SFSC Celebrates Commencement with Two Ceremonies on May 7

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.

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.

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.”

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.”