SFSC Graduates Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician Students

AVON PARK, Fla. – June 15, 2023 – South Florida State College (SFSC) graduated a class of seven students from its Paramedic program and eight students from its Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program during an evening ceremony at the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park on Tuesday, June 13.

Receiving their Paramedic College Credit Certificates were: Alberto Blandon Argueta, Cameron Cantu, Kyle Cooper, Ronnie Fletcher, Reagan Sherrouse, Christian Soffron, and Daniel Washington.

Receiving their EMT College Credit Certificates were: Nathan Ahren, Joshua Faulk, Dalton Johnson, Jhezer Maranan, Mayra Mendoza, Mary Pinon, Parker Riner, and Tyler Simmons.

Six students were given special recognition: Ronnie Fletcher earned the highest GPA for lecture in the Paramedic program, Reagan Sherrouse earned highest GPA for lab in the Paramedic program, Nathan Ahren was recognized for earning the highest GPA for lecture in the EMT program, and Tyler Simmons earned the highest GPA for lab in the EMT program. Two EMT graduates were recognized for showing a lot of heart throughout their program: Joshua Faulk and Mary Pinion.

The Paramedic graduates completed an 11-month College Credit Certificate course offered through 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.

The EMT graduates completed the 16 weeks of training, or 300 contact hours, in the program. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the Florida EMT State Board Exam. EMTs function as part of an emergency rescue and transportation team by responding to emergency calls through a dispatch system, operating emergency vehicles safely, assessing scenes of accidents or illnesses, setting priorities for treating patients based on their degree of illness or injury, providing pre-hospital emergency care to treat trauma, shock, wounds, and other medical issues.

For more information about any of SFSC’s Public Safety programs, contact the SFSC Advising and Counseling Center at 863-784-7131 or visit southflorida.edu.

AVON PARK, Fla. – June 12, 2023 – During a ceremony on Thursday, June 8 on South Florida State College’s (SFSC) Highlands Campus, the Basic Law Enforcement Academy Class 270 graduated seven cadets and the Cross Over to Basic Law Enforcement Class 364 graduated two cadets.

Basic Law Enforcement cadets who received Career Certificates were: Francisco Jimenez, Jeffrey Johnson, Patrick Ratterree, Jamey Rivera, Jackson Roberson, Griselda Sanchez, Ethan Schroeder, and Sabrina Valero.

Crossover Academy Class 364 graduates who received Career Certificates were: Ty Davis and Adrian Perdue.

During the ceremony, Valero received the award for achieving the top firearms score and was recognized for serving as class leader. Roberson received the award for attaining the highest academic score in the class.

The guest speaker was Sergeant Robert Spencer of the Wauchula Police Department. He told the new graduates to remember their principles as they set out to serve the public.

“The difference you make does not have to be huge or witnessed by many,” Spencer said. “In fact, at times, for law

enforcement officers, the difference we make may be small or go unnoticed but I promise it will make an impact on someone’s life. Every day there will be new challenges and new opportunities. Take those challenges and opportunities and grow from the experiences.

“As an officer we’re entrusted to serve the public and enforce laws, not to be above them. Know that you’re entrusted with great authority. Don’t abuse that authority. Don’t think you’re above anyone else because of that authority. Be proud of who you are, but don’t forget the principles for which you stand.”

SFSC’s Basic Law Enforcement Career Certificate program trains students to become law enforcement officers in Florida. By successfully completing the program, they are eligible to take the state certification examination to become certified law enforcement officers. The program runs 770 contact hours or approximately five months full-time or approximately 10 months part-time.

The Correction to Law Enforcement (Crossover) Career Certificate program trains currently employed corrections officers to become law enforcement officers in Florida. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the state certification examination to become certified law enforcement officers. The program runs 515 contact hours or approximately 10 months part-time.

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