Class of Radiologic Technologists Graduate from SFSC

AVON PARK, Fla. – July 29, 2019 – On Thursday, July 25, South Florida State College (SFSC) honored 12 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 Marcela Badillo Gomez, Marissa Baldwin, Caleah Gammage, Katherine Gammage, Catalina Hernandez, Jason O’Malley, Christian Pena, Rosario Piedad-Camacho, Ana Ramirez, Tishonna Riley, Ardaje Toney, and Amy Vilayphone.

The guest speaker, Amy Ferrante, SFSC radiography instructor, offered words of advice to the graduates as they prepared to launch their careers. Caleah Gammage, class president, thanked family and friends in attendance for their support and reflected with fondness on the time she and her classmates spent together through the two-year program.

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 Junior Gray, director of radiography, at 863-784-7347 or grayj@southflorida.edu.

AVON PARK, Fla. – July 25, 2019 – The South Florida State College (SFSC) Criminal Justice Academy (CJA) is offering Live-Range Training for Concealed Weapons Holders. This course provides training to anyone who already has a valid concealed weapons permit. Instruction will include basic weapons handling, marksmanship, live-fire exercises, and care and cleaning of a handgun. Authorized weapons include revolvers or semi-automatic handguns in calibers .22, .25, 32, 380, 9mm, 38, 357, 40, 45, and 44. Handguns chambered in rifle calibers or fully automatic weapons will not be allowed.

The course is offered Saturday, Aug. 10, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the SFSC Criminal Justice Academy Firearms Range, 12700 Arbuckle Creek Road, Sebring. Anyone interested in taking this course must bring their concealed weapons permit, a handgun, and 50 rounds of factory ammunition, all other materials will be supplied. The cost is $55 and the course number (CRN) is 11243. Pre-registration is required. 

For information, equipment list, and maps to the range, contact Michael Huften, coordinator, at 863-784-7285. Register at any SFSC campus or center in DeSoto, Hardee, or Highlands counties.

AVON PARK, Fla. – July 18, 2019 – South Florida State College (SFSC) honored nine graduates of its Dental Assisting program in a pinning ceremony in the SFSC University Center Auditorium on Wednesday, July 17. Receiving their pins were Ashley Ayala, Hali Bohannon, Rachel Burton, Ashley De Santiago, Sebrina Gillilan, Julie Lopez, Jaynice Nance, Raquel Rodriguez, and Janet Sanchez.

To open the ceremony, Dr. Deborah Milliken, chair of SFSC’s Dental Education program, congratulated the dental assisting graduates on behalf of herself and the faculty.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Stefani Allison, a dentist whose general practice is based in Winter Haven and provides clinical experience for SFSC dental assisting students. Dr. Allison spoke with the graduates on the importance of their role as an assistant within a dental practice. She commended her current dental assistants, who graduated from SFSC’s Dental Assisting program, saying that they make her flourish. She urged the graduates to work as a team: “When you have a team that’s always positive, you know that you will work with great people every day and that you can change patients’ lives. When you always try to be a better member of the team, you make the dentist a better person and boss.” She stressed good communication skills, organizational skills, and understanding the dentist’s procedures. She stressed that a dental assistant must be flexible within any office or clinical setting, because healthcare is a lifetime learning process—it’s always changing.

Upon completing the Dental Assisting program, graduates can work as certified dental assistants by passing the Dental Assisting National Board Examination and qualifying for the Expanded Functions Dental Assisting Certification as well as Orthodontic Assistant Certification. All nine dental assisting graduates have received Florida Orthodontic Certification.

SFSC also offers a two-year Associate in Science degree program in dental hygiene. Upon completing this program, graduates become dental hygienists by passing the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and the Florida State Clinical Licensure Examination.

For more information on the dental programs at SFSC, call 863-453-6661 or visit southflorida.edu.

AVON PARK, Fla. – July 9, 2019 – Play Your Part! is a new community initiative at South Florida State College (SFSC) to help local nonprofits raise much-needed funds. Guided by the institutional values of SFSC and through the financial support of the Jarrett Family Foundation, participating nonprofits earn 100% of ticket revenues to a specially selected family production.

Lightwire Theater, which was famously featured on America’s Got Talent, has been praised around the world for its cutting edge blend of puppetry, technology, and glow-in-the-dark spectacle. This international touring company will perform their popular production, Dino Light, on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts located on SFSC’s Highlands Campus in Avon Park. All seats are $10.

“It’s an original story about a scientist, a dinosaur, and wonderful creatures,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC. “We chose this production because it appeals to kids, parents, and senior citizens. Plus, it’s an innovative theatrical experience that has never been seen in our community.”

Nonprofits and parent teacher organizations (PTOs) located in Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto counties can apply to participate in Play Your Part! The organization must provide services locally and special consideration will be given to organizations that benefit education, youth, wellness, or the arts.

Selected nonprofits will receive 25 to 100 tickets for the performance. They will then sell the tickets and keep 100% of the ticket revenue generated through their organization’s ticket sales. The nonprofit can request additional tickets. All unsold tickets must be returned to the SFSC Box Office no later than Oct. 31, 2019.

Nonprofits must apply online at sfscARTS.org/education/pyp by Aug. 21 and also supply a copy of the organization’s tax exempt certificate. For more information, call 863-784-7178.

AVON PARK, Fla. – July 9, 2019 – South Florida State College’s (SFSC) Community Education Department is offering yoga classes throughout August at the SFSC DeSoto Campus, Room 218, 2251 NE Turner Ave., Arcadia.

In this class, you’ll learn how to reduce stress, improve circulation, calm the emotions, realign posture, and stimulate weight loss. The classes accommodate all levels of experience.

The classes are offered on Tuesdays, Aug. 6-27, 10:30 a.m.-noon (course number CRN11351) and 5:30-7 p.m. (course number CRN11352) or on Thursdays, Aug. 8-29, 5:30-7 p.m. (course number CRN 11353). The cost is $36 for four classes. Participants should bring a yoga mat and may choose to bring yoga blocks and a strap.

Register for classes in Building B, at the Highlands Campus, Avon Park, or at any SFSC campus or center. You can also register and pay over the phone by calling 863-784-7405. For more information on this or any other Community Education classes, call 863-784-7388 or email CommunityEducation@southflorida.edu.

AVON PARK, Fla. – July 2, 2019 – A $2,280 grant from Suncoast Credit Union has been awarded to the South Florida State College (SFSC) Hardee Campus in Bowling Green, Fla. to benefit economically disadvantaged students in earning their high school diploma through the College’s Adult Basic Education (ABE)/General Education Development (GED) program.

The grant comes from Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, which promotes the education, health, and emotional well-being of children in its communities. Since its inception in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated over $19 million to provide a better future for children.

The Suncoast Credit Union grant will provide students in SFSC’s ABE/GED program who successfully study and prepare for their high school diploma equivalency test with the funding for the actual pre-GED tests, the GED Ready, and the actual GED exams. This funding will allow those without financial resources a second chance for the diploma, impacting the students and their families economically. A diploma will open up better options in the workforce and give them an opportunity to continue their education.

“Many of our GED students face challenges in earning their diploma,” said Dr. Teresa Crawford, director of SFSC’s Hardee Campus. “Barriers can include childcare issues, transportation issues, family situations, and financial barriers. It is our hope that through this grant we can alleviate the financial barriers that many of our students face in paying for their pre-GEDs, GEDs, and caps and gowns to participate in graduation. We believe that in providing the financial resources for these initiatives, we can assist students who otherwise may be unable to complete our program and move toward gaining technical training, career opportunities, or furthering their education through SFSC’s degree programs.”

For more information about SFSC’s ABE/GED program, contact the Adult Education Department at 863-784-7441 or 863-784-7473.

AVON PARK, Fla. – July 1, 2019 – A $40,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has been awarded to the South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation, Inc. to benefit part-time students who are attending SFSC in fall term 2019 and spring term 2020.

The grant comes from the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund, which was established by Roberts as a legacy to support Florida’s community colleges and other charitable organizations. Managed by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the fund continues Roberts’ vision of making higher education a priority, particularly for those motivated to seek a better life for themselves.

SFSC’s grant funds are designated to provide assistance to students who are attending college part time and may not qualify for other forms of financial aid. The grant covers tuition, housing, books, child care, automobile repairs, and needs that would otherwise prevent students from attending college. Recipients are identified by SFSC’s Office of Financial Aid.

“Our students are blessed because of the generous donation from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County,” said Jamie Bateman, SFSC executive director of institutional advancement. “The funds from this grant will assist our students in achieving their goals in higher education.”

For more information, contact Bateman at 863-453-3133 or visit southflorida.edu. For information about the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, visit cfsarasota.org.