State College of Florida, Collegiate School graduate with endless opportunities ahead

For State College of Florida students -- whether at the high school or college level -- Friday was a day of opportunity. From SCF Collegiate School charter students learning they are eligible to attend the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee tuition free, to Kazakhstan native Ella Starr being named the outstanding graduate, more than 900 students from all walks of life joined together to celebrate their past achievements and the opportunities they now have before them. Their years at SCF have been formative and full of lessons, including the know-how to snag an opportunity when it arises, said graduation speaker Katherine Brown. "When an opportunity presents itself," she said. "Greet it with a firm handshake and a wide smile."

State College of Florida Collegiate School

Graduates: 98

Graduating class from this school: third

Speakers: Daniel Fuerstman, SCF faculty member; and graduates Gracey Wilson and Angela Gennocro

Shining moment: SCF President Carol Probstfeld announced that beginning with Friday's graduating class, SCF Collegiate School graduates can attend a second state university tuition-free: the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.

Interesting fact: The 98 graduates collectively have been awarded about $2.3 million in scholarships.

Best quote: "Give yourself permission to suck," said Daniel Fuerstman, SCF faculty member. "Fail at things that matter."

State College of Florida

Graduates: 926

Graduating class from this school: 74th

Speakers: SCF President Carol Probstfeld, student Katherine Brown; and John Horne, owner/president Anna Maria Oyster Bar

Shining moment: Kazakhstan native Ella Starr earned the Outstanding Graduate Award. She said coming to SCF changed her life and the life of her family.

Interesting fact: SCF is the area's oldest and largest institute of higher education, and the number of graduates who participated in Friday's ceremony was one of the highest ever, Probstfeld said.

Best quote: "Don't roll over and take it. There's ways around everything," said John Horne, owner and president of Anna Maria Oyster Bar

This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 12:10 AM with the headline "State College of Florida, Collegiate School graduate with endless opportunities ahead ."