Live Jazz Performances at SFSC Begin in the New Year

AVON PARK, Fla. – Dec. 12, 2018 – SFSC Performing Arts presents a five-show series of traditional jazz from January to April in the 250-seat SFSC University Center on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

The Jazz Series began in 2004 and continues to feature traditional, Dixieland and swing jazz. “There is no other place in Highlands County where a person can hear world-class jazz music,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC. “This is the traditional jazz of Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Frank Sinatra, in an intimate setting.”

Direct from Atlanta, the Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz Band is the traditional sextet: clarinet, cornet, trombone, banjo/vocals, tuba and drums. Founded in 1990 by Don Erdman, the group has performed extensively throughout the South including appearances at “The Famous Door” on Bourdon Street in New Orleans, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, the Brevard College Jazz Festival and jazz festivals in Spain, Germany, France, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Finland. Expect to hear music by Jelly Roll Morton, Hoagy Carmichael, Fats Waller and Louie Armstrong.

Steve Dollar in The Atlanta Journal/Constitution said, “Jazz fans are passionate over Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz when they show off their revved-up renditions of everything from prewar New Orleans chestnuts to postwar Duke Ellington standards.”

Jazz series performances include:

• Friday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. – Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz Band is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs. Tickets are $29.
• Friday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. – The Eddie Metz Trio, an annual favorite at SFSC, features Rossano Sportiello on piano and Nikki Parrot on bass and vocals in an evening of jazz standards. “Eddie always brings down the house,” said Patricia McShane, one of the sponsors of the jazz series at SFSC. “He’s played with Chick Corea, Arturo Sandoval, the Woody Herman Orchestra, Dick Hyman, Bucky Pizzarelli and the Count Basie Orchestra.” Tickets are $29.
• Friday, March 1 at 7 p.m. – The Lew Del Gatto Quintet, featuring trumpeter Dan Miller, performs with saxophonist Del Gatto who was a member of the Saturday Night Live Band in New York City for 24 years and he performed all the baritone sax solos in the original Blues Brothers film starring Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. Tickets are $26.
• Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m. – The passionate and soulful vocalist, Nicole Henry, will perform contemporary standards, blues and classic jazz. Henry was awarded a Soul Train Award for “Best Traditional Jazz Performance” and she’s had three Top 10 U.S. Billboard jazz albums. Tickets are $32.
• Thursday, April 4 at 7 p.m. – Michigan jazz fixtures, Terry Lower and Edye Evans Hyde, who was named Michigan Jazz Vocalist of the Year, perform straight ahead jazz. Inspired by Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum, Terry Lower is a fun and exciting jazz pianist who always add his own twist. Tickets are $27.

Jazz Series subscriptions are available now for only $115 per person – a savings of $28. Jazz subscribers also save 15 percent on any SFSC Performing Arts presentation including Artist, Matinee and Trending Now performances. Additional benefits include: invitations to exclusive events, a 10 percent dining discount at the Hotel Jacaranda and reduced ticket prices for select events.

High school and college students with a current, valid student ID get a free ticket to jazz performances. Student tickets are available the night of the show at the SFSC University Center box office. Student ID must be presented. Groups of 12 or more can save up to 50 percent and the group organizer receives a free ticket.  

The SFSC Jazz Series is sponsored by Lake Placid Health & Rehabilitation; Patricia McShane; Dr. Norman and Laurie Stephens; Bill Browning; Lynne Josselyn and Larry Conrad; Peter and Dale Caldwell; and Elaine Becker and Bill Schroder.

The SFSC Box Office, which is located on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park at 600 West College Drive, is open Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tickets and videos of upcoming productions are available online at SFSCarts.org. Telephone orders can be placed by calling 863-784-7178. 

AVON PARK, Fla. — Dec. 14, 2018 — For the South Florida State College (SFSC) graduates who gathered in the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Dec. 13, the 2018 Commencement ceremony was a time to celebrate.

Student Commencement speaker Theodosia Shannon, who received her Correctional Officer Occupational Certificate through SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy, addressed her fellow classmates. She offered three words that helped her in her own personal journey: focus, fight, and finish. She explained that “successful individuals maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them.” In reference to “fight,” she said that each of us face tough times, but that “the difficulties which you face will make you more determined to achieve your objectives and to win against all the odds.” She, then, urged them to finish, to never give up, and in spite of setbacks, always get up and get back in the fight.

In conclusion, she congratulated her fellow classmates on rising up to the challenges of academic life and urged them “to always push boundaries to make this world a better place even in the small ways.”

Early in the program, Tami Cullens, chair of the SFSC Board of Trustees addressed the graduates and quoted novelist Haruki Murakami: “When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in.” She compared the essence of the quote to the graduates’ academic experience at the College. “I can guarantee that South Florida State College has positively changed who you are, even in the slightest of ways. Your college experience, no matter the length in years, has helped define you.”

The graduates received congratulations and further words of wisdom from Dr. Thomas Leitzel, SFSC president. “My charge to you is to go forth, find your corner of the sky, and do amazing things,” he said.

During the ceremony, Dr. Leitzel gave special recognition to Joanne Foote, professor of nursing, who retires from SFSC on Jan. 3 after having served the College for 12 years.

More than 252 students met SFSC December graduation requirements by Commencement. Of these, 14 received their Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Supervision and Management, 75 received their Associate in Arts degree, 18 received their Associate in Science degree, 30 received their State of Florida High School Diploma, and 115 received occupational certificates, college credit certificates, or advanced technical diplomas. Participating in Commencement were 161 students. 

Mace bearer and chief marshal for this year’s ceremony was Michelle Macbeth. Faculty and staff selected to serve as marshals were Elizabeth Andrews, Davida Austin, Courtney Green, Robert Hampton, Dr. Theresa James, Lorraine Jaques, Cynthia Kinser, Claire Miller, Tasha Morales, Asena Mott, and Ricardo Pantoja.

The District Board of Trustees of South Florida State College, Florida, hereinafter referred to as ‘College’ is requesting proposals from qualified access control contractors, to provide a complete electronic door access control system on building perimeter doors. Work includes the furnishing and installation of all equipment, materials, labor, and tools required for system installation, and a final terminations and system commissioning performed by a factory certified technician. In addition provide training to staff in the operation of IP Access Control door/entry points in order to control and monitor the flow of people throughout the SFSC District campus locations.

Locations:  South Florida State College

Highlands Campus         Hardee Campus                     Desoto Campus                     Lake Placid

600 W. College Drive      2968 US 17 North                   2251 NE Turner Ave                500 E. Interlake Blvd.

Avon Park, FL  33825      Bowling Green, FL 33834      Arcadia, FL 34266                  Lake Placid, FL 33852

A Mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held January 3, 2018 at the Highlands Campus, Building F, Conference Room F118, 600 W. College Dr., Avon Park, FL  33825 at 10:00am. 

RFP 18-03 Campus-Wide Access Control
Attachment A – Price Proposal
Attachment B – General Background Info – Authorized Signatory
Attachment C – Litigation
Attachment D – Addenda Acknowledgment
Attachment E_E-Verify Attestation Form
Attachment F – Campus Door Schedule

AVON PARK, Fla. — Dec. 12, 2018 — The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program at South Florida State College (SFSC) conferred 25 Applied Technology diplomas to graduates of two cohorts during a ceremony held on Tuesday, Dec. 11 in the SFSC University Center Auditorium, Highlands Campus.

Graduates of the May 2018 cohort were Jordan Collins, Letty Gonzalez, Scott Hogan, Grady Laird, Kaylynn Pearlman, Abetha Ray, Blaine Wallace, and Daniel Washington. Graduates of the August 2018 cohort were Jeremian Acosta, Natasha Alfred, Kayla Butler, Gregory Carr, Robert Choate, Christopher Davies, Alexandra Figuero, Victor Gonzalez Del Real, Keith Kunsak, Justin Larosa, Kristi Martin, Ryan Moore, Clinton Putnam, Cord Rich, Ana Saldana, Jacob Servin, and Mark Ward. All graduates completed the 16 weeks of training, or 300 contact hours, in the program.

From the May 2018 cohort, graduates receiving special awards were Kaylynn Pearlman for Highest Academic GPA, Daniel Washington for Highest Lab GPA, and Jordan Collins for Most Heart, for his compassion and determination. From the August 2018 cohort, graduates receiving special awards were Mark Ward for Highest Academic GPA, Cord Rich for Highest Lab GPA, and Jacob Servin for Most Heart.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the Florida EMT State Board Exam.

EMTs function as part of an emergency rescue and transportation team by responding to emergency calls through a dispatch system, operating emergency vehicles safely, assessing scenes of accidents or illnesses, setting priorities for treating patients based on their degree of illness or injury, providing pre-hospital emergency care to treat trauma, shock, wounds, and other medical issues.

For more information about SFSC’s EMT program and other Emergency Medical Services programs, visit southflorida.edu or call 863-784-7272.

 

AVON PARK, Fla. – Dec. 11, 2018 – “Forever Young” is an exciting musical production that takes a new look at the greatest hits of all time and it’s coming to the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts at SFSC. Scheduled for one performance on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 3 p.m., the show is packed full of pop, rock and country classics. This Branson hit show takes audience members back to their youth … and their record players. 

“Every one of these songs will bring back a memory,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC. “It’s a feel good show for families and anyone who grew up in the ‘70s, ‘80s or ‘90s.”

Winner of the Best New Show Award in Branson, “Forever Young” is scheduled for only six performances in Florida. Set in a basement retreat in the Midwest, five men relive the music of their lives with loads of laughs and songs in a sentimental journey of a lifetime.

Created by Justin Sussanella, who hails from Indiana, the show tells the story of five classmates who split up after graduation but come back together years later after taking in some hard knocks from life. “The show has this wonderful ability to connect the men through music,” added Garren. “It’s funny yet poignant. Wives should definitely drag their husbands to this show!”

Upon graduating from high school, Sussanella was drafted by the New York Mets baseball team where he spent time in the minor leagues. He gave up baseball to pursue a career in music, spending 12 years performing in many popular Branson productions. “Forever Young” is directed by Josh Sussanella who performed on Broadway in “Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark” and “Rock of Ages.” Branson audiences have been raving about this show since it opened in 2015. This is the first Florida tour for the production.

The Florida Hospital Trending Now Series at SFSC features contemporary performances geared toward the whole family. Upcoming performances are Wild World of Animals on Feb. 16, Rhythm of the Night with a cast of 20 of the world’s most skilled Irish dancers on Feb. 24 and Cirque Zuma Zuma, the ultimate African circus, on March 3.

The performances are sponsored by All Around Septic and Sewer and the SFSC Foundation. Tickets are $30, $27 and $25. Children/student tickets are $10 and children under 3 are admitted free. Groups of 12 or more save 25 percent and the group organizer gets a free ticket to the show. Tickets are available online at SFSCarts.org or by calling the SFSC Box Office at 863-784-7178. The Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts is located on the South Florida State College Campus at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park.

AVON PARK, Fla. — Dec. 11, 2018 — Students studying for careers in the health sciences at South Florida State College (SFSC) received nearly $22,000 in scholarships during the December meeting of SFSC’s District Board of Trustees.

Florida Blue Nursing and Allied Health Scholarships were awarded to SFSC students in nursing, dental education, and radiography programs. The students may use the scholarships for tuition, textbooks, lab fees, and childcare.

Students receiving the scholarships are studying within three health science disciplines:

• Nursing: Evelia Cabrera, Candace Dean, Esmerelda DeLoera, Jose Gamez, Danielle Minnick, Laura Moros, Brenda Ramirez, Leonel Rodriguez Jr., Katherine Yeager, and Edena Walton
• Dental Education: Kimberly Albritton, Taylor Connell, Ashley De Santiago, Sebrina Gillilan, Janet Lopez, Patricia Pacheco-Trahan, Fracesca Pemble, Jacqueline Perez, Nancy Rodriguez, Raquel Rodriguez, and Janet Sanchez
• Radiography: Jessie Cuellar, Katherine Gammage, and Tonya Hamilton

The scholarships are the result of a partnership between the Florida College System (FCS) Foundation and Florida Blue. The Florida Blue Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship was created to sustain a source of funding for student scholarships at Florida’s colleges to meet the growing need for skilled nurses and allied health professionals who serve the state’s diverse population. The SFSC Foundation, Inc. provided a 50 percent match of the original $10,871 provided by the FCS Foundation and Florida Blue, as the funds must be matched dollar for dollar by private donors at the local level.

“Because of the FCS Foundation and Florida Blue, SFSC students can complete their studies with a long-term goal of providing the high quality health care that our communities deserve,” said Jamie Bateman, SFSC’s executive director of Institutional Advancement.

The FCS Foundation, based in Tallahassee, is a nonprofit organization that solicits gifts and donations from corporations and individuals for distribution to Florida’s 28 community and state colleges. SFSC has received scholarships for health sciences students since 2006. Florida Blue, previously known as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, provides individual and group health insurance to millions of Floridians.

AVON PARK, Fla. — Dec. 10, 2018 — Thirteen graduates of South Florida State College’s (SFSC) Basic Law Enforcement (BLE) Academy Class 256, 29 graduates of BLE Class 257, and four graduates of the Crossover Academy Class 353, were recognized at a ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 6 in the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts at SFSC, Highlands Campus. 

BLE Class 256 graduates who received occupational certificates were Jesse Cuddeback, Tayla DaSilva, Kaelyn Fort (class leader), Ezell Gammage, Olivia Harper, Alicia McElwee, Maria Olguin, Angelica Olson, Ryan Pennell, Patrick Ratterree, Garrett Roberts, Payton Smalley, and Ronald Workman. Crossover Class 353 graduates receiving their occupational certificates were Steven Arnesen, Ethan James Enderlin, Fritz Gerlin, and Garrett Albritton. 

BLE Class 257 graduates who received occupational certificates were Jonathan Abrego, Aaron Allred, Andrew Barnes, Yevgeniy Bregman, Jennie Busin, Charles Butts, Ignacio Carreno, Steven Casallas-Perez, Justin Chu, Joshua Clark, Julio Cruz, Ryan Davidson, Jennifer Felix-Arroyo, John Gaines, Jeremy Griffin, Levi Lambert, Gage Massey, Trenton Moutschka, Joseph Perez, Mary Pinon, David Rodriguez, Lydaliz Rodriguez-Lamboy, Joel Serrano-Saez, Adiel Vazquez-Castro, Christopher Velez, Rene Verdugo, Jessi Welch, Garrison Yarbrough, and Tiana Yarde. 

BLE Class 256 and Crossover Class 353 invited Major Brandon Ball of the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office to be guest speaker at the graduation, and Deputy Kevin Gentry of the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office was the second guest speaker at the request of BLE Class 257.  

During the ceremony, special awards were presented to the cadets: Olivia Harper of BLE Class 256 and Jonathan Abrego of BLE Class 257 for top academics and Ryan Pennell of BLE Class 256 and Andrews Barnes of BLE Class 257 for top firearms scores. Kaelyn Fort of BLE Class 256 and Levi Lambert of BLE Class 257 were given special recognition as class leaders. 

SFSC’s Basic Law Enforcement occupational certificate program trains students to become law enforcement officers in Florida. By successfully completing the program, they are eligible to take the state certification examination to become certified law enforcement officers. The program runs 770 contact hours or approximately five months full time or approximately 10 months part time. 

The Correction to Law Enforcement (Crossover) occupational certificate program trains currently employed corrections officers to become law enforcement officers in Florida. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the state certification examination to become certified law enforcement officers. The program runs 515 contact hours or approximately 10 months part time. 

For more information about either of these programs, visit southflorida.edu or call SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy at 863-784-7285.

AVON PARK, Fla. — Dec. 4, 2018 — SFSC celebrates its new graduates with a Commencement ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 6:45 p.m., at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts, SFSC Highlands Campus, Avon Park. 

The Commencement speaker is Theodosia Shannon who graduates with her Occupational Certificate in Basic Corrections. She was class leader for Basic Corrections Class 196 and given top honors for academics. 

Approximately 214 students will have met the SFSC graduation requirements. Of these, 13 will receive a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, 88 receive their associate degrees, 109 receive vocational certificates or college credit certificates, and 22 receive State of Florida High School diplomas. Participating in the Commencement ceremony will be 170 students. 

Mace bearer and chief marshal for this year’s ceremony is Michelle Macbeth, and marshals are Elizabeth Andrews, Davida Austin, Brian Bohlman, Courtney Green, Robert Hampton, Dr. Theresa James, Lorraine Jaques, Cindy Kinser, Claire Miller, Tasha Morales, Asena Mott, and Ricardo Pantoja.  

The Commencement rehearsal takes place on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m., in the Wildstein Center on SFSC’s Highlands Campus. A Commencement reception will be held in the Catherine P. Cornelius Student Services and Classroom Complex (Building B) immediately following the Commencement exercises. 

For questions about SFSC’s Commencement, call 863-453-6661.

AVON PARK, Fla. — Dec. 3, 2018 — Theodosia Shannon’s academic career began with a wrong turn. But with self-determination, she steered herself back on course and found focus and structure in her life. She graduates with an Occupational Certificate in Basic Corrections from South Florida State College (SFSC) at the Fall Commencement on Thursday, Dec. 13 and will be the speaker at the 6:45 p.m. Commencement ceremony. 

Shannon attended SFSC immediately after graduating from Sebring High School in 2006. She had received a scholarship through the College Reach Out Program (CROP), in which she participated from sixth through 12th grade.  

Active 1996 – 2016, CROP was a matching, grant-funded program through the Florida Department of Education to prepare at-risk students in grades six through 12 for college. SFSC offered participating high school students in its service district of DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands counties scholarships to the College. 

“I attended SFSC on the CROP scholarship, but I didn’t do well,” Shannon said. “My mind wasn’t where it needed to be.”  

So she enlisted in the U.S. Army with the expectation that it would help her establish structure in her life. Later, she would be able to take advantage of the GI Bill which would cover 100 percent of her education. “I was a preacher’s kid and a wild child,” she said. “I’m the baby of my family. So many things in my family were done for me. By the time I got to college, it was a lifestyle and culture shock for me.”  

Shannon served five years in the military, stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. “I was never deployed,” she said. “I stayed stateside the whole time. Going into the military, I thought I’d go someplace exotic. But I went to a town smaller than Sebring.” 

While in the army, she became a human resources specialist. “I loved my job and learned a lot about human resources.”  

“The military gave me structure and a new-found respect for authority,” Shannon said. “It gave me responsibility that I didn’t have before. I was able to mature and become a stronger woman. If you focus, you can do whatever you set your mind to. When you go into training in the military, you may think you can’t do it, but I was able to tackle it all. I’m not afraid of any challenges now. I’m glad I made the decision to enlist.” 

Shannon received an honorable discharge in 2012 and returned to Sebring. Shortly after her arrival, she took a job as a substance abuse counselor. Then a job opportunity arose at CenturyLink in Sebring. But when the company downsized in 2016, Shannon could only find part-time work. In July 2018, she decided to enroll in SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy in the Basic Corrections program. “I used my GI Bill to go into the program as a self-sponsored cadet,” she said. “It lasted 10 weeks and three days. I remember exactly how long. I, officially, graduated on Oct. 18, 2018.” 

Shannon gave her all throughout her time in the program. She became class leader for Basic Corrections Class 196 and was given top honors for academics, along with one other cadet. 

“With a military background, law enforcement is an easy transition,” she said. “A lot of the training and rank structure are the same. I knew I could do the work, and I feel that I will be helping other people. Of the people in detention, some can be rehabilitated. I think the system needs people who believe that. The reason I wanted to go into corrections is that it will help a community by doing the care, custody, and control of individuals in our society who no longer have the right to live within our community. It keeps us safe.” 

“It was a pure pleasure to have Theodosia in class,” said Michael Austin, coordinator of criminal justice programs at SFSC. “From day one, she had a commanding presence. She took charge of her Basic Corrections class and commanded it like a true leader. Her father is a retired warden for the Florida Department of Corrections. Theodosia has followed in her father’s footsteps by serving in the U.S. Army as well as becoming a corrections officer. I could easily see her becoming a warden in the future.” 

Shannon’s father is Dr. Robert Shannon, a pastor at Wings of Faith Christian Worship Center in Sebring. Dr. Shannon served 36 years with the Florida Department of Corrections, where he started his career in security. He worked his way up the ranks and retired from the Glades Correctional Institution as warden. 

“My dad’s career had a big influence on me,” Shannon said. “I see the rewards and benefits that my dad received from working in that area. I hope that I will do the same.” 

While working in corrections, Shannon plans to continue her education and, eventually, earn a Bachelor of Science in Supervision and Management (BAS SM) from SFSC.  

“I’d like to go into classifications, and for that, I’ll need a degree,” she said. Classifications is the administrative side in a prison concerned with inmate housing, inmate work assignments, disciplinary actions, and determines when the inmates are ready to be released. “All paperwork goes through classifications,” she said. “It’s a lot like human resources. For classifications, you must have at least an associate degree, but I want my BAS SM. With that, I’ll have achieved something I’ve always wanted to do.” 

Shannon wants to be a good role model for her 10 nieces and nephews. “I want them to know that they can achieve whatever they put their minds to,” she said. “Based on my life experience, I would tell anyone that no matter what you desire, stay focused on it, keep your eye on the prize. You may have to drag a little baggage, but you’ll get there. Those challenges won’t be challenges anymore.”