Spring Commencement Closes Out 2023-24 Academic Year

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 8, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) marked the end of the 2023-24 academic year with its spring Commencement held in two ceremonies on Tuesday, May 7 in the SFSC Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

During the 4 p.m. ceremony, SFSC honored the recipients of the Associate in Science, Career Certificate, College Credit Certificate, and State of Florida High School Diploma.

Honored during the 7:15 p.m. ceremony were students who earned their Associate in Arts, Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Opening the ceremonies, Terry Atchley, chair of the SFSC District Board of Trustees told the graduates, “Your ability and desire to participate in this evening’s ceremonies tell the world that you are ambitious, passionate, and tenacious. These qualities equip you to make a difference in changing lives and shaping our communities for the better.”

In her presentation to the graduates during the 4 p.m. ceremony, Francesca Chillemi, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education (BSETE), recalled a foot injury sustained during an automobile accident. As a member of SFSC’s Cross Country Team, it was a devastating blow. She told the graduates how the experience of healing helped her develop character. She said to the graduates, “I understand how many of you may have felt through this journey. Sometimes, it felt like an assignment was never-ending or didn’t seem good enough even though you put your full effort into it. However, not giving up is what got us here. Each of you have overcome obstacles. Each of you has built character in your own unique way. Today, we celebrate all that we worked hard for and accomplished.”

The 7:15 p.m. ceremony featured Alegandrina Solis, who also earned her BSETE and anticipates becoming an elementary school teacher in Hardee County. “I stand before you as a proud child of an immigrant parent who dreamed of a better future for not only her family but for the generations to come,” she said to the graduates. “As a child, I remember my mother showing me her hands and saying, ‘Look, my daughter, this is what I do not want for you. You have opportunities that I didn’t have. Study, my daughter, so you do not have to be like this.’ She believed in the transformative power of knowledge. As we embark on this next chapter, we can never forget the shoulders upon which we stand, the sacrifices of those who came before us, the dreams of those who walk behind us, and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.”

When Fred Hawkins, SFSC president, spoke to the graduates, he quoted writer and film director, Nora Ephron: “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” He said, “I couldn’t think of a better way for you to look forward to the days, months, and years to come, using what you have learned here at South Florida State College. Graduates, soak in every bit of this moment. This is a rite of passage that you have earned.”

Approximately 492 students will have met the SFSC requirements by spring 2024 Commencement. Of these, 15 will receive their BAS-SM, five receive their BSN, 12 receive their BSETE, 120 receive their AA, 56 receive their AS, 15 receive their State of Florida High School Diploma, and 72 receive the Career and College Credit Certificates. Students participating in the Commencement ceremonies will total 298.

Mace bearer and chief marshal for this year’s ceremony is Mlisa Manning, and marshals are Kelly Fairfield Dec, Courtney Green, Robert Hampton, Garrett Lee, Dr. Maday Leon, Michelle Macbeth, Sofia Ochoa, Ricardo Pantoja, Michael Pate, Lena Phelps, Andrew Polk, Tina Stetson, and Megan Togno.

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 7, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) honored nine graduates of its Dental Hygiene program in a traditional pinning ceremony in the SFSC University Center Auditorium on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park on Wednesday, May 1. The graduates had just completed their Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene.

Receiving their pins were Aliya Blas, Kiersten DeJesus, Ingrid Eubank, Shalyn Falgoust, Alicia Lennon, Crystal McDonald, Naomi Martinez, Tyler Sinagra, and Bertha Sosa.

Graduates were presented their dental hygiene pins by Dr. Rose Basso-Dubois, director of SFSC’s Dental Education program.

Upon completing the Dental Hygiene program, graduates become dental hygienists by passing the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and the Florida State Clinical Licensure Examination. They can, then, work alongside a dentist as a member of a dental health care team.

For more information about SFSC’s Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene, call Danielle Ochoa, Health Sciences advisor, at 863-784-7027 or email healthsciences@southflorida.edu.

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 7, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) honored 37 Associate in Science in Nursing (ADN) students in a traditional pinning ceremony on Friday, May 3 in the Alan J. Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts at SFSC on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

The graduates are Aila Abuelouf, Tonya Altieri, Francesca Berning, Dalila Eugenio-Badillo, Jasmine Fernandez, Lesli Ferra-Hernandez, Hannah Frazier, Skyler Giles, Kayla Goodstein, Shayla Hightower, Alexandra Huizar, Alecia Hylton, Alexis Johnson, Kaylesha Legree, Karina Lopez, Rebeca Lopez Herrera, Gina Lozada, Gayla Maragh, Melinda Matthews, Mark McGovern, Cristal Miranda, Robert Parker, Samangkita Paudel, Adam Ray Ramirez, Mary Josephine Reyes, Julissa Sandoval, Madison Schaill, Timmiko Smith, RyAnn Snipes, Clara Sooknanan, Mallory Stallings, Jodi Stoops, Naseana Sullivan, Daniel Tello, Mikhos Angelo Torralba, Jameson Wells, and Bethany Young.

Guest speaker for the ceremony was Kayln Villalobos, SFSC coordinator of clinical experience and nursing lab. Each year, Nursing graduates award the Golden D.U.C.K. to someone who has served as a mentor to the students in the program. The D.U.C.K. acronym represents the foundational elements of the mentoring arrangement: Developing, Understanding, Compassion, and Knowledge. Nursing graduate, Aila Abuelouf, presented the 2024 Golden D.U.C.K. Award to Brittany Davidson, SFSC adjunct Nursing instructor.

During the ceremony, the graduates’ loved ones presented them with their individual nursing pins. The graduates, then, passed the flame of a lamp, one to another, before reciting the Nightingale Pledge.

The pinning we know today originated in the 1850s at the Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas Hospital in London. Having been awarded the Red Cross of St. George for her selfless service to the injured and dying during the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale chose to extend this offer to her most outstanding graduating nurses by presenting each of them with a medal of excellence. The presentation of the lamp is a symbol of the caring devotion nurses administer to the sick and injured in the practice of nursing. After nurses were pinned, Nightingale would light a lamp and pass the flame to each nurse as they recited the pledge. The passing of the flame represents a formal welcoming of new nurses to the profession.

Graduates of the ADN program become registered nurses by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam. SFSC Nursing graduates are usually fully employed in nursing within a few months of graduation.

SFSC offers an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a two-year generic Associate in Science in Nursing, a 13-month transition licensed practical nurse to registered nurse Associate in Science in Nursing, and an 11-month Practical Nursing (PN) Career Certificate. For more information about SFSC’s Nursing programs, contact Danielle Ochoa, Health Sciences advisor, at 863-784-7027 or by email at healthsciences@southflorida.edu

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 6, 2024 – Alegandrina Solis will make her family proud. On Tuesday, May 7, she will be the student speaker during South Florida State College’s (SFSC) 7:15 p.m. spring Commencement ceremony at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park. At the same time, Solis will earn her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education (BSETE).

A resident of Hardee County, Fla., Solis earned her Associate in Arts from SFSC in 2022.

“My mom had a lot to do with me wanting to continue to learn,” Solis said. “She always said that knowledge is power and education is something that can never be taken away from you. She engraved that in me and my siblings.”

“The teachers that I had throughout my life also influenced me to want to become a teacher and work with young children,” she said. “I was born in the United States, but I grew up in my grandmother’s house in Mexico. When my grandmother passed away, I was 8 years old. And I returned to the United States to live with my mother. It was a culture shock and I didn’t speak English. When I first went to school, I would go to the bathroom and just cry. Some of the teachers knew and would speak to me in little bits of Spanish or have other students translate. I don’t want other children to feel the way I did at first. In my teaching internship at an elementary school in Hardee County, we have a lot of migrant children. It’s the perfect place for me to teach. I want to be the person who can assure them that everything will be fine — things will get better over time.”

“I want to be an elementary school teacher, specifically, because teaching them at that age paves the road for the rest of their lives,” Solis said. “If they have a love for learning or if they know that somebody believes in them when they’re so young, it will carry them forward. It sets a foundation for the rest of their lives.”

Solis is a first-time-in-college student and understands how difficult it can be to know how to apply to college, register for classes, get financial assistance, find classrooms, find time for a job, and pace oneself. Solis has five children who rely on their mother as all children do. As a student, Solis had the great luck of having family and friends who could pitch in while she pursued her education.

“For my associate degree, I relied mainly on taking online courses,” she said. “But when I started the Elementary Teacher Education program, the classes were face-to-face. Luckily, I had a lot of support. I’ve had my mom, my sisters, my sister-in-law, and best friends. I would, usually, ask one of them to take two of the kids and someone else to take the other three kids while I went to work or class.”

Solis believes that her experience as a student has rubbed off on her children. “My daughter, Velicity, is only 8 years old,” she said. “For a long time, she’d say, ‘I want to be this’ or ‘I want to be that.’ Sometimes, it was off the wall stuff. But since I started the Elementary Teacher Education program, she’s heard me say that I don’t want to stop my education until I have the title ‘Doctor’ in front of my name. Now, she’s decided that she wants to become a medical doctor. She has said, ‘I’m going to save lives, Mommy.’”

Solis hasn’t truly completed her education. “Doctor” may very well become part of her name in the future. In the meantime, she plans to work toward a master’s degree in Education at Florida State University while she teaches in an elementary school. “I want to teach as long as I possibly can,” she said. “That’s what I love. I want to get my master’s degree and then work on my doctorate. My only regret … is that I didn’t go to college sooner.”

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 1, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) honored eight Associate in Science (A.S.) in Surgical Services graduates in a traditional pinning ceremony on Monday, April 29 in the SFSC University Center Auditorium on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

The graduates are: Karina Carranza, Lusero Delacruz, Jeannette Lopez, Keysha Perez, Anabel Picazo, Veronica Rivera, Ciara Smith, and Yasmin Toledo.

During the pinning ceremony, the graduates’ loved ones and friends presented them with their individual pins.

Graduates of SFSC’s A.S. in Surgical Services are prepared for employment as surgical technologists. They prepare operating rooms for surgery, sterilize equipment, ready patients for surgery, and pass sterile instruments and supplies to surgeons during surgery. The program is offered on the SFSC Hardee Campus in Bowling Green, Fla., is 64 credit hours (15 months), and begins in January each year.

For more information about the associate degree in Surgical Services, contact Kathy Sandmoen, director of surgical services, at Kathy.Sandmoen@southflorida.edu or 863-784-7067.

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 1, 2024 – Francesca (“Frannie”) Chillemi has wanted to be a teacher since she was in high school. On Tuesday, May 7, she will be the student speaker during South Florida State College’s (SFSC) 4 p.m. spring Commencement ceremony at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park. Her dream to become a teacher comes closer to a reality when she is conferred her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education (BSETE) that evening.

A native of Lake Placid, Fla., Chillemi graduated from SFSC with her Associate in Arts in May 2020 and has been a member of the SFSC Panther Cross Country team since her freshman year in college.

Chillemi’s greatest inspiration for entering the teaching profession was her high school cross country coach, Marne Black. Black was also a teacher at Lake Placid Elementary School, where Chillemi participated in a high school internship as a teacher’s assistant. “I liked who she was as a person,” Chillemi said. “She influenced me to want to become a teacher.”

Chillemi is a first-generation-in-college student. “I wanted to go to college, primarily, because cross country is important in my life. At SFSC, I could get a good education and continue to participate in cross country races. Besides that, I liked what I saw when I was interning at the elementary school, and Marne’s family was a college family. They believed that going through college is the best way to have a good career. Sadly, Marne passed away in 2020. But as a teacher, I’ll be able to keep that part of her.”

Although she was provided a scholarship as a student-athlete at SFSC, Chillemi’s road to educational success hasn’t necessarily been a walk in the park.

Prior to beginning her first season with the SFSC Panther Cross Country team, she was involved in a head-on auto collision, which left her with minor injuries and a broken foot. For a runner who loves competing, a broken foot is devastating and, in Chillemi’s case, it could have meant that she would sit on the bench throughout her first season. But with excellent physical therapy and patience, she became a stronger person physically and mentally and rallied. She was able to continue her freshman cross country season, that is, until the COVID-19 pandemic circled the globe. The remainder of the cross country season was on hold. However, Chillemi and the SFSC Panthers were back for the next season and, because the team wasn’t able to compete a full season during her freshman year, Chillemi qualified to run her junior year.

Chillemi’s schedule as a student has been, at times, grueling. During her first year as a college student, her classes were online courses because of COVID-19. During her second year, she continued to take online courses, allowing her to work at her 35-hour a week job at Publix supermarket until 2 or 3 p.m. Through the week, she attended cross country practice at 5 or 6 a.m. and again at 5 p.m. On weekends, if she didn’t have a race, she worked and studied. “Weekends were my get up and do homework kind of day,” Chillemi said.

Chillemi now heads for the finish line and can see her future before her. She hopes to teach at a Highlands County elementary school shortly after graduation and wants to nurture self-confidence in her students and serve as a resource for them when they need assistance. And cross country certainly won’t be left in the dust. In fall 2024, she will serve as the assistant coach for the SFSC Panther Cross Country team.

April 30, 2024 – Governor Ron DeSantis appointed three members to South Florida State College’s (SFSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT) on Friday, April 19, 2024. The two new trustees are Devon Donaldson and John Eason, and Terry Atchley was reappointed.

“We are excited to welcome these two new trustees to SFSC’s board and reinstate Mr. Atchley as a dedicated and caring leader for our institution,” said Fred Hawkins, president of SFSC. “We are eager to share the incredible vision and mission of this institution as we move it forward into the future.”

Terry Atchley, who currently serves as the chair of the DBOT, was reappointed to his position. He is the county manager for Hardee County and was previously elected as a Hardee County commissioner and served as the city manager for the City of Wauchula. Atchley is the current president of the Hardee County Fair and the Florida Federation of Fairs. He attended SFSC and Polk State College.

“I am extremely honored to have received confirmation of my reappointment to serve SFSC as a member of the DBOT,” said Atchley. “As we embark on the next chapters of the SFSC journey, we need to work together with our students, business partners, and communities to advance our efforts in building a brighter, more prosperous future for the Heartland region. ‘Let’s ignite new possibilities together.’”

The new appointments include:
Devon Donaldson is the owner of GeoDev Financial Group and treasurer of Samaritan’s Touch Care Center and Cornerstone Christian Academy. Donaldson earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Webber University.

“I am honored to be a part of South Florida State College, having graduated with my Associate in Arts degree from there,” said Donaldson. “The College has grown and I look forward to being a part of its continued success.”

John Eason, deputy city manager for the City of Wauchula, is an adjunct instructor at SFSC. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and the former chief of police for the City of Wauchula. Eason earned an Associate in Science in Criminal Justice Technology from SFSC and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management with a concentration in Public Administration from Polk State College.

“Being appointed to the South Florida State College District Board of Trustees is truly an honor,” said Eason. “As an alumnus, I look forward to serving on the board, driven by the passion to uphold South Florida State College’s tradition of excellence and ensure every student receives a world-class education.”

The SFSC DBOT meeting schedule and member biographies can be found on southflorida.edu/board-of-trustees.

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 29, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) celebrates spring Commencement with two ceremonies on Tuesday, May 7. The first ceremony is at 4 p.m. and the second is at 7:15 p.m.; both in the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

The 4 p.m. ceremony features students who are earning their Associate in Science (AS), Career Certificate, College Credit Certificate, and State of Florida High School Diploma. Francesca Chillemi, who earns her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education (BSETE), will be the student Commencement speaker at this ceremony.

The 7:15 p.m. ceremony features students who are earning their Associate in Arts (AA), Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management (BAS-SM), BSETE, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Alegandrina Solis, who earns her BSETE, will be the student Commencement speaker at this ceremony.

Live online streaming, accessed by clicking a website banner at southflorida.edu, will allow friends and relatives to see everything from the processional to the last graduate crossing the stage. The stream begins on May 7 at 4 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. EDT.

Approximately 492 students will have met the SFSC requirements by spring 2024 Commencement. Of these, 15 will receive their BAS-SM, five receive their BSN, 12 receive their BSETE, 120 receive their AA, 56 receive their AS, 15 receive their State of Florida High School Diploma, and 72 receive the Career and College Credit Certificates. Students participating in the Commencement ceremonies will total 298.

Mace bearer and chief marshal for this year’s ceremony is Mlisa Manning, and marshals are Kelly Fairfield Dec, Courtney Green, Robert Hampton, Garrett Lee, Dr. Maday Leon, Michelle Macbeth, Sofia Ochoa, Ricardo Pantoja, Michael Pate, Lena Phelps, Andrew Polk, Tina Stetson, and Megan Togno.

The Commencement rehearsal takes place Tuesday, May 7 at 10 a.m. in the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the SFSC Highlands Campus.

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 29, 2024 – SFSC’s Tau Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) had a busy spring 2024 – members, along with their advisors, Carylanne Joubert and Renee LaDue, attended the 2024 PTK Catalyst convention in Orlando, April 4 – 6, and the Chapter inducted 29 students into the honor society in a formal ceremony on Thursday, April 25.

The PTK Catalyst is the international annual conference for PTK that offers members learning sessions, networking among PTK students, and an awards ceremony. This year, it featured guest speakers, Misty Copeland, American Ballet principal dancer and author, and Evy Poumpouras, a former Secret Service agent and journalist.  

SFSC’s Tau Epsilon chapter garnered special recognition during this year’s conference for its accomplishments:

• Five-Star Chapter for activities that accomplished five themed categories – Reach, Engage, Network, Lead, and Discover
• SarahGrace O’Leary was named to the All-Florida Academic Team
• Paxton Brooks earned the Regional Art Award for a drawing of her father titled, “Semper Fortis,” and Chapter advisor Renee LaDue accepted the award on Brooks’ behalf
• Joan Briand, former Tau Epsilon chapter advisor and SFSC professor of Oral Communications, was posthumously honored with the Paragon Award for New Advisors for her dedication and hard work for SFSC’s chapter; Renee LaDue and PTK alumna Carol Mitchell accepted the award on Briand’s behalf

During the PTK induction ceremony on April 25, family members and fellow students looked on as the inductees recited an oath of membership, joining the honor society that recognizes distinguished academic achievement by students enrolled in two-year academic programs.

The inductees were: Katy Armendariz, Mark Armendariz, Crystal Ashworth, Ericka Berthiaume, Brent Ferns Jr., Suzi Gomez, Ricardo Gomez-Paz, Ksenia Greene, Gloria Hamilton, Gayla Lawrence, Rebeca Lopez Herrera, Brisa Luevano, Chenelle McGregor, Cristal Miranda, Summer Moore, Joaquin Morris, Andrea Oliveros-Barajas, Brianna Palenzuela, Samangkita Paudel, Mary Josephine Miranda Reyes, Christina Robinson, Knajaiana Smith, Heather St. John, Angel Strength, Naseana Sullivan, Bailey Tinsley, Mia Vasquez, Aiani Walker, and Jarrod Wheeler.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the inductees each signed the honor society’s membership book, recording their status as scholars of distinction at SFSC. The auditorium lights dimmed and each scholar lit a candle signifying their fellowship in the society and received a white rose.

The current PTK officers are Joaquin Morris, president; Brisa Luevano, vice president; Ericka Berthiaume, secretary/treasurer; Brianna Palenzuela, vice president of communication; Colten Denby, vice president of leadership; and Ksenia Greene, vice president of fellowship.

For more information about SFSC’s PTK Chapter, contact Renee LaDue at 863-784-7034.

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.