Good News About Polk County Public Schools

Pictured from left to right: Polk County School Board Chair Hazel Sellers (District 3), Antonio Cuellar from Kathleen Middle,

Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sherrie B. Nickell, Dr. Sam Bennett from Southeastern University

Middle and high school students were recently honored at the annual About Face Awards for making positive changes in their lives. Teachers and staff at individual schools or sites nominated students who are making positive and noticeable improvements in grade point average, attendance, general disposition and attitude toward school or themselves.

About 300 people attended yesterday’s event held at Nora Mayo Hall in Winter Haven. Honorees were joined by the mentors who helped them make positive changes and turnarounds.

Noted educator Dr. Sam Bennett delivered an inspirational message to the assembled crowd, speaking on the values of having dreams. The full-time professor in the College of Education at Southeastern University is the 2006 Florida Teacher of the Year winner. He has been educating the youth of the community for more than 20 years.

Also on the program were Polk County School Board Chair Hazel Sellers and Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sherrie B. Nickell.

Tampa Electric sponsors the annual event.

About Face honorees are listed according to school location.

Auburndale
Auburndale High: Devon Galloway
Berkley Accelerated Middle: John Thomas

Bartow
Bartow Middle: Janett Ponce
Compass Middle Charter: Christopher Fiedler 
Gause Academy: Larry Klick, Marquita Holloway
Summerlin Academy: Sean Kindle
Union Academy: Ethan Jackson
                                                                              
Davenport
Davenport School of the Arts: Celeste Montes
Ridge Community High: Anthony Parnell

Dundee
Dundee Ridge Middle: Kimar Harriott

Eagle Lake
Lake Region High: Isamari Nieves

Fort Meade
Fort Meade Middle: Sandy Fuentes Aviles
Fort Meade Senior: Elfego Miranda

Frostproof
Frostproof Middle: Danique Rosius
Frostproof Senior: Kayla Cobb

Haines City
Boone Middle: Madeline Kelly
Daniel Jenkins Academy: Spencer Murugan
Haines City High: Brandon Wright

Lake Alfred
Lake Alfred-Addair Middle: Crystal Cranfill

Lake Wales
Lake Wales High: Selena MacDonald
McLaughlin Middle and Fine Arts Academy: Patricia Blair Lopez 
Roosevelt Academy: Shantelle Woodard

Lakeland
Blake Academy: Sezar Keshishian
Doris A. Sanders Learning Center: Victor Wilson
George Jenkins High: Pablo Borgen
Kathleen High: Jennifer Gonzalez
Kathleen Middle: Antonio Cuellar
Lake Gibson High: Gregory Watford
Lakeland High: Ammi Arcia
Lakeland Highlands Middle: Marquavious Sharp
Lawton Chiles Middle Academy: Aaron Thoemke
McKeel Academy: Jamar Bolden, James Grimes
Rochelle School of the Arts: Mickayla Bernard
Sleepy Hill Middle: Aaliyha Mulazim
Southwest Middle: Jeanetta Sugrin
Tenoroc High: Marquis Scarbough
Traviss Career Center: Samantha Feagle

Mulberry
Mulberry Middle: Asha Cook
Mulberry High: Elayna Bentrovato

Winter Haven
Denison Middle: Jordany Joseph
Jewett Middle Academy: Cassidy Shiver
Ridge Career Center: Alan Brown