From left, Students of the Month of November William Holton and Haley Ponder and Educator of the Month Larry Shannon are congratulated by Greg Miller, coordinator of the Sertoma Club of Venice monthly event that honors the good work of students and teachers at Venice High School. [PHOTO PROVIDED BY PRION PHOTOGRAPHY]
Sertoma Club of Venice honored two Venice High School seniors and a teacher at its regular meeting Nov. 16 at Allegro Bistro.
Haley Ponder and William Holton are the November Students of the Month, while Larry Shannon received the Educator of the Month award. Ponder holds a 3.8 grade-point average, takes advanced courses, is a member of Interact Club and is an intern at Johnson Medical Center. She also works as a server at Fins at Sharky’s on the Pier restaurant. Ponder plans to attend Keiser University to earn a degree in radiology and become an ultrasound technician. She is the daughter of Deborah and James Ponder of Nokomis.
Holton holds a 2.7 grade-point average. He is a three-year member of the Venice High School varsity football team and volunteers as a junior coach at Venice Viking Pop Warner Football. He recently received the Eagle Scout award as a member of Boy Scout Troop 1001. Holton plans to attend Warner University in Lake Wales, where he will major in sports management and minor in education. He hopes to return to the area to teach high school history and coach football. He is the son of Matt and Jami Holton of Nokomis.
Shannon began teaching at Venice High in 2004. The engineering technology teacher holds teaching certificates in technology education, physical education and exceptional student education. He helped form the Venice High engineering program, which provides students with robotic competitions, engineering mentoring and opportunities to earn drafting certifications. Shannon coaches football and served as the Indians defensive coordinator for the past 11 years. He coached the boys track team from 2005-2012. Shannon graduated from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., where he played football. In 1998, the Miami Dolphins chose him in the third round of the National Football League draft. After four years, his professional football career was cut short by injuries.
Submitted by Pam Johnson
My instructors believed in me. They were more than instructors, they tried to get to know you as a person and tried to understand your goals so they could push you towards them. Student services helped me find a job before I even graduated. Everyone was dedicated to my overall success.
Going to Keiser University was one of the greatest experiences in my life. All of my deans, professors, and staff made me feel that I was a part of something very special, and I am. I would recommend for anyone to get their education at Keiser University.
The instructors at Keiser University impacted my life. They believed in my ability to become a great graphic designer, regardless of how I felt about my skills. KU helped to prepare me for the real world and got me to where I am today.
If not for my education at Keiser I probably would not be where I am today, in both life and career. It is because of going to Keiser and the instructors I had that I joined a club started by Mr. Williams, The Lakeland Shooters Photography Group, which allowed me to venture into an amazing and very creative field that I use to enhance all aspects of my life.
The Design program at Keiser University was filled with real world learning and hands on instruction… Based on the portfolio I created while a student at Keiser University, I landed a job in Graphic Design for a major online retailer immediately after graduation.
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Without the education I received at Keiser University, I would not be where I am today!
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It has been great attending and graduating from Keiser University. Because of the small class sizes, I was able to build good relationships with classmates and professors. The PA professors care very much about the progress and success of the students and have been great advisors every step of the way through the program.
Attending Keiser University and getting my degree was the best decision I have ever made. The small class sizes and personalized attention helped me get my degree quickly. The hands-on experience and the education landed me a job at a neighboring law firm.
I chose Keiser because it had everything—small classes, caring professors, hands-on learning, and counselors that are really there for you. I feel like I’m part of a family here, not just a number.
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Beyond the curriculum of the courses, the lessons the instructors have taught me have paid dividends in my real work experiences. How to respond to criticisms, project and time management, interview skills, the list goes on and on. At the end of the day, they not only showed me how to design, but they taught me how to be a professional.
Keiser helped change my life by getting my education at the right school! I had been going to another school before, I dropped out because I felt that I was not getting enough information. When I found out about Keiser, I was pleased because the instructors were great.
My decision to attend Keiser University has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I chose to enroll in the Information Technology program… The one-class-a-month pace helped incredibly with my self-discipline.
The BA for Business Administration at Keiser has to be one of the best in the nation. Keiser takes the basics that are taught at the Associates level and uses them to strengthen your skills and knowledge.
I found that Keiser University’s Nuclear Medicine program of advanced studies and small class size was a perfect fit. I never came across a faculty member who wasn’t truly interested.