A tradition that keeps moving forward! During senior retreat, students assembled bicycles as part of the 12th annual Build-a-Bike service project. The bikes were donated through the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, whose partnership helps connect them with children in need in the community. 

 After the builds were complete, the Tower Loop became the setting for a little friendly bike-racing competition. 

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Project Scholars is inviting South Lake County high school seniors to apply for its annual scholarships beginning October 1, 2026. The application deadline is January 15, 2027, and recipients will be announced during Pig on the Pond, April 2–4, 2027, at Clermont’s Waterfront Park.

The dates mark a new timeline for the scholarship program. By opening applications in the fall, Project Scholars hopes to give students more time to learn about the opportunity, prepare their materials and submit an application before the January deadline.

Project Scholars awards four students a $10,000 scholarship each, distributed over four years. For recipients, that support can help ease the cost of pursuing a college education. For the South Lake community, it is a chance to invest in students who have grown up here and are preparing for what comes next.

“Behind every scholarship is a student with goals, potential and a community cheering them on,” said Paul Rountree, president of Project Scholars. “We’re excited to open applications this fall and to celebrate our next group of recipients together at Pig on the Pond.”

The festival plays a central role in Project Scholars’ mission. Each spring, Pig on the Pond brings families, businesses and community partners together at Waterfront Park to support scholarships for local students. Announcing the recipients during the April 2027 event will give the community an opportunity to meet and celebrate the young people their support helps lift up.

Scholarship timeline

• October 1, 2026: Applications open
• January 15, 2027: Applications close
• April 2–4, 2027: Scholarship recipients announced at Pig on the Pond

Project Scholars encourages guidance counselors, educators, families and community members to share the opportunity with South Lake County seniors. Application information will be available through Project Scholars’ official channels when the application opens October 1.

About Project Scholars

Project Scholars is a South Lake community scholarship program that raises funds through its annual Pig on the Pond event. Scholarships of $10,000 over four years are awarded to deserving local seniors who demonstrate financial need, academic excellence, leadership, and community service. Additional scholarships are made possible through community sponsorships and memorial funds. For more information, visit pigonthepond.org or contact Amanda Nethero at 407-433-6048 or info@pigonthepond.org.

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A first grade idea worth saving: Turn math review into a Math Hospital.

Mrs. Tieder’s first grade classroom became a pharmacy, diagnostic lab, research lab, and emergency room, with each station focused on a different math skill. 

 The result? Students were practicing, problem-solving, and preparing for their assessment, but it felt a lot more like an experience than a review. 

A good reminder that sometimes, a creative theme and a few purposeful stations are all it takes to make familiar skills feel new again. 

 And yes, the emergency room was everyone’s favorite! 

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The SLHS Eagles opened district play by shutting out Wekiva this past Friday, Sept 25 scoring 34-0 at Eagle stadium. The Eagle offense had over 450 yards on the offensive side of the ball and multiple players had strong defensive performances keeping the Mustangs out of the South Lake end zone. Tre Kelly had a very strong performance rushing for 107 yards  and two touchdowns   passing for 148 yards and a touchdown. Sam Wood also had a big night rushing for two touchdowns and 126 yards. Cody Mason would score on a 60 yard touchdown pass from Kelly as well.

The Defensive line had their way most of the night with strong performances from Quoy Nelson, Anthony Johnson, Shamar Murray, and Brian Bedingfield. The Four along with Ronnie Rousse raised havoc in the Wekiva backfield all night long. Ahvioume Scott also had 7 tackles and an interception leading the Eagle secondary.

“We are halfway through the season and need to clean up our penalties. The players played hard and had a strong week of practice. We are 1-0 in the district so we took step one. We have a very talented Boca Ciega team coming in this week that we need to play well against before our next District game on 10/10 at Evans.  We want to thank our community for all of the support we are getting“

Date of Next opponent: October 2  Boca Ciega Home 7 pm

CONGRATULATIONS COACH LORD AND THE SLHS TEAM!

The post A BIG Win For The South Lake High School Eagles At Home On Sept 25 appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

 On Wednesday, September 16, the first pep rally of the school year brought students and faculty together for an afternoon of music, games, friendly competition, and plenty of school spirit. 

 Sponsored by the Arts and Athletics Leadership Committee (AALC), the decades-themed rally celebrated Montverde Academy’s Golf, Swim, Cross Country, Tennis and Indoor Volleyball teams, giving students the opportunity to cheer on their fellow Eagles as they prepare for their seasons. 

 For AALC president Madison Casaburi, bringing the event to life was a team effort that came with plenty of excitement. 

 “Organizing the pep rally is always a whirlwind of emotions! Myself and the entirety of AALC put in so much time to create an event that puts a smile on everyone’s face. There is a lot of pressure to set the tone for the school year and get out new members acclimated, but the first pep rally of the year was a blast; and I can’t wait to get started planning the next!” 

 The energy continued with a lineup of games and challenges that had the crowd cheering. Students took on a Limbo competition and a lively relay that brought laughs and competitive spirit to the event. 

 The excitement reached another level during a rap battle between teachers and students, delivering one of the rally’s most entertaining moments and giving both sides a chance to show off their creativity and confidence. 

 One of the afternoon’s highlights was a “Just Dance” competition between teachers and students. While both groups brought their best moves, the teachers ultimately claimed the win, proving they could still hold their own on the dance floor. 

 This pep rally was a celebration of what makes the Montverde Academy community special: coming together, supporting one another and bringing the spirit. With the school year officially underway, the Eagles have already set the tone for a season full of energy, pride, and lots of reasons to cheer. 

The post Starting the School Year at Montverde Academy with Spirit Through the Decades  appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

On Wednesday, August 19, Montverde Academy recognized students who achieved remarkable accomplishments in academics, service, the arts, athletics, and beyond. 

Academic and Community Excellence 

Several students were recognized for outstanding achievements beyond the classroom. 

Junior Meera Patel was recognized as a Carson Scholar. The Carson Scholars Fund awards $1,000 in college scholarships to students in grades 4-11 who excel academically and are dedicated to serving their communities.                                                                     

Junior Sanvhi Gandhi received the Society of Women in Engineering (SWE) STEM in Action Award, recognizing her accomplishments and engagement in STEM. 

Senior Aubrey Harry was recognized for her participation in the Congressional Art Competition, themed “Wonders of Florida,” representing the 11th Congressional District. 

 Senior Ethan Huynh was presented with the Youth in Philanthropy Award by the Central Florida Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. This award recognizes young people for outstanding volunteerism, charitable fundraising, and community leadership. 

 Every fall, the College Board AP Program recognizes high school students who have demonstrated outstanding college-level achievement through their performance on multiple AP Exams. This past year, as a result of our incredible students and the amazing instruction by our teachers in preparation for the 2026 AP Exams, Montverde Academy had 248 AP Scholars and another 17 students received capstone diplomas. Of these AP scholars, nearly 150 of them who were not seniors returned this year and were recognized for their achievements on AP exams and commitment to academic excellence. 

 Athletic Excellence 

 The Academy also celebrated an impressive group of student-athletes for championship performances and national recognition. 

 Senior Javion Tyndale was recognized for helping Canada earn a gold medal at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup, where he was also named MVP. 

Sophomore Jaylen Shepherd was recognized for competing on the championship team at the U17 Canada Games. 

Sophomore Michael Shane Frasure was honored as the FSGA State Champion in the 13-15 age group in July. 

 Montverde Academy swimmers also earned Swimming All-American honors for their performances in relay events. Recognized student-athletes included: 

• Heitor Tinoco — 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay 

• Ethan Huynh — 400 freestyle relay 

• Stella Belmore — 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay 

• Mariana Bustamante — 200 medley relay 

• Layla Busby — 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay 

• Kayra Tati — 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay 

• Alejandra Ordonez — 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay 

• Maria Castro— 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay 

• Maria Fernandez — 400 freestyle relay 

 Senior O’neal Delancy was also recognized for competing on the championship team at the U17 EYBL Peach Jam Championship. 

From academic achievement and community leadership to championship performances on the national and international stage, the first Excellence assembly of the school year highlighted the many ways Montverde Academy students continue to pursue excellence. 

 Montverde Academy congratulates all of the students recognized and celebrates the hard work, passion, and perseverance behind each accomplishment. 

The post Montverde Academy Celebrates Student Excellence appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Montverde Academy Upper School students recently came together for a meaningful day of service with Light Orlando’s Project Hunger, helping package meals for families in need throughout the community.

Light Orlando hosts Project Hunger two times each year, bringing volunteers together to sort, package, and prepare meal kits for families facing food insecurity. During Saturday’s event, Montverde Academy students joined volunteers from across the community in contributing to the creation of 1 million meal kits.

A large group of Upper School students participated, including members of the girls volleyball and girls basketball teams. Working together, students sorted ingredients, assembled meal kits, and prepared packages for distribution.

“Giving back today was a meaningful experience because we got to help people in need. It felt good knowing that something as simple as our time and effort for a couple hours could make a big difference in someone else’s life. I’m grateful that we got to do this today and give back,” said junior Layla Adams.

For senior Jordan Speller, the experience was also an opportunity to build community. “My experience today was really good. I bonded with my team and made some friends on the volleyball team. If I had to decide today in one word, I’d say outstanding. From start to finish there was never a second that I wanted to leave. I really do recommend doing this through the year and would like to come back for MLK Day.”

“Last week, Light Orlando reached out to invite our students to participate in Project Hunger, sharing how consistently impressed they have been with the dedication and quality of work our students bring to their service opportunities,” said Mrs. Margaret Price, Assistant Dean of Students for Multiculturalism, Leadership, and Student Programs. “Although the invitation came together at the last minute, our Upper School community responded with tremendous enthusiasm. Our girls volleyball and girls basketball teams, along with a large group of Upper School students, stepped forward to serve. We are incredibly proud of the way our students embraced this opportunity to make a meaningful difference, and we are deeply grateful to our weekend team chaperones, coaches, and students for their willingness to step up and serve our community.”

For the girls basketball team, the experience provided a chance to strengthen relationships, particularly as new players joined the program. “Today was an amazing experience allowing the team to bond with each other while giving back to the community! As we have a lot of new girls in the program it was nice to spend time with them and allow us to see how our personalities mesh,” said junior Zoe Newell.

Sophomore Belen Scanlon appreciated both the impact of the service and the opportunity to work alongside fellow students. “Getting the opportunity to make a tangible difference was incredible! Not only were we able to help, but we also got to interact with each other and our community by packaging and preparing meals for those in need. It was truly a great experience!” When asked about the music playing during the event, Belen added, “Yes! It was super fun to sing along and dance with everyone whilst working!”

Through Project Hunger, Montverde Academy students demonstrated the power of giving their time and talents to support others. Their service on August 22 not only contributed to a major community effort to create 1 million meal kits, but also reflected the Academy’s commitment to developing students who lead with compassion, character, and a spirit of

The post Montverde Academy Upper School Students Make a Difference Through Day of Service appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

 Montverde Academy’s yearbook program is celebrating a remarkable year of recognition for the 2026 Interlachen, titled Everything, Everywhere, Everyone All at Once. 

 This summer, Interlachen earned All-Florida Honors from the Florida Scholastic Press Association (FSPA), the organization’s highest evaluation rating. The honor places Interlachen among the strongest scholastic publications in Florida and recognizes excellence in writing, photography, design, coverage and overall execution. 

 The yearbook also earned All-American Honors from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), its highest critique rating. In an especially impressive achievement, Interlachen received all five Marks of Distinction in Essentials, Coverage, Writing and Editing, Design, and Photography. The publication earned perfect scores in Essentials and Coverage and a 97 out of 100 in Design. Receiving all five Marks of Distinction recognizes excellence across every major component of yearbook journalism, highlighting the strength of the publication as a whole. 

 The recognition comes as a result of hundreds of hours of work by Montverde Academy students. Throughout the year, student journalists interview their peers, photograph events, report on the school community, meet deadlines, revise their work and solve problems as they work to create a publication that authentically documents life at MVA. 

 The 2026 Interlachen will also be in the running for national honors, with the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Crowns and NSPA Pacemakers finalists set to be announced in December. 

 The yearbook program’s success also reflects the dedication of its adviser, Mrs. Savannah Miller, Montverde Academy’s Yearbook and Journalism teacher. Mrs. Miller was recently named a 2026 JEA Rising Star by the Journalism Education Association. The award recognizes scholastic media advisers early in their advising careers who have demonstrated a commitment to journalism education and made a significant impact on their students and programs. The recognition will be presented at the fall national convention in Orlando in November. 

 For Mrs. Miller, the award represents more than an individual accomplishment. She credits the people who have encouraged her, trusted her to build a strong program at MVA and supported the continued growth of the Academy’s student media programs. 

 Together, these honors highlight the strength of Montverde Academy’s student media program and the meaningful, real-world opportunities students have to tell the stories of their school community. 

 As the Interlachen staff looks ahead to the 2027 yearbook, the program’s latest achievements provide plenty of momentum for what comes next. 

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On Thursday, August 27, Montverde Academy Upper School students participated in Study Area Concentration (SAC) interest meetings, giving them an opportunity to learn more about the specialized academic pathways available to them and explore areas that align with their interests and future goals. 

MVA offers six SAC areas designed to help students develop knowledge and skills connected to potential college and career paths. 

BIED: Business Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development 
BIED is designed for students interested in entering the business and financial sectors, with aspirations of becoming global entrepreneurs, corporate and government leaders, and problem solvers in business and society. 

GP: Global Perspectives 
Global Perspectives is designed for students interested in careers related to Political Science, History, Law, Psychology, and Government. 

MAC: Media Arts and Communications 
Students interested in Visual Arts, Graphic Design, Marketing and Communications, Public Relations, and Creative Writing can explore the Media Arts and Communications concentration. 

SI: Sports Industry 
Students interested in careers within the sports industry can choose from three SAC concentration options: Sports Marketing, Sports Management, and Sports Media. 

STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 
The STEM SAC offers students interested in STEM careers five concentration options: Biomedical, Chemistry and Physics, Computer Science and Graphics, Engineering, and Environmental Sustainability. The Biomedical pathway includes areas such as pre-med, pre-vet, pre-dental, and careers in wellness, health, and life sciences. 

 Senior STEM Student Apex Presentations 
As part of the STEM SAC, seniors conduct an Apex project involving a scientific investigation or meta-analysis. Students design their studies, gather data, and present their projects to advisors, who determine whether students will have the opportunity to present their work in a larger theater setting for parents, friends, and mentors. 

The post Montverde Academy Upper School Students Explore SAC Opportunities  appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

 

Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) has been awarded a $5.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to support the development of the Eustis Education and Training Center (EETC), a regional workforce development facility designed to address critical labor shortages and strengthen economic growth across Lake County and Central Florida.

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