Graduate set up for success by Polk State after fleeing home country

Lorsen Thebaud’s arrival in Polk County came under unfortunate and unexpected circumstances. Now a graduate, his decision to attend Polk State College, however, has set him on the path to continued success.

Thebaud graduated with his Associate in Arts on Dec. 4 during Polk State’s 131st Commencement Ceremony with a 3.58 grade-point average, earning him the Cum Laude distinction.

“Even though I come from a poor country and arrived here starting at zero, this shows that anyone can make it,” Thebaud said. “For people from Haiti, I say learn English, go to college, and find people who inspire you. There are always people who can and want to help you.”

The oldest of three sons, Thebaud and his family vacationed in Central Florida to visit family and friends. They moved to the area after being the subject of a targeted attack in their homeland of Haiti.

“It was very hard at first,” Thebaud explained. “We had to leave everything behind. The changes were quick. My parents didn’t want to come.”

Academic and career success run in Thebaud’s family. His father, Fernand Thebaud, is a certified attorney and worked as national security for the Haitian government. His mother, Ironne, also worked for the national government as a nurse.

With a security vehicle following behind them, the family of five rode together in June 2021 after Thebaud and his two brothers were picked up from school, he recalled. Before long, gunshots were fired at both the car of the Thebaud family and the vehicle behind them. None of the family members were hit, but a security personnel member in the car behind did suffer a gunshot wound.

“Thank God we were OK,” Thebaud reflected. “There was a lot of insecurity for us back in my country. After they shot our cars, we knew we had to run.”

Polk becomes home

Less than a month after the shooting, Thebaud and his family relocated. Slowly but surely, the area felt like home. Thebaud has since played club soccer for several teams in the area. He enrolled at Polk State for the Spring 2023 Semester.

“The professors here are great,” Thebaud said. “They all learned my name and helped me with anything I didn’t understand. There are always student activities. You never get bored.”

A member of the Math Club, Thebaud pointed to Student Services Specialist Yolanda Brown and Student Success Advisor Shavonda Harris as people who helped make it an easy transition.

“They showed me around for the first time,” Thebaud recalled. “They helped me learn about the different career options there are for me. They were there when I needed someone.”

As Thebaud faced a tumultuous time in his life— having to start over— Polk State and his Haines City church, Beracca Baptist Church, served as pillars of stability.

“Polk State and church is where I was able to find help and peace,” Thebaud concluded. “It was the people at my church who told me about Polk State. Coming to Polk State is the best decision I could have made.”

Thebaud’s next stop will be the University of Central Florida where he will begin in January. He plans to major in computer science. Thebaud also hopes to walk on to UCF’s men’s soccer team.

“I’m really proud but I’m not stopping here,” Thebaud exclaimed. “I want to eventually get a doctorate. To be called Dr. Lorsen would be so cool.”

An entrepreneurial spirit

Thebaud has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. When he was a teenager, he sold eggs laid by his family’s chickens. Earlier this year, he started his own clothing company called “Lorsy.” With a customer base largely Haitian, Thebaud sells sweatshirts, hoodies, headbands, and T-shirts among other apparel. He’s already sold more than 3,000 items.

“My dad always had businesses, so I wanted to be like him,” Thebaud said. “My parents have both inspired me so much. My mom is so courageous. She is the heart of our family, and my dad is the brains.”

With his computer science degree, Thebaud hopes to one day own his own technology business – either in cybersecurity or artificial intelligence.

“Those are two sectors doing really well right now,” he added. “I want to work for Google or a big company. I want to use that experience to build my own company.”