SFSC Students Present Research at Florida Academy of Sciences Meeting

AVON PARK, Fla. – March 23, 2021 – Four South Florida State College (SFSC) students presented research at the 84th annual meeting of the Florida Academy of Sciences that was held on Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20 in a virtual format. Bethune-Cookman University hosted the annual meeting.

The Florida Academy of Sciences was founded in 1936 and is the Florida affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The Academy sponsors the Florida Junior Academy of Science to encourage young scientists; publishes the quarterly journal, “Florida Scientist”; and sponsors an annual meeting to give members an opportunity to present papers, honor their peers, and participate in multidisciplinary scientific exchanges.

Although most undergraduate researchers presenting at the Florida Academy of Sciences meeting were from state or private universities, SFSC students came from one of three Florida state colleges that made presentations—including Indian River State College and Hillsborough Community College.

SFSC’s Osbaldo Cisneros, who presented “TGFẞ Family Receptors ACVRL-1, TGFẞR-1, and Endoglin Are Expressed on Human Endothelial Cells,” tied for second place for best undergraduate poster in Biology. The other SFSC undergraduate student presentations were from Angelique Robertson on “Biomarkers to Predict Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer,” and Carl and Coralis Ewing on “Expression Profiling of Circulating MicroRNAs in Canine Congestive Heart Failure and Associated Disorders.”

“We are thrilled for all of our students that presented their research at the Florida Academy of Sciences annual meeting,” said Dr. James Hawker, SFSC dean of arts and sciences. “Presenting one’s research work to fellow students and faculty from all over the state is a vital component of learning to do research. Students articulating their project gives them important communication skills that they can apply in their future studies and career.”

Dr. Hawker served as a judge for the Florida Junior Academy of Sciences research presentations in Biology.

For more information about undergraduate research at SFSC, contact Dr. James Hawker at 863-784-7329 or james.hawker@southflorida.edu.

AVON PARK, Fla. – March 12, 2021 – Two screenings of the Academy Award-nominated animated film, “The Breadwinner,” will be held on Thursday, April 15 at 4:30 p.m. and Friday, April 16 at 7 p.m., at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts at South Florida State College (SFSC) in Avon Park. The screenings are free, but tickets are required due to social distancing.

“The Breadwinner,” tells the story of an 11-year-old girl, Parvana, who lives in Kabul with her family under Taliban rule.  After the wrongful arrest of her father, Parvana cuts off her hair and dresses like a boy to support her family. Working alongside a friend, she soon discovers a new world of freedom and danger.

Based on the popular young adult novel by Deborah Ellis, the film confronts real-life issues with richly rewarding honesty that celebrates children and their strength. “Because the movie is frank about violence in Afghanistan, young children should stay home,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC. “It’s rated PG-13 and appropriate for older children.”

Winner of the Cinema for Peace Awards and the Emilie Award for best animated film, it was directed by Nora Twomey and produced by Angelina Jolie. It has been nominated for 55 awards and has won 20 awards around the world. 

Tickets for “The Breadwinner” are free and available online at sfscARTS.org or by calling the SFSC Box Office at 863-784-7178. Prior to the screening, Dr. Keith Cavedo, SFSC professor, will discuss the art of animation and the techniques used in the beautifully crafted movie.  USF doctoral candidate, Parandoosh Sadeghinia, will help audiences understand the history, culture, and Taliban rule of Afghanistan. 

“This is a good opportunity to come see a show at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts,” Garren said. “Easy parking, comfortable seats, and family entertainment is all free.”

The film is one of four free performances, celebrating cultural diversity, which are funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and presented by SFSC Performing Arts. Rudram Dance Company, a classical Indian dance company, will perform Saturday, June 19 at 7 p.m. Free tickets are also available online for this performance at sfscARTS.org.

Face masks are required to be worn during performances.  All seats are socially distanced and the venue is sanitized and disinfected prior to performances.

The Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts is located on the campus of South Florida State College located at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park. Parking is free.

AVON PARK, Fla. – March 11, 2021 – The Lee Boys, one of the top “sacred steel” bands in the United States, are scheduled to perform at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts at South Florida State College (SFSC) in Avon Park on Saturday, April 10 at 7 p.m. The performance is free, but tickets are required due to social distancing.

Sacred Steel is a music style and African American tradition that evolved out of the House of God Pentecostal churches during the 1930s. Worship services, driven by a lap steel guitar, was punctuated by “shout” or “praise” music. In the 1970s, the pedal-steel guitar was introduced into the House of God by musicians including Maurice “Ted” Beard Jr, Calvin Cooke, Chuck Campbell, and Acorne Coffee. Determined to incorporate the pedal-steel into their musical tradition, they developed unique tunings, pedal setups, and playing techniques. 

The Lee Boys are a family group which consists of three brothers: Alvin Lee (guitar), Derrick Lee, and Keith Lee (vocals), along with their nephews, Alvin Cordy Jr. (seven-string bass), Earl Walker (drums), and Roosevelt (pedal-steel). Chris Johnson, a young pedal-steel player from Miami, has joined The Lee Boys. Johnson, a huge fan of Collier’s, is making quite a name for himself and has shared the stage with Anders Osborne, Warren Haynes, Robert Randolph, Eric Gales, Campbell Brothers, and more.

Following a blazing performance at the 2008 Bonnaroo, The Lee Boys were asked to perform on NBC’s “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Their rousing performance had the host jumping out of his chair and raving about the band. The Lee Boys are also the subject of a Florida PBS documentary.

In the last decade, The Lee Boys have performed for more than 750,000 music fans at festivals throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Their unique sound has attracted musical artists such as The Allman Brothers Band, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Robert Plant, Robert Randolph, Derek Trucks, Mavis Staples, Gov’t Mule, Blind Boys of Alabama, Black Crowes, John Legend, and The Roots – all of whom have performed with the Lee Boys and/or invited them to tour with them.

“Their 2019 ‘Live on the East Coast’ album reached #1 on the chart and it was a follow up to their impressive ‘Testify’ album,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC. “This promises to be a raucous, funky performance for the whole family, and I expect to see people dancing in the aisles. This is a casual dress event.”

Face masks are required during the performance. Seating is socially distanced. Tickets are available online at sfscARTS.org or by calling the SFSC Box Office at 863-784-7178.

The Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts is located on the campus of South Florida State College located at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park. Parking is free.

Upcoming free performances include:  “The Breadwinner,” the award winning, animated film on Thursday, April 15 at 4:30 p.m. and Friday, April 16 at 7 p.m. and Rudram Dance Company, a classical Indian dance company on Saturday, June 19 at 7 p.m.

AVON PARK, Fla. – March 5, 2021 – Nine South Florida State College (SFSC) students presented research at the 2021 Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC) that was held this year in a virtual format.

FURC is one of the largest multi-disciplinary research conferences in the United States and is open to all undergraduate researchers in Florida to present their research in a poster format. The Conference offers college and university students presentation experience, networking opportunities, and professional development workshops. The February 2021 FURC was hosted by the Florida Undergraduate Research Association and Florida State University (FSU).

The SFSC students’ scientific research presentations for the conference were varied and, for the lay person, seemingly complex. Kyria Wickham and Kosha Upadhyaya researched genes that are involved in blood vessel formation and neuron function. Devan Patel assessed if high sugar affected the function of endothelial cells (cells that line blood vessels). Osbaldo Cisneros is looking at angiogenesis—blood vessel formation—and the potential influence that endothelial cells have on angiogenesis. Carl and Coralis Ewing are researching if freely circulating biomarkers in canine plasma influence both cardiovascular heart function and kidney function in canines. Angelique Robinson is researching if biomarkers from patient tissue can be used to test for colorectal cancer. Camila Rimoldi examined whether certain genes involved in sound generation, detection, or reception are also found in coral, as they may use sound for communication. Angela Huange is researching whether circadian rhythms (daily light and dark cycles) affect thyroid tumor cell metabolism and cancer gene expression.

Amy Bohan, SFSC biology instructor and Honors Program director, and Dr. James Hawker, dean of arts and sciences, presented a workshop at the conference that discussed how SFSC adjusted through the pandemic, keeping students engaged in undergraduate research.

“I’m pleased with how our students have adapted in times of this pandemic,” said Amy Bohan. “Not only have we been able to continue meeting biweekly via Zoom to discuss science-related papers, but we have been able to virtually meet once a month for our Undergraduate Research Forums at SFSC. Our students have been able to continue working in the lab in some capacity, which has allowed them to progress in their research. It is rewarding to see so many students from SFSC present their data in this new virtual format, as seen during FURC, held by FSU, on Feb. 26 and 27. We had a great turnout, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming Experimental Biology and Florida Academy of Science conferences, where we will also have students present their work.”

According to the FURC website, the benefits of undergraduate participation in research are many: it increases students’ logical and critical thinking skills; increases student retention, achievement, and persistence, especially for underrepresented groups; is associated with a stronger identity as a scientist; increases the likelihood of students pursuing a graduate degree; increases students’ self-confidence in designing and executing scholarly or research projects; and increases their overall satisfaction with their undergraduate educational experience.

For more information about undergraduate research at SFSC, contact Dr. James Hawker at 863-784-7329 or james.hawker@southflorida.edu.

AVON PARK, Fla. – March 3, 2021 – Celtic Angels return to the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts at South Florida State College (SFSC) on Thursday, March 4 for two performances at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“They wowed our audience when they performed their Christmas show in 2018,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC. “Their lyrical voices, the beautiful gowns, and the incredible performance by the all-male dance corps was truly a memorable concert.” 

The Celtic Angels performance celebrates their heritage through Irish dance, music, and song, performing the selections “Danny Boy,” “Ireland I’m Coming Home,” and “Rocky Road to Dublin.” The Trinity Band Ensemble of Dublin back up the songstresses on authentic traditional Irish instruments.

Some of the sweetest voices under heaven make up the Celtic Angels: Victoria Kenny, Emily Carroll, Tammy Browne, Amy Penston, and Ellie Mullane — Irish to the core and seasoned entertainers all. These ladies cut their teeth in such musicals as “West Side Story,” “Grease,” and in Jury’s Irish Cabaret.

Patrick O’Mahoney of Riverdance leads the Celtic Knight Dancers, an athletic dance team that leaves audiences speechless with their rhythms and artistry. It’s a genuine Irish production and suitable for family audiences.

The capacity in the 1,460-seat Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts has been reduced to 400 seats with social distancing. Face masks are required to enter the venue and during the performance. All performances are a minimum of 75 minutes without an intermission to reduce movement throughout the venue. Parking is free. Concessions are not available and patrons may bring a plastic bottle of water to the venue.

Tickets for Celtic Angels Ireland are $30, $35, and $40. Pairs of seats are available online at sfscarts.org. For groups of three, four, or more, call the SFSC Box Office at 863-784-7178. The Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts is located at 600 West College Drive on SFSC’s Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

Upcoming performances include: Canadian Brass on March 11, Johnny Peers and Muttville Comics on March 7, Sail On – Beach Boys tribute on March 9, and the Chicago tribute band Chi-Town Transit on March 23.