Pinkalicious The Musical
AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 15, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) launches its Young People’s Theater series on Wednesday, Oct. 8 and Thursday, Oct. 9 at 9:30 a.m. with Pinkalicious the Musical, which is based on the beloved books by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann. Featuring music and lyrics by John Gregor, this one-hour musical is ideal for pre-K to third grade students.
“It’s a delightful show that teaches students about self-control, the importance of moderation, and embracing your individuality,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC. “The show is playful, educational, and very pink!”
Air is Everywhere, featuring Mr. C Science, an action-packed, interactive show, is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 13 at 9:30 a.m. Students learn how air affects our world in ways they never imagined—from flight and pressure to weather and wind power. “Mr. C is real science,” Garren said. “It’s an ideal event to teach STEM concepts while having a lot of laughs!” This performance is geared for grades one to five.
Mr. C, or Kevin Cornell, has been recognized as the “New Bill Nye the Science Guy.” With 20 years of experience as an educator, he hosts and produces award-winning STEM programs in partnership with PBS stations. Cornell has earned gold, silver, and bronze Telly Award and multiple regional Emmy awards for LearningScienceisFun.com. His shows are high-energy and filled with hands-on demonstrations designed to spark curiosity and laughter.
The popular Holiday Traditions Around the World, featuring Santa Claus and his hard-working elves, will be at the Hardee County Agri-Civic Center in Wauchula on Monday, Dec. 1 at 9:30 a.m. Sponsored by Mosaic, this performance is targeted for Hardee and DeSoto County elementary
The Emperor’s New Clothes
school students. “Transportation is an issue for our school districts and the Civic Center has a nice stage and auditorium, so we hope to fill all the seats,” Garren said.
The Emperor’s New Clothes, based on the much-loved tale by Hans Christian Andersen, is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 at 9:30 a.m. Geared for students in third to fifth grade, this musical, produced by Stages Productions, features a bumbling emperor and his court who learned the cost of deceit by crafty swindlers. “Andersen based his fairytale on a 14th century folktale, but he added the innocent child who speaks the truth,” Garren said. “This tale has been teaching children about vanity and pride for hundreds of years.”
Tickets for the performances are $5 per person and one free ticket is available for every 10 purchased. Bookings for homeschool groups, private schools, and public schools are available now by emailing ypt@southflorida.edu or calling the SFSC Box Office at 863-784-7178. Free study guides for each performance are available online at sfscARTS.org.
SFSC kicked off the Young People’s Theater Series in 2006 and over 100,000 students from Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto counties have attended a performance.
Irene Cerna (left), Off-Campus Instructional Sites coordinator, and Emily Dabolt, executive director, Institutional Advancement
AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 12, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) received a $15,000 grant from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, Inc. to provide scholarships for students from DeSoto County who attend classes at any of SFSC’s campuses – in DeSoto, Hardee, or Highlands County. These funds will be matched dollar for dollar through the SFSC Foundation, bringing the total funds for scholarships to $30,000.
Scholarships will be awarded up to $1,500 for full-time students, up to $1,125 for students enrolled between 9 and 11 hours, and up to $750 for students enrolled between 6 and 8 hours.
The criteria for obtaining a scholarship through the Selby Foundation grant are that the application must be based on financial need and the student must be a resident of DeSoto County and a graduate of Desoto County High School, maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to be considered for renewal, and be accepted into or enrolled in a degree program at SFSC.
Scholarships from the Selby Foundation grant are available for fall term 2025 and spring term 2026.
“The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation’s continued partnership demonstrates the power of sustained community investment in education,” said Emily Dabolt, SFSC executive director of institutional advancement. “This renewable scholarship program has become a bridge to opportunity for our DeSoto County students, ensuring that financial barriers don’t stand between them and their college dreams. With each graduating class, we’re seeing the ripple effects of this generosity — students who once thought college was out of reach are now completing degrees and building careers right here in our community.”
To apply for a scholarship through the Selby Foundation grant, students are encouraged to speak with a student advisor at the SFSC DeSoto Campus at 2251 NE Turner Avenue in Arcadia, visit the SFSC Office of Financial Aid on the Highlands Campus at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park, or call 863-993-1757.
Aug. 7, 2025 – South Florida State College’s (SFSC) Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education (BSETE) program earned a 3.7 out of 4.0 on the Florida Department of Education’s Annual Program Performance Report (APPR) for 2025.
Among all Elementary Education, ESOL, and Reading programs reviewed, only five Florida institutions scored higher than SFSC, placing the program among the top teacher preparation programs in the state.
The APPR evaluates teacher preparation programs on several key measures of quality:
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Candidate Readiness: This category assesses certification exam pass rates. SFSC scored Level 4 (highest level), reflecting outstanding performance on the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations.
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Workforce Contribution: This aspect tracks graduate employment in teaching. SFSC scored Level 4, with all graduates employed in the teaching profession and additional weighting awarded because SFSC’s degree prepares teachers in a designated high-need area.
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Annual Evaluations: This section is based on employer evaluations of recent graduates. SFSC scored Level 3, with 100% of completers rated Effective or Highly Effective by their districts.
These results affirm the excellence of SFSC’s faculty, staff, and graduates, and highlight the program’s strong role in preparing highly qualified teachers for Florida’s schools.
“The program’s success is a result of the dedication of BSETE professors and adjuncts whose enthusiasm for teaching empowers our student teachers to change lives,” said Dr. Maday Leon, lead instructor for BSETE. “We will continue to support our communities by developing effective educators.”
For more information about SFSC’s BSETE program, contact Dr. Leon at leonm@southflorida.edu or 863-784-7154.
Radiography graduates.
Photo by Mark Delaney
AVON PARK, Fla. – July 30, 2025 – On Thursday, July 24, South Florida State College (SFSC) honored 10 of its graduates in a traditional pinning ceremony on the College’s Highlands Campus in Avon Park. The graduates have earned their Associate in Science (A.S.) in Radiography.
The graduates honored were: Alma Bacon, Madison Deer, George Gomez, Sonia Hernandez, Ashlee Jackson, Amanda Kennedy, Sandra Lopez-Gonzalez, Alyssa Perez, Guadalupe Salgado, and Gemi Saunders.
Upon completing SFSC’s two-year A.S. degree in Radiography, graduates can work as certified radiologic technologists by passing the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national examination. Radiologic technologists work in hospitals and clinics performing diagnostic imaging examinations, such as X-rays.
For information about SFSC’s Radiography program, contact Danielle Nuccio, Health Sciences advisor, at 863-784-7027 or by email at healthsciences@southflorida.edu.
PN Graduates
photo by Mark Delaney
AVON PARK, Fla. – July 29, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) graduated 22 Practical Nursing (PN) program students in a traditional pinning ceremony on Thursday, July 17 in the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the Highlands Campus at SFSC in Avon Park.
The graduates are Naomi Arguelles, Agustin Arriaga, Keyara Auguste, Lucerito Chavez, Megan Crosson, Jordyn Donahay, Crystal Douglas, Damion Edwards, Sara Hernandez-Jaramillio, Yulissa Hernandez-Torres, Hunter Hoffman, Ana Ibanez, Tammy Lee, Jacqueline Loney, Araceli Mares, Claire McClellan, Karen Monterrosa, Katherine Moore, Ariana Olmos, Jenika Sanders, Milena Suarez Moron, and Shatenda Watson.
Each year, PN graduates award the Golden D.U.C.K. to someone or an organization that 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. Presenting the Golden D.U.C.K. award to the Children’s Museum of Highlands County was PN graduate, Yulissa Hernandez-Torres.
“The Children’s Museum has created a remarkable environment where children, ages 1 to 12, can learn through play in hands-on, interactive exhibits,” said Hernandez-Torres. “Their dedication to fostering creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning is something truly special. More than just a place for children to explore, the Museum serves as a critical space for growth, allowing young minds to stretch their imagination and discover the world around them. The collaboration between the Museum and our Nursing class provided us with an opportunity to participate in clinical experiences, offering real-world interaction in a dynamic and engaging setting. Additionally, the “Boo Boo Clinic” event, a Kid’s Night Out initiative, gave our students the chance to practice their skills while caring for children in a fun, supportive environment.”
The practice of pinning new graduates has been a nursing school tradition in the United States since 1916 and, symbolically, welcomes each graduate into the nursing profession. The pin is worn prominently on a nurse’s uniform throughout their career. One story of the ceremony’s beginning goes back to 1883, when Queen Victoria awarded Florence Nightingale the Royal Red Cross on St. George’s Day for her service to the sick and injured during the Crimean War. In turn, Nightingale later extended the honor to her outstanding nursing students by presenting them with a medal of excellence.
Graduates of the 11-month Career Certificate PN program become licensed practical nurses (LPN) by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) exam. SFSC Nursing graduates are usually fully employed in nursing within a few months of graduation.
SFSC offers an Associate in Science degree in Nursing (ADN) program for students interested in becoming registered nurses in three formats: a two-year Generic-RN program, a two-year Evening/Weekend RN program, and a one-year Transition-LPN to RN program. The College also offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
For information about SFSC’s Nursing programs, contact Danielle Nuccio, Health Sciences advisor at 863-784-7027 or by email at healthsciences@southflorida.edu.
Photo by Aldo Cendejas.
Back Row, L to R: Kerstin Jones, Briana Navarro, Shonkeria Robinson, Adilene Gomez, Jaqueline Galarza Rios
Front Row, L to R: Pricila Vega, Marley Lapointe, Mahira Paz-Velasco, Dulce Hernandez, Carolina Ramirez-Santiago, Bailey Erb, Jazmine Haifa-Valdovinos
AVON PARK, Fla. – July 16, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) honored 12 graduates of its Dental Assisting program in a pinning ceremony on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park on Thursday, July 10. Dental Assisting graduates receiving their pins were: Bailey Erb, Jaqueline Galarza Rios, Adilene Gomez, Jazmine Haifa-Valdovinos, Dulce Hernandez, Kerstin Jones, Marley LaPointe, Briana Elizabeth Navarro, Mahira Paz-Velasco, Carolina Ramirez-Santiago, Shonkeria Robinson, and Pricila Vega.
The graduates earned their Career Certificate in Dental Assisting, received their Expanded Functions Dental Assisting Certification, and their Orthodontic Assistant Certification.
After completing the 11-month Career Certificate program in Dental Assisting, graduates can work as certified dental assistants by passing the Dental Assisting National Board Examination (DANB) and qualify for the Expanded Functions Dental Assisting Certification as well as Orthodontic Assistant Certification.
For information about SFSC’s Dental Education programs, contact Danielle Nuccio, Health Sciences advisor, at 863-784-7027 or by email at healthsciences@southflorida.edu.
Public Safety graduates
AVON PARK, Fla. – July 9, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) honored 36 graduating students from three Public Safety Programs in a ceremony on Monday, July 7 on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park.
The 13 cadets from SFSC’s Fire Science Academy are: Diana Cuello, Peter Duffy, Jesus Inciarte-Fuenmaya, Kristian Gonzalez, Emily Jestes-Hagen, Kendall King, Donovan Lusby, Nicholas Camacho Medina, Chloe Mason, Alex Muirhead, Eric Puente, Danayja Sturn, and Zacharia Ward.
The 11 cadets from the Paramedic program are: Jayden Acker, Jalon Borders, Miguel Garcia, Wayland Hayes, Trina Hipp, Zane Little, Aleecia Rhoden, Lydia Rosario, Muhammad Shehadeh, Jaylen Sullivan, and Landon Yock.
The 12 cadets from the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program are: Rylee Arthion, Noah Browning, Ashlynn Collins, Franchet Flint, Jaqueline Navarrete, Lysmariz Olivero, Alexandra Ross, Sheldon Rossin, Erick Salas, Christopher Sartin, Caden Storts, and Briseda Torres Ponce.
Steve Ashworth, director of the Public Safety Program, was guest speaker during the ceremony.
Special recognition was given to seven cadets: From the Fire Science class, Eric Puente was recognized for having the highest GPA. Kendall King and Nicholas Camacho Medina were recognized for their leadership. From the Paramedic class, Zane Little was lauded for having the Highest GPA in Lecture and Landon Yock for having the Highest GPA in Lab. From the EMT class, Alexandra Ross was honored for having the Highest GPA in Lecture and Jaqueline Navarrete for Highest GPA in Lab.
Graduates of the Firefighter Career Certificate program have completed 492 contact hours of training. A cohort of cadets enroll in the Firefighter I course, often with the expectation of continuing through to Firefighter II training. Firefighter II training is required for those who wish to be employed as professional firefighters in Florida.
The paramedic graduates completed an 11-month College Credit Certificate course offered through SFSC’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program. Paramedics work as part of an emergency response team called out to traffic accidents, fires, and other life-threatening situations.
The EMT graduates completed the 16 weeks of training, or 300 contact hours, in the program. 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 any of SFSC’s Public Safety programs, contact the SFSC Advising and Counseling Center at 863-784-7131 or visit southflorida.edu.
July 3, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) announced today that it has earned the 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School designation.
