The Junior League of Daytona Beach Awards $3,500 in Grants to Local Teachers

Daytona Beach, FL – The Junior League of Daytona Beach, an organization of women striving to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training, recently awarded $3,500 in grants to area teachers. Ten Volusia and Flagler County teachers received $350 each to help them stock up on classroom and student necessities.

Junior League of Daytona Beach members were invited to nominate educators who they believe go above and beyond to help their students thrive in school and life. The recipients were selected based on their commitment to teaching. Teachers often use their own money to buy school supplies and even personal essential items for their students, and the Junior League of Daytona Beach believes this dedication should be supported.

These outstanding teachers were invited to attend a general meeting of the Junior League of Daytona Beach where they were honored with the grants.

The 2025 Junior League of Daytona Beach Teacher Grant Winners are:

• Kelsi Quicksall, Beachside Elementary, Pre-K-5^th Grade, Art

• Sheree Inge, Sugar Mill Elementary, 1^st Grade, All Subjects

• Tee Harden, Campbell Middle School, 6^th-8^th Grades, Social Skills, Intensive Reading, and Support Facilitator for Math, Language Arts, Science, and History

• Christina Karns, Creekside Middle School, 7^th & 8^th Grades, Math

• Chris Gibbs, Turtle T. Elementary School, 5^th Grade, All Subjects

• Lori DiTrocchio, Champion Elementary School, Blended Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) and Exceptional Student Education (ESE), All Subjects

• Mary Bunch, Ormond Beach Elementary School, Kindergarten, All Subjects

• Jeffery Turner, Palm Terrace Elementary School, All Grades, All Subjects

• Kevin Myers, Reign Academy School of Entrepreneurship, 9^th-12^th Grades, Life Skills & Entrepreneurship

• Colleen Kimmel, Tomoka Elementary School, 1^st Grade, All Subjects

“I want to send a heartfelt thank you on behalf of myself and my students,” said Lori DiTrocchio. “This grant will help me purchase some new hands-on centers that I know my students will enjoy and grow from.”

“This is so wonderful,” said Mary Bunch. “I teach first grade at Ormond Beach Elementary, and my students would greatly benefit from some hands-on math materials and also some new Play-Doh for forming our weekly sight words. We love hands-on materials and believe learning can happen beyond pencil and paper.”

“I am deeply grateful for this incredible opportunity and for the recognition and your generous support of education in our community,” said Jeffery Turner.

This is the fifth year the Junior League of Daytona Beach has given out these teacher grants.

About Junior League of Daytona Beach:
The Junior League of Daytona Beach is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Established in 1934, the JLDB plays an integral part in the development, improvement, and support of the communities of Volusia and Flagler Counties, and is one of the hundreds of chapters across the world and a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. For more information about the JLDB or how to become a member, visit daytonabeach.jl.org.