(Bradenton, Fla., May 9, 2023) — State College of Florida Collegiate School (SCFCS) Bradenton held its 10th commencement ceremony with 66 students receiving high school diplomas and most also earning associate in arts degrees. More than two-thirds of the graduates maintained an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher, and most plan to pursue a four-year degree in the fall.

Nearly 30 students will continue their education through scholarship agreements with Florida Gulf Coast University, New College of Florida and University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. Three are planning to remain at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) to earn a workforce degree. Two-thirds of the graduates have secured scholarships, including 17 Florida Bright Futures scholarships.

“We are extremely proud of our graduates’ success and commitment to their studies in this rigorous program,” said Kelly Monod, senior head of collegiate schools at SCF. “Their junior and senior years were fully enrolled on the SCF campus and the day is a celebration of their hard work and perseverance as college and high school students. We wish them best of luck in their next endeavors and look forward to their many accomplishments.”

Dr. Dennis Runde, professor of mathematics at SCF, delivered the commencement address; Nicolette Miceli and Kali Kamiya were the graduate speakers; and Karen Lewellen, head of school for SCFCS Bradenton, delivered introductory remarks. Reverend Sherry Tucker delivered the invocation and benediction. Gabriella Cortes-Alban, accompanied by her brother Gabriel, performed the national anthem, and SCFCS instructors Andrew Davis and Jennifer Holt presented the graduates with their diplomas and degrees. Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld, president of SCF, Dr. Todd G. Fritch, executive vice president and provost, and Ashley MacMunn, SCFCS college advisor, presented the awards.

Awards presented during the ceremony and the recipients of those recognitions included:

• The Graduate Achievement Award: Kali Kamiya
• The Graduate Appreciation Award: Nicolette Miceli
• The Outstanding Graduate Award: Gabriella Cortes-Alban

For more information, visit SCFCS.SCF.edu.

Photo caption: SCFCS Bradenton graduation at the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center on Friday, May 5, 2023.

Photo credit: State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota

Photo caption: Photographic signs of graduating seniors line the walkway outside the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center.

Photo credit: State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota