AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 30, 2017 – SFSC Performing Arts together with the city of Avon Park and Sebring Radio Group will present four Kaleidoscope Series performances in the 250-seat SFSC University Center, Highlands Campus.
“What a wonderful opportunity for parents to bring their children to live, professional entertainment!” said Cindy Garren, director, Cultural Programs. “Plus a food truck will be onsite so you can grab dinner before the show.” Free arts workshops for young people will be conducted one hour prior to each performance.
Florida Treasures, an interactive show written and performed by state touring artists, A.C.T. for Youth, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. A.C.T. for Youth is a professional company based in Orlando. Families will laugh and learn about Ponce De Leon, the settlement of Pensacola (Florida’s “Almost Oldest” city), the founding of St. Augustine, and the “original” Pocahontas story. Following the performance, families can attend a Meet and Greet with the performers. Free arts workshops will be conducted for children in the lobby before the show at 3 and 6 p.m.
La Orquesta Caribeño Tropicale performs the heritage rich sounds of the Caribbean and Latin America including Puerto Rico, Cuba, Republica Dominicana, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru on Saturday, Sept. 16, 7 p.m. Expect an evening of salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, bolero and danzon. A free percussion workshop will be offered for children at 6 p.m. in the lobby.
Direct from India, Partha Bose, a widely acknowledged Sitar player and a much respected artist in the arena of contemporary Hindustani Classical Music, will perform Saturday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m. Joined by Samir Chatterjee, one of India’s leading tabla players, both musicians are recognized as A-rated artists by All India Radio. This virtuosic performance is sponsored by the India Fine Arts Series at SFSC established by the Sonni Foundation.
2013 Soul Train Award Winner for Best Jazz Performance, Nicole Henry performs on Saturday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m. Since her debut in 2004, Nicole Henry has established herself as one of the jazz world’s most acclaimed vocalists. Henry possesses a potent combination of dynamic vocal abilities, impeccable phrasing, and powerful emotional resonance. Her repertoire includes the American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz titles, contemporary’ standards, blues, and originals; while her accompaniment ranges from a simple jazz trio to a full big band.
Nut n Fancy Food Truck will be onsite at all performances at 5 p.m. for dinners and snacks, and seating is available in the lobby. No tickets are required for the performances. All seating is first come, first served. For persons requiring special accommodations, contact the SFSC Box Office at 863-784-7178. More information and videos are posted online at www.sfscarts.org/kaleidoscope.
The SFSC Kaleidoscope Series is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.
SFSC presents over 35 national and internationally touring artists at the 1460-seat Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts and the 250-seat SFSC University Center located on the Highlands Campus at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park. SFSC offers a Matinee Series for adults at leisure, Young People’s Theater Series for school performances, Jazz Series, Trending Now Series of contemporary, family shows, and the popular Artist Series. Group rates and subscriptions are available online and at the SFSC Box Office. Upcoming performances include: The Phantoms…Unmasked on Nov. 30, The Nutcracker on Dec. 5, and Grammy Award winner Petula Clark on Dec. 10.
SFSC Performing Arts Box Office is located at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park on the Highlands Campus.
AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 24, 2017 – The SFSC Library on the Highlands Campus, Avon Park, will celebrate National Read-A-Book Day on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
National Read A Book Day encourages people to take time out of their hectic lives to experience the joy of reading, and the SFSC Library will offer quiet reading space, a book giveaway, and staff recommendations.
Claire A. Miller, SFSC librarian, noted “We wanted to celebrate books not just as objects but as gateways to other worlds and new knowledge. A read-in allows people to share the experience of both sharing the joy of reading and spending some time in a good book.”
While Miller acknowledged that some people might choose to stay home and read to celebrate, she pointed out the social nature of reading. “People blog about books; Goodreads is a hugely popular website,” she said. “People want to share their favorite books. An event like this lets like-minded people get together off-line and share.”
The SFSC Library is located at 600 W. College Dr., Avon Park, Building Y, second floor. For parking, take Entrance 3 or 4. For more information, contact Miller at 784-7305 or millerc@southflorida.edu.
AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 22, 2017 – The sumptuous, holiday classic, The Nutcracker, returns to South Florida State College’s Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 7, 7 p.m., for one performance. Auditions for children and youth on Saturday, Aug. 26, begin at 9 a.m.
South Carolina Ballet produces what critics have described as “some of the highest quality cultural entertainment in the Southeast.” It attracts not only audiences from all over the southeast, but also quality dancers from all over the country. Entering its 57th season, South Carolina Ballet travels to 15 cities in three states performing a full ballet season.
William Starrett, artistic director of Columbia City Ballet, will conduct local auditions at SFSC Panther Gym, Highlands Campus on Saturday, Aug. 26. Many roles are available for both boys and girls, from mice to soldiers to candy canes and more. Dance and gymnastics experience is not required, although it is preferred, and children must have completed kindergarten.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for local children to perform onstage with a respected, professional company in a beautiful production,” said Cindy Garren, director, SFSC Cultural Programs.
Children ages 5 and 6 who have completed kindergarten audition at 9 a.m. Children ages 7 to 10 audition at 10 a.m., and youth 11 years and older audition at noon.
Children should wear a leotards, tights, and ballet shoes or shorts and a plain white T-shirt with comfortable shoes. Sandals or flip flops are not permitted. No audition fee is required, but all children cast in the production are required to pay a small costume rental fee which covers cleaning and repairs.
Rehearsals will be held on Saturday mornings beginning Oct. 21. The final rehearsal schedule will be presented at the auditions. Costume fittings and a dress rehearsal will be held during the day on Tuesday, Dec. 7, and all children are required to attend. The Nutcracker will be performed at 7 p.m.
Children under the age of 16 without a parent or adult chaperone in attendance will not be permitted to audition. Parents are not allowed to attend the audition, and all casting decisions are made by artistic director, William Starrett. Nancy McDuffee is the local dance instructor.
This performance is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Florida Department of Cultural Affairs. Sponsors are Dr. Catherine Cornelius, Joan Hartt, Dr. Andrew and Beth Kulick, and Carol Emery.
For more information or to get an audition form, go to sfscarts.org/auditions. If you have any questions, email culturalperformances@southflorida.edu. Please do not call the SFSC Box Office which is closed for the summer.
AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 16, 2017 – A new online option of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) program is available at SFSC in fall 2017. SFSC introduced its traditional RN to BSN program in 2014.
“SFSC is pleased to announce the online option for our RN to BSN program,” said Dr. Michele Heston, dean of Health Sciences at SFSC. “This program is designed for the working nurse and provides a contemporary curriculum that is based on the Quality Caring Model©. The 2010 groundbreaking Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, called for increasing the number and percentage of nurses with bachelor of science in nursing degrees or higher. In response to that call, SFSC is providing greater access for nurses caring for patients and families in our service district and beyond.”
The BSN online program offers working nurses the ability to balance career with home life and fit furthering their education into their schedule. Prospective students may apply to begin the program in the fall or spring each year. The BSN online program allows the student to take classes at her or his own pace. They may choose to take several classes each academic term or, simply, take one class.
SFSC’s BSN program is a limited-access program. Admission to the BSN online program is open only to those who have completed an Associate Degree in Nursing or its equivalent from a regionally or nationally accredited institution, have a current unencumbered Florida registered nursing license, obtained a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale, have a minimum grade of C on all common prerequisites, and are certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider or higher through the American Heart Association.
The program will incorporate prior nursing education and experience with advanced nursing practice, theory, concepts, and leadership skills. BSN course work will address topics related to leadership and management, informatics, community and public health, nursing theory, and research.
A bachelor’s degree in nursing opens doors to higher paying nursing positions by expanding the types of nursing duties RNs can perform and preparing them for positions in management and health education. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in nursing can also qualify students for admission to a graduate nursing program.
SFSC’s BSN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), one of only two accrediting bodies in the country for nursing education that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. SFSC is the only nationally accredited bachelor’s degree in nursing program in its service district of DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands counties.
For more information about the BSN online program at SFSC, visit www.southflorida.edu or call 863-784-7027.
The Nine Graduates
AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 16, 2017 – SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy recently recognized nine Basic Corrections 193 graduates at a ceremony on Aug. 14 on the Highlands Campus.
SFSC 2017 basic corrections certificate graduates are Jeffery L. Banks, Sharon K. Brett, Alexandra Brock, Claudel Claude, Ty-Neisha S. Eaddy, Volney Glenn, Craig W. Masters, Brittni T. McKeithan, and Horace O. Nicholson.
Keynote speaker, Lt. H. Steven Levine, Florida Civil Commitment Center, addressed the graduates: “Today, as you graduate, you should ready to face all the challenges and the many personalities and attitudes that you will be exposed to in your new career. You’re educated, disciplined, and prepared. You have learned and demonstrated teamwork and a solid work ethic. The staff and instructors have prepared you, but the rest is up to you. Your career and what you become are in your hands now.”
Levin, then, turned to family members: “I ask that you be loving and supportive of these fine officers. They will not always show you the emotions they feel, and parts of their lives you may never understand. They will witness things that they may not discuss and encounter hard times. Make the most of the time you have together, and take the time to educate yourselves about the profession. A number of publications are available that will help you strengthen your relationship and better understand the noble fraternity.”
Special awards were presented to Alexandra Brock for being the “Class Leader,” for “top firearms score,” and “top academic score.” Volney Glenn was recognized for being “class leader.”
The SFSC Criminal Justice Academy provides the most current training available in the areas of corrections, criminal justice, and law enforcement. Through the academy, students can earn their basic occupational certificates, complete recertification training, learn advanced and specialized skills, and earn their associate degree in criminal justice technology.
For more information about SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy, contact Curtis Ivy, director of the Criminal Justice Academy, at 863-784-7281 or Curtis.ivy@southflorida.edu.
Paramedic Graduates
AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 1, 2017 – South Florida State College graduated a class of 15 paramedics during an evening ceremony at the SFSC University Center Auditorium at the Highlands Campus on July 31.
Receiving their paramedic certificates were Brianna Blosser, Dysean Broome, Lawrence Burrell, Myles Cumberland, Bob Daniels, Jason Hutchison, Michael Johnson, Eric Lynn, Amber Noah, Travis O’Bryant, Susan Quinn, Brandy Rudolph, Gordon Sawyer, Daniel Sotolongo, and Kevin Timmer.
Captain James Towns, who graduated from SFSC’s paramedic program in 2009, served as the ceremony’s guest speaker. He is a member of the Polk County Fire Rescue and, in 2015, was named Paramedic of the Year.
Towns offered the graduates some practical tips. “When you get into the field, listen to your patients. They can tell you a lot about themselves. Treat every patient with utmost respect. Just because it’s your 20th call of the day, mostly likely, it’s your patient’s first emergency. Take the time to make it all about your patients.”
He further encouraged them to “never stop learning. Learn from your peers, your patients, keep reaching for higher education. Most importantly, learn from your own mistakes.”
Brianna Blosser was presented a plaque for being the first student to complete all of these programs at SFSC: Emergency Medical Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, Firefighter Minimum Standards, and Paramedic. Further, she recently graduated with her Associate in Arts degree.
Three students were recognized for special achievement. Gordon Sawyer was acknowledged for both the Highest GPA Lab and for the Highest GPA Lecture, the student with the highest grade point average. Eric Lynn and Amber Noah, were awarded with Most Heart, the students who showed the most determination and drive.
The graduates had just completed an 11-month college credit certificate course offered by 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.
SFSC also offers a 300-hour course leading to employment as an emergency medical technician (EMT). EMTs provide entry-level patient care as part of an emergency response team.
SFSC also offers a two-year Associate in Science degree program in Emergency Medical Services, which includes training in both EMT and paramedic programs. Upon completing this program, graduates can work in a supervisory EMS capacity.
For more information, contact Steve Ashworth at 863-784-7272 or ashworths@southflorida.edu.
