
Polk State graduate gets opportunity in military cybersecurity

For Polk State College graduate Laura Jordan, a little advice from a professor has gone a long way. Come June, Jordan, 28, will be headed to Texas for basic military training as she enlists in…

3 Polk State students named to All-Florida Academic Team

A trio of Polk State College students were recognized as members of the 2022 All-Florida Academic Team. Jhon Mendoza Paredes, David Umanzor, and Mallory Anderson are the three recipients from Polk State. Statewide, 144 Florida…

Polk State graduate’s journey to nursing career started with believing in herself when others already did

As a child, Margarita Garcia felt the odds were stacked against her, preventing her from ever reaching her fullest potential. Her family had emigrated to the U.S., and she worked in the fields with her…

Polk State Nursing application will be open May 15-31

The application for the Polk State Nursing Program will be open from 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 15, 2022, through May 31 for students interested in pursuing the Associate in Science in Nursing starting in August. Nursing…

Polk State Metallica Scholar overcomes adversity, gets opportunity to take guitar company to next level

As a musician, Noel Rosa’s resume speaks for itself, but there have been numerous trials and tribulations along the way. Rosa, 55, of Lakeland, takes great pride in finding solutions to his own problems. This…

Polk State graduate finishes what she started 40 years later

After five tries and four decades, Helen Hill graduated from Polk State College with a four-year degree. A 1982 graduate of Lake Wales High School, Hill, 58, of Babson Park, first attended Polk State in…

Graduating Charlie hangs up his feathers so Alex can spread his wings

Alexander Gonzalez has idolized superheroes in comic books and video games since he was a child, as their stories of overcoming adversity and doing good for the world served as inspiration and motivation while growing…

Single mom of five earns Polk State degree after 20+ years

It will be 22 years after she first stepped foot on a college campus that Sheena Blake will have earned her Associate in Arts degree, but the 39-year-old single mother of five is just getting…

Graduating Polk State Education student takes over her kindergarten teacher’s classroom

Myla Bence always knew she wanted to be a teacher, but it is serendipity that led her to taking over her own kindergarten teacher’s classroom at Berkley Charter Elementary, where she secured a job before…

Polk State grad finishes what she started 30 years later

Jennifer Donnal was just a year out of high school when she first stepped foot on campus at Polk State College. Through trials and tribulations, Donnal is leaving the College 30 years later with a…