Now it’s time for you to help recognize the very best!

Which student-athletes do you believe made the biggest impact this year? Make your voice count by casting your vote in the 2025–26 Eagles Choice Awards.

Each team has selected one representative—nominated by their teammates—to appear on this year’s ballot. From there, it’s up to you to decide who will earn the honor of being named Montverde Academy’s Male and Female Eagles Choice Award winners.

Voting is now open and will close at 11:59 PM on Thursday April 23.

Cast your vote and be part of the celebration! The ballot is open to everyone, so everyone is encourage to share it far and wide.

The winners will be announced during the annual Montverde Academy athletics honors night virtual show which will air on the MVA YouTube page on Wednesday, May 13 at 7:00 pm.

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 From February 11–15, the Montverde Academy Model United Nations (EagleMUN) team competed at the North American Invitational Model United Nations conference (NAIMUN), hosted by Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. NAIMUN is one of the largest student-led conferences in the world. Over 250 Georgetown students interact directly with more than 3,500 upper school delegates from over 20 countries.   

Model United Nations is an academically competitive speech and debate simulation of the United Nations. Students compete as “delegates,” representing countries and individuals on specific topics assigned in a committee. Conferences are hosted by collegiate teams and private organizations around the world.  

In addition to the conference, students visited the office and met with Congressman Daniel Webster, who serves Florida’s 11th Congressional District. Students were also given a private tour of the Capitol Building by members of the congressman’s staff.  

 Additionally, students participated in a tour of Georgetown University guided by our very own Secretary General of EagleMUN, Jacob Novis.  Some even managed to find time for a snowball fight, something new for a few Florida students!  

 Sophomore Isabella Salgado earned a “Verbal Commendation” at the conference, an award recognizing her high-quality performance, active participation, and strong debate skills.  

 Here is a breakdown of students and their delegations at NAIMUN:  

Representing India:  

• Arctic Council: Humza Bajwa and Adam Hymore  

• Commission on the Status of Women: Carington Helms and Noor Cheema  

• Group of 77: Jesiah Howard and Jeevan Mahal  

• High Level Political Forum: Zara Liles-Henry and Raquel Teixeira E Silva  

• Pacific Environmental Program: Emily Nguyen and Krisha Patel  

• Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia: Jacob Novis and Eisha Cheema  

• Disarmament and Security: Camelia Berrada Allam and Islay Smith  

Specialized and Crisis Committees:  

• Historical Crisis: Incan Succession 1529: Laura Menossi  

• National Diet of Japan: Émilie Lapouble  

• Ad-Hoc: Andrew Bourne  

• Supreme Court: Isabella Salgado  

• White House Situation Room: Elissa Ghanem  

NAIMUN marks the end of the traveling season for the EagleMUN team. As a program, EagleMUN had its largest year yet, with 50 different students participating in KnightMUN (UCF), GatorMUN (UF), and NAIMUN (D.C.).  

The season is not completely over! Over Spring Break, students Camelia Berrada Allam and Islay Smith will be teaming up to represent MVA at the National High School Model United Nations conference in New York City. Good luck Camelia and Islay in New York!  

On April 4, EAGLEMUN IV hosted on the MVA campus from 8 a.m. –  4 p.m. Last year, 20 eighth grade students participated. This year, we expect nearly 80 students across five committees, including delegates from five visiting schools. 

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The Montverde Academy Music Conservatory proudly presented String-A-Palooza in the Sandra O. Stephens Fine Arts Auditorium, celebrating the dedication and talent of student musicians across multiple grade levels.

Under the direction of Mr. Andres Villa, Director of Strings, and with support from Lower School music teacher Ms. Kate Zeng and accompanist Mr. Aubrey Connelly-Candelario, the evening featured a dynamic and inspiring program highlighting the growth of MVA’s young artists, from second-grade beginners to advanced orchestra performers.

The Eagle Orchestra captivated the audience with expressive and energetic selections including “Canyon Sunset” by John Caponegro, “Ancient Lore on Rocky Shore” by Chris Thomas, “Dragon Slayer” by Rob Grice, and “Frog and Toad” by Carrie Lane Gruselle. A special guitar performance of “Crow” by Steve Lim added a unique musical dimension to the evening.

The Eaglet Orchestra continued the momentum with “Colossus” by Larry Clark, “Russian Music Box” by Soon Hee Newbold, and  “Impulse” by Brian Balmages, demonstrating impressive musicianship and ensemble unity.

Lower School violinists delighted the audience with foundational pieces such as “Open String Blues,” “Serenata,” and “Puppet Parade,” while third graders performed selections from Essential Elements by Michael Allen and Robert Gillespie. The concert concluded with a heartwarming combined performance of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” showcasing the collaborative spirit and steady progression of our youngest string players.

String-A-Palooza reflected the strength of the music program at MVA and the passion of students who continue to grow as confident performers and musicians.

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All-Area First Team

Montverde Academy had two players on the All-Area First Team: Briana Burkhalter and Kendall Seays. Burkhalter finished the season with six goals and a team-high 23 assists, serving as a key playmaker throughout the year, while Seays added three goals and four assists, contributing across the midfield in a well-balanced attack.

All-Area Second Team

Four Eagles earned Second Team honors: Taylor Heaton, Vienna Morgan, Joy Palacios and Alyssa Strasbaugh. Heaton anchored a dominant defensive unit that held opponents scoreless in 19 of the team’s 23 matches. Morgan totaled eight goals and 12 assists during the season, while Palacios contributed two goals and three assists. Goalkeeper Alyssa Strasbaugh was a steady presence, recording all 21 wins while posting 18 shutouts and a 0.261 goals allowed average in nearly 1,700 minutes of action.

Honorable Mentions

Two additional players received Honorable Mention recognition. Caroline Ritchey finished second on the team in scoring with 11 goals to go along with seven assists, and Veronica Solano added three goals and eight assists.

Montverde Academy completed the season with a 21-1-1 overall record and an impressive 93-6 goal differential, culminating in the program’s state championship.

The All-Area selections reflect the depth, talent, and consistency that defined the Eagles’ season, as Montverde Academy established itself as one of the top programs in the state.

The Orlando Sentinel is a leading Central Florida daily newspaper that annually recognizes the top high school athletes in the region through its All-Area teams.

About Montverde Academy:

Montverde Academy is a private, independent college preparatory school for grades Pre-K3 through post-graduate studies, with a boarding program serving grades 7-12 representing 70+ nationalities. Our mission is to inspire students to become knowledgeable leaders with global vision and passion for learning, in a disciplined and diverse community that nurtures character development. For more information, visit us online at Montverde.org and at MVASports.com.

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 We’re taking learning to new heights in Aerospace Engineering! 

 In Ms. Chris Burrell’s Aerospace Engineering class, students are stepping into the role of real pilots, using Logitech flight joysticks and the GeoFS flight simulator to bring aviation concepts to life. 

After studying radio navigation, airport operations, flight planning, headings, airspeed, altitude, and instrument scanning, students designed a cross-country route between Central Florida airports and then executed their plan in a live simulation environment. From realistic takeoffs and smooth cruising to precise landings, they monitored instruments, followed programmed waypoints, and made in-flight corrections just like professional aviators. 

This hands-on experience transforms abstract concepts into real-world skills by building confidence, precision, and a deeper understanding of how modern air travel works. 

 The future of flight is in good hands! 

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At Montverde Academy, 128 students in grades 10 and 11 received BigFuture® Awards, a 35 percent increase from last year’s recognition. This College Board National Recognition Program awards academic honors to high-performing sophomore and junior students within the context of their community to celebrate their hard work and be seen by colleges. Students can receive up to three award designations: School Recognition, First-Generation Recognition, and Rural/Small-Town Recognition.

The School Recognition is for students with a cumulative GPA of 3.3+ who are in the top 10 percent of their school’s test-takers for the PSAT/PSAT 10/NMSQT or earn a 3+ on two or more AP exams by 10th grade.

The First-Generation Recognition is for students with a cumulative GPA of 3.3+ who scored in the top 10 percent at the state level on the PSAT/PSAT 10/NMSQT or scored a 3+ on two or more distinct AP exams.

The Rural/Small-Town Recognition is for students with a 3.5 GPA or higher who attend high school in a rural area or small town and earn a 3+ on two or more AP exams or score in the top 10 percent at the state level on the PSAT/PSAT 10/NMSQT.

Click here for the complete list of Montverde Academy’s 2026 BigFuture Award winners. Congratulations to these hardworking students!

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The quartet of DaQuana Howell, Adriana Rodriguez, Nakira Hudson, and Dasia Reed delivered a sensational performance, racing to a winning time of 1:34.25. The mark not only the national title but also established a new girls high school indoor national record for the fastest 4×200 relay ever recorded.

Montverde Academy successfully defended its national title in the event, cementing the program’s place among the elite sprint relay teams in the country.

Competing against the top programs from across the nation, the Eagles rose to the moment once again, showcasing their speed, depth, and championship pedigree on the national stage.

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Senior guard Dhani Miller was named First Team All-Conference, Nikos Koulisianis earned a spot on the Athletic Honor Roll, and Steve Turner was named the conference’s Coach of the Year.

Miller Leads the Way

Miller had a phenomenal season for Montverde Academy this year, emerging as the team’s leader and one of the conference’s top performers.

Through 26 regular-season games, he averaged a team-high 15.5 points per game, while also contributing 6.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, ranking second on the team in both categories. He recorded four double-doubles during the season and consistently delivered in key moments as Montverde navigated the conference schedule.

A lifelong Eagle, Miller has attended Montverde Academy since pre-kindergarten and has been part of the national boys basketball team since ninth grade. During his first two seasons, he saw limited minutes, but steadily worked his way into a larger role. His hard work and development over the years culminated in the leadership and production he displayed this season.

Excellence in the Classroom and on the Court

Koulisianis earned Athletic Honor Roll recognition for his outstanding academic achievements while balancing the demands of competing in one of the nation’s premier high school basketball leagues.

He maintains an impressive 4.03 weighted GPA (3.98 unweighted) while serving as a steady and reliable presence on the roster. His commitment to excellence in both the classroom and on the court reflects the high standards Montverde Academy student-athletes strive to uphold. Earlier this year, Koulisianis was recognized with the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament (MAIT) Sportsmanship Award, highlighting his character, leadership, and respect for the game.

Turner Named Coach of the Year

In his first season leading the program, Turner guided Montverde Academy to the Nike EYBL Scholastic Eastern Division regular season championship.

The Eagles went 9–0 in the Eastern Division and 11–3 overall in conference play, a remarkable turnaround after the team opened the season 0–3 overall and 0–2 in conference competition.

Under Turner’s leadership, Montverde rallied to win 21 of its final 23 regular-season games and 11 of its final 12 conference matchups. The Eagles showed resilience throughout the year, overcoming early-season setbacks that included losing key players to season-ending injuries.

Despite the adversity, the team never lost belief, continuing to compete with confidence and unity as the season progressed.

The recognition is the latest milestone in Turner’s distinguished coaching career. Prior to arriving at Montverde Academy, Turner built a national reputation during his tenure at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., where he was named Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year six times. He was also honored as the Gatorade National Coach of the Year in 2016.

Together, the honors for Miller, Koulisianis, and Turner reflect both the individual excellence and collective resilience that defined Montverde Academy’s season in the Nike EYBL Scholastic conference.

About Montverde Academy:

Montverde Academy is a private, independent college preparatory school for grades Pre-K3 through post-graduate studies, with a boarding program serving grades 7-12 representing 70+ nationalities. Our mission is to inspire students to become knowledgeable leaders with global vision and passion for learning, in a disciplined and diverse community that nurtures character development. For more information, visit us online at Montverde.org and at MVASports.com.

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On Saturday morning at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, the Eagles claimed the 2025-26 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A State Championship with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over previously unbeaten Cardinal Gibbons — securing the fifth state title in program history and the third in the last four years.

This one wasn’t easy — and that made it even sweeter.

With the exception of a 3-1 road loss to St. Thomas Aquinas in December, Saturday’s championship match may have been arguably the most competitive test MVA faced all season. The first half was a tense defensive battle, with both teams limiting quality chances and neither able to break through. Every touch, every challenge, every clearance carried weight.

The match remained scoreless deep into the second half before senior standout Lola Rey delivered the breakthrough moment.

Rey, who has been electric all season, fired home her team-leading 27th goal of the year on a laser into the lower left corner from approximately 25 yards out with less than 13 minutes remaining. The strike sent the Montverde Academy faithful in attendance into a roar — and gave the Eagles the momentum they had been building all match.

Still, with just a one-goal lead, the tension remained.

That tension finally began to ease with just under six minutes remaining when Marta Arbenina found the back of the net from just outside the goalkeeper’s box, doubling the lead to 2-0 and sending the MVA sideline into celebration mode.

While the final score shows a two-goal margin, the Eagles seemed to control the rhythm a little more than the Chiefs. MVA held an 11-8 advantage in total shots and a 6-3 edge in shots on goal, consistently applying pressure while maintaining possession for the majority of the contest.

Defensively, the Eagles were once again flawless. Goalkeeper Alyssa Strasbaugh recorded three saves, anchoring a back line that has been nothing short of dominant all year. The shutout marked Montverde Academy’s 18th clean sheet of the season and the 19th time the Eagles held an opponent without a goal (MVA played to a 0-0 tie against Ponta Vedra in the season opener on November 4).

And the numbers behind this championship run are staggering.

In the 2026 portion of the 2025-26 schedule, MVA did not allow a single goal. Every game in 2026 was a shutout victory, with the Eagles outscoring opponents 49-0 across those 10 matches. For the full season, MVA outscored its opponents by a combined 93-6 — absolute dominance.

Five state championships now for the Eagles and three in four years.

MVA girls soccer isn’t just winning — it’s setting the standard.

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