PBSC supports K-12 students in need while hosting Open House

For the fifth time, Palm Beach State College’s Belle Glade campus served as a partner in an annual Back to School PBC! event designed to help Palm Beach County K-12 students in need prepare for the new school year.

The event, which was sponsored by the Palm Beach County Office of Community Revitalization, was held July 26 at four different locations across the county where students received backpacks, school supplies and books, as well as dental kits and other personal hygiene items.

The Belle Glade event was held at the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and featured 23 community vendors. Over 1,300 backpacks were distributed, along with essential supplies including shoes, socks, toys, books, hygiene kits, and food. The event was primarily a drive-up event, but participants also arrived by bus and on foot.

PBSC also gave out two $303 scholarships and guests also had the chance to win exciting prizes such as bikes, iPads, printers, and laptops, while enjoying lively music from a local DJ.

In conjunction with the Back to School event, the campus hosted an Open House in its Technical Education Center, giving attendees a firsthand look at the College’s robust academic and career programs. Students also received support with financial aid, applications, nursing, and dual enrollment through dedicated information sessions and computer access.

The first floor of the TEC featured tabling offering information on the Center for Student Accessibility, Career Services, Corporate & Continuing Education, Library, Student Learning Center, Advising, TRIO Student Support Services, Honors College, Career Certificate Programs, Bachelor's programming, and recruitment. The cosmetology lab also offered information sessions led by Program Director Drew Barrett.

Dignitaries in attendance at the events included:

• Meg Weinberger, Florida House of Representatives, District 94
• Sara Baxter, County Commissioner-Vice Mayor, District 6
• Marcia Andrews, School Board Vice Chair, District 6
• Joaquin Almazan, Vice Mayor of Belle Glade
• Barbara King, South Bay Commissioner
• Sylvia Sharps, Village of Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman

"Campus teams ensured a well-organized and welcoming environment, thanks to exceptional efforts from facilities and security," said Assistant Dean of Student Services Brian Stinson, who helped organize the event as part of the planning committee. "Gratitude is extended to all the planners and participants whose names are listed below for their enthusiastic collaboration. Your dedication helped create a vibrant, successful event that truly made an impact on our Glades community." 

Also spearheading the event and providing support were Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management Dr. Peter Barbatis and Executive Dean Kim Lancaster.

Planning committee members and volunteers were: Dr. Delsa Bush, Linda Williams, Jane Fisher, John Ebel, Mary-Margaret, Kristi Sorrow, Andraes Alexander, Danielle Goodman, Renee Haripal, Jessica Bender, Wendy Edwards, Sgt. Pace, Sgt. Thomas, Derrel Redish, Andrew Barrett, Evelyn Thomas, Melvia McDiarmid, Jose Murillo, David Jenks, Jose Ortiz, Jessica Echeverria, Barbie Edgar, Michelle Armand, Gabriela Blanco, Michael Bair, Deborah Goldman, Dr. Serghini, Anthony Wint, Kristopher Kerckhove, David Woodham, Julie Schettenhelm, Norma Castillo O’Hep, Adielys Brito, Vayola Delva, Djenane Avrilien, Guillermo Anderson, John Tran, Mikel Kline, Jamir Malone, Abigail Vital, and Jonathan Burton.

To view more event photos, visit the Back to School PBC Flickr album.