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.
July 3, 2025 – On Monday, June 30, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the 2025-2026 budget and approved funding for South Florida State College (SFSC). The College will receive $1 million for the “Enduring Student Impact” initiative and $500,000 for the Hotel Jacaranda.
The College would like to thank Governor Ron DeSantis for his approval and consideration, and Senate President Ben Albritton, Senator Erin Grall, Representative Kaylee Tuck, Representative Vanessa Oliver, and Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas for their support and hard work in securing state funds for SFSC.
Funds from the “Enduring Student Impact” initiative will support the continued impact and enhancement of the College’s Division of Student Services, ensuring it remains a vital resource for student engagement, success, and well-being.
“As budget constraints continue to impact institutions across the state, we are especially grateful to our legislative delegation for their support for higher education and their efforts in advocating for us,” said Fred Hawkins, president of SFSC. “Their support reinforces the value of the Florida College System and its 28 institutions, which remain committed to student success, workforce development, and fiscal responsibility all while maintaining the same tuition rates since 2014.”
The funds for the Hotel Jacaranda will support the consistent preservation needs that the facility requires. The SFSC Foundation board will evaluate and prioritize the spending of the $500,000 allocated for its care.
“We are incredibly grateful to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for this $500,000 investment in the Hotel Jacaranda. This funding will allow us to address critical infrastructure needs, beginning with much needed HVAC improvements,” said Emily Dabolt, executive director for the SFSC Foundation. “The Jacaranda is an important community asset, and these funds will help to ensure it continues to serve our students, tenants, and the broader community for years to come.”
For more information on SFSC, visit southflorida.edu, and for information on the Hotel Jacaranda, visit hoteljac.com.
