explore the offerings available at each high school and become actively involved in selecting the programs that match the interests, needs and abilities of their students.

Cambridge/AICE, IB and Career Academy applications will be available online through the FOCUS Parent Portal in December.

For more information, email high-school CTE Facilitator Brandy Meadows at bemeadow@volusia.k12.fl.us.

Starke Elementary School

On Nov. 12, the staff and students at Starke Elementary School in DeLand observed Veterans Day. The celebration featured DeLand High School’s Pep Band, along with motorcycle clubs of veterans. The opening parade featured Principal Eilene Ahr arriving on the back of a Harley-Davidson.

The program then began with everyone singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the DeLand High Pep Band played. All grade groups at the school participated in singing patriotic songs.

The program was directed by music teacher Amy Hagopian.

Organizations participating included the Patriot Guard Riders, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

Alan Revercomb presented Hagopian a gift for her work on the program and for inviting the veterans to participate.

West Volusia high-school football

The only West Volusia team to enter the playoff system was University High School of Orange City; all the others had completed their 2021 season schedule. The University Titans faced Jacksonville Fletcher in the first round of playoffs, with the Titans defeating Fletcher, 34-14.

DeLand High School

The DeLand High School FFA finished 11th in the National FFA Livestock Judging Career Development Event in Indianapolis. DeLand High’s team members are

Tyler Watson, Payton Smith, Cheyann Wilkins and Megan Christopher. Forty-four states were represented at the event.

Christopher Ramroth and Wendy Zhang were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program with a letter of commendation for demonstrating outstanding potential for academic success based on their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT.

Leilany Munoz and Austria Merritt are finalists in the Questbridge National College Match Program, and will be considered for a four-year, full-match scholarship.

Ian Moore has been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. He is eligible to become a finalist.

DeLand High School athletics

DeLand High School senior swimmer Anna Monette placed eighth in the 4A FHSAA Swim Championships in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 57.97. At the meet, it was announced that Monette had been selected as the winner of the Tri-Swim Scholarship for scholarship, leadership and sportsmanship.

The DeLand Lady Bulldog soccer team gained a win over Pine Ridge of Deltona, 5-1, and Deltona, 6-0, while being stopped by Lake Brantley, 5-0.

The Bulldog boys’ soccer team opened its season with wins over Deltona, 6-0, and Pine Ridge, 7-0.

The Lady Bulldog weightlifting team opened with a match with New Smyrna Beach. In that meet, Jendaya Talton and Summer Rank won their weight divisions, while Zach Banton-Dofflemyer, Addison Ruocco and Jada Salters took second.

The next outing was against Atlantic, which saw the Sharks winning, 46-41. Rian Anderson, Talton, Rank, Azariyah Hagins and Leah Jensen took first place in their divisions, while Amaya Lewicki, Banton-Dofflemyer, Salters and Ruocco finished in second, and Diana Delgado and Hollee Brady finished in third.

All the fall sports have completed their 2021 schedules, so interest now turns to boys’ and girls’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, girls’ weightlifting, and wrestling.

Wednesday, Dec. 1, brings the Bulldog basketball team home against Oviedo at 7 p.m., while the girls’ soccer squad greets Flagler Palm Coast at 7 p.m., and the Lady Bulldog weightlifters travel to University to compete at 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 2, finds the Lady Bulldog soccer team playing at Hagerty at 7 p.m., while the Lady Bulldog basketball team goes to Pine Ridge in Deltona at 6 p.m.

On Friday, Dec. 3, the Bulldog basketball team plays at Winter Springs at 7:30 p.m., and the Bulldog soccer team competes at Lake Mary at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. That same day, the DeLand High varsity wrestlers take part in the Master’s Academy Tournament at 4 p.m., and the junior-varsity wrestlers compete in the University Junior Varsity Clash.

Stetson University

Luis Paris, director of the Prince Entrepreneurship Leaders Program at Stetson University, has received the Outstanding Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization Chapter Advisor of the Year Award. He was presented with the award during the 38th annual Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization Global Conference and Pitch Competition.

Stetson University Athletics

The Stetson University women’s basketball team opened its 2021-22 season with a home victory over Johnson University, 127-36. Ayanna Dublin scored 22 points and had seven rebounds. Tatiana Streun also scored 22 points, and she had 13 rebounds.

Alyssa Hargrove scored 21 points, while Jamiya Turner scored 16 points with eight assists. Mali Morgan-Elliott scored 16 points, and Khamya McNeal added 12 points, with eight rebounds and nine assists.

The Hatter men’s basketball team also opened with a win, in their case a win over Florida Memorial, 74-67, with Rob Perry scoring 25 points and making five rebounds, while Chase Johnston added 20 points and had four steals. The Hatters then traveled to Georgia Tech, who won the game, 77-52. Johnston scored 13 and had three steals, while Josh Smith had 11 points with six rebounds.

The Lady Hatter volleyball team downed Liberty, 3-2, with match scores of 25-20, 24-25, 20-25, 25-14 and 20-18. Anabelle Standish had 17 kills, four blocks and one ace, while Kaylee Oscarson had 14 kills and six blocks.

The Morehead State football team defeated the Hatters, 36-35.

The Hatter cross-country teams competed in the NCAA South Region Cross Country Championships. The women finished 22nd out of 32 teams, while sophomore Madison Niederriter finished with a 21:57.53 clocking in the 6K race.

Senior Tristen Montalvo was the front-runner for the Hats with a 31:49.08 time in the 10K. He holds the school record for the 5K, 6K, 8K and 10K.

Stetson freshman soccer player Nelson Pereira has been named the ASUN Freshman of the Year. Alvaro Gabancho and Pereira made the All-Conference First Team, while Gio Rodriguez and William Suaut made the Second Team All-Conference. Pereira, Alessandro Gabbani, Steven Johnson-Fikula and Gabriel Toro made the All-Freshman ASUN team.

The Stetson women’s basketball team faces Furman for a game at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.

On Wednesday, Dec. 1, the Stetson men’s basketball squad goes to Florida Atlantic for a 7 p.m. game, followed by a game at Florida International at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.

— Send school news to Tony Tussing via email: at flacoach43@hotmail.com.