Welding Program Students Return a 100% Passing Rate on Certification Exam

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 29, 2021 – Of the 11 students who recently graduated from South Florida State College’s (SFSC) Principles and Practices of Welding program, 100% of the students passed the American Welding Society (AWS) Basic Welder Certification exam. SFSC has graduated two classes from the program. This is the second class to score a 100% pass rate on its certification exam. “The high pass rates are a testament to the quality of training our instructor, William Bluhm, provides,” said Fred Hayes, Construction Trade Program coordinator.

“The AWS certification is not a requirement to get a job,” Hayes said. “However, in the welding industry, it carries a lot of weight. This includes better wages and more opportunities that are afforded to those who hold the credential. This credential is also recognized nationwide.”

Welders, as well as all construction trades, are in high demand at this time because the Baby Boomer generation is hitting retirement age at a massive rate. Welders are used in building construction, fabrication of machinery, manufacturing, plumbing, nuclear power plants, the marine industry, and more.

“Passing the AWS certification exam is a big accomplishment for the students,” Hayes said. “It demonstrates to the student and the instructor that the time invested in training and the proficiencies and skills they have attained are worth the effort. It is a major confidence builder and adds to the possibility of gaining better employment.”

Many of the graduates from the program have been offered jobs. Some came into the program already holding jobs as welders but wanted the training to acquire the AWS certification and better wages.

SFSC’s Principals and Practices of Welding program was established in 2019 and is held at the SFSC DeSoto Campus in Arcadia. It meets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 5:30-9:30 p.m. and on Saturdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The next class runs from Sept. 7, 2021 through May 7, 2022. For more information about the program, see the College’s Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Trades class catalog at southflorida.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Industrial-Catalog.pdf. To register for the program, call 863-784-7405 before the deadline of Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. For scholarship opportunities, call 863-201-7195.

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 28, 2021 — “A growing number of studies have shown that trees can communicate, and that this communication is important for ecosystems such as rain forests,” said Camila Rimoldi Ibanez, a Sebring High School student in the Dual Enrollment Program at South Florida State College (SFSC). “Coral reefs are often referred to as the rainforests of the sea because of the habitat they provide for a variety of plants and animals. Thus, I wanted to find out how coral communicates.”

Rimoldi Ibanez will present new findings at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting during the virtual Experimental Biology (EB) 2021 meeting that runs April 27 through 30. Her research mentor is Dr. James Hawker, dean of arts and sciences at SFSC.

“Camila came to me with this idea for a coral research project and asked if I would help and mentor her,” Dr. Hawker said. “Little did we know, her research results and poster presentation would garner so much press attention at the Experimental Biology virtual conference and beyond. That is a testament to the quality and innovation of her project. She is a very gifted student from our area. She wants to be a marine biologist, and I am glad SFSC could help her in her academic aspirations.”

Corals are part of a highly complex ecosystem, but it remains a mystery if and how they might communicate within their biological community. In this new study, Rimoldi Ibanez found evidence of sound-related genes in corals, suggesting that the marine invertebrates could use sound to interact with their surroundings.

Many organisms that live in coral reefs perceive sound and use it to find their way to the reefs. Based on this information, Rimoldi Ibanez looked for the presence of genes related to the reception and/or emission of sound in the coral Cyphastrea. Using PCR amplification, the researchers found probable evidence that two of the four genes they examined may be present in coral DNA. The genes they found — TRPV and FOLH-1 — are used for sound emission or reception in sea anemones and freshwater polyps, respectively.

In addition to performing more testing, Rimoldi Ibanez wants to sequence the TRPV and FOLH-1 genes they found to add additional evidence that these genes, or genes related to them, are present in coral.

“As we learn more about the negative impacts of sound in different kinds of ecosystems, it is vital that we set policies to protect and manage human noises in natural environments,” said Rimoldi Ibanez. “The more we know about how corals communicate, the better we can develop restoration and conservation projects to help corals as they face bleaching epidemics and other threats.”

“Camila is an amazing young lady,” said Dr. Brenda Longshore, superintendent, School Board of Highlands County. “As a high school senior and college dual enrollment student, she has already been recognized at the regional, state, and international levels through the State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida, is the author of published research, and recently added the prestigious Skoch Scholarship to her list of accomplishments. I am extremely proud of her and I am confident she has a tremendous future ahead of her.”

After her presentation at the EB 2021 meeting this month, Rimoldi Ibanez has two graduation ceremonies to look forward to. She graduates from SFSC with an Associate in Arts on Tuesday, May 11 and Sebring High School on Saturday, May 29.

Experimental Biology (EB) is an annual meeting comprised of thousands of scientists from five host societies and multiple guest societies. With a mission to share the newest scientific concepts and research findings shaping clinical advances, the meeting offers an opportunity for exchange among scientists from across the United States and the world who represent dozens of scientific areas, from laboratory to translational to clinical research.

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization with more than 12,000 members worldwide. Founded in 1906 to advance the science of biochemistry and molecular biology, the society publishes three peer-reviewed journals, advocates for funding of basic research and education, supports science education at all levels, and promotes the diversity of individuals entering the scientific workforce.

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 26, 2021 – South Florida State College (SFSC) student, Camila Rimoldi Ibanez, was awarded the $1,000 Skoch Scholarship through Florida Sea Grant. Rimoldi Ibanez is a Sebring High School senior dually enrolled at SFSC.

The Skoch Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding high school senior competing in the State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida. The scholarship recognizes promising young researchers in a coastal or marine science-related field.

“We are thrilled to learn of Camila winning the 2021 Skoch Scholarship,” said Dr. James Hawker, SFSC dean of arts and sciences. “She won because of the undergraduate coral research project she conducted at SFSC this past year. It is gratifying that talented and deserving students like her have the chance to win scholarships for university transfer, because SFSC promotes expanded learning by students doing research projects with faculty mentors.”

Rimoldi Ibanez researched whether a species of coral has genes that are associated with the reception or emission of sound in her award-winning project, “Ultrasonic Planimals! Identifying Genes Associated with Coral Bioacoustics.”

According to Rimoldi Ibanez’s research abstract: “Because corals make up the ‘rainforests of the sea,’ this ecosystem is believed to be highly dependent on communication to grow and survive. Many organisms that live in coral reefs, including coral larvae, perceive and are guided by sound when trying to find their way to coral reefs to develop.”

To conduct the study, Rimoldi Ibanez performed genetic analysis on coral DNA, looking for evidence of four genes known to be sound-sensitive. Two of the sound-sensitive genes, called TRPV and FOLH1, displayed “faint bands” in the gene presence analysis, indicating that they may be present in corals and that further research is warranted.

Rimoldi Ibanez graduates from Sebring High School and earns her Associate in Arts degree from SFSC in May 2021. She plans to continue her education at Nova Southeastern University or Florida Atlantic University.

Funding for this scholarship is provided by the Skoch family of Boynton Beach in memory of Charles “Chuck” Skoch, an avid fisherman, boat captain, and Florida resident who prematurely died in an automobile accident at age 51.

Florida Sea Grant is a university-based program that supports research, education, and extension to conserve coastal resources and enhance economic opportunities for residents of Florida. It is partnered with the Florida Board of Education, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Florida’s citizens and governments.

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 21, 2021 – The South Florida State College (SFSC) Museum of Florida Art and Culture (MOFAC) honored the winners of its annual juried Student Art Show during a reception and ceremony on Tuesday, April 20 in the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

The awards ceremony recognized drawings, paintings, photography, and a range of other artwork students created during their studies in SFSC’s Art Department. The students’ art is on display in the MOFAC Gallery through Saturday, May 15.

Aleah Walker came away with the Max Gooding Best in Show Purchase Award for her digital media presentation titled, “Metamorphosis.” She received $400 in prize money, and her work becomes part of the SFSC Student Art Collection. Max Gooding, an alumnus of SFSC’s Art Department, sponsors this top prize. Gooding, who went on to earn a degree in landscape architecture at the University of Florida, owns a landscape architecture consultancy, the Max Gooding Company, in Naples, Fla.

This year, two students, Keila Montelongo and Caitlin Cruz, won the Cathy Futral Award of Excellence for their artwork. Montelongo won for her mixed media artwork called, “Abstract Collage,” and Cruz won for her acrylic work titled, “Red Flowers.” The honor comes with a $100 check for each student. Futral was a beloved SFSC art professor who retired from SFSC in 2016.

Dr. Thomas C. Leitzel, SFSC president, selected one piece that garnered the President’s Award and $100 in prize money: Caitlin Cruz’s acrylic titled, “Red Flowers.” The award, chosen by Dr. Leitzel is a purchase award—the artwork becomes part of the President’s Art Collection at SFSC. The artwork remains on display in the Office of the President for one year, after which it resides in the Building F conference room with the work of previous President’s Award winners. The image is also used on birthday cards that Dr. Leitzel gives to SFSC employees throughout the year.

Members of the Tanglewood Art League were on hand to present their annual scholarship of $300 for each student recipient. This year, the League honored two students with the award: Nancy Zuniga and Chiara Chillemi. Kathy Mousseau, Judith Eckstein, Peggy Scefcyk, and Bob Clarke of the Tanglewood Art League presented the award at the ceremony.

“We created this scholarship because of our interest in the arts and want to help students who are trying to further their education and career in this field,” Mousseau said. “Further, the students will have an acknowledgement of their achievements to display on their wall, they will be able to put this award on resumes, and the check will help them with finances.”

The winner of the People’s Choice Award is chosen by a vote of the those who visit the Student Art Show in MOFAC during its opening week. The winner receives $50 in prize money. This year’s winner was Nancy Zuniga.

The MOFAC docents created an award for student artwork. The winner receives $100. The Docents’ Choice Awards was bestowed upon Abigail Tollison for her mixed media work called, “Serenity.”

Six students received the Best of Media Award, with each awardee receiving $75. The winners were Nykerria Jackson, mixed media/collage, “Autumn Leaves”; Maxely Perez, drawing, “Striped Pearl”; Chiara Chellemi, cereamics, “Slab House”; Hailey McMahan, painting, “Flamingo Transformation”; Abigail Erekson, digital media, “Hummingbird”; and Betsy Mejia-Flores, photography, “Bread and Juice.”

The 10 Awards of Merit were presented to Chiara Chillemi (two awards), Kaylee Dibble Sheppard, Maxely Perez, Sierra Smith, Mackenzie Burch, Nancy Zuniga, Abigail Tollison, Ruby Rivera, and Shannah Cutcher.

The 2021 Student Art Show sponsors were Max Gooding, Cathy Futral, Tanglewood Art League, SFSC Student Government Association, and the SFSC Art Club.

MOFAC is located on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park and open to the public Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. For more information about the Museum and its exhibitions, visit mofac.org or contact Leighton Skipper, Museum curator, at skipperl@southflorida.edu or 863-784-7240.

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 7, 2021 – The Florida College System (FCS) has named two South Florida State College (SFSC) students to the 2021 All-Florida Academic Team.

Each year, the FCS names a Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-Florida Academic Team to honor students enrolled at Florida’s public state and community colleges for their academic achievement, leadership, and service to the community.

The SFSC students earning this recognition are Sara Canali and Camila Rimoldi. They join 135 of their peers from the 28-member FCS in being named to the academic team.

Canali and Rimoldi will be recognized, formally, during the 2021 All-Florida Academic Team Awards Ceremony that takes place via a virtual platform using a pre-recorded format. The ceremony airs on Friday, April 23 at 2 p.m. EDT. The video will continue to be available for viewing until the end of April. A link to the pre-recorded ceremony will be posted on the All-Florida Academic Team webpage at floridacollegesystemfoundation.org/phi-theta-kappa. The Chancellor’s Student Service Chapter Award winners will also be announced during the ceremony.

“We are so proud of Camilla and Sara for earning their distinguished places on the 2021 All-Florida Academic Team,” said Amy Bohan, SFSC Honors Program director and Biology instructor. “Both of these young women are academically strong and have participated in various community efforts. Sara and Camilla are exemplary students and well deserving of this award. 

“Sara is the SFSC Art Club’s marketing officer and is involved in the Aktion Club. In addition, she participates at Heartland Horses Equine Activities & Learning (HHEAL), a horseback therapeutic riding program. She is an athlete of Special Stars and recently graduated in Florida Partners in Policymaking, where she won the Alan C. Wesley Award in Policymaking. In pre-COVID times, Sara was involved in Miracle League Baseball, an organization that removes barriers for children with mental and physical disabilities and lets them experience the fun of baseball.”

“Camilla has extensively participated in undergraduate research,” Bohan said. “She has presented her work on coral gene expression at the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference, Florida Collegiate Honors Council, and Florida Academy of Science. Her abstract has been accepted for the 2021 Experimental Biology Conference, where she will be featured in a press release. In addition to her contribution to the science field, she published a paper based on her research on a 1926 hurricane, including Moore Haven, Fla. victims buried in Sebring. Camilla also holds offices in Phi Theta Kappa and Honors Ambassadors.”

Students named to the All-Florida Academic Team were drawn from SFSC’s Honors Program and the College’s Tau Epsilon chapter of PTK. In nominating students for the All-Florida Academic Team, colleges consider participation in academic honors programs, membership in and awards from collegiate societies, and academic enrichment gained from internships and special projects.

PTK is an honor society that recognizes the academic achievements of community and state college students and helps them to grow as scholars and leaders. The society is made up of over 3.5 million members in the United States and 10 additional nations. For more on PTK, visit ptk.org.

For more information about SFSC’s PTK chapter, contact Joan Briand, PTK advisor, at 863-784-7368.

April 5, 2021 – The South Florida State College (SFSC) Lady Panthers Volleyball Team advanced to the 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Gulf District and Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) State Volleyball Championships on April 1-3 at Lake-Sumter State College in Leesburg, Fla.  

“The last two years with this team were my favorite years of playing volleyball,” said Maria Rodriguez, outside hitter for the Lady Panthers. “This team was a hard-working team throughout, and there was never a dull moment with them.” 

The Lady Panthers finished in second place for the regular season to secure the No. 2 seed and were named the FCSAA State runner-up in Division 2.  

“Congratulations to Coach Kim Crawford and her Lady Panthers for an outstanding effort during this year’s season and an outstanding representation of South Florida State College at the Region 8 tournament,” said Rick Hitt, athletic director at SFSC.  

In tournament action, the Lady Panthers swept Florida Gateway College 3-0 on Thursday, April 1. They continued their quality play Friday, April 2 by sweeping Pasco-Hernando State College 3-0 and securing a spot in the Championship match against Gulf Coast State College. On Saturday, April 3, the Lady Panthers were defeated 3-1 by the Lady Commodores, who won the 2021 NJCAA Gulf District Championship and advanced to the NJCAA Division 2 National Tournament.  

“These past two years have been my best, and not just because of the winning, but because of the ladies who made up this winning team,” said Kim Crawford, head volleyball coach at SFSC. “They are outstanding athletes, but more importantly they are extraordinary people. I loved walking into the gym to coach them. They loved to train and hit the weight room; they were true competitors. I will miss them tremendously. I’ll miss their music, dancing, and singing as well. I have been truly blessed to have had this opportunity to coach every one of them.” 

For more information about athletics and to attend games or matches for free at SFSC, visit southflorida.edu/community/athletics.