Great Performances Coming to the Wildstein Center in 2025

Dec. 27, 2024 – Goodtime Tuesday Matinees begin Tuesday, Jan. 21, and run until March 18 with a 1:30 p.m. curtain. 

“We have a variety of performances on Tuesdays and our Build Your Own ticket package offers discounts up to 22%,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs. “Groups of 12 or more can save up to 50% on some shows, so we encourage folks to gather their friends and neighbors to save on single ticket prices.”

Tuesday Matinees include:

• The Four C-Notes who recreate the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons on Jan. 21 at 1:30 p.m. Created by John Michael Coppola, best known for his appearance in Chicago’s long-running production of the Broadway smash hit Jersey Boys, audiences can expect vintage dance movies and a trip down memory lane with songs like “Walk Like a Man,” “Let’s Hang On,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”

• Tony Monaco and Turnstiles, who are back by popular demand, deliver a Billy Joel tribute that will have hardcore Joel fans on their feet and singing the hits. Sponsored by Pete and Dale Caldwell, the performance is scheduled for Jan. 28

•  The Drifters; Phat Cat Swinger, an 11-piece rockabilly, swing band from Hollywood; Bachelors of Broadway with the music from West Side Story, Man of the La Mancha, The King and I, Phantom of the Opera, and more; Phil Dirt and The Dozers; One Night in Memphis; and The Bronx Wanderers

Performances in 2025 also include an intimate evening of songs and stories from Loretta Lynn with the original Loretta Lynn band, The Coalminers, is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. With over 60 years of touring, recording, and writing country classics, Loretta Lynn is the most-awarded lady in country music. “This is the only family-authorized and approved Loretta Lynn tribute,” added Garren. “Emily Portman, who portrayed Loretta in the musical “It’s Only Make Believe” for over 20 years, provides the vocals.”

The Farewell American Tour of country icon, Lee Greenwood, is coming to Highlands County on Friday, Jan. 24. Throughout his expansive career, Greenwood has earned multiple Country Music Awards and American Country Music Awards, a Grammy Award for top male vocal performance, and a multitude of other prestigious awards. He’s had seven No. 1 hits and 38 singles including songs like “Dixie Road,” “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” and “Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands.”

His stand-out hit, “God Bless the U.S.A.” has been in the top five on the country singles chart three times; the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat. Known for his stand-out patriotism and support of the U. S. Military, Greenwood has been honored with the Congressional Medal of Honor and has entertained troops on over 30 USO tours.

Lee Greenwood’s performance is sponsored by Heartland Endodontics, Spiegel Chiropractic Clinic, Sharion Hudson/The Purple Iris Tea Room, MidFlorida Credit Union, Michele and Terry Heston, Drs. Vinod and Tarlika Thakkar, and Heartland National Bank.

A free concert is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 30 at 1:30 p.m. “The Charlie Redd Band performs jazz, swing, and pop music with a saucy style,” said Garren. “We encourage homeschool parents to bring their children to a live music concert in a beautiful Performing Arts Center. After the show, visit the Museum of Florida Art and Culture on campus.” The band is led by vocalist Charlie Redd, with Doug Andrews on keyboards, drummer Louie Nagy, and bassist Martin Rimoldi. 

A Build Your Own Ticket package offers a 10% discount when buying three or four shows, a 15% discount when buying five to seven shows, a 20% discount when buying eight to 10 shows, and a 22% discount when buying 11 or more shows. Discounts are based on the number of shows purchased, not the number of tickets.

The Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts is located on the Highlands Campus of South Florida State College located at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park. Tickets are available online at sfscARTS.org, by phone at 863-784-7178, or by visiting in person, Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. There is a $3 per ticket processing fee on all tickets.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Dec. 13, 2024 — For the South Florida State College (SFSC) graduates who gathered in the Alan Jay Wildstein Theatre for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Dec. 12, the 2024 Commencement ceremony was a time to celebrate.

Student Commencement speaker Christopher Peragine, who received his Associate in Arts, congratulated his fellow classmates on persevering through their studies to graduation. He offered advice from lessons learned through his own life and college experience: “Success is not about trophies, awards, or applause. It’s about lifting others up. It’s about being an example – just like my mentor was for me. It’s about showing others that no matter how many times you get knocked down, you can always rise. I stand here today with humility because I didn’t get here alone. I got here by the grace of God, with the support of friends, clients, my family, my team, and by falling on my face in the mud more times than I can count. Class of 2024, I’m so proud of you. You’ve got the heart, the strength, the faith, and the determination to take on anything that life throws your way.”

Approximately 308 students met the SFSC requirements by fall Commencement. Of these, 14 received their Bachelor of Science in Supervision and Management (BAS-SM), six received their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 90 received their Associate in Arts, 69 received their Associate in Science, 33 received their State of Florida High School Diploma, 24 received their College Credit Certificate (CCC), and 72 received Career Technical Certificates. The number of students participating in the Commencement ceremony totaled 149.

Early in the program, the graduates received congratulations and words of wisdom from Fred Hawkins, SFSC president. “As you plan your next goals and timelines for where you want to go in your career, I want to remind you of a quote from former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor: ‘Aim high, but be aware that even before you have reached your ultimate professional destination, if you always strive for excellence, you can and should make a substantial impact on the world in which you live.’”

Speaking on behalf of the SFSC District Board of Trustees, Chair Terry Atchley, addressed the new graduates: “As you step into the future, embrace uncertainty with courage, and let your dreams soar. Remember that your education is not merely a degree or certificate, but a compass guiding you toward a purposeful life. And remember that SFSC is forever your home. As you graduate and start out in your career or continue to grow in your current career, stay in touch with the College and your fellow graduates.”

During the ceremony, President Hawkins also acknowledged the upcoming retirements of Teresa Crawford, director of the Hardee Campus; Beth Broen, History professor; and Katrina Blandin, Hardee Campus student advisor.

Mace bearer and chief marshal for Commencement was Mlisa Manning, and marshals were Kelly Fairfield Dec, Courtney Green, Robert Hampton, Candy Jones, Garrett Lee, Michelle Macbeth, Sofia Ochoa, Ricardo Pantoja, Michael Pate, Lena Phelps, Andrew Polk, and Megan Togno.

 

AVON PARK, Fla. – Dec. 10, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) honored 40 Associate in Science in Nursing (ADN) students in a traditional pinning ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Alan Jay Arena in Sebring.

The graduates are Brittany Baker, Joe Byers, Katie Camacho, Mayra Cardenas, Miriam Carranza, Marissa Cervantes, Brooke Conklin, Hayleigh Cruz, Kiara Delgado, Cameron Eason, Raeanne Elder, Savanah Ewing, Yulissa Flores, Jonathan Go, Samantha Gonzales, Nancy Guerrero-Tapia, Ashanti Hipps, Alayna Jester, Helen Kulda, Kobe Labra, Maria Lopez Chavez, Lizbeth Lopez Hernandez, Makayla Malcolm, Kristie McGee, Jonathan Medina, Keyshauna Parhams, Katie Peña, Alicia Perry, Na’Talya Perry, Shana Quinn, Vianney Ramirez, Deanna Rhyne, Abraham Rivera Libores, Rodrick Rivers, Charolette Scott, Jessica Steffen, Mikaela Valdez, Benjamin Warren, Jeffory William II, and Mariah Zamora.

Guest speaker for the ceremony was MaryEllen Powrie, SFSC Nursing instructor. 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 graduates presented the 2024 Golden D.U.C.K. Award to The Ridge Area ARC.

Two Nursing graduates received special honors. Hayleigh Cruz was presented the Thakkar Academic Excellence Award and Jonathan Go was presented the Thakkar Clinical Excellence Award.

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). 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. – Dec. 6, 2024 – With the thousands of alumni and exceptional graduates that South Florida State College (SFSC) has nurtured since 1965, selecting an outstanding alumnus for the SFSC Panther Alumni Society Hall of Fame is a difficult task. SFSC’s most prestigious alumni honor was awarded on Thursday, Dec. 5 to Jeff Sykes, during the SFSC Foundation’s annual Christmas Luncheon at the Hotel Jacaranda in Avon Park. Previous Hall of Fame inductees were Jeffrey Roth and John Sedlock.

“The SFSC Alumni Association is proud to honor Jeff Sikes as its 2024 Panther Alumni Society Hall of Fame Inductee,” said Anastasia Fuchser, SFSC Alumni Association coordinator. “Mr. Sikes embodies this award throughout many areas of his life by serving others and his community, as a positive role model for his athletes, and by making an impact in their lives both on and off the field. We are proud to call Jeff Sikes an SFSC alumnus and bestow this honor upon him.”

Sikes played baseball for the SFSC Panthers during the 1979-80 seasons and is a 1980 graduate of the College. He went on to the University of Kentucky, where he played baseball and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 1982. He was awarded a Master of Sports Science in Sports Management in 1993 from the United States Sports Academy.

Sikes served as head coach of Warner University’s Royals Baseball Program for 40 years, retiring in 2023. Since then, he has participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ (FCA) Coaches Ministry. According to the FCA, it is a 60-year-old organization in which athletes and coaches combine their passions of faith and athletics “to impact the world for Jesus Christ.”

While at Warner University, Sikes became the longest-serving head coach in the Sun Conference and the only coach to have participated in every season in the Conference’s history, with an impressive career record of 1,230 wins, 944 losses, and four ties. As head coach, he dedicated 40 years to building a legacy of success, sportsmanship, and mentorship. Beyond the field, he has had a lasting impact on his baseball players, 14 of whom went on to careers in Major League Baseball (MLB) and 50 became high school, college, or professional coaches. Many of his former athletes credit him for their successes off the field from the lessons learned under his guidance.

“As someone who has witnessed Coach Sike’s leadership, humility, and dedication to his players, his faith, and his community, I cannot think of a more deserving candidate for this honor,” said Taylor Massey in her nomination of Sikes for the SFSC Panther Alumni Society Hall of Fame. “I am confident that his accomplishments, character, and influence will continue to inspire future generations.”

AVON PARK, Fla. – Dec. 4, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) students, Adam Gonzalez and Elliott Vazquez Palacios, received scholarships from the Duke Energy Foundation in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. The scholarship will cover their tuition, books, and supplies while attending classes toward their Electrical Lineworker Career Certificates through SFSC.

SFSC and Duke Energy leadership surprised the students at the Hardee Campus to present and announce the scholarship on Tuesday, Dec. 3 after postponing the event due to Hurricane Milton. Gonzalez and Palacios were each awarded $5,600 that will cover their educational expenses over spring, summer, and fall terms in 2025.

The scholarship is part of a recent initiative by Duke Energy and its Foundation to provide support for organizations and programs committed to uplifting Hispanic students, businesses, and events in Florida.

“The reason we come to work each day at SFSC is to find new ways and opportunities for our students to succeed in higher education,” said Jamie Bateman, vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs. “It may be through a certification, a degree, or a few credits to help them jump-start their career. Also, when you find a friend and community partner that is committed to your same goals, you celebrate that relationship. We are fortunate to have that friendship with Duke Energy. Duke Energy continues to assist our Lineworker students in meaningful ways. Calling Duke Energy’s scholarships ‘life-changing’ doesn’t come close to what has happened for Adam and Elliott. Thank you to our friends at Duke Energy. You continue to support our students in powerful ways.”

SFSC is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with an approximately 45% Hispanic student population. The College offers a variety of pathway options that provide students with the education and training they need for high-paying positions within the region. SFSC’s Electrical Lineworker Program is one of those options. The program prepares students to work as electric line technicians in the construction, maintenance, and repair of electric utility overhaul and underground systems.

Through 1,500 contact hours (approximately 18 months) of training at the College’s Hardee Campus, Electrical Lineworker students gain an understanding of electrical systems, operations, and safety while mastering competencies in electrical distribution, basic electrical theory, and underground electrical construction operations. They learn how to maintain electric power systems and use electrical distribution equipment. The program provides practice in climbing, framing, building single and three-phase overhead lines, pole top and bucket rescue techniques, operating bucket trucks, and maintaining and repairing underground systems. Students who successfully complete the program earn a Career Certificate.

For more information about SFSC’s Electrical Lineworker Program, contact Chris Yeomans by emailing yeomansC@southflorida.edu or calling 863-784-7045.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 22, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) celebrates its new graduates with a Commencement ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

The Commencement speaker is Christopher Peragine, who is graduating from SFSC with his Associate in Arts degree.

Approximately 308 students will have met the SFSC requirements by fall Commencement. Of these, 14 will receive their Bachelor of Science in Supervision and Management (BAS-SM), six will receive their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 90 will receive their Associate in Arts, 69 will receive their Associate in Science, 33 will receive their State of Florida High School Diploma, 24 will receive their College Credit Certificate (CCC), and 72 will receive Career Technical Certificates. Students participating in the Commencement ceremony will total 149.

Mace bearer and chief marshal for Commencement is Mlisa Manning, and marshals are Kelly Fairfield Dec, Courtney Green, Robert Hampton, Candy Jones, Garrett Lee, Michelle Macbeth, Sofia Ochoa, Ricardo Pantoja, Michael Pate, Lena Phelps, Andrew Polk, and Megan Togno.

The Commencement rehearsal will be held on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts. The event will be live-streamed with access through SFSC’s website at southflorida.edu.

Avon Park, Fla.—Nov. 21, 2024—Members of the South Florida State College (SFSC) Community Relations and Marketing Office garnered recognition and awards for their commitment to furthering the Florida College System (FCS) and its students during the 75th Annual Association of Florida Colleges (AFC) Meeting and Conference in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 4-7.

During the conference, the SFSC Community Relations and Marketing Office received these Communications and Marketing Commission Awards of Excellence:

Gold Award for the category “Article in a College-Produced or Third-Party Publication” for a story about SFSC alumnus Daniel Duque who took his nursing practice to the South Pole. The story was written by Deborah Bell Latter.

A Silver Award for the category “Social Media, Paid” for the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education promotion. The advertisement was created by Melissa Kuehnle.

A Silver Award for the category “Redesign” for a Pete’s Pantry promotion. The piece was created by Sharon Jones.

A Bronze Award for the category, “Social Media, Paid” for the 9-1-1 dispatcher jobs promotion. The advertisement was created by Melissa Kuehnle.

A Bronze Award for category “Single Sheet Flyer” for the promotion of an SFSC baseball and barbecue event. The flyer was created by Sharon Jones.

AFC is a 7,500-member nonprofit organization that advocates for Florida’s 28 community and state colleges who are members of the FCS.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 21, 2024 – Christopher Peragine has the job of his dreams – he’s a fitness coach training clients in his own gym. However, the journey to success took him along a rocky path. Through his own determination and because of angels along the way, the Sebring resident will earn his Associate in Arts during the College’s Commencement ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park. In fact, he will be the graduation keynote speaker.

Like many young people, Peragine wanted to be an athlete, perhaps, even an NBA player. However, early in life, he was diagnosed with a genetic condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). According to the CMTA website, CMT degrades the nerves, so people with CMT suffer lifelong progressive muscle weakness and atrophy of the arms and legs and progressive sensory loss. “It’s something that you have the rest of your life,” Peragine said. “It, typically, gets worse as you get older, so if you don’t start training, it eats away muscle tissue.”

At age five, Peragine had double hip surgery to combat the effects of the disease. “It was a two-year recovery process of therapy,” he said. “I had a body cast from the waist down.”

Multiple doctors told him that he would never walk again. “I couldn’t think of myself going to school in a wheelchair. Within a year after surgery, I was walking. From that time forward, I never wanted that feeling of being taken care of.”

Peragine started working out in his family’s garage. When he was old enough, he got a membership to a gym.

The idea of becoming a fitness coach came to Peragine when he participated in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program while a student at Lake Placid High School. The AVID program helps students prepare for college. They learn skills, such as note-taking, time management, and organization, and receive support from AVID-trained tutors and peers. “When we were career searching during the AVID program, we were asked to take on assignments to see what we were good at or passionate about,” he said. “For me, one of those things was training clients. I was already training clients in high school for free. Whatever sports I played, I trained my whole team for free. So, it just became natural for me.”

After graduating from high school in 2018, Peragine enrolled as a student at SFSC, taking three or four classes each term. Although he had been a dual-enrolled student at the college during his senior year of high school, he says that it didn’t help him out. “I didn’t really care,” he said. “I had a high school mentality and I paid the price every semester after that to try to raise my GPA.”

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Peragine took a break from classes. In time, he returned to the classroom; however, family issues arose and he had to work three jobs. “I worked at a bar at night and on weekends, at Burger King, and I had a work-study job at the College. If I had classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, for instance, I would just stay at the College and complete my homework between classes. I realized quickly, that working in an office wasn’t for me. Eventually, I became a certified trainer and, financially, did well as a trainer. Later, I became a contractor, working for gyms.”

During his time away from his studies, Peragine met his mentor. “He saw potential in me and that’s when everything kind of opened up,” he said. “I learned business skills, the legal aspects of a business, how to set up a business, and he put me in touch with an accountant.”

Peragine opened his own gym in 2021, when he was living in a client’s garage. He found success early on and, then, a hurricane struck in September 2022, flooding and destroying the facility. Although deep in debt, he picked himself up and opened a second gym later in 2022. That gym, Innovative Fitness Studio, thrives and was recently lauded for excellence in a local newspaper poll. Peragine is completing his associate degree at SFSC, while running two businesses – a gym and an online training app.

But Peragine isn’t done yet. He is the first person in his family to earn a college degree. He plans to continue his education and would like to get a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy with a minor in Psychology and continue toward a master’s degree in Physical Therapy.

Peragine’s success came by learning how to find balance in his life. “It’s an understanding that you’re going to have to make sacrifices,” he said. “Create a schedule and routine and stick to it. We’re not talking about a 30-day challenge. Understand that some days, whatever is most important to you, such as family, gets more of the time. I’m 26 years old and I missed out on a lot of things. I missed out on time with my family, on Thanksgiving, on Christmas, my own birthdays, and through that, I learned that that was the price I paid for the stage I’m at. I learned how to find balance through painful lessons and created a routine to help me find balance in life.”

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 20, 2024 – William Lee Golden and The Goldens are scheduled to perform A Country Christmas at the Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts at South Florida State College (SFSC) in Avon Park on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. “Expect some gospel music, holiday songs, and a little southern rock featuring William Lee Golden’s famous baritone vocals,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC.

William Lee Golden is a legendary figure in American music. Since joining the Oak Ridge Boys in the 1960s, Golden has become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, been inducted into both the Country and Music Halls of Fame, and won five Grammy Awards, one American Music Award, four Country Music Association Awards, four Academy of Country Music Awards, 10 Dove Awards, and the 2010 President’s Honor.

The Goldens all-star band includes Golden’s sons Chris and Craig and his grandchildren Elizabeth, Rebekah, and Elijah. The family band tours when Golden isn’t performing with the Oak Ridge Boys. Their music brings fresh interpretations to longtime favorite hymns and holiday songs.

William Lee Golden and The Goldens celebrated their first No. 1 single with “Come and Dine” off their “Old Country Church Gospel” album. The hymn is a favorite of the family, because it’s an upbeat classic about feasting at the table with Jesus. “This is an exciting time for us as a family,” Golden said. “I am so proud of The Goldens reaching No. 1.”

“This is their only performance in Florida on their holiday tour,” Garren said. “It’s a rare treat for folks who love old-timey music, great harmonies, and musical excellence.”

Tickets are $30-$45 plus a $3 per ticket processing fee, and are available online at sfscARTS.org, by calling 863-784-7178, or by visiting the Box Office at the SFSC Highlands Campus on 600 West College Drive in Avon Park. Groups of 12 or more can save 20%.

Upcoming performances include Menopause the Musical®- Cruising Through the Change, Always Loretta featuring Emily Portman and The Coalminers, Turnstiles – Music of Billy Joel, Lee Greenwood, Mutts Gone Nuts, The Drifters, So Good: The Music of Neil Diamond, and Three Dog Night. For a complete list of shows, visit sfscARTS.org.