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Graduating Class (from left): Diamond Madrid, Andrew Jackson, Sebastian Wells, Ashley, Kazlauskas, Cynthia Zwer, Sheila Brutus, Michael Bowers, and Tamara Walker

AVON PARK, Fla.–Dec. 9, 2015–South Florida State College graduated eight new correctional officers on Dec. 7. From the SFSC University Center Auditorium stage, Michael Austin, coordinator of SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy, called up the eight and handed each new officer a diploma. Those receiving a diploma were class leader Ashley Kazlauskas, Michael D. Bowers, Sheila Brutus, Andrew L. Jackson, Diamond L. Madrid, Tamara Walker, Sebastian T. Wells, and Cynthia J. Zwer.

Sheila Brutus earned the top honors for academic excellence, and Cynthia Zwer scored the firearms award for her work on the shooting range.

“These cadets were a group of professionals,” said Austin. “They endured extreme conditions and circumstances to complete this training program. Some were parents, and they all had to commute a great distance to get to classes on time every day. I am confident they could all have promising careers in the criminal justice field if they chose to do so.”

Guest speaker for the ceremony was Michael Braswell, deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Department.