When Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas became Polk State College’s sixth president on July 6, his work started with the people, not a distant vision. A Miami native, grandson of Cubans who fled communism and firstW generation college graduate raised by a hardworking single mother, he calls education the great equalizer that “opens doors, creates possibilities and empowers individuals to achieve the American Dream.” That deep-rooted belief now guides his leadership of Polk County’s

Mary B. Jewett, MD Mary Jewett was born in 1858 in Mogadore, Ohio, and spent the first half of her life breaking through barriers that most women of her era never attempted. She completed her public education, graduated from the Philadelphia Presbyterian School of Medicine, taught at Buchtel College, the forerunner of the University of Akron, during the 1870s, and later joined the faculty at Merrill-VanLear College in New York. She started a medical practice in New York City

L. Shannon Graves comes from a boarding school background. It makes up his entire educational career of 30 years. From St. Petersburg to Hawaii, he’s worked for military and traditional boarding schools. He believes in them. And that belief is ever present as he speaks about the Vanguard School. “It’s a place where kids feel comfortable. Our faculty and staff are on campus. Our residential staff is on campus. Our coaches are on campus. And the students develop a real sense of

Every now and then you hear about a school that has a spark, a niche that makes it stand out amongst other institutions; one that wants to serve a particular purpose, which makes you smile and have hope for the students that get to attend. Other times you will hear about that one cool teacher featured on the local news for going full Ms. Frizzle meets Mr. Roger’s neighborhood leaving an impact as they dared to push the norm. This time you will hear about both. A spectacular s

The Black and White Photography class at Polk State College is far more than its name suggests. This foundational film course is a gateway to mastering the art and science of photography, offering students hands-on experience with 35-mm cameras, film processing and darkroom techniques that are unique in Polk County. Under the guidance of Professor Sarah Brewington, students like Candace Knoebel, Michael Comings, and Ean Pennypacker are discovering the timeless craft of film p

The Polk Training Center Inc. is in a new season of growth as they celebrate their first year at their new location at 90 N. 4th Street in Eagle Lake and prepare for their 40th anniversary next April. The Center provides continual learning opportunities for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Executive Director Cheri Dawson shows off the sprawling little building, a former appliance parts store, now decked out with shelves to display plants and beautiful

Most of us take for granted the privilege of being able to read. Did you know that an estimated 24% of adults living in Lakeland are functionally illiterate? That means nearly a quarter of the adults living in Polk County’s largest municipality can’t read above a 4th-grade English reading level. Roughly one in every four adults that you pass in the Swan City might not be able to read “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis in English. On an even more basic level,

Kids today are busy—school, sports, and afterschool activities--and are spending less time outdoors than ever before. According to research from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), this disconnection from nature can impact both physical and mental well-being. One way to reintroduce youth to the natural world is through gardening and nature-based activities, and your local UF/IFAS Extension Service has a variety of resources to as