Okeechobee High School Seniors Receive Surprise Visit from IRSC “Prize Patrol”

May 5, 2020 Suzanne Seldes

Okeechobee, FL—On Wednesday April 29, thirty-seven (37) Okeechobee High School seniors were surprised with a visit from the Indian River State College (IRSC) “Prize Patrol,” comprised of College, IRSC Foundation and Okeechobee High School officials. These special students were celebrated outside their homes for their outstanding academic accomplishments.

Haley Joles, 2020 Take Stock in Children Scholarship recipient.

“Each year, we recognize the achievements of students who, through participation in the Dual Enrollment program, have earned their Associate degrees at IRSC at the same time they earn their high school diplomas, as well as those students who are recipients of scholarships awarded through the IRSC Foundation,” shares IRSC Dixon Hendry Provost Russ Brown. “Typically, this event occurs at the high school each spring, but this year we went door to door to show our students how proud we are of their successes, and to encourage their continuation of post-secondary education.”

This year, eighteen (18) Okeechobee High School students graduated with Associates degrees from Indian River State College. Twenty-five (25) students were presented with scholarships collectively valued at more than $192,000. (Complete listing follows.) Scholarship recipients were also greeted with cookie cakes, generously donated by Publix.

The “Prize Patrol” was coordinated in conjunction with Okeechobee High School. Principal Lauren Myers and Assistant Principal Vicki Goggans participated in the day’s events, and the “Patrol” was escorted by deputies from the Okeechobee Sheriff’s Department.

About Indian River State College

Indian River State College is the 2019 recipient of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges. The College’s five campuses provide unparalleled educational environments for those residing in St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties. IRSC serves nearly 30,000 students annually and offers more than 100 programs leading to Bachelor’s degrees, Associate degrees, technical certificates and applied technology diplomas.

Each fall and spring, some 300 Okeechobee High School students are dually enrolled in college-level courses at the IRSC Dixon Hendry Campus.

Okeechobee County Dual Enrollment
Associate in Art Degree Recipients

Ashley Snyder
Aubrey Pierce
Cera Elliot
Dallan McGowan
Derrick Chen
Edmundo Cruz
Emily Land
Esrat Jahan
Hailey Korpi
Itzel Guereca
Julie Garcia-Arias
Kendall Harrison
Lillian Henry
Makalyn Jones
Natalie Banuelos
Paisley Rhoden
Rebecka Mims
Stephanie Ortega

2020 Scholarship Recipients

Abraham Benitez—Take Stock in Children Scholarship
Alexis Llanas—Take Stock in Children Scholarship
Antonio Vega-Hernandez—Bank of America Public Safety Education Scholarship
April Vega-Gonzalez—Take Stock in Children Scholarship
Ariana Diaz Jaime—Fort Pierce Sportfishing Club Scholarship
Artemio Virto—Access and Opportunity Scholarship
Briana Hight—Patricia Jo Bryant Scholarship
Bryan Leal—Kenneth Pruitt Scholarship
Cera Elliot—George P. Stanich Scholarship
Cole Verano—Agricultural Endowment Scholarship
Edmundo Cruz—Take Stock in Children Scholarship
Elizabeth Casas—Donald C Hicks Scholarship
Gloria Seca—Take Stock in Children Scholarship
Hailey Korpi—C. Harold Porter Memorial Scholarship
Haley Joles—Take Stock in Children Scholarship
Johnathan Rivera—Dr. Robert and Nancy Bedingfield Scholarship and Take Stock in Children Scholarship
Julie Garcia-Arias—Dawn Marie Snow Fertitta Scholarship
Kaydra Bradley—President’s Challenge Scholarship
Laura Rodriguez-Gomez—Take Stock in Children Scholarship
Luis Alanis—Lawrence G and Laura Clayton Scholarship
Maria Aguirre—Hefflebower Endowed and Take Stock in Children Scholarship
Solomon Albright—Hefflebower Endowed Scholarship
Stephanie Ortega—Frank and Betty Williamson Scholarship
Veronica Trejo—President’s Challenge Scholarship