Class Notes: School Board recognizes poster contest winners" title="Class Notes: School Board recognizes poster contest winners"/>Volusia County Schools will host an invitation-only Spring 2022 Instructional Job Fair for teacher candidates Wednesday, April 20. In-person and virtual interview opportunities will be available.
To be considered for an invitation to the fair, complete these steps: Complete the online employment application found at www.vcsedu.org; then complete the Job Fair survey, and watch your email account for a follow-up message within 48-72 hours (excluding weekends).
Interested teaching candidates must currently hold or be eligible for a Florida Department of Education certification. All certifications are welcome to apply. Priority certifications include: Elementary Education; English Language Arts; English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL); Exceptional Student Education; Math; PreK-Primary Reading; School Counseling; Science; and Technology Education.
Learn more about teaching in Volusia County Schools on the Recruitment & Retention website.
Volusia County Schools has also announced that Volusia Online Learning’s full-time application for the 2022-23 school year is open, and will close Tuesday, March 1. Interested families can apply at https://www.volusiaonlinelearning.com/2022-2023-vol-application, or by calling 386-506- 0014.
FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools has received an AT&T Full Steam Ahead for Florida’s Future Grant to fund learning innovation.
Students across Volusia County will benefit from the statewide investment by AT&T this year, one that seeks to engage students who may have fallen behind during the pandemic, as well as those in underserved communities, families needing support with distance learning, and high-school students seeking to jump-start their STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) careers through industry certifications. This year’s statewide grant brings the total investment by AT&T over a 11-year period to more than $1 million.
For the 12th consecutive year, AT&T is working with the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations to support hands-on learning opportunities. Nineteen separate projects organized and funded through Consortium-member local education foundations will re-engage students who have fallen behind in academics and/or are in underserved communities through hands-on STEM enrichment activities, student-led digital divide support or increasing CTE certification completion.
The purpose of the Volusia County project, Futures for Girls in STEM, is to increase the number of girls interested in STEM fields and those interested in pursuing STEM careers. This project will have two major components to carry out this purpose: First, there will be school clubs that introduce STEM activities and provide a platform to discuss the issues and rewards of being a girl in the STEM arena. Girls will also be encouraged to participate in a personal, yearlong passion project.
Second, the larger collaborative of all the school clubs will have monthly guest speakers and take at least two field trips to investigate girls in STEM careers. These trips currently include going to the Orlando Science Center, Larsen Motorsports, and others.
Homes Bring Hope has announced that Truist has made a $25,000 grant in support of the nonprofit agency’s quest to help people break the cycle of generational poverty through homeownership and home equity.
Homes Bring Hope introduces potential homebuyers to a cadre of experts and trusted companies who help these clients along the way, either for free or at a significantly reduced cost.
Homes Bring Hope has already helped many clients transition from paying rent to investing in a home of their own.
For more information, visit HomesBringHope.org.
Deltona Parks and Recreation is offering an Adult Kickball League that will compete during March and April at Dewey O. Boster Sports Complex. The cost is $350 per team, or join an interest list and be placed on a team.
The program is open to those age 18 and up.
Go to www.deltonafl.gov/parks-recreation-department for additional information, or call 386-878-8940.
Citrus Grove Elementary School
Citrus Grove Elementary School in DeLand is hosting its annual Groovin’ at the Grove 5K and Fun Run, presented by Trinity United Methodist Church, Family Health Source and Stetson Baptist Church, on Saturday, March 5. The run begins at 8 a.m. with three divisions: 5K Run/ Walk for those over age 16; 5K Run/Walk for those age 16 and younger; and Family Fun Run.
The deadline for sponsorship is Feb. 22. Go to www.citrusgrove5k.com for registration and further information.
The K-Kids Club at Citrus Grove is putting together “Snack Packs” to help families sustain themselves during long hours at the hospital at their child’s bedside through the Ronald McDonald House Charities. If you are interested in donating prepackaged, individually wrapped snack-size food items such as crackers, chips, cookies, fruit snacks, mixed nuts, microwavable popcorn and granola bars, take them to the school office prior to Friday, March 4. The K-Kids Club also supported the LiveStrong 5K Run with posters.
George Marks Elementary School
The Lunch Bunch at George Marks Elementary School in DeLand has collected 55 boxes of food for the Basket Brigade, made Christmas cards for all the office staff, helped other special-needs classes with Santa, had an environmental day where they picked up litter on the campus, mentored other students, provided peer meditation, and provided student ambassadors when there were new students. An upcoming project involves Sensory Calm Down bottles for special-needs classes.
FHSAA soccer
In the FHSAA state elimination series, the DeLand High School Bulldog boys’ soccer team was defeated by Lake Mary, 8-0, to retire the Bulldogs for the 2022 season. The Deltona boys were topped by Bishop Moore, 3-0, and Pine Ridge of Deltona was defeated by Seabreeze, 2-0. All West Volusia teams have completed their 2022 season, with none advancing to the regional round of competition.
The girls’ teams finished with the following records: DeLand 7-9-1, Orange City University 1-14-1, Pine Ridge of Deltona 8-12-0, and Deltona 5-12- 1. The boys’ season marks were 12-4-1 for DeLand, Orange City University 8-8-3, Deltona 6-15-1, Pine Ridge of Deltona 6-6-1, and Pierson Taylor 8-8-3.
The FHSAA State Championships will be taking place in DeLand’s Spec Martin Memorial Stadium Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 23-26. Games will be at 1:05 p.m., 4:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. daily, with girls playing Feb. 23 and 25, and boys playing Feb. 24 and 26. The cost of tickets is $9; they can only be obtained through www.GoFan.com.
FHSAA girls’ basketball district play
None of the West Volusia girls’ basketball teams advanced out of the FHSAA district rounds of competition.
The DeLand High School Lady Bulldogs team surprised everyone with its second win of the season, topping Flagler Palm Coast, 34-31. The Lady Bulldogs were then downed by Spruce Creek, 74-30, as they finished their season, 2-14.
The Orange City University team was defeated by West Port, 55-24, to finish the year with a 11-13 mark. Deltona played two rounds in the district tournament by stopping Menendez, 37-31, and being stopped next by Mainland, 57-29, to finish the season with a 16- 10 mark.
Pine Ridge of Deltona was eliminated by Horizon, 51-23, to close the year with a 5-14 mark. Deltona Trinity Christian defeated Halifax Academy, 61-19, and lost to Calvary Christian, to end their competition for the year with a 5-14 mark.
DeLand Lightning Bolt youth track team
DeLand Lightning Bolt youth track is a program directed by Deke Harris. The team recently competed in the Central Florida Preseason Classic, with girls posting the following marks: 6 and under girls – Uni Morrell took fourth in the long jump and placed in the 100 and 60 meters; 7- and 8-year-old girls – Sydnee Simpson placed second in the long jump, with a 1.68-meter jump, and jumped in the 60 and 100, while Delise Johnson was third in the 200 at 39.46 and in the 400 at 1:33.58 and was sixth in the 100; 9-year-old girls – Krista Hansen won the turbo javelin with a throw of 22.43 meters, while placing in the 200 and 400; 14-year-old girls – Saleigh Simpson won the 200 meters at 27.34 and placed second in the 400 at 1:04.88; 15- and 16-year-old girls – Jhene Broughton placed in the shot put and 100, with Alicyn White placing in the 200 and long jump; and 17- to 18-year-old girls – Kaylee Yebba placed in the 200 and 400.
In the boys’ categories: 7- and 8-year-olds, Alan Allen placed in the 60, 100 and long jump, with Cornelius Dunn doing the same in the 200, 400 and long jump; 11- and 12-year-old boys – Amir Allen placed second in the long jump at 3.79 meters and placed in the 100 and 200, with Enrique Martinez placing in the 100 and 200, and Marvin Walker winning the long jump at 4:38 meters and placing second in the 100 at 12.63 and 200 at 26.76; 13- and 14-year-old boys – Lone Roberts placed third in the 200 at 31.62 and 400 at 1:20.12, with Taylor Royster winning the long jump with a leap of 4.73 meters and placing in the 200 and 400; 15- to 16-year-old boys – Dashawn Allen placed in the 100, 200 and 400, Avian Edwards took third in the 100 at 11:31 and placed in the 60, and Hiram Cook placed in the 60, 100 and 200; 17- to 18-year-olds – Kevar Williams won three events (the 60 at 6.85, the 100 at 10.63, and the 200 at 21.75), Jamil Cunningham placed in the 100, 200 and long jump, and Nazir Givens placed in the 100 and the 200.
DeLand High School athletics
The DeLand High School Bulldog boys’ weightlifting team, under the direction of Damion Dunn, finished second in the snatch and tied in the bench and the clean and jerk at the New Smyrna Beach meet. Those lifting for first-place finishes in either division were Jayden Lewis (2), Jaycee Kane (2), Collin Blushiy (2), Isaiah Steitz and Austin McRunnels. Those gaining a second-place finish were Sean Hulsman (2), Aidan Fedigan (2), Clayton Juhl, Lane Wishart and Tripp Koshiol. These team members took third place: Wishart, Christian Moller, Reed Wilgers, Carsyn D’Aquino and Dyllon Kimsey.
The DeLand boys’ basketball team recently won three games: The team defeated Mainland, 46-39, with Nigel Cook getting 13 points, Lucas Velez scoring 11 points, and Trayvon Barbary adding 10 points with nine rebounds. They also stopped Flagler Palm Coast in overtime, 40-37, with the score knotted at 33 at the end of regulation. And the Bulldogs topped Father Lopez, 63-43.
The Bulldog athletic calendar has the wrestling team going to Buchholz for the district tournament Friday, Feb. 18.
On Monday, Feb. 21, the boys’ tennis team goes to Pine Ridge in Deltona at 4 p.m., while the softball team travels to University in Orange City at 4:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Feb. 22, the baseball team goes to Spruce Creek at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, Feb. 23, the girls’ tennis team travels to Seabreeze at 3:15 p.m., the boys’ weightlifting team goes to Spruce Creek at 4 p.m., the baseball team faces Seabreeze at Spruce Creek at 4 p.m., the track team goes to Deltona at 4 p.m., and the junior-varsity baseball team hosts Pine Ridge of Deltona at 4 p.m.
On Thursday, Feb. 24, the baseball team plays at Spruce Creek, with time and team to be determined, and the softball team is at Lake Mary at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, Feb. 25, the girls’ tennis team plays at home against Orange City University at 4 p.m., the track team competes at Flagler Palm Coast at 1 p.m., and the junior-varsity baseball team plays at Flagler Palm Coast at 4 p.m.
Stetson University
Stetson University College of Law has announced the departure of Dean Michèle Alexandre, J.D., who will become dean at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Alexandre had many accomplishments at Stetson Law, including building upon the school’s reputation in advocacy and legal writing.
Stetson College of Law is consistently ranked No. 1 or 2 in advocacy and is in the top five in legal writing as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
Stetson University Athletics
The Stetson University Hatter men’s basketball team recently defeated Lipscomb, 77-71, with Chase Johnston scoring 18 points. Christiaan Jones made 14 points with eight rebounds and two steals. Josh Smith shot 10 points, with nine rebounds and two blocked shots.
The team then was stopped by Central Arkansas, 79- 75, with Jones scoring 20 points with seven rebounds. Stephen Swenson made 20 points, with Johnston adding 13 points and Alvin Tumblin getting 10 points.
The Lady Hatters basketball team topped Lipscomb, 61-50, with Yazz Wazeerud-Din scoring 13 points with one blocked shot, while Kiya Turner had 13 points with four steals. Jamiya Turner also had 13 points with 10 rebounds.
The Stetson women defeated Central Arkansas, 63-45, with Wazeerud-Din scoring 18 points with one blocked shot and six steals, while Tatiana Streun added 14 points, and J. Turner scored 13 points with six rebounds and one block.
The Lady Hatters tennis team shut out Florida A&M, 7-0, with Elodie Foster, Alanna DiFrancesco (2), Cheri Darley (2), Nadejda Maslova (2), Noa Cohen (2), Anais Gabriel (2) and Anna Dovgopolyi collecting wins.
The Stetson women’s soccer team will be holding prospect camps March 5 and April 9. The first session in the morning will include technical and tactical lessons, while the afternoon sessions will consist of full games. Go to GoHatters.com/HATS for more information.
Lady Hatter basketball player Alyssa Hargrove has been named the ASUN Freshman of the Week. She recently recorded two double-doubles.
Hatter baseball player Nick Durgin has been named to the Preseason All-ASUN team. He was the ace of the Stetson pitching staff while leading the team in wins, ERAs and strikeouts. During the 2020 season, he was a Freshman All-American, and in 2021, he made All-ASUN First Team. He’ll serve as a captain during the 2022 season.
In the Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll, the Stetson baseball team is selected to finish third. Liberty is selected first, followed by Florida Gulf Coast, while behind the Hatters, in order, are Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, North Florida, Jacksonville, Eastern Kentucky, Central Arkansas, Lipscomb, Bellarmine and North Alabama.
On Friday, Feb. 18, the Stetson athletic calendar has the baseball team hosting Delaware at 3 p.m., the softball team facing Maryland at 4 p.m. in Leesburg, and the men’s tennis team hosting Atlantis at 3 p.m.
On Saturday, Feb. 19, the baseball team hosts Notre Dame at 4 p.m., and the softball team faces Ohio State at 11 a.m. and North Carolina at 1:30 p.m. in Leesburg.
The men’s tennis program greet s Georg ia Southern at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, the baseball team faces Manhattan at 1 p.m. on Melching Field, and the softball team plays in Leesburg against Monmouth at 11:30 a.m. and Hofstra at 2 p.m.
The University of Florida baseball team plays the Hatters in DeLand at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22.
The Stetson women’s tennis team faces Oakland University at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23.
On Friday, Feb. 25, the Stetson baseball team welcomes Columbia at 6:30 p.m., the softball team meets Harvard at 3 p.m. and Marist at 5 p.m., and Stetson’s beach volleyball team plays Mercer at 10 a.m. and South Carolina at 2 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 26, has Hatter baseball meeting Columbia at 6:30 p.m., Stetson softball competing against Rhode Island at 3 p.m. and Harvard at 5 p.m., and Hatter beach volleyball facing Charleston College at 8 a.m. and Florida Gulf Coast at 2 p.m.
Then on Sunday, Feb. 27, the Stetson women’s tennis team hosts St. John’s at 10 a.m., the Hatter softball team meets Rhode Island at noon, and the Stetson baseball team plays Columbia at 1 p.m.
College honors
The University of Tampa has announced that the following students were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2021 semester: Lauren Fantone, of DeLand, who is majoring in accounting; Courtney Taylor, of DeLand, who is majoring in film and media arts; and Kaylee Rice, of DeLand, who is majoring in allied health.
Nicholas Spanos, of DeBary, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2021 semester at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont.
Nicholas Christiano, of Deltona, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2021 semester at Trine University in Angola, Indiana. Christiano is majoring in accounting.
— Send school news to Tony Tussing via email: at flacoach43@hotmail.com.
