Polk State’s High Schools Celebrate Classes of 2016

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

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 guest speaker Rick Jeffries. Jeffries served as assistant principal at Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate before being named principal of Polk State Lakeland Collegiate earlier this year.

Next up is Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School, which will graduate its third class on Monday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Polk State Lakeland LTB Auditorium, 3425 Winter Lake Road.

Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School will conclude the high-school commencement schedule on Tuesday, June 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Polk State Winter Haven Health Center, 999 Ave. H N.E.

All three of Polk State’s collegiate high schools allow students to simultaneously complete high school requirements and earn college credits. In many cases, students graduate with both their diplomas and Associate in Arts degrees. Polk State Lakeland Gateway specializes in helping students between the ages of 16 and 21 who have in most cases disengaged from studies at their traditional high schools.

Details on the 2016 graduating classes at each school follow:

Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate

  • 141 graduates.
  • 70 graduates have a grade-point average of 4.0 or higher.
  • Average GPA is 3.98.
  • 61 students also graduating with their Associate in Arts degree from the College.
  • On average, graduates have earned 50 college credits.
  • Graduates have accumulated 28,525 community service hours.
  • Cumulatively, graduates have earned $2.3 million in college scholarships. Members of the class will continue their education at colleges and universities across the country, including as examples, Auburn University, Florida State University, Rollins College, Stetson University, Tulane University and the University of Florida.
  • The valedictorian is Rene Respicio of Winter Haven, who has a 4.724 GPA.
  • Salutatorian is Victoria Whiting of Winter Haven, who has a 4.636 GPA.

Polk State Lakeland Collegiate

  • 126 graduates.
  • 51 graduates have a GPA of 4.0 or higher.
  • Average GPA is 3.8.
  • 62 students also graduating with their Associate in Arts degree from the College.
  • On average, graduates have earned 51 college credits.
  • Graduates have accumulated 15,000 community service hours.
  • Cumulatively, graduates have earned more than $1 million in college scholarships. Members of the class will continue their education at institutions including Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Savannah College of Art and Design, Stetson University and Southeastern University.
  • Valedictorian is Addison Gokee of Lakeland, who has a 4.708 GPA.
  • Salutatorian is Taylor Boyd of Lakeland, who has a 4.619 GPA.

Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College

  • 24 graduates.
  • One graduate has a GPA of 4.0 or higher.
  • Average GPA is 2.65.
  • On average, graduates have earned eight college credits.
  • Age range is 18-21.
  • Students will continue their education at institutions such as the University of Central Florida and Polk State College.
  • Valedictorian is Abisola Adeyemo of Lakeland, who has a 4.082 GPA.
  • Salutatorian is Claudia Oppelt of Lakeland, who has a 3.651 GPA.

Polk State College operates three public charter high schools, including Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate in Winter Haven, Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate, and Polk State Lakeland Collegiate. All three high schools allow students to fulfill requirements for their diplomas while also earning college credits.