College of Central Florida Musical Theatre Department will host a virtual spring production of “Now. Here. This.” Friday-Sunday, May 7-9, at 7:30 p.m. online.

The show, under direction of Dr. Jason Longtin, follows the evolution and adventures of a group of friends as they journey through time, from the present to the past and back again. They share their stories about friendship, love, hiding, laughing, living, dying and middle school in an attempt to step directly into that elusive “present moment” Now. Here. This.

The play is being presented for free. Tickets can be ordered at CF.edu/Now. For more information contact Jason Longtin at longtinj@cf.edu.

College of Central Florida students competed for the first time in three years at the Phi Rho Pi national speech and debate competition April 5-11 earning seven awards.

The Phi Rho Pi competition for community college students featured 44 schools from 10 states (three schools from Florida) and 262 students. The competition features public speaking and interpretation individual events, along with three forms of debate. CF had six students compete in 13 events.

Eileen Hernandez earned three individual awards: a Bronze in Poetry and two Golds in Communication Analysis and Persuasive speaking. This is the first time CF has earned any individual event awards. Additionally, Hernandez earned fourth place for the Bovero-Taber individual sweeps award, meaning she finished in fourth place among 262 other competitors. The CF team took home a Silver award (or third place) in the Hindman Division. This division includes the most teams with 33 schools entered. Finally, Hernandez was awarded the Warren-Dahlin Fellowship Award for Region 8. Dr. Matthew Maddex was also awarded the Collie-Taylor Fellowship Award in Region 8 for being one of the best coaches in Phi Rho Pi forensics.

“I could not be prouder of how this team competed at the Phi Rho Pi competition. In-spite of all of struggles we have faced, our team came together and finished with a Silver award being the third best team in the country,” said Maddex, associate professor of Speech and director of Forensics. “I am in awe of what they have accomplished. We are so excited about our results this year and cannot wait to go in person to Phi Rho Pi next year and build upon what we have done.”

Hernandez has one more competition next week, the Interstate Oral competition, the oldest public speaking competition in the U.S. She will be one of two representatives for the state of Florida.

In intercollegiate forensics, which includes speech and debate, students compete in team and individual events in a variety of areas including interpretation of literature (prose, poetry), public address (informative and persuasive), limited prep events and several platform speeches. The forensics association enables students to not only improve their speaking skills but also develop a stronger understanding of the communication field as a whole.

The College of Central Florida has been approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Division of Plant Industry to produce industrial hemp at its Vintage Farm Campus in Ocala. It is the first license of its kind approved for a state college in Florida.

The cultivating of hemp will be utilized as an educational tool by the college’s Agribusiness program to complement its existing fruit and vegetable production, greenhouse and nursery production, as well as livestock production facilities. Hemp production will focus seed germination, soil, water, nutrient and light requirements, proper pruning techniques, pest management, harvesting and curing of the crop.

Industrial hemp is a variety of Cannabis sativa and has many uses, including food and feed intended for animal consumption, paper fiber, clothing, and many industrial applications. It contains very low trace amounts of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in the plant, and varying amounts of Cannabinoid compounds, most notably CBD and CBG, which may have therapeutic properties, according to federal regulations.

“Due to statewide and local interest in the burgeoning hemp industry in Florida, and the uniqueness of the college’s Vintage Farm Campus facilities and areas of study, it was a natural fit to add to the curriculum of the Agribusiness program at CF,” said Tavis Douglass, Agribusiness program manager. “Because hemp is a relatively unknown crop in our climate, not much is known of how it will perform. Therefore, we will be testing and growing plants under various growing conditions. Additionally, our program will focus on hemp products that may have use in agricultural sectors such as our local livestock and equine industries.”

The curriculum will be designed not just on cultural practices, but also navigating compliance, and marketing raw hemp harvested materials.

CF offers an Associate in Science degree in Agribusiness Management, Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Organizational Management Agribusiness Specialization — both unique to the Florida State College System — as well as Certificate programs in Nursery and Landscape, and Livestock Production Management. There will be a short-term noncredit course or lecture for the community as an introduction of industrial hemp in fall 2021 or spring 2022, though no specific details are in place yet.

For more information about these programs, contact Program Manager Tavis Douglass at douglast@cf.edu, 352-854-2322, ext. 1737; or Dean of Business, Technology, and Career and Technical Education Dr. Rob Wolf at wolfr@cf.edu, ext. 1281.

The College of Central Florida will host its spring 2021 commencement Friday, May 7, with two virtual ceremonies to honor graduates. A livestream of the Certificate, Associate in Science and bachelor’s degrees will begin at 3 p.m. and a livestream of the Associate in Arts commencement will begin will begin at 5 p.m. Both virtual commencement messages will be featured on YouTube (@CollegeofCentralFL). Links can be found at www.CF.edu/graduation.

Prior to the ceremony, graduates will have an opportunity to upload a photo, video and personal message to create a custom slide that will be combined to become part of the full ceremony. They can then view with friends and family to hear their name announced and see their custom message. Individual clips will also be shareable on social media.

“We have been determined to keep our students and their families safe during the pandemic, and at the same time ensure we still celebrate their success,” said Dr. Saul Reyes, vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. “We are excited to bring students together virtually, to honor their hard work and share their stories with as many people as possible.”

The video will feature remarks from CF’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, Ire Bethea Sr., who is a lifelong resident of Ocala and a graduate of Ocala High School, Central Florida Community College and St. Leo University. Bethea represents District 2 on the Ocala City Council and served the City of Ocala and the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County for a combined 30 years before retiring. Bethea has volunteered with multiple organizations and committees throughout his career and retirement, and many of his volunteer efforts focus on helping Marion County’s youth.

CF will post a PDF of the commemorative graduation program online and a printed copy of the program will be mailed to each graduate in the weeks following the ceremony.

For more information about CF graduation or to access the videos visit www.CF.edu/graduation.

College of Central Florida student Daniel Goodman was recently named as a Guistwhite Scholar. Winners were selected from among 4,400 applicants nationwide, and their selection was based on academic excellence, leadership accomplishments, and engagement in Phi Theta Kappa programs.  Goodman was one of 15 members selected and will receive a $5,000 scholarship for baccalaureate studies.

This is the second-highest scholarship offered by PTK and is named in honor of the late Margaret and Dr. Jack Guistwhite, who established the first transfer scholarship designated exclusively for PTK members to Florida Atlantic University in 1975.

“Daniel is one of the great students and has embraced everything that CF had to offer and excelled even with a shift to address the pandemic’s impact at the college,” said Dr. Allan Danuff, CF associate vice president of Arts and Sciences. “He’s a true CF Patriot and Phi Theta Kappa officer.”

Goodman plans on attending the University of Central Florida as part of the DirectConnect to UCF program and study pre-medicine.

Earlier this month, Goodman was named a 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and received a $1,500 scholarship.

College of Central Florida will host a performance of Igor Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale” on Saturday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the Charles R. Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala.

Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale” was written in 1918, in the midst of the Spanish Flu pandemic. The piece was specifically written for a smaller ensemble – requiring fewer musicians and allowing for travel during a time of pandemic. “The Soldier’s Tale” is a theatrical work written for not only musicians, but also for accompanying narrators and dancers (Stravinsky was most known for his ballets). This production will feature seven musicians, one narrator and one dancer under the artistic direction of Trey Moore, instructor of Trumpet.

The work tells the story of a soldier who sells his music box (a representation of his soul) to the devil in exchange for economic prosperity. Eventually the solider falls in love and realizes he wants his soul returned, and proceeds to trick the devil to get it back. He is successful in his attempt but with one remaining stipulation: the soldier must never return to his hometown. Eventually, the soldier’s love insists that they go together to take the soldier’s ailing mother from the town. The soldier agrees, but upon entering the town’s boundaries, is pulled to his death by the devil.

The performance is being presented for free by CF and is available to the public. Tickets can be reserved at www.CF.edu/VPATickets. In adherence to COVID-19 protocols, seating is extremely limited. Reserve your seats early to help guarantee a spot in the theater.  To keep the audience, staff and musicians safe, seating in the theater will be physically distanced and masks will be required for the audience through the entire duration of the performance. String musicians will wear masks, and wind instruments will have covers over parts of their instruments to limit air spread.

The College of Central Florida will distribute $2.5 million from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to current students whose lives have been disrupted.

Approximately 3,400 CF students will receive the funds to be used for course materials, technology, food, housing, health care and child care.

“It is important that students prepare themselves for a career that will provide for them when times are good and when they are more challenging,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “We are pleased to distribute these funds so that students can continue on their educational pathway.”

While colleges have discretion over how to award the aid, they must prioritize students with the greatest need. Therefore, CF will prioritize aid to Pell eligible and other federal Title IV eligible students. Emergency aid is in addition to other Title IV aid awarded to students.

The College of Central Florida is offering courses in person, online and in a hybrid format to meet student needs. Student services such as admissions, advising and tutoring are also being offered in a variety of formats.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, presents two exhibits of work by Marion County Public School students, both on view through April 25.

“Young in Art” features work from Marion County Public School K-12 students. Hosted annually by the Appleton since the early 1990s, the show highlights the artistic achievement of Marion County students at every grade level and highlights the importance of arts education. Every public school in Marion County is invited to participate. This year, 42 schools submitted artwork with a total of 234 pieces of art. The work is on view in the museum’s education wing until April 25. In addition, each school participating in “Young in Art” will be highlighted on the Appleton Facebook page and Twitter account. Each day a different school will be featured, along with photos of the work submitted by the school’s students.

On display in the museum café, also through April 25, is the “Superintendent’s Art Show.” Hosted at the Appleton since 2018, this youth art exhibit features one work of art selected from each school and highlights artistic excellence across the county.

“I believe in the arts and how they can impact a child’s life,” said Dr. Diane Gullett, Superintendent of Marion County Public Schools. “Showcasing student art at school provides much-deserved recognition, but elevating student artwork to the Appleton Museum of Art and its culturally rich environment takes things to a significantly higher level.”

After leaving the Appleton, the “Superintendent’s Art Show” will be on view throughout the summer in the Marion County Public School district offices and school board building.

In lieu of in-person receptions this year, students with work on display in “Young in Art” and the “Superintendent’s Art Show” are invited to visit the Appleton for free with up to four family members while the shows remain on view. Students must present a valid student ID or the letter of participation from MCPS.

The College of Central Florida is offering a Racing to Manufacturing summer camp for students ages 12-15, June 14-17, 2021 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

During the four-day camp, students will experience modern manufacturing, learn the basics of computer-aided design and 3D printing. Campers will gain hands-on experience in designing and building products, learn about FANUC industrial robots, tour local manufacturing facilities, and interact with manufacturing business leaders and entrepreneurs.

The $99 fee includes all camp materials, a student-version 365-day license of SolidWorks CAD design software, T-shirt, and field trips. Scholarship opportunities are available. Space is limited to 15 participants and CDC guidelines will be implemented. For more information and to register, visit CF.edu/CorporateCollege, or call 352-854-2322, ext. 1214.

This event is sponsored by Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs, the Foundation of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association and Mid-Florida Regional Manufacturers Association.

The College of Central Florida continues the International Film Series with “The Night of the Living Dead” on Tuesday, April 27, at 8 p.m. Online discussion on Wednesday, April 28, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. will be hosted by Sezin Koehler. Screenings will take place at the Ocala Drive-In theater, 4850 S. Pine Ave., Ocala, for free. Each film can also be screened from the safety of one’s own home at a time of convenience via free internet streaming services.

This film showcases Barbra and her brother Johnny being attacked by a strange, lurching man while visiting their uncle’s grave. Johnny is killed but Barbra manages to escape to a nearby farmhouse as more of these murderous flesh-eating people come out of the woods. Barbra is quickly met by Ben, a Black man who quickly takes charge of the situation and everyone’s safety as best he can all the while they continue to be violently set upon by hordes of the undead. With an unforgettable and heartbreaking conclusion, George Romero’s seminal 1968 horror film “The Night of the Living Dead” isn’t only a terrifying story of its own right, its social commentary on race in America has continued to remain relevant in the decades since. This film has a total run time 96 minutes.

Koehler, the host for the Wednesday discussion, is a weekly contributor to Looper, a film critic for Black Girl Nerds, and has bylines in The List, Bitch Media, and many more. She’s the author of indie horror novels “American Monsters” and “Crime Rave”, and writes from a small Florida beach town where she raises orchids and endangered monarch butterflies in her yard.

For links to the screening and discussion, and for a full series list and more information on the International Film Series, contact Wendy Adams at 352-873-5800, ext. 1546, or visit www.CF.edu/filmseries.