LAKE-SUMTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO HONOR GRADUATES THIS FRIDAY
LEESBURG - Three hundred and fifty-six students will be awarded their
Lake-Sumter Community Colleges diplomas this spring, with over 200 participating
in this Fridays (May 5) 43rd Annual Commencement. Invited friends and families,
as well as LSCC faculty and staff, will gather in the Leesburg Campus Everett
A. Kelly Convocation Center to cheer on the accomplishments of these
hard-working students.
Graduating
sophomore Linda Karp (Left) has earned the honor of being
the 2006 Student Commencement Speaker. Upon her nomination by a faculty member,
Karp was among seven students who auditioned before a selection committee prior
to being chosen as the student bodys representative. During her two years at
LSCC, the 46-year-old Howey-in-the-Hills resident has played an active role in
the Leesburg Campus Student Government Association, serving as its 2005-2006
president. Also a wife and mother, Karp will receive her Associate in Arts
degree this week and will continue work toward a Bachelors degree in political
science from Troy University. Her speech will reflect her enthusiasm about her
LSCC experience and emphasize that it is the journey, not the destination, that
is really important.
This
years Guest Commencement Speaker will be The Honorable Rick Keller
(Right), United States Congressman (R-FL). Representing
Floridas 8th Congressional District, which includes most of Orange County, and
parts of Lake, Marion and Osceola counties, Rep. Keller is chairman of the 21st
Century Competitiveness Subcommittee. Part of the House Education and Workforce
Committee, this subcommittee has jurisdiction over higher education programs,
including Pell Grants, technology in education, teacher training, job training
and welfare reform. A Pell Grant recipient himself, Rep. Kellers top priority
upon election was to support this program that helps kids from poor families go
to college. The only Floridian in the House or Senate to sit on the Education
and Workforce Committee, Rep. Keller is the states point man on such issues in
Washington, D.C.
During LSCCs traditional graduation ceremony, Academic Excellence Awards will
be presented to the students with the highest grade point average, while the
Presidents Award, based on leadership, service and scholarship, is a
traditional surprise announcement. Adding to the significance of Commencement
will be the awarding of the nursing professions symbolic pin to each of that
departments 2006 graduates.
Another impressive accomplishment of the Class of 2006 is that eleven of the
future LSCC alumni are dual-enrollment students, earning their high school and
college diplomas the same month. This impressive accomplishment was achieved by:
Brent Balkaran and Heather Hilliard of Tavares High School, Sarah Leaberry of
East Ridge High School, Jasmine Mitchell of Leesburg High School, Ashley Rehman
and Laura Reinhardt of Eustis High School, Cheryl Thompson of Umatilla High
School, and Elizabeth Bennett, Ivy Grayford, Amber Grayford and Lauren Sorley
who have earned their Home School Affidavit.
Graduating
sophomore Linda Karp (Left) has earned the honor of being
the 2006 Student Commencement Speaker. Upon her nomination by a faculty member,
Karp was among seven students who auditioned before a selection committee prior
to being chosen as the student bodys representative. During her two years at
LSCC, the 46-year-old Howey-in-the-Hills resident has played an active role in
the Leesburg Campus Student Government Association, serving as its 2005-2006
president. Also a wife and mother, Karp will receive her Associate in Arts
degree this week and will continue work toward a Bachelors degree in political
science from Troy University. Her speech will reflect her enthusiasm about her
LSCC experience and emphasize that it is the journey, not the destination, that
is really important. 
This
years Guest Commencement Speaker will be The Honorable Rick Keller
(Right), United States Congressman (R-FL). Representing
Floridas 8th Congressional District, which includes most of Orange County, and
parts of Lake, Marion and Osceola counties, Rep. Keller is chairman of the 21st
Century Competitiveness Subcommittee. Part of the House Education and Workforce
Committee, this subcommittee has jurisdiction over higher education programs,
including Pell Grants, technology in education, teacher training, job training
and welfare reform. A Pell Grant recipient himself, Rep. Kellers top priority
upon election was to support this program that helps kids from poor families go
to college. The only Floridian in the House or Senate to sit on the Education
and Workforce Committee, Rep. Keller is the states point man on such issues in
Washington, D.C.