
Polk State Chain of Lakes’ top grads to stay in Central Florida

Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School’s top two graduates will remain in the broader Central Florida region but will head different directions on Interstate 4. Valedictorian David Bonner will head west to the…

Polk State Gateway high school’s top 2026 grads earn bachelor’s degrees

Most graduates from Polk State College’s collegiate high schools leave with their Associate in Arts degrees in addition to a high school diploma. The top two members of Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate…

Business-minded grads top Polk State Lakeland Collegiate’s 2026 class

Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School’s top two graduates each have big career dreams – both in business. Troy Xiong and Conner Davidson were the top two graduates in Lakeland Collegiate’s 2026 class. Xiong, the…

From propane to jet fuel: Polk State Aerospace grad goes from hot air balloons to planes

With big flight dreams, Polk State College Aerospace student Marissa Vereb has already spent a lot of time in the air – but not just in airplanes. She was the youngest pilot to participate in…

Lake Wales HS student earns Polk State degree as dual enrollment student

At Polk State College’s three collegiate high schools, most students graduate simultaneously with a diploma and Associate in Arts (AA) degree. For students who want to remain at their high school, however, it is also…

Polk State’s Eagle Educator Bridge Pathway Program supports School-Related Employee of the Year recipient in achieving bachelor’s degree

As a student growing up in Polk County Public Schools in Lakeland, Alexia Frihart remains grateful for the lasting impact that her teachers had on her. Set to graduate with her Polk State College Bachelor…

Polk State reminds students of Civic Literacy Exam requirement for graduation

With Polk State College celebrating America’s 250th birthday, the College continues to remind students that passing the Florida Civic Literacy Exam is a requirement to earn an associate or baccalaureate degree. The post-secondary Civic Literacy…

Polk State Business student to become first graduate of ROTC Program

Alondra Oquendo Cosme will be among more than 90 students to graduate with their Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management during Polk State College’s 133rd Commencement on Wednesday night. In another regard, however,…

Polk State graduate bound for prestigious music school in Boston

When Mason Jenkins was just 3 years old, his parents found him playing the drums with pots and pans from the cabinet. Now a member of Polk State College’s 133rd commencement class, Jenkins has been…

Polk State Chain of Lakes valedictorian earns top spot and bachelor’s degree

Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School valedictorian Georgia Medrano-Flores is no stranger to challenging herself academically. Doing so, however, hasn’t kept her from being active in extracurricular activities, doing what she loves and…


