Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XIII, Issue I - Spring 2019 | Page 13

PHSC GRADS
STUDENT
PROFILE
CELEBRATE SUCCESS
P
HSC’s winter commencement held in December, was the
culmination of dedication, perseverance and hard work
for the college’s newest graduates. Approximately 348
degrees and certificates were conferred at two ceremonies, with
an estimated 1,164 summer and fall 2018 graduates eligible to
participate. This graduating class included many ambitious and
accomplished students, and some who encountered adversity in
pursuit of a higher education. Here are a few of PHSC’s
amazing graduates.
Felix Jimenez, 29, of Wesley Chapel, earned an AS in network
systems technology. “Seven years ago, I never imagined I would
be living in the U.S. and graduating with my AS degree,” said
Jimenez, who emigrated to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic
in May 2012. Adjusting to English, his second language, Jimenez
balanced his studies, a full-time work schedule and family time with
his wife and two young children. “After my children would go to
sleep, I would study. When I was not working, I would be studying.
However, one day a week, I did not study. One day a week, I
focused on being a father and a husband without distractions,”
said Jimenez, who believes with sacrifice comes great reward.
Jimenez also is an active member of his church and its outreach
leadership team. He plans to work in the IT field, earning Cisco
certifications to become a network engineer.
Hailey Skoglund and sister, Rahne Skoglund at
winter commencement.
Hailey Skoglund, 17, of Spring Hill, earned her AA degree. As
a top dual enrollment student at Nature Coast Technical High
School, she is a member of the student government, debate and
swim teams, and founded math and music clubs. Skoglund was
an active member of PHSC’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and Psi Beta
honor societies. She attended PHSC with her sister and best
friend, Rahne. “Rahne served as my sighted guide and my eyes,”
said Skoglund, who is blind. The sisters worked side-by-side to
complete AA degrees and walked across the stage together at
commencement to receive their degrees.
Skoglund is a first violinist in the New Port Richey Symphony
Orchestra, the official violinist for the Republican Party of Florida
and performs at weddings, fundraisers, and more. She volunteers
at Oak Hill Hospital, providing musical therapy for critically ill
patients and performs at the VFW for Marine Corps veterans.
Skoglund, a presidential award recipient in Geometry and Algebra,
plans to study business analytics at Florida Polytechnic University.
“I learned that I do not need to be naturally ‘good at math’ to find
success…that with a little grit, hard work, and a positive outlook,
anything is possible, even a blind girl doing calculus!”
said Skoglund.
PHSC graduates Felix Jimenez and Christine Roe.
Christine Roe, 35, of Weeki Wachee, earned her AS in nursing.
She was active in Psi Beta, PTK, Student Veterans Association
and Nightingale Nurse Club. She was the Florida Nursing Students
Association 2017-2018 Region 4 Director and Legislative Chair, and
is the 2018-19 student liaison for Florida Nurses Political Action
Committee, among being a member of numerous other nursing
associations. Roe is a US Navy Veteran: Quartermaster Second
Class, having received Navy and Marine Corps Commendation
Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. She
participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent
Resolve campaigns, earning commendations. She volunteered with
Veterans Stand Down in San Diego. “I wanted to give back in a
meaningful way and to be a part of something bigger than myself,”
said Roe, whose naval experience has helped her excel as a peer
mentor and in her work as a nursing tutor at the College. Roe
hopes to attend PHSC’s BSN program.
To read more graduate stories, visit: phsc.edu/about-phsc/news
SPRING 2019
13