Class Notes 07.23.15

+ It’s not too late to enroll at Valencia

Classes begin Aug. 31 at Valencia College, but it’s not too late to apply for the fall semester.

New students are encouraged to turn in their applications by Aug. 14 so they can finish the enrollment process and receive priority in registering for fall classes.

The online application are available at valenciacollege.edu/futureStudents/admissions. Tuition for students working on an associate’s degree is $103.06 per credit hour for Florida residents. Tuition for students in a bachelor’s degree program is $112.19 per credit hour.

This fall, Valencia is launching a new two-year degree program at the Lake Nona Campus. The associate’s degree in biotechnology laboratory sciences is designed to train biotech lab technicians for jobs in hospitals and research labs. Students who earn this degree may work as cell-culture technicians, laboratory technicians, DNA fingerprint technicians, quality control technicians and bio-manufacturing assistants.

Valencia offers classes at five campuses in Orange and Osceola counties: East Campus, on Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando; West Campus, on Kirkman Road in Orlando; Winter Park Campus, on Morse Boulevard in Winter Park; Lake Nona Campus, on Narcoossee Road near Medical City; and the Osceola Campus, on Denn John Lane in Kissimmee.

+ Area students earn college kudos

• Ethan Ausburn, of Ocoee, graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree degree in electrical/mechanical engineering technology from RIT’s College of Applied Science and Technology in the spring semester. RIT is in Rochester, New York.

• Katia Elizabeth Berger, of Windermere, earned Bronze Standard on the National German Exam. Katia was a freshman at Randolph-Macon Academy during the 2014-15 school year. She is the daughter of Robert and Kathryn Berger, of Windermere. The school is in Front Royal, Virginia.

• Andrew Joseph Bragg, of Windermere, graduated cum laude from Samford University during commencement exercises. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Brock School of Business. Samford is in Birmingham, Alabama.

• Laura Brown, of Windermere, was initiated into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society at the University of Florida. Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership.

• Bibi Karim, of Ocoee, has earned a master’s degree in education from Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota.

• Rufus Mosley, of Ocoee, was named to the dean’s list at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. He is majoring in business administration.

• Brittany Wendzel, of Ocoee, was named to the dean’s list at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. She is studying elect media, arts and communication.

• Eric Womack, of Orlando, was named to the dean’s list at the University of Delaware in Newark.

+ Ocoee offers before-, after-school program

The city of Ocoee will hold registration for its Before and After School Program on July 27 to 31 for residents only. Open enrollment for residents and others is Aug. 3.

The program, open to children ages 5 to 14, is held at the Jim Beech Recreation Center, 1820 A.D. Mims Road, Ocoee. Activities for the program include sports, crafts, homework time and movies.

Children can be dropped off at the center beginning at 6:30 a.m. Pick-up time ends at 6:30 p.m. Transportation to and from school will be provided for students who attend Citrus, Clarcona (new Hackney Prairie), Ocoee and Spring Lake elementaries; and Ocoee Middle School. 

The registration fee is $25 per child. For Ocoee residents, weekly tuition for before-school care is $24.50 and $13 for each additional child. After-school care is $34.50 and $18 for each additional child. For before- and after-school care, the cost is $59 for the first child and $90 for two children.  

For others, before care is $31.50 and $24.50 for each additional child. After care is $41.50 for the first child and $25 for each additional child. For before- and after-school care, the cost is $73 for one child and $132 for two.

To register, residents should bring a photo I.D., current Ocoee water bill, birth certificate and shot records. The first week’s tuition and $25 registration fee must be paid at registration. 

For more information, call the Jim Beech Recreation Center at (407) 905-3180. 

Tanesha Sweetland, of Ocoee, was selected as a finalist in the 2015 Miss Teen pageant competition that takes place Sunday, July 26. She will be competing for her share of thousands of dollars in prizes and specialty gifts that will be distributed to contestants.

Sweetland’s division is for girls ages 7 through 19, and contestants will compete in modeling routines, including casual and formal wear, as well as display their personality and interviewing skills. If the local teen wins, she will continue to the national competition, to be held in Orlando.

Sponsorships are being sought this week for Tanesha, and any individuals, businesses or organizations that would like to help can contact the pageant coordinator at (877) 403-6678.