Major Gift Comes to SFSC Athletics and Benefits Students

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 26, 2023 – Because of a generous donor, South Florida State College’s (SFSC) current softball facilities will don a new name and receive much anticipated upgrades, while students will benefit from a scholarship geared to fast-pitch softball players.

On Monday, April 24, a check in the amount of $365,234 was presented to Jamie Bateman, SFSC vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs; Dr. Thomas C. Leitzel, SFSC president; and Rick Hitt, SFSC athletic director and head baseball coach. The gift was made available through the estate of Larry Ross Johnson, and the SFSC softball facilities will be named in his honor.

With the funds from the Johnson gift, the College will create a professionally designed, state-of-the-art softball facility. Plans include a new scoreboard, landscaping, updated seating, extension of dugouts and bench seating, a television for video analysis, and more.

“We are extremely grateful and honored to receive these funds in the name of the late Larry Johnson,” said Hitt. “Larry was an enthusiastic softball player, pitcher, and fan. He provided guidance and knowledge to players over the years in an effort to help them improve, as a coach as well.

“These funds will go to support major additions to the SFSC softball facility for future players, coaches, and fans of Panther Softball to enjoy. We, again, are truly blessed to receive this wonderful gift and thank all of those who assisted in helping this happen.”

In addition to the softball facility upgrades, the Ross, Lorene, and Larry Johnson Endowed Scholarship was established through the SFSC Foundation. According to the scholarship agreement, it was created “as a lasting tribute to the ladies of the past, present, and future Sebring High School fast-pitch softball teams.” Scholarships will be awarded from the endowment as soon as fall 2023.

Applicants for the scholarship must be an Associate in Arts or Associate of Science degree-seeking student enrolled or to be enrolled at least half-time at SFSC, a young woman who attended and played fast-pitch softball for a high school within SFSC’s service district of Highlands, DeSoto, and Hardee counties, and carry a B or better grade point average on all high school or college work. Preference for the scholarship will be given to applicants with demonstrated financial need. The recipient of the scholarship may be asked to address members of the Sebring Girls Fast-pitch Softball Team about their College program.

Johnson, who had been a fast-pitch softball coach in Highlands County for many years, died in October 2021. In the early 2000s, he was the assistant girls softball coach at Sebring High School. Together, with Lee Tolar, the team’s head coach, Johnson began a summer travel team of high school softball players from across the county. Johnson was a member of the California Toe Jam Band and performed Elvis Presley impersonations. According to his ex-wife Connie Foster, “He started up the Highlands County Tennis Association and ran the Florida Cracker Trail Ride for two years.”

“Larry helped anyone who wanted to learn how to fast-pitch,” Tolar said. “He was a consummate softball coach. This gift to SFSC is just a testament to how much he loved the players and the sport of fast-pitch softball. Years ago, he thought there should be a scholarship system for female softball players, but there just wasn’t. Now there is one and because of his generosity. Larry’s dream would be to see a lot of young women get something out of this and to make improvements to the softball field. Coach Carlos Falla has done an awesome job here at SFSC. Now he has more money to accomplish that.”

SFSC’s softball program began in 2004 with the hiring of Head Softball Coach Falla and the construction of the SFSC Panther softball facility on the College’s Highlands Campus in Avon Park. The Lady Panthers softball team played in competition for the first time in 2005. In the last 18 years, the softball field has been home to summer and fall softball youth camps and clinics, as well as being available for occasional intramural activities and special events.

To apply for scholarships made available through the SFSC Foundation, visit AwardSpring at: southflorida.awardspring.com. For more information about the SFSC Foundation or to make a donation, call 863-453-3133 or email foundation@southflorida.edu.

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 26, 2023 – South Florida State College’s (SFSC) 2023 annual Juried Student Art Exhibition was held on Thursday, April 20 at the Museum of Florida Art and Culture (MOFAC) on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park. Each award comes with a cash prize and, this year, $2,500 was awarded to 12 outstanding SFSC student artists.

The President’s Award is chosen by Dr. Thomas C. Leitzel, SFSC president, and the chosen artwork becomes a part of the President’s Art Collection at SFSC. The artwork remains on display in the Office of the President for one year. It is then hung in the College’s Board Room with previous years’ President’s Award winners. The artwork is also used as the image for birthday cards the president gives to SFSC faculty and staff throughout the year.

SFSC Juried Student Exhibition award winners for 2023:

Award of Merit: Vivian George, Josie Wilson, Nico Diaz Silva, Jenny Wirries, Ruby Rivera, Lindsay Albritton, RoseMarie Klein

People’s Choice Award: Ruby Rivera for “The Process”

Betty Stephens Docents’ Choice Award: William Hernandez for “Reflections in Black & White”

Best of Media, Ceramics: Ella Pepper for “Fly Free”

Best of Media, Mixed Media: Jonathan Levene for “Mer@chandi$e”

Best of Media, Drawing: Soledad Morado for “Another Day”

Best of Media, Photography: Josie Wilson for “Dark Triforce”

Best of Media, Painting; Ella Pepper for “My Sisters and I”

Lyn Latham Award for Computer Graphics: Lindsay Albritton for “Debbie the Elephant”

Cathy Futral Award of Excellence: Ella Pepper for “Sink Down” and Ruby Rivera for “Reflections”

Dorry Christy Memorial Scholarship Award: Lindsay Albritton

Max Gooding Best of Show Award: Kat Sassatelli for “Boardwalk”

Tanglewood Artist Group Award for Continuing Art Majors: Kat Sassatelli and Ruby Rivera

The student exhibition will remain on view at MOFAC now through Thursday, May 19. MOFAC is located on the SFSC Highlands Campus at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park. For more

information about the exhibition or MOFAC, call the Museum Office at 863-784-7130 or visit mofac.org

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 21, 2023 – During a ceremony on Thursday, April 20, South Florida State College’s (SFSC) Basic Corrections Academy Class 109 graduated 21 new correctional officers at the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

From the SFSC University Center Auditorium stage, Michael Austin, coordinator of SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy, called up the 21 and handed each new officer a certificate. Those receiving a certificate were class leader Ryan E. Hamilton; executive officer Sonia Johnson Frazier; Jeovanny Alfaro; Timothy Beckman; Lasaunda Dawson; Frederick Estevez; Nathaniel Flynn; Erika Gallant; William Jones; Daniel Lawyer; Trevor Miller; DaQuaiz Moore; Gregory Prado; Norma Pratts; Carton Queen; Maria Rowe; Aaron Ruff; Dillon Townsend; Desirae Williams; Amanda Young; and Maria Zapata.

Four cadets were singled out for their achievements during the program. Earning top honors for academic excellence was Carlton Queen, and for top firearms for his work on the shooting range was Timothy Beckman. Ryan E. Hamilton was given special recognition as class leader as was Sonia Johnson Frazier as executive officer.

Guest speaker for the ceremony was Deputy Luis Pratts Martinez of the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office and instructor with SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy.

Addressing the cadets, Pratts Martinez said, “Remember respect, it’s not given, it’s earned. Don’t walk through your facility thinking your peers and inmates are going to respect you. Learn their hooks and triggers. Be a leader and respect will come. Everyone can be a manager, but it’s difficult to be a leader. Some of you will be in situations where there will be one correction officer to 150 inmates. Use your officer presence and communications skills to manage your environment. Be fair and listen to the individuals. Always remember your main goal is to go home every day.

“Class 109, remember, you’re going into a profession where you represent yourself, your agency, and all correction professionals throughout this great state and nation. Please always step with your best foot forward. Thank you for letting me be part of your lives.”

The Basic Correctional Officer Program is 420 contact hours or approximately 11 weeks. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn a Career Certificate and are eligible to take the state certification examination to become a certified officer.

For more information about these programs, visit southflorida.edu or call SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy at 863-784-7285.

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 18, 2023 — South Florida State College (SFSC) Performing Arts presents “Three Billy Goats Gruff,” a lively and colorful musical production for young audiences featuring the 9-foot-tall body puppets and a host of other characters from the internationally acclaimed Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre.

This free, family-friendly performance is on Sunday, May 7 at 3 p.m. Bill and Lisa Jarrett and Get Fish Slapped Marketing sponsor the performance. Funding support is also provided by a grant from the Florida Department of State, Florida Arts and Culture Division.

The show, which took nearly two years to construct, is filled with beautiful puppets and fun. The beloved Norwegian folk tale is one of 11 original musical productions created by Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre, which is based in Tampa, Fla.

Bits ‘N Pieces is known for its giant body puppets that have danced across American stages for 37 years and made 16 international appearances, most recently at the ninth International Puppet Festival of Puppet Arts in the Czech Republic.

It is up to Bluff, Fluff, and Tuff Gruff, the three goats, to cleverly cross a narrow bridge. But the Bully Troll wants no one to cross the bridge. Bluff, Fluff and Tuff must cooperate, communicate, and negotiate to get to a dinner of fresh tasty green grass on the other side of the bridge. Bluff Gruff, the innocent goat, uses his brains to cross the bridge. Fluff Gruff, played by live actress Holli Rubin, points out the fine points of avoiding a bully. Tuff Gruff shows that sometimes actions speak louder than words. Together they prove there’s nothing you can’t do.

“Children will be delighted by the glow-in-the-dark puppets as they sing and dance and live happily ever after,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs. “The award-winning Bits ‘N Pieces have toured across the country and to Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Czech Republic, and Hong Kong.  I encourage our local residents to visit the performing arts center to experience this adorable musical.”

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 SFSC Highlands Campus at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park.

Bits ‘N Pieces is sponsored by the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Arts and Humanities Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

April 12, 2023 – South Florida State College (SFSC) received more than $50,000 in grant funding from the Duke Energy Foundation at a Live-Wire Demonstration event on the College’s Highlands Campus today. The funding will be used to increase training in the College’s Electrical Lineworker Program.

“As we prepare to celebrate the upcoming National Lineworker Appreciation Day, Duke Energy Florida, along with the Duke Energy Foundation, is thrilled to create opportunities for access to education that benefits the workforce in the communities where we work and live,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida President. “For our communities to thrive, we need skilled lineworkers to maintain our infrastructure and South Florida State College can prepare individuals for a rewarding career by equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to perform utility line work.”

The grant funding from the Duke Energy Foundation will update the equipment in the SFSC Electrical Lineworker Program by purchasing a pole-mount Viper-ST breaker, climbing gear, tools, and safety equipment. The Viper-ST breaker will enable students to become proficient in installing state-of-the-art circuit protection widely used within the industry today. The safety equipment, climbing gear, and tools will allow a growing number of students to enter the program safely and complete climbing and on-pole work training.

“The College is fortunate to have a community partner in Duke Energy who cares about our students and their success,” said Dr. Thomas Leitzel, president of SFSC. “We are grateful that our students will personally benefit from this grant in practical ways. We look forward to future endeavors with our generous friends from Duke Energy.”

SFSC’s Electrical Lineworker 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 of training at the College’s Hardee Campus, 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 Christopher Yeomans, electrical distribution professor, by emailing yeomansC@southflorida.edu or calling 863-784-7045.

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 7, 2023 – South Florida State College (SFSC) students presented research at the 86^th annual meeting of the Florida Academy of Sciences that was held on Friday, March 10 in Lakeland, Fla. Florida Polytechnic 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 two Florida state colleges that made presentations— including Indian River State College.

“In undergraduate research, students work on real world problems and present their findings in regional, state, and national conferences,” said Dr. Kate Calvin, SFSC Chemistry instructor. “There are so many opportunities for growth, acquiring new skills and confidence, plus opening doors to future success.”

“Undergraduate research is important to us at SFSC,” she said. “It provides students the opportunity to work with mentors and develop skills that pave the way to achieving students’ future goals. The sky is the limit!”

During the meeting, SFSC student, Stephanie Basulto, won first place for Outstanding Presentation for an Environmental Chemistry Undergraduate Poster for the research project, “Preliminary Studies on the Effectiveness of Industrial Hemp as a Phytoremediator of Polluted Water bodies.” Her teammates on the project were Sara Arnan, Nylla Wilder, and Jenna Gutierrez. Their faculty mentor is Dr. Kate Calvin, Chemistry instructor.

Other SFSC student scientific research presentations given at the FAS meeting were:

• “Evaluating the Role of the Melatonin in Thyroid Cancer Cell (MDA-T41): Apoptosis and Metabolism Modulation” by Angela Huang. Faculty mentor: Dr. Daniel Sanches, chair, Natural Sciences, and Biology instructor.
• “Oral Microbiome as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease” by Christopher Colon, Xander Farrow, Colten Meier, Devam Patel, and Rafael Rimoldi Ibanez. Faculty mentor: Dr. Minto Patel, Biology instructor.
• “The Role of Microbiota in Gingivitis” by Ean Chen, Jermaine Torralba, Mikhos Torralba, and Mikylla Torralba. Faculty mentor: Dr. Mintoo Patel, Biology instructor.
• “GC-MS Profiling of Bioactive Compounds in Ziziphus Celata” by Toby Ellison, Luc Alfred, Emily Boyette, and Sarah Arnan. Faculty mentor: Dr. Kate Calvin, Chemistry instructor.

Dr. James Hawker, dean of Arts and Sciences at SFSC, attended the meeting as a Florida Academy of Sciences councilor-at-large and served as a judge of oral presentations and posters.

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

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 6, 2023 – South Florida State College (SFSC) inducted 16 students into its Tau Epsilon chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society on April 5. 

Family members and fellow students looked on as the inductees recited an oath of membership, joining the honor society that recognizes distinguished academic achievement by students enrolled in two-year academic programs.

The inductees were: Lindsay Albritton, Ana Alvarez, Solymar Alvarez, Valentine Appocher, Alexis Danielson, Kaitlin DeLoach, Margarita Gutierrez, Janelle Hamilton, Lauren Heeren, Ocala Keene, Lindsay Martin, Megan O’Sullivan, Devam Patel, Sharihan Schweil, Mavis Turnock, and Crystal Valdez.

The guest speaker was Dr. Michele Heston, SFSC’s vice president for academic affairs and student services. She emphasized PTK’s current theme, “The Art and Science of Play,” by encouraging the students to look at the imagery in their daily lives as a means to expand awareness, joy, and passion. She suggested that in their worklife they can also experience the same feelings that play brings to children.

“Focusing on the art and science of play can create pathways to the intersection of passion and purpose in your life so that you, too, can be engaged in meaningful study and work in an all-out effort to become the best version of who you were meant to be and live the life you were meant to live,” she said.

In closing, Dr. Heston offered the students a challenge. “Focus on what you are doing and doing it well,” she said, “while asking yourselves this question: What can I do today just for the joy of it?”

As the ceremony drew to a close, the inductees each signed the honor society’s membership book, recording their status as scholars of distinction at SFSC. When the auditorium lights dimmed, each scholar lit a candle signifying their fellowship in the society and received a white rose.

The current PTK officers are Chiya Gilliam, president; Carol Mitchell, vice president; Ericka Berthiaume, secretary; Sherry Jones, treasurer; Hannah Frazier, media relations; Emily Boyette, fellowship; and Nylla Wilder, leadership.