Basic Corrections Class 111
AVON PARK, Fla. – April 23 2024 – During a ceremony on Thursday, April 18, South Florida State College’s (SFSC) Basic Corrections Academy Class 111 graduated 18 new correctional officers at the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park.
From the SFSC University Center Auditorium stage, Michael Austin, coordinator of SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy, called up the 18 and handed each new officer a certificate. Those receiving a certificate were class leader Joshua Pask; Mykala Brennan, Daniel Camejo, William Cappalonga, Austin Foster, Mary Hernandez, Darrel Jones, Bradley Lahue, Jonathan Maxcy, Joseph Navedo, Tanisha Pasterin, Randiante Phillips, Alan Rouch, Ryland T. Seaser, Tahiera Simms, Charles Snelgrove, Dajiah Summerall, and John Wells.
Four cadets were lauded for their achievements during the program. Earning top honors for academic excellence and for top firearms for his work on the shooting range was William Cappalonga. Randiante Phillips was recognized as an honor graduate. Joshua Pask was given special recognition as class leader as was Tanisha Pasterin as executive officer.
Guest speaker for the ceremony was SFSC adjunct instructor Sergeant Robert Spencer of the Wauchula Police Department.
The Basic Correctional Officer Program is 420 contact hours or approximately 11 weeks. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn a Career Certificate and are eligible to take the state certification examination to become a certified officer.
For more information about these programs, visit southflorida.edu or call SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy at 863-784-7285.
April 15, 2024 – The award-winning Bits n Pieces Puppet Theater brings their delightful marionette performance of The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood to the 250-seat University Center at South Florida State College on Saturday, May 4 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, this musical performance is ideal for children ages 4 to 10. After each 45-minute performance, master puppeteer Jerry Bickel will explain the art of marionettes to the audience.
“What a fun, free family outing,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC. “We also are offering free puppet-making workshops at three local libraries where children can perform a puppet show with Hollie Rubin of Bits n Pieces Puppet Theater.”
The free puppet workshops for children are scheduled for Hardee County Library in Wauchula on Tuesday, April 23 at 4 p.m., Sebring Library on April 24 at 11 a.m., and Avon Park Library on April 24 at 4 p.m. Please call the library in advance to register and ensure there are puppet-making materials for all children. The workshops are funded by a grant from South Arts and recommended for children in grades 1–3.
Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre is dedicated to influencing the world of tomorrow by enchanting the children of today. Through the theatrical retelling of classic children’s stories, each with its unique life lesson and moral, Bits ‘N Pieces brings to life the magical wonderment of children’s fantasy and reinforces the core values long told and emphasized by great storytellers.
The University Center at SFSC is located at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park. To reserve free seats for the performance of Robin Hood, visit sfscARTS.org or call the SFSC Box Office at 863-784-7178.
Stanley (right) with wife Dana and their two sons
AVON PARK, Fla. – April 10, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) alumnus, Nick Stanley, was recently named the new manager of the Carolina Mudcats baseball team for the 2024 season.
The Carolina Mudcats are a minor league baseball team, part of the Carolina League, and a single-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The team’s home games are held at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C., a suburb of Raleigh.
The Mudcats opened the 2024 season in Roanoke, Va. on Friday, April 5, in a game against the Salem Red Sox. Stanley’s first home game with the Mudcats was on Tuesday, April 9.
Like most professional ball players, Stanley’s interest in baseball began early on. “I loved the game as far back as I can remember,” he said. “I just loved watching the game and playing the game. I never really wanted to do anything else. I was all in on baseball from the time I could walk, and I’m still doing it now at 36 years old.”
Stanley, who is originally from St. Petersburg, Fla., graduated from SFSC in 2007 with an Associate in Arts. During the SFSC Panther Baseball team’s spring 2006 and 2007 seasons, he was the catcher and played first base on occasion. He went on to play baseball for North Carolina State University, then transferred to Florida Southern College. In 2009, Stanley was drafted to play professional baseball by the Houston Astros, where he was the first baseman.
In 2011, Stanley was offered an opportunity to head overseas and coach baseball in New Zealand. “It’s a small, growing, grassroots program,” he said. “Me and a few other people I know got plugged in with their national program. Several young players from the program have gone on to play baseball in the United States. One of them was Connor Gleeson, a New Zealand kid, who I coached.” Gleeson played as a right-hand pitcher for the SFSC Panthers Baseball team during the spring 2019 and 2020 seasons.
In 2012, Stanley earned a degree in Criminology from the University of South Florida.
Upon his return from New Zealand, Stanley wanted to become associated with a professional baseball team. “I was home for a few months, started talking to people, and things worked out with the Milwaukee Brewers organization,” he said. “Now, I’ve been with them seven seasons.”
Stanley as an SFSC baseball player
The Mudcats are part of the Milwaukee Brewers Organization. “It’s the Carolina League,” Stanley said. “It’s Level A of the minor league. That means that these are some of the youngest players we have. It’s a starting point for them. There are three more levels before they can reach the major leagues. So, this is where they build their foundation, experience this lifestyle for the first time, and try to navigate the culture along with that. When someone is drafted, they start in the minor leagues, so no one goes directly to the major leagues.”
Stanley said that he took the job as team manager with the Mudcats because it gave him a chance to lead and set a foundation for young players. In his job, Stanley said he, “sets standards and expectations for his team, allowing the assistant coaches to run their department and make sure that the train stays on the track. I help players build the foundation of how to be a professional and how to operate in this lifestyle.”
In their careers, almost everyone has someone who served as a source of inspiration. For Stanley, that person is his wife, Dana. “My wife has been incredible throughout all this,” he said. “She’s not just supportive as a wife, but she has a background in leadership development. So, I feel as if I have a secret weapon. When I go home, she can coach me at times, particularly in communication styles and reaching people.”
While he’s on the road, he brings Dana and their two young boys with him. “We’ll go one week at home, one week on the road,” he said. “My kids go on a few road trips, but not all the time.”
In the offseason, Stanley focuses on family. “I just try to keep things simple,” he said. “I’ve got two young boys, and I’m the dad who does the school drop off and things like that. So, my wife can have some time to breathe and work.”
When asked how his education assisted him through his baseball career, Stanley said, “The discipline that it takes to succeed in the classroom is no different than what it takes to succeed as a baseball player or as a coach. It’s effort, standards, and having to show up every day and live up to those standards, being challenged, being taken out of your comfort zone, doing things right on and off the field. That’s the foundation that I got through my education. From day one, you start to build on that.”
Stanley has advice for young baseball players: “Keep moving forward. Everybody’s journey is different. Mine was unique – ending up on the other side of the world to come back and become a professional baseball coach. You may see in the media about some players getting drafted high up and it seems like their route was easy. The truth is, it’s not easy for anyone. If you love playing baseball, let that be your guide. Don’t do it for any other reason than that you love it.”
Undergraduate researchers and their faculty mentors
AVON PARK, Fla. – March 27, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) students presented research at the 87th annual meeting of the Florida Academy of Sciences that was held on Friday, March 8 at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla.
The Florida Academy of Sciences was founded in 1936 and is the Florida Affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The Academy sponsors the Florida Junior Academy of Sciences to encourage young scientists; publishes the quarterly journal, “Florida Scientist”; and sponsors an annual meeting to give members an opportunity to present papers, honor their peers, and participate in multidisciplinary scientific exchanges.
Although most undergraduate researchers presenting at the Florida Academy of Sciences meeting were from state or private universities, SFSC students came from one of two Florida state colleges that made presentations – including Indian River State College.
“Students performing research as a part of their classes and then presenting their results at conferences greatly bolsters their confidence and identity as real scholars or scientists,” said Dr. James Hawker, SFSC dean of Arts and Sciences. “It opens their eyes to a larger world.”
During the meeting, four SFSC students won awards for their presentations. They were:
- Colten Denby for Outstanding Undergraduate Poster in the Medical Sciences Section. He presented on “Evaluating the Role of the Melatonin in the Mitochondrion-mediated Apoptosis in Thyroid Cancer Cell (MDA-T41),” and his faculty mentor was Dr. Daniel Sanches, chair, Natural Sciences, and Biology instructor.
- Kim Pham and Jesus Hernandez for Outstanding Undergraduate Oral Presentation in the Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals Section. They presented on “GC-MC Analysis of Compounds Present in the Endangered Plant Ziziphus Celata,” and their faculty mentor was Dr. Kate Calvin, Chemistry instructor.
- Esmeralda Morales for Outstanding Undergraduate Poster in the Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals Section. Her presentation was on “Differential Expression of Metabolites in Genetic Variants of the Endangered Plan Ziziphus Celata,” and her faculty mentor was Dr. Kate Calvin.
Other SFSC students scientific research presentations given at the Florida Academy of Sciences meeting were:
- “Engineering 3D Printed Tool for Relieving Body Tension” by Mikylla Torralba, Ean Cheng, and Wendy Jiang. Faculty mentors: Dr. Mintoo Patel, Biology instructor, and Garrett Lee, coordinator, Engineering Program.
- “Preserving Florida’s Unique Biodiversity through DNA Barcoding” by Rebecca Kesling. Faculty mentor: Dr. Mintoo Patel.
- “The Oral Microbiome and its adverse relationship with Obesity and Metabolic rates” by Sammi Rather. Faculty mentor: Dr. Mintoo Patel.
- “Florida Scrub Species Identification Through DNA Barcoding” by Daniella Grace Jeanjaquet, Irfan Mahadi Sharif, Wendy Jiang, and Jean F. Fleurimond. Faculty mentors: Dr. Joseph Velenovsky, Biology instructor; Dr. Mintoo Patel; Dr. Daniel Sanches; and Dr. James Hawker.
- “An Economic Analysis of the Mango Horticulture Industry: Evaluating Factors Influencing Global Agriculture” by Ean Cheng. Faculty mentor: Peggy Sueppel, Economics professor.
- “Microbial Masterpieces: The Symphony of Science and Creativity” by Mikyla Torralba, Wendy Jiang, and Jesus Hernandez. Faculty mentors: Dr. Mintoo Patel; Karla Respress, Art professor; Anthony Record, curator, Museum of Florida Art and Culture; and Garrett Lee.
- “E-cadherin Expression as a Predictor of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Early Onset Colorectal Cancer” by Anika Bhandare. Faculty mentor: Dr. Mintoo Patel.
For more information about undergraduate research at SFSC, contact Dr. James Hawker at 863-784-7329 or james.hawker@southflorida.edu.
David Steele, communication scholar and veteran educator
March 8, 2024 – Steve Augeri is an American rock singer who was the lead vocalist for the rock group Journey from 1998 to 2006. Best known for replacing original lead singer Steve Perry, he debuted with the seven-time platinum “Armageddon” soundtrack. Augeri toured and recorded three albums with Journey for eight years. Steve Augeri will perform at the Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts at South Florida State College in Avon Park on Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m. Members of the Steve Augeri Band include Adam Holland, Gerard Zappa, Craig Pullman, and Adam Augeri.
“This is a rock and roll concert with a lot of heart and soul,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC. “It’s high energy and you’ll hear a lot of everyone’s favorite Journey songs like “Don’t Stop Believin” and “Faithfully.”
Before Journey, Augeri was a founding member of Epic recording artists Tall Stories. The group released their eponymous debut in 1992 and long-awaited follow-up “Skyscraper” in 2009. He then moved on to melodic rock group Tyketto, with whom he recorded the 1970s retro-sounding “Shine” album.
In 2023, Augeri released his first studio album, “Seven Ways Til Sunday,” and performed that summer with the Bret Michaels “Pardi Gras” tour along with Night Ranger, Jefferson Starship, and Mark McGrath.
Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto County teachers are eligible for Teacher Rush Tickets for this performance. “Educators with a valid school ID can purchase tickets on the night of the show at our box office at a 50% discount,” said Cindy Garren. “It’s our small way to thank teachers for their hard work and commitment to students.”
Tickets begin at $38 and are available now. The Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts is located at 600 West College Drive on the Highlands Campus of South Florida State College. The 1,460-seat performing arts center features orchestra, balcony, and box seating. Tickets can be purchased at the SFSC Box Office, by calling 863-784-7178, or online at sfscARTS.org.
Jason Dunkel, AdventHealth president and CEO; Andrew Santos, chief operating officer at AdventHealth; Jamie Bateman, vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs at SFSC; and Fred Hawkins, president of SFSC
March 5, 2024 – This year’s South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation Platinum Annual Sponsor is AdventHealth with locations in Sebring, Lake Placid, and Wauchula. Sponsor support improves the lives of our students and enhances our community.
“South Florida State College is a vital, longstanding partner for AdventHealth Sebring, Lake Placid, and Wauchula,” said Jason Dunkel, AdventHealth president and CEO. “Therefore, we’re proud to support the SFSC Foundation due to the deep community investment that will result.”
AdventHealth supports SFSC’s students, faculty, staff, and the region it serves. Students complete clinicals at AdventHealth locations and learn from their experienced and caring nurses. They are not just a generous sponsor; they are a community partner in providing opportunities for our Health Science students to receive the training and knowledge they need to pursue a lucrative and caring career in healthcare.
“We are grateful for the support of a community partner like AdventHealth,” said Jamie Bateman, vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs at SFSC. “Their dedication and passion for education and patient care enhance the opportunities available to our students in achieving their goals and impacting our communities.”
For more information on how to support the SFSC Foundation and Pave the Path to Success for our students, call 863-453-3133 or email foundation@southflorida.edu.
Bert Horwitz (left) and Jamie Bateman
AVON PARK, Fla. – Feb. 29, 2024 – Bert Horwitz has made it easier for South Florida State College (SFSC) students in career and trades programs to attend the College because of an endowed scholarship he established through the SFSC Foundation.
Horwitz, who is a resident of Highlands County, contacted members of the SFSC Foundation to establish the BEKA Endowed Trades Scholarship in memory of his wife, Kathy, who passed away several years ago and with whom he was married for 56 years. BEKA is a combination of their names, Bert and Kathy.
“Through this endowed scholarship, Mr. Horwitz will honor his wife, Kathy, and provide SFSC students with a financial resource for many years into the future,” said Jamie Bateman, vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs at SFSC. “Because of people like Mr. Horwitz, our students can focus on their studies and, in time, make our community economically stronger.”
Applicants for the BEKA Endowed Trades Scholarship must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on a full-time basis in a certificate program at SFSC and, specifically, enrolled in a career or trade school program. They must be permanent residents of Highlands, DeSoto, or Hardee County. Preference will be given to students with demonstrated financial need. Awards will be in the amount of $500.
An endowed scholarship enables donors to create a legacy, carrying funds toward student scholarships into perpetuity. Scholarships for students are awarded from the interest that the endowment earns. As the corpus grows, the SFSC Foundation can award scholarships to students for years to come.
To apply for scholarships made available through the SFSC Foundation, visit AwardSpring at: southflorida.awardspring.com. For more information about the SFSC Foundation or to make a donation, call 863-453-3133 or email foundation@southflorida.edu.
Feb. 28, 2024 – The acclaimed Broadway musical “Little Women – The Musical” comes alive on stage at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts at South Florida State College (SFSC) in Avon Park for one night on March 6 at 7 p.m.
Based on the beloved classic novel, this charming, all-new production from Big League Productions, Inc. is filled with stunning music and a powerful story cherished throughout time, offering a wholesome theatrical experience perfect for all generations. Presented by MidFlorida Credit Union, “Little Women – The Musical” has been praised by critics for its ambition in bringing the timeless, captivating story to vivid musical life on stage.
“This is most definitely the biggest show of the season,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC. “We have two tractor trailers bringing the sets, lights, props, and costumes, plus a cast of 14 and a production staff of more than 40. SFSC could never mount such a large stage show without the support of our sponsors.” Sponsors of the performance are Central Florida Imaging, Karlson Law Group, Heartland Endodontics, and Drs. P.J. and Mintoo Patel.
Embraced internationally, “Little Women – The Musical” has been praised by critics and audiences alike for its ambitious portrayal of Louisa May Alcott’s timeless, captivating story. “Little Women – The Musical” follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March, each determined to live life on their own terms. This touching musical presents an engaging and uplifting theatrical journey filled with heartache, joy, adventure, and personal discovery amidst the never-ending quest for everlasting love.
The performance’s producer, Big League Productions, is celebrating its 30th season of producing and managing Broadway tours of shows and attractions throughout the world.
Tickets for “Little Women – The Musical” are on sale and range from $55 to $75 with a $15 child/student ticket and they can be purchased online at sfscARTS.org, by phone at 863-784-7177, or by visiting the SFSC Box Office at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park. Groups of 12 or more can purchase tickets by contacting Tracey Ligon at 863-784-7287.
Coming to the Wildstein Center: Rumours/Fleetwood Mac tribute on March 7; The Brothers Doobie on March 23; Lynne Arriale Trio on March 24; former lead singer of Journey, Steve Augeri on March 28; USF Gospel Choir on April 6; and Bits n Pieces Puppet Theater on May 4.
Bob Duncan (left); Jamie Bateman, SFSC vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs; and Don Elwell, SFSC Foundation president
AVON PARK, Fla. – Feb. 16, 2024 – The After School Spot on Kenilworth Boulevard in Sebring will have a new and larger facility that will benefit neighborhood children thanks to Bob and Caroline Duncan.
During the November 2023 meeting of the South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation Board of Directors, a parcel of land came up for discussion. Months earlier, 2 acres of land had been gifted to the Foundation through the estate of Larry Ross Johnson and now the Foundation Board was in search of a buyer.
The Foundation, typically, sells land that has been gifted through an individual’s will. The ensuing funds are then used in any way the donor has stipulated through their will. It could be to create scholarships for SFSC students, to purchase needed educational equipment for the College, or to upgrade College facilities.
The buyer for the Johnson property came as a surprise to the Foundation directors. In fact, the buyer was a 15-year member of the Board of Directors, Bob Duncan. Duncan had become deeply interested in the property and purchased it for $293,000. “My wife and I have our own foundation,” Duncan said. “It’s called the Duncan Family Foundation. Our Foundation bought the property.”
Duncan has been a Take Stock in Children (TSIC) mentor through SFSC for the past 20 years. He was mentoring a student from Sebring High School who needed to perform community service hours so that he would be eligible for scholarships, such as Bright Futures. Dolores Breedlove, a TSIC college success coach, suggested that Duncan contact Regina Nicolois at The After School Spot in Sebring about community service work the student could perform for her facility. After speaking with Nicolois, Duncan was impressed with her and her mission to provide a safe haven for youth in the community.
The After School Spot was located at 3725 Kenilworth Boulevard, practically across the street from Sebring High School. The 550-square-foot facility has served as a safe haven for 35 to 52 children a day, ages 11 to 17 years old, since November 2021. The After School Spot needed a larger facility to accommodate neighborhood children and its programs and Duncan found a solution.
The After School Spot will soon move into a 1,400-square-foot house that sits on the 2-acre property at 3804 Kenilworth Boulevard. It is a two-bedroom house with a living room, den, kitchen, and one-car garage. Recently, an old homestead that sat at the back of the property was demolished. Two trailers were removed. Nicolois’ wish is to have a grand opening of the new facility no later than April 1, 2024, after repairs to the house are completed.
“Kids need a place to go,” Duncan said. “My wife and I talked about doing something like what Regina does, but we’re too old. I don’t have the tolerance or the temperament to do what Regina does. When she came along, it was an absolute gift. Regina has the programs and the equipment. All she has to do is set it up and these kids are going to get a real education.”
The slogan of The After School Spot is “Engage, Enrich, Empower.” “We engage with students, enrich them with tools, and, in doing so, we empower them,” Nicolois said. “We raise their self-esteem and their self-confidence by giving them something more – to believe in themselves.”
Nicolois said that the facility presents young people with classes and activities in four areas: youth development, creative outlets, peer engagement, and independent life skills. Currently, she is partnering with Outschool, an online learning platform that has donated classes to The After School Spot. One class was, “Taming Your Inner Hulk,” a program about anger management. Bank representatives have taught the students about checking and savings accounts, how they work, how to fill out a check, and so forth. Local auto mechanics have brought vehicles to the facility to show the students how to read a dashboard, how to check fluid levels, and how put air in a car’s tires. Other activities include movies nights, game nights, and painting classes.
Opening the larger facility across the street will give Nicolois an opportunity to offer more programs to the students. A swimming pool that previously sat at the back of the house was filled in with dirt. Local farmers will bring compost, top soil, and seeds. “We’re going to launch an agriculture program, where they come out once a week and teach the kids to grow vegetables,” Nicolois said.
She indicated that she received a $5,000 grant from the Burlington Foundation to designate an entire room to provide media, music, and technology. “We’ll put in a computer, a couple of microphones, a green screen, electric guitars, and some audio equipment,” she said. “The kids will be encouraged to start their own podcast. Our podcast series is going to be interviewing local business owners once a week. Through the interviews, the students will be encouraged to chase their dreams, overcome obstacles, and understand how super important education is in getting them to where they want to go in life. In the meantime, they’ll be developing a number of other skills that they can take with them.”
The After School Spot will partner with a company called “I Train Now.” “With their assistance, we’ll do mock interviews and resume writing,” Nicolois said. “They can also get children as young as 15 years old CPR certified.”
Further, Nicolois plans to bring in tutors who have master’s degrees and experience as high school teachers to concentrate on mathematics, science, and language arts. A social worker is scheduled to work with the young people for non-judgmental learning sessions on topics, such as body changes.
For Duncan, purchasing the property so The After School Spot can flourish was a way of giving back to those who helped him early in life. Duncan had told his high school football coach that after he graduated from high school, he’d just “go get a job.” The coach recognized that Duncan was bright and encouraged him to apply to college. One of the people the coach guided Duncan to was a local pharmacist, who told him, “As a pharmacist, you’ll never get rich, but you’ll always have a job as long as you have a license.”
That struck home with Duncan, who’s father had lost his job when Duncan was 12 years old. He never wanted to experience being on welfare again, so he pursued a degree in pharmacy at what is now Ferris State University in Michigan. Residents of Highlands and Hardee counties know Duncan as the owner of Heartland Pharmacy.
“What’s cool about this story is that I believe Larry Johnson would be tickled pink and pleased with how this all ended up,” said Jamie Bateman, SFSC’s vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs. “Larry Johnson was a coach who had a passion for making sure kids succeeded. In comes Mr. Duncan, who buys the property that Mr. Johnson willed to the SFSC Foundation, so it will continue to help kids stay off the streets, mature, and grow. The property is going to help students in a completely different manner than what he, likely, ever dreamed it could.”
For more information about the SFSC Foundation or to make a donation, call 863-453-3133 or email foundation@southflorida.edu.
