
Polk’s Top Grads: Polk State Lakeland Collegiate Valedictorian Undecided About Major, But Confident in Her Preparation

Like a lot of students, Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School’s 2016 valedictorian, Addison Gokee, isn’t sure what she wants to study at the university level – but she is sure her collegiate experience…

Polk’s Top Grads: Polk State Chain of Lakes Salutatorian to Study Biology

If all goes according to plan for Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School’s 2016 salutatorian, she’ll soon be known as Dr. Whiting. Whiting, a resident of Winter Haven, graduated June 3, with her class’s…

Polk State’s Top Grads: Inspired by Robotics Project, Chain of Lakes Valedictorian to Study Engineering

Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School’s 2016 valedictorian Rene Respicio is headed to the University of Florida, where, inspired by her experiences at Polk, she will study biomedical engineering. “Coming to (Polk…

For Polk State-Trained EMT, Career Plan B “Happened for a Reason”

When her application to medical school was rejected, a lot of thoughts went through Ada Bobola’s head: Maybe if I’d studied a little harder. Maybe if I’d gotten a B in chemistry instead of a…

Polk State’s High Schools Celebrate Classes of 2016

It’s graduation time at Polk State College’s three collegiate high schools. Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School held its commencement ceremony on the evening of Friday, June 3. The ceremony featured remarks by…

Polk State Nursing Alumna: Profession Requires Scientific Mind, Compassionate Heart

Nearly five decades ago, as a way to pay her tuition, Ivadene Howell went to work as a certified nursing assistant. It was just a job. Nothing more than a way to pay the bills…

Polk State Aerospace Open House is June 9

Polk State College’s Aerospace Program will host an open house and information session on June 9 at 6 p.m. at Polk State Airside Center East, 2949 Airside Center Drive in South Lakeland. At the event,…

Two Polk State Music Students Win Scholarships

Two Polk State Music students are winners of the Bob Washington Jazz Scholarship Award Program, a five-year-old contest that organizers say continues to grow more competitive. The Jazz Lovers and More Jazz clubs of The…

Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School Professor to Vie for Air Force Association’s National Teacher of the Year Award

Having won at the chapter and state levels, Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School Professor Suzanne Ramjattan Halverson is now in the running for the Air Force Association’s National Teacher of the…

Migrant Worker Turned Polk State Graduate: “I Knew I was Going to Be Someone One Day”

There were days when a 6-year-old Leonel Navarrete, new to the U.S. and surrounded by English-speaking classmates, felt lonely. There were days when a teenage Navarrete, having worked all day picking or planting, was so…


