If you are a student attending any Volusia County public school, there is a large chance that you might be in need of a sports physical. If so, AdventHealth will be providing them for free for Volusia County students Wednesday-Saturday, April 2-5. The times will be 5-9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, April 2-4, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 5.

Students must register in advance at VCSSportsPhysicals.com. If the drop-down menu isn’t working, that means the particular time slot is full and students will need to choose another time.

This is for Volusia County Schools students only, and includes student-athletes, ROTC, band members and firefighting-academy students.

The physicals will include ECG screening, and will take place at Daytona International Speedway Midway Suites at 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach.

For more information, email vcssportsphysicals@groups.volusia.k12.fl.us.

Six $1,000 scholarships will be awarded by The Harold V. Lucas Jr. Foundation Inc. to six high-school seniors in Volusia County. To date, the foundation has provided 21 scholarships.

Two scholarships will be awarded in each of the following categories: Scholastic, Athletic and Citizenship.

Applicants will be required to submit a personal essay, college-acceptance letter, transcripts and a teacher-recommendation letter. Applications are due by Monday, April 21.

For scholarship criteria and application details, visit hvlucas.org/scholarships.

The Harold V. Lucas Jr. Foundation Inc. is a Daytona Beach-based tax-exempt organization. Lucas is a Korean War veteran and served as a teacher, administrator and coach in the Daytona Beach area for more than 50 years. The scholarship is available to public- and private-school students throughout Volusia County.

Volusia County Schools has announced that the district’s College and Career Acceleration (CCA) rate for the Class of 2024 has increased to 66.7 percent, marking a 1-percentage-point increase from the previous year’s rate of 65.7 percent.

The CCA rate represents the percentage of high-school graduates who have earned college credit or career certifications by the time they graduate. This growth reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for postsecondary success through advanced coursework, industry certifications and dual-enrollment opportunities.

Among the district’s 11 high schools, seven saw an increase in CCA rates. Notably, Deltona High School leads the district with an acceleration rate of 88.3 percent. Volusia Online Learning experienced the most significant year-over-year increase, jumping 14.9 percentage points from 65.9 percent to 80.8 percent. Two other schools recorded double-digit gains: T. DeWitt Taylor Middle-High School in Pierson had a 12.1-percentage-point increase, and University High School in Orange City had a 10.2-percentage-point increase.

In addition to overall growth, VCS saw notable increases in acceleration rates across various student demographics, including English language learners, Hispanic students and white students.

Believe it or not, Spring Holiday is just around the corner. Friday, March 14, is a teacher duty day and a student holiday, which leads into the start of the Spring Holiday that begins Monday, March 17, and concludes Monday, March 24, when classes resume.

Early-Release Wednesdays for March include the 5th, 12th and 26th.

DeBary Elementary School

The Global Issues Problem-Solving Team Competition found DeBary Elementary School earning the right to advance to the state competition. The team included Paisley Bartlinski, June Alcorn, Jordan Metro and Jadier Ledesma.

Amilia Kane competed in the Global Issues category with a junior group from River Springs Middle School in Orange City.

Forest Lake Elementary School

Amanda Andrews, who teaches at Forest Lake Elementary School in Deltona, will represent the school with a Crystal Apple Award nomination.

George Marks Elementary School

Janet Stone, who teaches at George Marks Elementary School in DeLand, has been recognized by Spectrum News 13 as one of their “A+ Teachers.” Stone is an art teacher, and includes math and science in her art instruction.

Manatee Cove Elementary School

Manatee Cove Elementary School in Orange City will host a Dairy Queen Spirit Night where Manatee Cove will receive 10 percent of your order to benefit the school. This will be 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, at the Dairy Queen at 70 N. Charles Richard Beall Blvd. in DeBary. Note that only dine-in purchases will benefit the school; drive-through orders will not go toward the school. Also, only regular-price items will benefit, not value meals or items.

Pride Elementary School

Pride Elementary School in Deltona congratulates teacher Heather Cahill for 10 years of service with Volusia County Schools, and also congratulates the school’s First Year Teacher of the Year nominee Zachary Owen. Nicci Heard is the school’s Crystal Apple Award nominee.

Spirit Elementary School

Spirit Elementary School in Deltona congratulates the following staff members on receiving longevity honors from Volusia County Schools: Karen Pedro and Heather Porter, 10 years; Carolyn Acevedo and Ana Morales, 20 years; and Elizabeth Frederickson and Darlene Tufariello, 25 years.

Starke Elementary School

Starke Elementary School in DeLand has nominated Jenna Corba as its First Year Teacher of the Year.

DeLand Middle School

DeLand Middle School congratulates Chef Austin Halterman as their nominee for CTE Teacher of the Year, while also honoring Jennifer Maloney as ESE Teacher of the Year, Christopher Brewer as Inclusion Teacher of the Year, Dane Garretson as Rookie ESE Teacher of the Year, and Kelley Walker as Support Teacher of the Year.

River Springs Middle School

Now through Friday, March 28, eighth-grade students at River Springs Middle School in Orange City can order the eighth-grade T-shirt at a presale for $20. The shirt is to be used during the eighth-grade field day and other end-of-the-year activities. All fundraiser profits will help pay for the field day.

Visit the Student Portal to purchase the shirts. Any questions, email ejerthal@volusia.k12.fl.us.

Southwestern Middle School

Southwestern Middle School in DeLand thanks the DeLand Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for their donation of supplies and recognition of the office specialists.

The school’s Teacher of the Month for December was Maria Singh, who is always willing to give of her time to provide additional support to students.

Trinity Christian Academy

The track team from Trinity Christian Academy in Deltona traveled to the Geneva School Development Track Meet in Casselberry. Trinity Christian had four second-place finishers and one third-place finisher at the meet. Lauryn Easter placed second in the 100 meters, while Aaden Baldwin was second in the boys 100, Joseph Brittain was second in the long jump, and Nathanael Stites was second in the shot put. Jaden Rodriguez was third in the 100. Easter and Baldwin are eighth-graders.

University High School

University High School in Orange City congratulates its Future Problem-Solving seniors. The four-person team placed second in the Presentation of Action Plan and fourth in Global Issues Problem-Solving. The team was composed of Katie Blix, Emily Bloomer, Vanessa Diaz and Jessica Hazelton. Reid Smith placed first and Benjy Gotlib placed third in Individual Global Issues Problem-Solving. All of them qualified for the state competition later in March.

DeLand High School Athletics

The DeLand High School Bulldog track teams traveled north to Bunnell to compete in the 21st annual East Coast Classic track meet, with the girls finishing ninth and the boys 11th out of 22 teams.

Kylie Neira won the pole vault with an 11-foot-9.75-inch jump, breaking the meet record, while Owen York won the javelin throw with a 181-foot-4-inch effort. Anna Vandell took second in the high jump, which is the same place that Sierra West finished in the discus throw and the shot put. Hiram Cook took third in the 200 meters.

The DeLand boys weightlifters moved their season mark to 3-1 in both traditional and Olympic competition by defeating Atlantic by a score of 45-24 in Olympic lifts and 57-25 in traditional lifts.

Those gaining firsts were Wyatt Dunne (2), Ryan Hurd (2), Mo Knio, Johan Rodriguez, Aiden Keeley, Jaxson Van Horn (2), Xavier Caraballo (2) and Ayden Molina (2).

Those with seconds were Rodriguez, Keeley, Noah Hatcher, Jayson Galindo (2), Ridhi Patel, Elijah Laureno, Jonathan Baker, Jacob Lubell, Lukas Gibbs, Fard Williams, Knio and Luke Patterson (2). Sam Trivett picked up two thirds.

The DHS baseball team won their opener, 2-0, over Flagler Palm Coast, but lost to Venice, 10-0.

The Lady Bulldog softball team beat Innovation, 6-4, with De-Niya Padgett hitting two home runs with four RBIs. They then lost to Melbourne, 14-0, and beat Space Coast, 6-5, with Padgett hitting another homer. They lost to South Sumter, 9-6, with Brianne Yocum hitting a double, followed by a loss to Ocala Trinity Catholic, 13-4, with Payton Mathis hitting a triple.

The girls flag-football team lost their opener to Bishop Moore, 6-0, but bounced back with a 40-0 win over Deltona Trinity Christian.

Friday, March 7, has the baseball team at home against Spruce Creek at Conrad Park at 7 p.m. JV baseball greets Creek at 4 p.m.

Saturday, March 8, sends the track team to the George Janan Invitational at Spruce Creek High School at 9 a.m.

Tuesday, March 11, has the softball team at New Smyrna Beach at 5:30 p.m., the baseball team meeting Flagler Palm Coast on the high-school field at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and the tennis teams at Deltona at 4 p.m.

Wednesday, March 12, sends the boy weightlifters to Pine Ridge at 4 p.m., while the track team is back at Spruce Creek for the Volusia/Flagler Freshman/Sophomore Championships at 3 p.m. The JV baseball team plays at University at 4 p.m.

Thursday, March 13, has the baseball team hosting Father Lopez at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The tennis team is going to Father Lopez at 4 p.m.

Friday, March 14, has the baseball team greeting Bartram Trail at 7 p.m., with the JV baseball team at Father Lopez at 4 p.m.

Stetson University basketball

The Stetson University Lady Hatters stopped West Georgia, 68-58, with Tiasia McMillan scoring 15 points with 11 rebounds, one block and one steal. Quentarra Mitchell added 11 points. Shelby Calhoun dropped 10 points with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Diawna Carter-Hartley scored 10 points while collecting 14 rebounds.

The Hatter men lost to FGCU, 83-80, after losing earlier to FGCU, 82-56. Jamie Phillips Jr. scored 16 points, and Josh Massey made 15 points with seven rebounds, one block and two steals. Jordan Wood dropped 12 points. Mehki Ellison made 10 points with six rebounds. Finley Sheridan added 12 points, and Tristan Goss added 10 points.

The men also lost to North Florida, 79-71, with Phillips Jr. getting 20 points and five rebounds. Massey made 19 points and six rebounds, and Wood dropped 10 points with two steals and five rebounds.

Stetson University baseball/softball

The Stetson University Hatter baseball team had a 3-1 road trip to Puerto Rico to participate in the Puerto Rico Challenge in Caguas. The final game there was the lone loss to Michigan, 6-1, with Jayden Hylton hitting a double in the next-to-last game. The team defeated Missouri, 9-7, while Hylton hit a home run along with Juan De La Cruz.

The Hats’ first game at home found them defeating the University of Maryland Baltimore County, 11-1, with Landon Russell and Lorenzo Meola hitting home runs.

The softball team came back after losing to Bethune-Cookman with a 2-0 win, followed by a loss to FAU, 8-5, with Devon Weller doubling, and then an 8-3 win over Marist with Dylan Anthony doubling.

Friday, March 7, has the softball team hosting Bryant at 3 p.m., with the baseball team at BYU and again on Saturday, March 8, which also finds the softball team greeting Bryant at 3 p.m. and South Carolina Upstate at 5:30 p.m.

On Sunday, March 9, the softball team hosts Quinnipiac at 12:30 p.m., and then Tuesday, March 11, Wednesday, March 12, and Friday, March 14, the baseball team plays host to USC Upstate at 6:30 p.m. on the 11th and 14th, and at 4 p.m. on the 12th. The softball team faces Arizona State at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at home Wednesday, March 12.

Stetson University spring sports

The Stetson University beach-volleyball team opened the 2025 season with two, 5-0, wins over Mercer and Nebraska, while the lacrosse team lost to Clemson, 26-6.

The men’s tennis team lost to Georgia Southern, 6-1, with Xavier Sarda Marti scoring the Hatters’ lone point. The women lost to FAU, 4-0.

Friday, March 7, has the women golfers at the Southern Utah Invitational, while the beach-volleyball team faces FIU at noon and North Florida at 4 p.m. in Fort Myers, followed by playing South Carolina at noon and FGCU at 4 p.m. again in Fort Myers Saturday, March 8.

The rowing team faces UCF on Lake Beresford at 7 a.m. March 8. The men’s tennis team hosts Coastal Carolina at noon Sunday, March 9, while Monday, March 10, the lacrosse team meets Stonehill at home at 3 p.m., with the men golfers in Georgia to meet FSU.

Tuesday, March 11, the women’s tennis team goes to FGCU at 10 a.m., and Friday, March 14, they play at Central Arkansas at 10 a.m.

Also March 14, the men’s tennis team hosts Cleveland State at noon, and the beach-volleyball team is in Boca Raton to play Tampa at 11 a.m. and Georgia State at 3 p.m.