Polk Radiography Alumnus: “If You’re Afraid to Go to School, Don’t Shortchange Yourself. You Can Do It.”
Rosevelt Nheik enrolled at Polk State College figuring he had nothing to lose. As it turned out, he gained more than he could ever have imagined. “I just really wanted to do more, to be…
Polk State-Trained Paramedic: “The Patient Always Comes First”
Gov. Rick Scott has declared Jan. 5-9 First Responder Appreciation Week. Polk State College commends and thanks all those working in the public safety field. Here, News@Polk highlights Jared vanHoek, a firefighter/paramedic with Polk County…
Visual Arts Alumnus: “Polk State Was a Beginning, and Without It, I Wouldn’t Be Where I am Today”
In the 50-year history of Polk State College, there are thousands of stories of alumni who have achieved success in the health sciences or public safety or business. More rare are stories like that of Sam Romero,…
Polk PTA Alumnus Jorge Espinosa: Restoring Functionality and Hope
While studying at Polk State College, Jorge Espinosa learned all the textbook knowledge for his new career as a physical therapist assistant, but more importantly, he learned when to put his textbooks aside. “I remember…
Respiratory Care Alumna Says Program Allowed Her to Start a Career and Family on Her Terms
Ammany Shihaibar knew where she wanted to end up in life, and with help from Polk State, she got there, right on time. “If it hadn’t been for Polk State and the Respiratory Care program,”…
Polk Nursing Alum Delivers “I Actually Do Care” to Patients at LRMC’s Emergency Department
When Greg Baisden thinks about the difference he gets to make for patients every day, he thinks about an elderly woman, her daughter, and his cell phone. Not too long ago, Baisden, a Registered Nurse…
Grove Worker to College Graduate: Polk State Alumnus Daniel Jaime Uses His Life Story to Advocate for Education
Daniel Jaime was raised in Polk County’s orange groves. As a baby, he slept in a picking sack tied from the tree branches. As a toddler, his playpen was a fruit crate. When he outgrew…
Twanna Dewdney, Two-Time Polk Grad, Uses Salon as AIDS Test Site, Place of Hope
Yes, she cuts hair and does makeup for a living, but the words “stylist” or “cosmetologist” don’t come close to describing Twanna “T-Fay” Dewdney’s work. “Advocate” is much more accurate. Dewdney, a two-time Polk State…
Polk State Grad Finds Fulfillment Each Day in Work as Paramedic
Two pivotal years and a Polk State degree set Margaret Orozco on a path she never thought possible, and in following it, she’s found fulfillment she never could have imagined. “I love coming to work,” said…
Polk State Alumnus Receives Scholarship to Study at Juilliard School
This fall, like millions of students across the country, Polk State alumnus AJ Stillabower will be heading back to the classroom. Only it will be a classroom at the renowned Juilliard School. And he will…
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