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Commencing On A New Life: About 700 SFCC Students Graduate

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Dienatann Darceus gives the student address Monday at the South Florida Community College commencement exercises.

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By MANDY SHEETS | Highlands Today

Published: May 7, 2008

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AVON PARK — Alaina Hobbs collected two degrees at South Florida Community College on Monday night –– her high school diploma and her associate of arts degree.

Hobbs was home schooled until she was 16 and then started classes at the college. Through dual enrollment, she earned credit for both degrees.

"I was the youngest person in every one of my classes," said Hobbs, now 19. "It was a big adjustment for me. I barely had my driver's licenses when I started going to college classes."

Now she is headed to Florida Southern College in Lakeland, where she will start as a junior. She has confidence she can handle it; she already balanced her demanding class load with a full-time job for three years while she completed both degrees.

"I will probably be the youngest one in my classes again, but that's OK," she said.
Hobbs is one of about 700 students who now boast an associate's degree, technical
certificate or high school diploma through SFCC after Monday's commencement exercises.

"The things we learn in college ultimately change us," said graduate Dienatann Darceus, during the student address. "The knowledge we have gained in our years here is owed to the rest of the world, and it's up to us to share it."

Whitney Racey, of Hardee County, carried a poster thanking Teresa Crawford, director of the Hardee campus, while she walked across the stage to claim her associate in arts degree in nursing.

"If it wasn't for Mrs. Crawford, I wouldn't be graduating today," Racey said. "She was there the first day I walked onto campus to register for classes, and she helped me through every step of the way. She helped me and many other students achieve our dreams."

Robert Rodriguez had three reasons to attend the graduation ceremony - his wife, Maria, and two sons, Robert and Khaleb, all received associate of arts degrees.

"This is a great day for our family," said Rodriguez from his seat in the second row. "I am very proud of them all, especially my wife because she finally got to do something she has always wanted to do."
Rodriguez said the three were even in a few classes together.

"It was very competitive," he said. "But sometimes they would do homework together as well."
Jennifer Lightsey and her friends made special noise makers out of orange water bottles, rocks and confetti, which they shook loudly as Candiss Lyles received her associates in arts degree, with a concentration in elementary education.

The "troop" of friends from Frostproof has been best friends since elementary school.
"We wouldn't miss this for the world," Lightsey said. "She is going to make a great teacher."

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