Volusia School News, Feb. 25, 2022

Eagle professor wins air force grant for satellites

Dr. Riccardo Bevilacqua, an aerospace engineering professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, has been awarded a $450,000 Air Force Office of Scientific Research grant.

His goal is to enable flexible spacecraft, equipped with either mounting appendages or large membranes, to autonomously control their motion in orbit.

The three-year project could yield a variety of applications, including repairing damaged satellites, deploying solar sails and supporting future missions, such as the Air Force Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research.

VCS announces Dual Language Program

Volusia County Schools will have its first-ever Dual Language Program for the 2022-23 School Year for elementary students at Holly Hill K-8 and Spirit Elementary.

Parents will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more at the dual language program orientations:

• Holly Hill K-8: Thursday, March 3, at 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

•Spirit Elementary: Wednesday, March 2, at 5 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria.

Families with students in PreK-5 or K-5 who are interested in more information can contact the ESOL office at (386) 734-7190, ext, 23070.

Palmetto Club Scholarships

The Palmetto Club of Daytona Beach will award $1,000 scholarships to area students graduating in May.

Scholarships are based on financial need, academics and community awareness.

High schools and their specific criteria are:

•Atlantic High – Open to male and female students.

•Mainland High – Open to female students.

•Seabreeze High – Open to male and female students who are pursuing a degree in nursing or the medical field.

•New Smyrna Beach High - Open to male and female students who are pursuing a degree in nursing or education.

•Spruce Creek High School – Open to male and female students who demonstrate leadership qualities.

Detailed information is available from each high school. Application deadline is March 3.

The Palmetto Club is a charitable organization serving East Volusia County.

Ormond-by-the-Sea Lions Club offering scholarships

Ormond-by-the-Sea Lions Club is accepting applications for the Al Weeks Sr. Memorial Scholarship.

The Weeks Scholarship offers $1,000 to a graduating senior from Ormond Beach area. Application deadline is March 4.

For applications, visit the club Facebook page or call (386) 441-4421.

McDonald’s Golden Grants Program Awards

McDonald’s owners and operators across Florida and South Georgia selected 27 educators and individuals who represent programs and organizations that fuel the imagination, education and growth of students, as recipients of a Golden Grant.

Local recipients were Stinette Benton, Dolphin Cove Program at Blue Lake Elementary School, and Alexis Vaughn, Golden Crew of Alternative Education Program at Volusia County Schools. Each received $2,500.

Association honors school counselors

The Volusia School Counselor Association honored school counselors during an annual awards dinner and National School Counseling Week celebration.

Award winners were:

•Alternate Education – Rosalind Little

•Elementary – Rachel Jefferis, Cypress Creek

•Middle School – Beverly Gadson, Holly Hill

•High School – Lisa Carter, DeLand

The association also honored school counselor advocates, including Dr. Ronald “Scott” Fritz, Superintendent of Volusia County Schools; Dr. Eidie Velez, Friendship Elementary School Principal; ;and Jessica Cacoilo, Extended Day Enrichment Program Site Facilitator at Cypress Creek Elementary

The association also recognized two school counselors nominated for Teacher of the Year, Raquel Heath of New Smyrna Beach High School and Barbara Stevens of Blue Lake Elementary.

Alliance accepting scholarship applications

The Volusia-Flagler Rainbow Alliance has begun accepting applications for scholarships for the 2022 school year.

The scholarships, up to $500, are available to LGBTQ+ students currently enrolled in college, trade school or an educational internship.

The deadline to apply is April 1 with decisions announced May 1.

Applications are at docs.google.com/forms/d/1gSfR2RG8ymyg8Xq8W5hTikbVo9UyrcZZOb_gEv9JdLg/edit?ts=61a95e9c/.

FAME Program for grads 18 and older

The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education Sunshine Chapter, a collaborative effort between Volusia County Schools, Daytona State College, Volusia Manufacturing Association and local manufacturers are now taking applications for Fall 2022.

Applications are due April 1.

FAME is a nationally recognized program based on Toyota’s Advanced Manufacturing Technician program.

In two years, graduates of the program earn an engineering technology associate of science degree, and log about 1,800 paid on-the-job hours at their sponsoring company.

Applicants must be 18 years of age by program start date, have a high school diploma or GED and be a U.S. citizen or eligible for work in the U.S.

To apply or for more information, visit daytonastate.edu/fame.

Applications sought for scholarship

The DeLeon Springs Community Association Inc. is accepting applications for the 2022 DSCA Merit Scholarship.

The $1,000 scholarship is for a high school senior in the DeLeon Springs area who is seeking to further their education in the post-secondary realm.

The scholarship criteria and application may be found at deleonspringscommunityassociation.com under the “Info” tab. The completed application must be postmarked by March 31.

Flight academy awards $25,000 scholarship

Epic Flight Academy awarded a $25,000 merit scholarship to Andruw Bunch, a participant in the Cuda's UnHooked program.

Mr. Bunch started training at Epic’s Aircraft Mechanic School Feb. 7 after completing orientation. He is a graduate of New Smyrna Beach High School and formerly attended Burns Science and Technology Charter School in Oak Hill. At Burns, he was nominated to build a model plane to submit to Embry-Riddle’s Science Olympiad.

Epic’s FAA-certified Aircraft Mechanic Program lasts about 19 months.