Polk State’s High Schools Celebrate Classes of 2015

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

Polk State College’s three high schools are in the midst of celebrating their 2015 commencement ceremonies.
 
Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School held its graduation Friday evening. The ceremony featured alumna and benefactor Laci Jackson as guest speaker.
 
Next up is Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College High School, which will graduate its second class tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Polk State Lakeland LTB Auditorium, 3425 Winter Lake Road.
 
Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School will wrap up the high-school commencement schedule on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Polk State Winter Haven Health Center, 999 Ave. H N.E.
 
Polk State’s collegiate high schools allow students to simultaneously complete their diplomas and earn college credit.
Students at Polk State Chain of Lakes and Polk State Lakeland Collegiate must have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average and a passing score on the PERT (Postsecondary Education Readiness Test). In many cases, students at Polk State Chain of Lakes and Polk State Lakeland Collegiate graduate with both their high-school diplomas and Associate in Arts degrees.
 
Details on the 2015 graduating classes at each school follow:
 
Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate
 
  • 149 graduates, including the school’s 1000th graduate
  • 75 students have a GPA of 4.0 or higher.
  • 18 graduates completed Polk State Honors Program.
  • Average GPA is 3.948.
  • 72 students also graduating with their Associate in Arts degrees from the College.
  • On average, graduates have earned 51 college credits.
  • Graduates have accumulated 30,653 community service hours.
  • Cumulatively, graduates have earned $2.47 million in college scholarships. Members of the class plan to attend colleges and universities across the country.
  • The valedictorian is Laurel Tanke, who has a 4.695 GPA and has already earned her Associate in Arts degree from the College. She will continue her education at the University of Florida.
  • The salutatorian is Kunal Shah, who has a 4.657 GPA and has already earned his Associate in Arts degree from the College. He will also continue his education at the University of Florida.
 
Polk State Lakeland Collegiate
 
  • 144 graduates
  • 71 students have a GPA of 4.0 or higher.
  • Average GPA is 3.89.
  • 78 students also graduating with their Associate in Arts degrees from the College.
  • On average, graduates have earned 50 college credits.
  • Cumulatively, graduates have earned more than $1 million in scholarships and grants. Members of the class plan to attend colleges and universities across the country.
  • The valedictorian is Tara Postiglione, who has a 4.65 GPA and has earned her Associate in Arts degree from the College. She will continue her education at the University of Central Florida.
  • Salutatorian is David Zeledon, who has a 4.63 GPA and has earned his Associate in Arts degree from the College. He will continue his education at the University of Florida.
Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College
  • 17 graduates
  • Average GPA is 2.68.
  • On average, graduates have earned 14 college credits.
  • Age range 16-21.
  • Valedictorian is Barry Glass, who has a 4.319 GPA and has earned 45 college credits. He will continue his education at Florida Polytechnic University.
  • Salutatorian is Kristi Lowe, who has a 4.227 GPA and has earned 37 college credits. She will continue her education at Polk State.  

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.