Class Notes 10.01.15

Ocoee Middle

Ocoee Middle is recognizing its pupils with Student of the Month designation. They are chosen by their teachers in recognition of their hard work and dedication to their schoolwork. Recent winners include Jared Phillips, Kenneth Washington, Jacqueline Tran, Kamryn Stevens, Angelica Ramirez, Kristin Brazzell, Erin Hargrave, Morgan Woods and Ryan Spurgeon.

Valencia adds new bachelor’s degree

Valencia College plans to ask state officials for permission to create a bachelor’s degree program in sign-language interpretation.

If Valencia receives approval from the state and its accrediting agency, the college plans to begin offering the program in January 2017.

The college currently offers an associate’s degree in sign-language interpretation — with 204 students enrolled as sign-language interpretation majors and 500 taking sign-language classes. Because there is no bachelor’s degree program available in the Orlando area, students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in sign-language interpretation must transfer to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville or the University of South Florida in Tampa.

There is strong job demand for sign-language interpreters in the Orlando area. Florida has the nation’s third largest population of people with hearing difficulties at 210,779 — roughly 1.8% of Florida’s population, according to the 2014 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium.

In 2012, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf began requiring a bachelor’s degree for students who want to take the National Interpreter Certification assessment. And, starting in July 2016, students must have a bachelor’s degree before they can become certified deaf interpreters.

Peck graduates from basic training

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Savannah R. Peck graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The intensive, eight-week program included training in military discipline and studies, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Peck earned distinction as an honor graduate.

She is the daughter of Brandi and Bryan Peck, of Windermere; and granddaughter of Tom and Rena Herndon, of St. Augustine, and Georgina and Larry Kassenbaum, of Gainesville. She is also the niece of Sherry Diedrich and Ginger Laurie, of Jacksonville.

Peck graduated in 2009 from West Orange High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in 2013 from the University of Central Florida.

College kudos

Nicole Alers, of Windermere, earned a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Valdosta State University.

Alers is one of 522 students who completed the requirements of their respective academic programs during the summer semester at Valdosta State.