Corrections and Law Enforcement Graduation

AVON PARK, Fla. — Nov. 16, 2023 — During a ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 15 on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park, South Florida State College’s (SFSC) Basic Corrections Academy Class 110 graduated eight cadets, the Basic Law Enforcement (BLE) Academy Class 271 graduated nine cadets, and the Cross Over to Basic Law Enforcement Class 365 graduated one cadet.

Basic Corrections Academy Class 110 graduates who received Career Certificates were: Vaughn Jenkins (class leader), Ulysses Granados-Gomez, Brittainy Grant, Andrew Ortiz, Devidal Richardson, Porsche Wade, and Walter Williams.

BLE Class 271 graduates who received Career Certificates were: Andru McCarty (class leader), Jacob M. Jimenez (executive officer), Veronica Chillemi, Beronica Fabian Tomas, Anthony Garza, Antonio Islas, Guadalupe Martinez-Valle, Antonio Miyares, and Jean Vernet.

The Crossover Academy Class 365 graduate who received his Career Certificate was: Donald Phillips III.

During the ceremony, special awards were presented to several cadets. Of the Basic Corrections Academy Class 110, Vaughn Jenkins was honored as class leader and Ulysses Granados-Gomez for Top Academics. For the Basic Law Enforcement Academy Class 271 and Cross Over to Basic Law Enforcement Class 365, Andru McCarty was honored as class leader, Jacob M. Jimenez as executive officer, and Beronica Fabian Tomas for Top Academics.

Guest speaker for the graduation was Garrett Roberts, general counsel for the Highlands County Sheriff’s Department. Addressing the cadets, he said, “Becoming a law enforcement or corrections officer is not for the faint of heart or the selfish. It takes hard work and sacrifice. While today signifies your graduation, it is merely the first step in your career, where the work has just begun. The career that you’ve chosen is a noble one. It is your duty to ensure it will be respected when you retire just as much as it is today.

“Citizens will call you on their worst day. They will think all hope is lost. It will be your obligation and your sworn duty to help that person in need. Children will look at you like you’re Superman. Act like it. Spend a few minutes with a child. Spend as much time as you can investing in others. But do this, not by wanting or expecting anything in return. Think about your legacy. How will you be remembered? Then act with the end in mind. Be the person who seeks truth and respects others. Be the person who lives with integrity. Be the person your family will be proud of. Be the protector of those who are fearful. Be the hero that brings a smile to a child’s face. Ultimately, be the change that you want to see in this world.”

Upon successful completion of the SFSC 420-contact hour Basic Correctional Officer Program, students earn a Career Certificate and are eligible to take the state certification examination to become a certified officer.

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 Criminal Justice programs, visit southflorida.edu or call SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy at 863-784-7285.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 16, 2023 – “On Sacred Ground: Highlights from the Permanent Collection” opens on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at the Museum of Florida Art & Culture (MOFAC) on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park. 

Featuring 36 works of art, visitors will see new additions to the collection, works that have never before been exhibited, works that were previously installed in various locations on SFSC campuses, and damaged works that have been restored for the exhibition. This exhibition is on view through Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.

“For most art museums, the majority of their collection is in storage, and MOFAC is no exception,” said Anthony Record, MOFAC curator. “Many different exhibitions could be built from the MOFAC permanent collection, but I approached this exhibition with the idea of showcasing what are the most impressive and important works of art in the collection, with an eye on how each artwork fits into the collection’s major areas of focus.”

The exhibition is broken into five sections: Florida Wildlife, The Florida Landscape, The Highwaymen, Florida Culture, and Peter Powell Roberts, an artist who created a large body of work after retiring in Highlands County.

“If you work or attend classes at the SFSC Highlands Campus, you have probably seen Roberts’ paintings in public spaces and offices all over campus,” Record said. “The Roberts section is a great introduction to some of his most interesting and ambitious paintings, including his largest painting, and one of his older works that had become warped over time. It was restored to like-new condition over the summer.”

The title of the exhibition comes from the Christopher Still painting, “On Sacred Ground,” the first artwork that visitors see when they enter the Museum. “On Sacred Ground” and the other monumental Still painting in the collection, “Land of Promise,” both represent times in Florida when traditional ways of life from the past are adapting to thrive under new social, political, and environmental challenges. They are always on view and act as bridges between the “History of Florida” exhibit and the contemporary art exhibition space.

“Clearly the Still paintings represent the foundation of the collection, but my goal for this exhibition is to give visitors a bigger picture of what MOFAC is all about,” Record said. “I hope our visitors can feel proud about this remarkable cultural resource that we have here in Highlands County and gain a fresh perspective on some of the best artworks that MOFAC is preserving for future generations.”

Join us for free refreshments at the reception for “On Sacred Ground” on Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at MOFAC. MOFAC is located at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park.

For more information or to request a tour or class visit, call the Museum Office at 863-784-7130.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 7, 2023 – South Florida State College (SFSC) student, J’Vonne Graham, aspires to become a nurse one day. In the meantime, he’s in the midst of his clinicals at a local hospital while working toward his certificate as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). To help fund his education, he recently received a scholarship provided through the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund and the SFSC Foundation.

The Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund 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.

A $90,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County was awarded to the SFSC Foundation in May 2023 to benefit part-time students and student-parents who are attending SFSC.

SFSC’s grant is designated to aid students who attend college part time and may not qualify for other forms of financial aid and students who are parents, whether single or married. Individual students may receive up to a maximum of $2,500 through the end of the grant period, March 2024. The grant covers tuition, housing, books, childcare, transportation, and needs that would otherwise prevent students from attending college.

Graham, who recently became the father of twin girls, sees his participation in the CNA program as a means to helping other people in need and as a stepping stone to a bright future.

“My mom worked as a CNA and provided for us when I was growing up,” he said. “My sister was a CNA and moved on to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). I thought, ‘If they can do it and succeeded in providing for me and their kids, I can do it.’”

Graham said that the greatest day of his life was the day his twins were born. “I want them to have a great childhood like I did and I want them to be proud of me. I want them to say, ‘That’s my dad.’”

Graham is no stranger to assisting others with health concerns. “It comes natural to me,” he said. “I helped my grandma when she was sick. My grandpa had a stroke in 2013. I’ve been helping him since I was in middle school. When he thanks me, I say, ‘You don’t need to thank me. You did so much for me when I was small. I’m glad to do it.’ What I like about working with my patients is the joy in their faces when you come in and ask them how they’re doing. You can make them smile.”

“Scholarships play a crucial role in supporting nursing assistants since the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) does not cover short-term training programs,” said Tina Gottus, director of corporate and community education at SFSC. “Scholarships alleviate financial burdens, allowing students to focus more on their studies and less on financial stress. Nursing assistants are an essential part of the healthcare system. By providing scholarships, the quality of the nursing workforce can be improved, as it attracts motivated and talented individuals who might not have been able to afford education otherwise. This, in turn, leads to improved patient care and outcomes. Scholarships can help address workforce shortages in the healthcare sector by incentivizing more individuals to pursue careers as nursing assistants. With an aging population and increasing demand for healthcare services, it is crucial to encourage more people to enter the field.”

“Five years ago, I wouldn’t have seen myself in the CNA program,” Graham said. “Sometimes, a situation changes your life and the world becomes bigger. You’re only in your 20s one time. You shouldn’t have to go back and say, ‘I wish I had done this or done that.’ Don’t take things for granted. If you try and fail, it’s easier to accept. If you don’t try and you fail, that’s on you. I have to take initiative in my life. If I can do it, anybody can do it.”

Scholarship recipients are identified by SFSC’s Office of Financial Aid. Prior to being awarded Edward K. Roberts funding, students must complete the FAFSA. For the Edward K. Roberts Scholarship application, go to the SFSC website to the Financial Aid Forms at  https://bit.ly/45YqcA5

For more information about scholarships, contact Jamie Bateman, vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs, at 863-453-3133 or email foundation@southflorida.edu.

For information about the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, visit cfsarasota.org.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 6, 2023 – South Florida State College (SFSC) received a $6,000 grant from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, Inc. to provide scholarships for students at SFSC’s DeSoto Campus in Arcadia. These funds will be matched dollar for dollar through the SFSC Foundation, bringing the total funds for scholarships to $12,000.

Annual scholarships will be awarded up to $1,500 for full-time students, up to $1,125 for students enrolled between 9 and 11 hours, and up to $750 for students enrolled between 6 and 8 hours.

The criteria for obtaining a scholarship through the Selby Foundation grant is that the application must be based on financial need and the student must be a resident of DeSoto County and a graduate of Desoto County High School, must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to be considered for renewal, and must be accepted into or enrolled in a degree program at the SFSC DeSoto Campus.

Scholarships from the Selby Foundation grant are available for Spring Term 2024. If a student would like to apply for a scholarship for Summer Term 2024, they must be registered for summer classes by the second week of January 2024.

“So many of our community members are ready to move forward with their education and, yet, feel they cannot afford it,” said Asena Mott, director of the SFSC DeSoto Campus. “The generosity of the Selby Foundation makes this possible. It’s going to turn regrets into possibilities, and THAT is the start of making our community better.”

“Our DeSoto Campus is honored that the Selby Foundation has stepped up in such a big way to help our students,” said Mott. “These students are giving their best efforts in making strides for their futures. At the same time, they face many barriers. As our community begins to receive more extensive internet access, eligible students can use their scholarship funds to purchase internet services. They can also use scholarship money to purchase their own computer, books, and gas to travel to and from the College.”

To apply for a scholarship through the Selby Foundation grant, students are encouraged to speak with a student advisor at the SFSC DeSoto Campus at 2251 NE Turner Avenue in Arcadia or call 863-993-1757.

During the Florida Nursing Students Association (FNSA) Convention in Kissimmee, Fla., on Monday, Oct. 23 and Tuesday, Oct. 24, the South Florida State College (SFSC) Student Nurses Association was presented the Diamond Chapter Award. The FNSA is a student-run organization that represents over 5,000 nursing students across Florida.

“The Diamond Chapter Award is a prestigious award given to chapters that have demonstrated excellence in education, service, advocacy, and leadership,” said Candy Jones, the SFSC Student Nurses Association adviser and Nursing instructor. “All colleges across Florida are eligible as long as they meet the requirements.”

To win the Diamond Chapter Award, college chapters must meet specific criteria. The college must: be a member of the FNSA or National Students Nurses Association (NSNA), submit an annual report and a portfolio of all activities and achievements that it acquired over the past year, participate in FNSA events and initiatives throughout the year, promote nursing as a profession, and mentor new students. For example, SFSC’s second-year Nursing students will mentor its first-year Nursing students. Also, members of the chapters must engage in community health service projects and legislation.

“For a small college, going up against larger institutions, such as Keiser University, the University of Central Florida, and Florida Atlantic University, this is significant for us,” Jones said.

During the Convention, three SFSC Nursing students were installed as members of the 2023-24 FNSA executive board. Mikala Armioia is now president of FNSA and serves as the SFSC Student Nurses Association president. Clara Sooknanan begins her second year as second vice president of FNSA and is vice president of the SFSC chapter. As FNSA second vice president, she will be responsible for planning next year’s FNSA convention. M’Alee Sauvey is the FNSA treasurer and serves as treasurer of the SFSC chapter.

“The students learn about health care policy and get to experience legislation through the executive board,” Jones said. “And they have a house of delegates. This year, SFSC had four delegates in the house, who can speak for SFSC and vote on resolutions that are written by other students. Typically, resolutions are concerned with something that will improve health care as a whole. The students can speak on the pros and cons of the issue and then they vote on whether to pass the resolution or not.”

Because the SFSC chapter is relatively small and its students hold three positions on the executive board, SFSC Nursing students have more of a voice than they might otherwise. “Student resolutions can be anywhere from something to do with Nursing students to changes they would like to see in nursing,” Jones said. “For instance, one resolution was about caring for inmates. They can write resolutions and present them when they go to Tallahassee or Washington, D.C. to try to make a change. So, our students could potentially have an influence in Florida for Nursing students or nursing as a whole. We can also collaborate with other nursing school programs just by having those members on the board. And the students can have an influence on the advancement of nursing schools and changing policies.”