State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, celebrates 247 graduates
PALMETTO -- Friday was special for Katie Williams as she watched her daughter, Kayla Williams, graduate from the nursing program at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.
"I'm a proud mom tonight," the 54-year-old Bradenton resident said. "I feel like I'm graduating with her. I've been helping her, pushing her and motivating her."
Williams' daughter was one of approximately 247 graduates celebrated at the SCF winter commencement. The 7 p.m. ceremony, which included an invocation, remarks and graduate address, was held at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto.
SCF grads earned 202 associate degrees, 43 baccalaureates and four certificates (several graduates are earning multiple degrees).
Williams, a home health aide, said she was so excited to see her 23-year-old daughter graduate after she had to juggle studies and a job.
"I'm just happy that now she can finally get her reward," Williams said. "Hard work pays off."
The night was dotted with applause and joyous screams from family members as they watched their loved ones seated in the center of the convention center.
"For the students, this ceremony represents a beginning, but for those of us at the college, it brings a sense of accomplishment as we fulfill our mission to graduate students who are prepared to advance in rewarding careers and to pursue upper-level degrees here at SCF or elsewhere," said SCF President Carol Probstfeld. "These graduates embody our mission that, with an SCF education, you can get anywhere from here."
Probstfeld said the area's first and largest institution of higher education has had the privilege of applauding 45,000 graduates in its 58-year history.
"Every degree we bestow is both a singular accomplishment and a milestone for the college, the graduates and their families," she added.
Graduation speaker Edie Deane-Watson, an expert in creative leadership, customer engagement and staff empowerment, shared life lessons and spoke about possibility, which she said is vital to a life of success.
"Creating and then acting on possibility is certainly not anything foreign to any of you or you wouldn't be here," she said. "What I propose, though, is that as you move forward, that you always look for and create new possibilities. In fact, I challenge you to see your entire life through the lense of possibility."
She applauded the crowd of graduates before her.
"As I look now into the sea of success before me, I can only wonder at the life of possibilities you'll create for yourself," she said.
Caps decorated, Graduates Hayley Hillenbrand, 21, of Sarasota, and Niccole Danielle Likins, 27, Sarasota, said they were excited, too.
"It's a lot of hard work, but it's definitely worth it," Hillenbrand said.
Asked what she was most looking forward to, Hillenbrand laughed.
"A break," she said, her smile widening.
Likins, who has a son, said she's been working four years toward her bachelor's degree in early childhood education.
"It's been a wonderful experience," she said. "State College of Florida really works with people who are working full time. I worked two jobs, putting myself through school with my boyfriend and my son and ... it's been a very long time coming."
After the commencement, Alexander Rosas walked out of the convention center high-fiving a peer. The 25-year-old North Port resident earned an associate's degree and said he plans on attending the University of Florida come spring semester. He'd like to become a diplomat some day.
"I feel great -- it's a big accomplishment," he said. "It's been rough, but I'm glad I finally did something with my life."
Amaris Castillo, law enforcement/island reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7051. Follow her on Twitter@AmarisCastillo.
This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 10:21 PM with the headline "State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, celebrates 247 graduates ."