Polk State Gateway’s 2022 class topped by trailblazers
Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School’s valedictorian and salutatorian could probably both be described by a single word – trailblazers. Grace Joseph is the first Black female in the school’s history to…
Polk State Lakeland Collegiate’s top students get degrees for free in high school
Taylor Rickey and Laura Burse each began their high school careers elsewhere. Now, they’re leaving Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School as valedictorian and salutatorian. Rickey and Burse spent their first two high school years…
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 Kids at College returns in person with full day & Friday options
Registration for Polk State Kids at College is open, and this summer is special in more ways than one. Not only will Kids at College return to Polk State’s campuses after two years of virtual…
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…