State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) honored graduating seniors from area high schools and other students in the College Reach-Out Program (CROP) at the 20th annual CROP Awards ceremony at SCF’s Neel Performing Arts Center.
As a preview to the May 1 event, Jessica Torsell, special programs specialist for CROP, and Barbara Noda, an SCF film student, produced a video highlighting the year’s events and students’ goals. Richard Barnhouse, vice president student services and enrollment management, welcomed students and their families, and CROP alumni and SCF students Shawenda Alexis and Mario Brunetti were the featured speakers.
Laura Roberts, Mistress of Ceremonies for the program and college and career advisor, Bayshore High School, introduced the site coordinators, who gave school presentations and announced Students of the Year.
CROP Students of the Year, listed by school, are:
Bayshore High School Jefferson Dor
Booker High School Grecia Quevedo
Lee Middle School Antonio Resendiz II
Manatee High School Claunishia Petival
Palmetto High School Lysette Alanis
Riverview High School Tavares Campbell
Southeast High School Catelaine Laguerre
Other Participants Leonardo Reynoso
CROP site coordinators from participating schools are Lem Andrews from Booker High School; Sandra Alanis from Manatee High School; Rui Fernandes from Palmetto High School; Tommie Wheeler from Riverview High School; Laura Roberts from Bayshore High School; Keenan Wooten from Lee Middle School, and Dwight Gilmer from Southeast High School.
CROP, a statewide program funded through a grant from the Florida Department of Education, is designed to increase the number of students who successfully complete postsecondary education.
Of the 43 seniors in this year’s program, 41 plan to continue their education, and two will join the military. Twenty-one will start college in June through SCF’s Summer Bridge Program. The seniors have qualified to each receive $1,000 scholarships to attend SCF in the summer. CROP graduates who attend SCF also are eligible to receive tuition and book scholarships.
For more information, contact Kristen L. Anderson, director of special programs at SCF, at AnderskL@SCF.edu.