Stetson University, through the efforts of the Staff Advisory Council and the Quality of Service Council, has announced that 12 university employees have been honored for their contributions to the university in the virtual Employee Recognition Awards. More than 240 nominations were received.

Those being honored are Director of Community Engagement Kevin Winchell, with the Ultimate Hatter Award; Library Archivist Elizabeth Maycumber, with the Be Seen Award; Elise Torres, manager of communications and tickets at the School of Music, with the Communicator of the Year Award; Timothy Peter, D.M.A., professor of music, with the Faculty Partner of the Year Award; Associate Director for Residential Education Annlyn Harvey, with the Go Beyond Award; Hand Art Center Director Natalia da Silva, Ph.D., with the Innovator of the Year Award; Hillel Program Director Reed Barkowitz, with the J.E.D.I. of the Year Award; Executive Director of Alumni Amy Dedes, with the Mentor of the Year Award; Ricky Coulson, laboratory director and chemical hygiene manager, with the Problem Solver of the Year Award; Liana Natochy, associate director of student support in the Dean of Students office, with the Team Player of the Year Award; Tracey Vondra, executive assistant to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, with the Adaptor of the Year Award; and Julie Holland, Innsbruck Program Coordinator Management and Marketing Departments Administrative Support for the School of Business Administration, with the Morale Builder Award.

Volusia County public schools have now been in session for almost a week. Students, teachers, staff and parents are looking forward to their first holiday, which is Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2.

Volusia County Schools

Volusia County Schools Teacher of the Year Emily Fagerstrom gained statewide recognition from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations and Florida Power & Light at the Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year Gala.

Fagerstrom was named as the consortium’s “Invested in Excellence” recipient for seeking additional resources and developing new strategies to innovate learning. This honor earned her a $2,000 stipend.

Just prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, the Volusia County School Board made some administrative appointments and transfers. On the county level, these appointments included Gilbert Evans as board attorney; Ralph Seegobin, staff attorney; Stephanie Workman, executive director of human resources; and Deidra Whittenberger, budget director, finance. One appointment was on the west side of the county, with Nestor Reyes being named an assistant principal at Deltona High. One transfer on the west side of the county is David Sanford, who was named assistant principal at Citrus Grove Elementary in DeLand.

Last week, this column named the schools that had earned an A grade through the state assessment. The following elementary schools on the west side of the county earned a B grade — Citrus Grove in DeLand, Freedom in DeLand, Ivy Hawn Charter in Lake Helen, McInnis in DeLeon Springs, Osteen, Samsula Academy, Timbercrest in Deltona and Woodward Avenue in DeLand.

Those secondary schools earning a B are Southwestern Middle in DeLand, DeLand High, Pine Ridge High in Deltona and University High in Orange City.

Timbercrest Elementary School

Timbercrest Elementary School in Deltona has been honored for achieving the Waterford.org usage goals for prekindergartners through second-graders each month during the 2023-24 school year. Waterford is an early-learning program that supports personalized instruction in reading, math and science through engaging adaptive software. Only five schools in Volusia County gained this honor, while Timbercrest was the only one in West Volusia.

DeLand High School

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, the DeLand High School swim team will be having a car wash fundraiser at Tom’s Pizza, 140 E. Rich Ave. in Downtown DeLand. The car wash will cost $10. The fundraiser is helping the team pay pool fees.

The DeLand High volleyball team opens its 2024 season Thursday, Aug. 15, at Spruce Creek, and will play at University Tuesday, Aug. 20. Their first home match will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, against Lake Mary.

West Volusia high-school football

Fall Kickoff Classics or preseason football games featuring West Volusia high-school football teams will take place Friday, Aug. 16, with season-openers taking place Friday, Aug. 23. Check last week’s Beacon for a listing of games for these two weekends.

Stetson University

Stetson University Assistant Professor of Political Science Elizabeth Plantan, Ph.D., has been selected for the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations Public Intellectuals Program. She is one of 20 fellows to participate in the 2023-25 cohort.

Stetson University junior Joseph Barto became the first-ever Stetson student to reach the podium by placing third at the 2024 Microsoft Office Specialist Excel State Championship Spring Qualifier. Microsoft Office qualifiers lead up to a national championship competition.

Stetson University Athletics

The Stetson University baseball program has added two to the program: Nick Restaino will be the new director of baseball operations, and Cameron Coons will serve as an assistant coach.

The Hatter football team opens its 2024 season Saturday, Aug. 31, against Ave Maria at 6 p.m. on the field at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium in DeLand. The following week, the Stetson team plays host to Warner Saturday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m., at home.

The Lady Hatter volleyball team begins play in Daytona Beach at the Moore Gym on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University on Friday, Aug. 30, and Saturday, Aug. 31. On the 30th, the Hats face Portland at 10 a.m. and Manhattan at 4 p.m., followed by a 1:30 p.m. game against Bethune-Cookman on the 31st.

The Lady Hatter soccer team will be at home against Alabama A&M at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, and the Hatter men travel to UNC – Asheville Friday, Aug. 23, for a 7 p.m. game.

College honors

Nicole Keyes, of DeLand, and Nikolaus Kline, of DeBary, have been named to the 2024 spring trimester dean’s list at Palmer College of Chiropractic’s Florida Campus in Port Orange.