Tony Tussing

PHOTOS COURTESY AMY MUNIZZI; READING CHALLENGE — Third-grade students at McInnis Elementary School in DeLeon Springs gather for the launch of the 12th annual Ride Into Reading Third-Grade Challenge sponsored by the DeLeon Springs Community Association Inc. Two new bicycles and helmets will be given away to the winners. DSCA Inc. President Amy Munizzi thanked Media Specialist Lisa Bertolami for coordinating the project each year, all third-grade teachers for keeping their kids engaged, and JC’s Bike Shop in DeLand for their discount on a bicycle and the helmets again this year, and a big hug to Ryan and Melissa Flesch for funding one of the bicycles. DSCA Inc. also provides monthly $10 gift cards to the most-improved readers, keeping the competition lively. This will make 25 bicycles that the DSCA Inc. has awarded to deserving students since the program began.

PHOTO BY DILLON WILSON-BECK/ GREAT JOB — The DeLand High School volleyball squad celebrates after winning the Five Star Conference Volleyball Tournament. The last game was with Spruce Creek HIgh School. DeLand won, 3-0, after earlier downing Mainland and University. Those on the team, in no set order, are Victoria Stoltzfus, Sophie Jones, Addison Clark, Taylor Fonseca, Grayson Bridgewater, Erynn Gotsch, Ella Pringle, Alison Bierwagen, Ava Scott, Kailee Blinn, Anna Vandell, Emily Thornton and Leni Young. The team, after the tournament, has an 18-2 season mark. The head coach is Rhea Simon.

PHOTOS BY MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN; SENIOR KING AND QUEEN — In the middle, Lukas Gibbs and Kaitlyn Anderson are senior king and queen. With them are Student Government Association sponsor Melissa Lundell, left, and Mendi Camacho, also a Student Government Association sponsor.

PHOTO BY DILLON WILSON-BECK; GOOD RUN — DeLand High’s freshman running back Taihj Moore, No. 5, makes a touchdown scamper against Mainland, who outscored the Bulldogs, 42-27. No. 72 Tucker Wilson follows Moore toward the end zone.

The Stetson University women’s basketball team along with head coach Lynn Bria invite all pickleball enthusiasts to participate in the inaugural Stetson Women’s Basketball Tournament, to be played Saturday, Nov. […]

PHOTO BY DILLON WILSON-BECK; WINNING PLAY — DeLand High School volleyballer Alison Bierwagen, No. 8, goes way up to drive the ball onto the Ocala Forest side of the court. She is assisted by No. 1 Victoria Stoltzfus, No. 9 Ava Scott, No. 4 in yellow jersey Taylor Fonseca, and No. 6 Erynn Gotsch. The play helped DeLand win the FHSAA District 2-7A tournament over Ocala Forest, 3-0, which moved the Lady Bulldogs’ season record to 23-2. Scott, Gotsch and Bierwagen are three of the four seniors on the team, the other being Ella Pringle.

PHOTO BY DILLON WILSON-BECK; HUFFING AND PUFFING — DeLand High’s sophomore runner Connor York (1255) is the top West Volusia runner at the recent Five Star Conference Cross Country Championships. He covered the 5K course in 16:43.7, leading the DeLand team to second place overall in the meet, while taking fifth place as an individual runner. He is being pursued by Lowell Cummings (1268) of Deltona High, who finished seventh at 16:56.0.

PHOTO BY DILLON WILSON-BECK; FIRST WIN — The football team from Pine Ridge High School in Deltona celebrates their first win of the season in their ninth attempt at the Teal Bowl. The scoreboard shows why they are celebrating, with a 20-18 score over Port Orange’s Atlantic High School.

PHOTO BY TONY TUSSING; CUTE KIDS — VPK and kindergarten students in the newly created Dual Language Program at George Marks Elementary School in DeLand show off their new skills. They recited the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish, as well as singing “Itsy Bitsy Spider” in Spanish and English, and doing a science lesson in both languages.

FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools has announced the names of the 138 teachers who have been presented grant monies though the FUTURES Teacher Classroom Grant Program.