Valencia’s submission features a cutout map of the United States of America adorned by the stars and stripes of the American flag. The students welded symbols of America representing its diverse regions onto the cutout.

“The Stars, Striped, & Steel: An America Mosaic” finished product presents: a space shuttle over Florida, representing boundless ambition; the Empire State Building over New York symbolizing vision and endurance; a motorcycle in California promoting ingenuity and performance; a barbecue grill in Texas reflecting celebration, joy and unity;  and an American eagle in the Pacific Northwest, soaring as a beacon of freedom.

The piece is complete with an intentionally weathered American flag,  reminding us that unity and perseverance are our nation’s greatest strengths.

“I think it came out great,” said welding technology student James Wainwright. “We tried to capture what we think America is, from the East Coast to the West Coast, from the South to the North. It was fun.”

“Giving this opportunity to the welding students demonstrates what we do,” said Brendon Monize, assistant director of Advanced Manufacturing at Valencia College. “We think of welding as just a trade,but really it’s the fabric and foundation of what we do as Americans.”

Welding instructors Juan Ayala and Eddie Pollock and carpentry instructor Mike Hill guided the students through the project’s completion.

After the competition, the piece will find a permanent home on Valencia’s campus.

Welding programs throughout the state have been invited to submit one entry — metal artwork, plaque or sculpture — inspired by the anniversary theme. Florida’s Commissioner of Education Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas will select the winning entries.

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Sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the Coca-Cola Academic Team represents some of the highest-achieving community college students in the nation.

“Winning this scholarship is further proof that when you put in the hard work and the effort, people will recognize and value that,” Parra said.

After graduating from Valencia in May with two associate degrees through the Seneff Honors College, Parra will transfer to the University of Central Florida to study computer engineering. He plans to use his scholarship to move closer to UCF, so he can be as involved in campus life there as he was at Valencia.

His educational journey at Valencia included working as a recreational monitor at the campus fitness center, where he developed an app to help students with personalized exercise plans built around the fitness center’s equipment. He also co-founded an Osceola Campus Sports Club, which has grown to more than 80 active members.

“Valencia has genuinely been a second home to me, and I don’t say that lightly,” Parra said. “I came in without really knowing how any of this worked, and this place met me where I was and gave me room to grow into something I’m proud of.”

Coca-Cola Academic Team scholars will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies. They were also recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention in Baltimore in March.

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org

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Valencia College’s Brain Bowl squads recently returned from Chicago, where they joined 22 other teams playing in the National Academic Quiz tournaments (NAQT) Community College Championship.

Valencia’s Brain Bowl players are divided in two teams: the Red team and the Black team – and both teams finished in the top 10!

This year, the Red team finished in third place, with a 9-2 record, earning a trip to the NAQT Intercollegiate Tournament on April 9-12, where they’ll play against four-year colleges and universities from around the country.

The Black team finished 8-3 overall, winning the middle bracket and taking 9^th place overall out of the 24 teams which qualified for the CCCT.

Valencia’s Clete Reinberger was the top overall scorer (out of 104 students total) at the tournament. He was joined on the Red team by Isabella Da Costa, Heloisa Carneiro, and Kai Devane.

The Black team members are Greg Suarez (#23 overall scorer), Jason Neff,  Keira Mackinnon, Samantha Norman, and Reyna Martinez.

Bonus question: Did you know that …Valencia College’s Brain Bowl team has a storied history in college quiz bowl competition? Over the years, Valencia’s team has won 8 state titles and 9 national community college titles. And they’ve finished in the top 3 17 times in the 26 years that NAQT has crowned a community college champion.

 “This year, what was exciting was seeing that we were as good as any team there,” said Clete, captain of the Red team.

And while Valencia didn’t win the top prize, captured by their longtime in-state rival, Chipola College, the Valencia squad’s games against first-place Chipola and second-place Murray State were so close that both games were decided by the final question.

Last year, Valencia’s Red team also won third place in the community college championships, but this year, the teams came out hot, right from the beginning of the tournament, said Brain Bowl coach Chris Borglum.

“By the time we finished the first day, I started to change my expectations,” he said. “I talked to Clete that day and he agreed. I went into the tournament thinking that it would be challenging for us, because Chipola and Murray State – which finished 1 and 2 last year —  were back at full strength, returning all their players,  I was very much hoping for 3^rd place,  which is a podium spot, just like the Olympics.”

Yet this year’s Valencia Red team put together some terrific performances during the tournament and came very close to a second-place finish. Clete said the team’s members this year gelled, in part because of the addition of Kai Devane, an honors student and president of the Valencia College history club.

“He completed our team,” said Clete. “We didn’t have any gaps. He’s a history buff and that’s an area where we needed help. I’m a generalist, but history isn’t my strength.”

Kai, 24, joined the Brain Bowl team at the suggestion of his honors adviser, Kera Coyer. “History has been my sole obsession since I was eight, when I saw ‘Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ “ he says. In the long run, Kai wants to become a college history professor, but for now, he’d like to get his name in Valencia College Brain Bowl history.

“I’d love to have my name etched in that history,” Kai says. “Everyone wants to deliver a Super Bowl to their city. And we want to bring a championship back to Valencia.”

In Chicago, Kai quickly recognized that the Valencia Red team was performing above expectations.  Against champion Chipola, he says, “That was probably the best game of Quiz Bowl I’ve played in my life. We’ve never come close to beating them and it came down to the last question.”

Players on the Black squad also brought their A games to the Chicago tournament. Samantha Norman, a dual enrollment student from Wekiva High School who plays on the Black squad, said the team felt competitive at the outset.

Samantha, who plans to study entomology, is the team’s art history specialist. (Entomology doesn’t come up much in Quiz Bowl questions, so she opted to learn more about art history.)

Yet the highlight of the tournament might have been the trip itself. In Chicago, Samantha spent some of her free time visiting the Art Institute of Chicago, where she was thrilled to see “Nighthawks,” the famous Edward Hopper painting, in person. And she spent much of her time hanging out with her Brain Bowl friends.

“Playing is a lot of fun, especially spending time with the team because they’re all really great people,” she says.

And for any students interested in joining the team, she suggests joining a few practice sessions. And don’t let the fast pace and tough topics intimidate you, she says. “At my first practice, I didn’t really know anything,” she says. “But I really felt like it could do it. I knew I could get better if I just kept practicing.”

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Recognized by Florida Trend Magazine as the 2025 Floridian of the Year, Osceola Prosper provides graduating Osceola County public, private, homeschool and charter school seniors with the opportunity to pursue higher education or technical training at no cost, helping remove financial barriers to college and career advancement. Students can choose to attend Valencia College or Osceola Technical College, gaining an associate’s degree, a certificate, or participating in a trade program to gain the skills needed to enter high-demand fields and build meaningful careers.

“The fifth year of Osceola Prosper reflects a sustained commitment to expanding access to education, workforce training, and unlocking opportunity across our community,” said District 3 Commissioner Brandon Arrington, chairman of the Osceola Board of County Commissioners. “With more than $80 million in economic impact, this program demonstrates how strategic investment in our students can create lasting, measurable outcomes, strengthening the long-term economic resilience of our county.”

To mark the announcement, Osceola County Commissioners, leaders from the School District of Osceola, and Valencia College representatives visited Osceola, Celebration, and Gateway High Schools, where they shared the news directly with excited students, educators, and staff. The coordinated announcements highlight the strong partnership between the County, School District, and higher education partners in preparing students for success beyond high school.

“Thank you, Osceola County commissioners, for funding a fifth year of Osceola Prosper,” said Valencia College President  Kathleen Plinske. “This scholarship program not only creates life-changing opportunities for students, it is a critical investment in the future workforce and in economic development for the county.”

Since its inception, more than 10,550 students have taken advantage of the program, with more than 1,400 students graduating from Valencia College and nearly 1,800 individuals completing trades programs or earning certificates through Osceola Technical College. These outcomes reflect the program’s success in creating real opportunities for students while strengthening the county’s workforce pipeline.

“The renewal of Osceola Prosper represents a bold and meaningful investment by the Osceola County Commissioners in the future of our students,” said Osceola School District Superintendent Mark Shanoff. “This program opens doors to higher education and creates truly life-changing opportunities—not just for students, but for their families as well. By removing financial barriers, Osceola Prosper helps our graduates focus on their goals and build a brighter future for themselves and our community.”

Osceola Prosper Fast Facts

• Nearly $40M investment by the Osceola Board of County Commissioners, diversifying our economy and providing opportunity in our own backyard
• $85.4M in added income to the Osceola County economy
• $17.4M in benefits from added tax revenue and public savings
• 10,550+ Osceola Prosper enrollees
• More than 1,400 associate’s degrees awarded
• Nearly 1,800 certificates or trades programs completed

In 2010, Osceola’s college-going rate was 61 out of 67 counties in the state of Florida. In 2023, due in large part to the investments made by the School District of Osceola as well as the Osceola Board of County Commissioners’ Osceola Prosper program, the college-going rate increased to third out of 67 counties, a clear mark of success for Osceola’s graduating seniors.

Through continued collaboration with Osceola County Schools, Valencia College, Osceola Technical College, and community partners, Osceola Prosper remains a cornerstone initiative in advancing economic mobility and building a skilled workforce for the future.

For more information about Osceola Prosper or to learn about an upcoming Prosper Night, visit osceolaprosper.com

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The play opens on Feb. 13 and will run for seven performances in Valencia College’s Black Box Theater.

“Radium Girls” is D.W. Gregory’s moving drama based on the true story of female factory workers who were poisoned and killed by their factory’s radium-based paint. Though “Radium Girls” is set in a period from 1918 through the 1940s, the bulk of the narrative is centered on events in New Jersey in the mid-1920s.

In the 1920s, radium was hailed as a miracle cure, scientist Marie Curie was an international icon, and luminous watches were all the rage—until the young women who painted them began to fall mysteriously ill.

Inspired by true events, “Radium Girls” follows dial painter Grace Fryer as she bravely takes on the U.S. Radium Corporation in a battle for justice. Her opponent: Arthur Roeder, her former employer—an idealist struggling to reconcile the promise of science with the devastating human cost. As Grace’s fight gains momentum, she finds herself at odds not only with the company but also with her family and friends, who fear the consequences of her pursuit.

Written with both warmth and biting humor, “Radium Girls” is a fast-paced, highly theatrical ensemble piece. Hailed by critics as “powerful” and “engrossing,” the play offers a sharp, unflinching look at America’s obsessions with health, wealth and the commercialization of science.

Produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Ill. Originally produced by Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey and developed with a commissioning grant from the Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Science and Technology Project.

** Recommended for ages 13 and up. “Radium Girls” contains mature themes, including illness, death, and corporate negligence, but is appropriate for teen and adult audiences.

Valencia’s Black Box Theater is located in Building 3 on Valencia’s East Campus, 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando. Tickets are $10 for Valencia students, staff, military and senior citizens and $15 for the public. A $2 ticket fee applies to all tickets. Tickets may be purchased online at https://ticketpeak.co/valenciacollege/events or by calling the box office at 407-582-2900.

***

What: “Radium Girls”

Who: Valencia College Black Box Theater

When: Feb. 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Matinee on Feb. 15 at 2 p.m.

Tickets: $15 for the general public; $10 for Valencia students, staff and senior citizens

https://ticketpeak.co/valenciacollege/eventsValencia

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Volunteer tax preparers will be preparing and filing tax returns at Valencia College’s East Campus. The tax sessions will be held in Building 7, room 113. The free services will be offered on a walk-in basis on the following Saturdays: Feb. 7, Feb. 21, March 7, March 28, April 4 and April 11 from 8 a.m. to noon, except for Feb. 7 when services will be provided from 9 a.m. to noon.

This is the 23rd straight year that Valencia College’s East Campus has provided free tax help to the community. The East Campus is located at 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando.

New this year for Osceola Campus tax prep sessions only: Valencia College’s Osceola Campus in Kissimmee will provide income tax assistance on Feb. 14, Feb. 21 and March 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but for the first time, interested residents must make an appointment in advance. The tax-prep sessions will be held in Building 3, room 100 at the Osceola Campus, which is located at 1800 Denn John Lane in Kissimmee.

To schedule a tax-preparation appointment at the Osceola Campus, please visit: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/2be82a85/appointment/73427313/calendar/13458386?calendarIds=13458386

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is run by volunteers who are trained in the basics of federal income tax laws. The IRS partners with the Heart of Florida United Way to provide VITA sites throughout Central Florida. To find other VITA sites near you, check this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y0oCLl3knfFT__2O4Cl3KnxM-YCqbqcYsU9JCABYbIE/edit?tab=t.0

This service is open to the public, and preference will be given to senior citizens, the disabled and low-income individuals. Those interested in getting tax help are asked to bring the following:

–           All W-2, W-2G and Social Security SA-1099 documents

–           1099s, 1099R, interest and dividend statements

–           Documentation to show other income

–           A payroll pay stub at the end of the year showing overtime income

–           Total day-care costs and day-care provider’s tax ID number

–           Copy of last year’s return, if available

–           Social Security cards for you, your dependents and/or spouse

–           Driver’s license or other government-issued ID for you and your spouse

–           Proof of bank account for direct deposit of refund (a voided check, for example.) The IRS has eliminated paper refund checks.

Clients who have questions or need assistance scheduling an appointment can call 407-429-2225, but please allow two business days for responses to messages.

**NOTE: VITA volunteers can only do tax returns that are in the scope of IRS rules. If you have any questions about what is covered by the IRS rules, please contact Valencia College accounting professor Cecil Battiste at cbattiste@valenciacollege.edu.

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The need-based grant will cover a portion of tuition and fees for students enrolled in Valencia’s Medical Office Specialist program or the Clinical Medical Assistant plus EKG program. Offered through the college’s Accelerated Skills Training division, these 8-week programs allow students to earn multiple national certifications, preparing them for careers in the medical field. Graduates may also qualify for college credit toward an associate degree in medical administration.

“This investment is essential for helping individuals who are currently stuck in low-wage jobs,” said Carolyn McMorran, assistant vice president of Professional and Continuing Education. “Not only do these programs lift them up by providing stable careers with living wages, but they also improve the lives of their families and the community. We are grateful for the support from our partners at Sunshine Health and the Centene Foundation.”

“Sunshine Health is proud to partner with Valencia College,” said Charlene Zein, CEO of Sunshine Health. “By supporting these programs, we’re creating pathways to sustainable careers and strengthening Florida’s healthcare workforce. This effort is part of our Sunshine Health Works program, which provides training and career opportunities to our members and the community through partnerships with local colleges, healthcare providers, and community-based organizations.”

Healthcare-related occupations will account for most of the 20 fastest-growing occupations through 2029, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Clinical Medical Assistants check patients’ basic vital signs, administer vaccines, manage prescriptions, assist with a variety of medical procedures, and document patients’ medical information. EKG Technicians specialize in electrocardiogram testing, which evaluates heart performance using electrodes attached to the chest, arms, and legs.

The Medical Office Specialist program blends administrative medical assistant career training with certifications in electronic health records, insurance, billing, and coding.

For more information about Valencia College’s Accelerated Skills Training programs, visit Valenciacollege.edu/ast.

For more information about Sunshine Health Works, visit SunshineHealth.com/works.

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But Cordero figured that the FAFSA didn’t apply to him – and besides, he’d heard it was a hassle to fill out.

“In my head, I debated filling it out because I had heard that FAFSA isn’t guaranteed: A lot of people don’t get anything,” recalls Cordero. “I thought, ‘Do I really want to take time to fill out this form and I may not get anything?’

As a 2024 graduate of Gateway High School in Osceola County, Cordero was eligible for an Osceola Prosper scholarship. That eased his mind a lot, because he’d always assumed he’d have to use student loans to pay for college.

But the Prosper scholarship had one requirement: You have to fill out the FAFSA. (The Prosper scholarship is what is called a “last-mile scholarship,” meaning that the Prosper scholarship will pay whatever remaining tuition isn’t covered by Pell grants and other federal aid.)

So Cordero and his family filled it out — and to his surprise, he had a low Student Aid Index number – which meant that was eligible for a full Pell grant. In 2024-2025, students eligible for a full Pell grant received $7,395.

That, says Cordero, was an unexpected blessing.

“Not only is my full degree covered, I get a little extra when the funds come in each semester, ” he said.

Time to be a leader

Without worrying about finances, Cordero – who wants to become a middle- or high-school algebra teacher — can focus more on classes and his part-time job as a student leader at Valencia’s Osceola Campus.

“I love working here. It’s such a great job, not only planning the events and the relationships you form with people here, not just student leaders but other people on campus,” he said.

And, for someone who wants to become a teacher, working as a student leader provides a lot of insights into the teaching field.

“In my intro to education class, that’s one of the questions that we’ve thought about, because a big thing in in education, is you want to impact the lives of the students that you’re teaching, both in and out of the classroom,” Cordero said. “As a student leader, you get to do some of that. With the events we plan, we’re giving students the opportunity to do stuff that they may not be able to do on their own time, because of funds or because they don’t have the time.

“For instance, we sometimes have rock-climbing walls on campus. That’s something many students would never do. But you see not only students that come back, you see that students do appreciate the things you do for them.

“When we’re planning the events, you get to think a lot about students’ wants and needs and how you can incorporate that into an event,” he said. “It’s definitely one of the biggest things we try to do at Student Development — open doors for students who don’t have time on their own time.”

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The scholarship, called Lift Scholars, is modeled after Osceola County’s successful Osceola Prosper initiative, and aims to increase college enrollment among Jones High School students by eliminating the barrier of cost.

“For more than a decade, Lift Orlando has worked to build cradle-to-career pathways that help young people thrive,” said Eddy Moratin, president and CEO of Lift Orlando. “As we expand our investment in education in the years ahead, cost should never stand in the way of a student’s future. Guided by the belief that to whom much is given, much is required, generous donors have entrusted Lift Orlando to steward this investment in a way that removes barriers, expands opportunity, and sends a clear message to Jones High students: your dreams matter, and this community is behind you.”

Starting with the class of 2025-2026 and continuing through 2028-2029, every Jones High graduate will be eligible for the scholarship, which guarantees no out-of-pocket costs for tuition and fees. Students can use the scholarship to pursue an associate degree or enroll in short-term, hands-on technical training programs in fields such as advanced manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and transportation logistics.

“I am grateful to Lift Orlando for partnering with us to bring the promise of college within reach to Jones High School students,” said Valencia College President Kathleen Plinske. “Based on the outstanding results we’ve seen from the Osceola Prosper scholarship in Osceola County, we know that the lives of hundreds of Jones students and their families will be transformed by today’s news.”

Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez said, “This scholarship truly is an extraordinary gift for our Jones High School students and families. By removing the financial burden of tuition and fees, it opens doors that many students may have thought was out of reach. This support not only eases the stress that often accompanies planning for college, but it also empowers our graduates to pursue their goals with confidence. We are deeply grateful to Valencia College and Lift Orlando for their unwavering commitment to our students and their futures.”

To qualify, students must apply to Valencia College and register for at least one course or an Accelerated Skills Training program by the spring term following their high school graduation. They also must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using school code 006750.

More details, including upcoming information sessions, are available at valenciacollege.edu/lift.

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