Volusia County Schools recently showcased George Marks Elementary in DeLand, one of the two newest elementary schools to add the Spanish-English dual-language programs. The other is Pierson Elementary. This program is made possible through VCS’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) department and a grant from Stetson University’s Nina B. Hollis Institute. The program enables students to learn language arts, math and science in both languages.

Jennifer Vento is the support teacher, while Monica Sanchez is in charge of the English side of the program and Yajaira Encarnacion Carrillo handles the Spanish side of the class.

Shannon Young, principal of George Marks Elementary, made opening comments while introducing the numerous dignitaries present. She was followed by comments from Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin, who spoke of the importance of this program, while ESOL Coordinator Gianna Acevedo Alamo spoke about the need for the program. The Volusia County School Board was represented by Ruben Colon and Jessie Thompson.

The City of DeLand named its Super Star Students for November: Emanuel King of Blue Lake Elementary, Nicholas Perrino of Citrus Grove Elementary, Reid Bridges of DeLand Middle, Madison Johnson of DeLand PAL, Stefanie Rodriguez of DeLand Preparatory Academy, Jamie Betances of Freedom Elementary, Paris Acosta of George Marks Elementary, Chase Grebosz of Southwestern Middle, Maci Knox of St. Peter Catholic School, Fabian Vetez of Starke Elementary, Jackeline Cruz of Stetson Baptist, and Susan Hoyer of Woodward Avenue Elementary.

The Volusia County Schools calendar shows that the Thanksgiving Holiday begins Monday, Nov. 25, with students returning to class Monday, Dec. 2.

The Winter Holiday begins Monday, Dec. 23, with students returning in the new year on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Teachers return Monday, Jan. 6.

West Volusia high-school football

Nov. 7 was the makeup day for games missed due to Hurricane Milton. DeLand High traveled to Flagler Palm Coast, where the two teams scored a total of 119 points, with FPC winning, 62-57.

Deltona High picked up its third win with a victory over Seabreeze, 13-10, while Pierson Taylor gained their third win by defeating Father Lopez, 32-12. Orange City University went down to defeat for the second time this season as Spruce Creek won, 20-14.

The District 7A Region 1 games had DeLand facing Lake Mary, while Spruce Creek was slated to play Flagler Palm Coast and University greeted Winter Park.

West Volusia high-school cross-country

DeLand High and Orange City University High were represented in the 7A Region 1 meet by individuals, while Deltona High sent its boys team to the 3A Region 2 meet.

Hannah Judge of Orange City University finished sixth overall with a 5K run of 18:51.7 to qualify for the FHSAA State Championships in Tallahassee as an individual runner.

DeLand High sophomore Connor York finished the race with a 17:13.9 run, which put him outside of state qualification. Deltona High’s boys team finished 15th, placing them out of qualifying range, with Lowell Cummings running the course in 17:09.8.

DeLand High School Athletics

Winter Park downed the DeLand High School girls Lady Bulldogs volleyball team, which placed Winter Park in the Final Four for the FHSAA state title. Winter Park was slated to face Osceola in the first round, while Tampa Plant was to meet Boca Raton.

The Lady Bulldog weightlifting team had its first home match of the year, defeating Father Lopez and Mainland in both the Olympic- and Traditional-style of lifts. Katherin Rodriguez, Addison Ruocco, Payton Mathis, Elena Cruz, Sarah Lamay and Katie Hulsman picked up a win in each division, while Abby Schrier won in the Traditional-style only.

Those gaining two second-place finishes were Amelia Rizzo, Bayleigh Couch, Ashleigh Mina and Ah’Miya Sweet, with Giselle Redondo and Ashantiana Gilbert earning one each.

Third places were earned by Syralim Cruz, Yanelie Echevarria (2), Sara Visconti (2), Julia Valbuena and Gilbert.

The DeLand High swim teams competed in the Region 1-4A meet at Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training (FAST) in Ocala. The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that the DeLand boys were eighth in the region, and the DeLand girls were 14th. The News-Journal also reported that the Bulldog boys 400-yard freestyle relay was fifth, with a clocking of 3:18.04. Toma Vedder, Gavin Thomas, Jake Naumovitz and Massimo Brunacci did the swimming. Piper Jemison was in the top five in the 100-yard butterfly at 56.93.

The DeLand High girls golf team had a building year as reported by coach Dina Pinson. Madison Dusenbury, in the district tourney, shot an 84, and moved on to the regional, where she shot a 1 under par 71 to move on to the state meet to be played Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Mission Inn Golf Club in Howey-in-the-Hills.

The Bulldog winter sports calendar has the wrestlers at the Rotary Tournament Tuesday, Nov. 26. Most sports will be taking off for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Stetson University

Stetson University has again won the 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award. Stetson received the national HEED Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine for the second year in a row. The award is in recognition of Stetson’s outstanding commitment to promoting belonging and inclusive excellence. This highlights efforts to significantly advance diversity and inclusion on the DeLand campus.

The Stetson College of Law in Gulfport was honored for the fifth-straight year.

Stetson University basketball

The Stetson University Hatter men’s basketball team played its last exhibition game with a 94-75 victory over New College of Florida. Tristan Gross led Stetson scoring with 18 points and two blocks, while freshmen Jamie Phillips Jr. added 17 points with seven rebounds, Josh Massey dropped in 14 points along with six rebounds, and Jordan Wood finished with 11 points and five rebounds.

The men then faced Nebraska-Omaha for their season-opener in the Edmunds Center, losing 79-76, and trailing by as much as 20 points in the second half. Phillips Jr. led the Hatter scoring with 18 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Wood dropped in 15 points with three blocks.

The Lady Hatters opened their 2024-25 season with a trip to the University of Miami, losing 94-75. Cameron Thomas made 11 points, while Tiasia McMillan added 10 points with five rebounds, and Quentarra Mitchell scored 10 points with five rebounds and four steals.

The Stetson women then returned home to face the University of Fort Lauderdale, winning 102-43. Thomas scored 26 points, followed by Jorah Eppley with 15, Noga Haran with 12, and Promise Keshi 11 points with eight rebounds.

Wednesday, Nov. 27, has the Stetson women greeting Utah State in the Ocean Center at 1:15 p.m., while Thursday, Nov. 28, they face Bowling Green at 5:45 p.m. in Daytona Beach.

Stetson University Athletics

The football game between the Stetson University Hatters and Valparaiso, which was postponed due to Hurricane Milton, has now been canceled. The Hatters lost to Butler, 48-13, with Dalton Bailey and Donovan Snyder scoring the two Stetson touchdowns. They then lost to Marist, 40-31.

On Saturday, Nov. 23, the football team plays host to Drake at 1 p.m. for Senior Day.

The Hatter men’s soccer team tied Bellarmine, 1-1, with Clarence Loriot scoring the Stetson goal. This tie placed Stetson in the top seed for the ASUN Tournament, with a conference mark of 3-0-4. The Stetson team has also collected several conference honors, with Charles Ahl named ASUN Player of the Year, Loriot named ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, and Nicolo Radaelli named ASUN Goalie of the Year.

Ahl and Loriot were named to the First Team All-Conference, with Maurice Hauser, Xavi Csato, Andres Rodriguez and Radaelli making Second Team, while Andre Casas and Benjamin Donato made the All-Freshman team. Csato also was named to the Academic All-ASUN Team, with a 3.8 GPA.

Robert Jones has been named the new Stetson head equipment manager. He has more than 30 years of experience and comes to Stetson from UC-Davis. Jones has numerous honors, including 2006-7 Conference Equipment Manager of the Year, the 2019 and 2024 District IX Equipment Manager of the Year, as well as the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award in Athletic Equipment.