Community Archives - 91�ؿ�

Scholarship surprise crowns Polk State student’s journey at A Night of Legacy

Lance Ferguson — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:22:40 +0000

What began as a story of perseverance and faith ended with an unexpected gift that brought an audience to its feet.

During 91�ؿ�’s annual A Night of Legacy, Respiratory Care student Teshara Johnson‑Bonilla returned to the stage believing she was finished speaking, only to learn she had been awarded a scholarship to continue her education.

“Your story has inspired all of us tonight,” said Dr. Steven S. Warner, Vice President of Resource Development and Executive Director of the 91�ؿ�.

“On behalf of everyone on this stage, President Anne Kerr and Bo Boyte, the 91�ؿ� Board and Polk State College … we have created the Polk State College Legacy Award just for you, to cover all of your tuition, books and fees until you graduate from Polk State College.”

Earlier in the program, Beth Luckett, Polk State 91�ؿ� Board member and Dean of Health Sciences, introduced Johnson‑Bonilla as a reflection of what donor support makes possible.

“Your support ensures that students don’t have to choose between education and survival, between paying rent and staying enrolled,” Luckett told the audience. “Because of you, barriers become bridges.”

Those words resonated as Johnson‑Bonilla stepped to the stage and shared her journey. From losing her mother to cancer at the age of seven, to becoming a wife and mother, relocating to Florida during the COVID‑19 pandemic with a newborn and starting over with no support system.

“Through all of that chaos, I found Polk State and I found direction,,” Johnson‑Bonilla said. “It was here I discovered respiratory care, a field many people don’t always see, but one that is essential.”

Inspired by the medical teams who once cared for her parents, she found her calling.

“Respiratory therapists are there when people are fighting to breathe,” she said. “We are there during emergencies… and for those who need someone to advocate for them in their most vulnerable moments.”

Johnson‑Bonilla spoke candidly about a recent financial crisis that nearly forced her out of the program. Faced with thousands of dollars in unexpected costs, she had only days to figure out how she could continue in her program.

“I remember sitting in the lab, absolutely panicked,” she said. “Do I pay rent? Do I move my family? Do I give up now, after everything it took to get here?”

Then came an answer she did not expect. “My program director walked out of her office and said, ‘Teshara, stop writing the email. The 91�ؿ� is going to pay for your semester.’

“That gift didn’t just keep me in school,” Johnson‑Bonilla told the crowd through tears. “It protected my family, it kept my dream alive and it told me, ‘You are worthy. Don’t give up.’”

Her story is at the very heart of why A Night of Legacy exists. The 91�ؿ� meets students during their most vulnerable moments and ensures they have the resources to succeed.

“What Teshara talked about reminds all of us why we’re in this room and why we’re in higher education,” Warner said. “We can create opportunities for students like Teshara. This is why philanthropy matters. Philanthropy shows up when it’s least expected.”

For Johnson‑Bonilla, now a mother of two, that support means more than a degree.

“Everything I do, I do with them in mind,” she said. “I want them to see what resilience looks like … Tonight, I want you to know that your generosity does more than support programs. You carry students through moments when giving up feels like the only option.”

As Polk State College continues to expand access through initiatives like the new Haines City‑Davenport Campus, Warner said stories like Johnson‑Bonilla’s are reminders that investments in students ripple far beyond the classroom.

“Because of you,” Johnson‑Bonilla concluded, “I am still standing. Because of you, I am still learning.”

And because of continued donor support, many more students like her will get the chance to do the same.

To make a difference in the lives of students, visit and invest in the future of Polk County’s next leaders, healthcare heroes and more.

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Distinguished Alumni honored with top Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce award

Lance Ferguson — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 20:13:56 +0000

Twanna “T-Fay” Dewdney, a local business owner, community activist and Polk State College Alumni Association board member, received the Banker’s Cup Citizens of the Year Award at this year’s Celebrate Winter Haven gala.

Dewdney’s list of accomplishments is long. She is a Polk State Distinguished Alumni, is active in her church, participates in prison ministry and has received numerous awards recognizing her leadership and generosity.

“As I sat there at table 5 listening to hear who the 2025 Woman of the Year would be, I soon realized that it was me,” Dewdney said in a statement. “I am truly honored and humbled to receive the Banker’s Cup Award.”

The award from the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce recognizes individuals whose lives reflect a deep and lasting commitment to community service.

A proud Winter Haven native and graduate of Winter Haven High School, Dewdney began her college journey at Polk State on an athletic scholarship. But her path was far from easy.

“She stumbled,” said Katie Worthington Decker, who presented the award. “She made mistakes. There were arrests, regrets and challenges that might have derailed her future entirely. But instead, they shaped her mission.”

After dropping out, Dewdney found her footing in cosmetology, a field she had long admired.

Her life took a dramatic turn during pregnancy when she developed a rare condition that caused her to lose her sight. She was one of only eight known cases in the U.S., and one of just two survivors. Miraculously, her vision returned four days after her daughter, Ashanti, was born. That moment became a catalyst.

“My family is the source of my strength and the foundation of my personal growth,” Dewdney said. “My family built my confidence and gave me the courage to live with no apologies.”

With help from her family, Dewdney opened Salon Ashanti in 2004 in the Florence Villa neighborhood, quickly becoming more than just another business.

“This salon became a place of refuge,” Decker said. “A place where people could find encouragement, dignity, education — and hope.”

Dewdney’s commitment to service deepened over time, extending impact far beyond the salon. She is a licensed HIV/AIDS counselor and tester, offering free services and education to those in need. She launched Project Park Bench, a grassroots initiative that began with a single bench in her salon and grew into a citywide effort to collect coats, blankets, toiletries and food for the homeless.

“She faced extraordinary challenges, but each one became a steppingstone for how she would serve others,” Decker said. “Her life’s story is one of perseverance, faith and relentless compassion for many people who, unfortunately, remain ‘unseen’ by the broader community.”

She returned to Polk State and earned her Associate in Arts degree in 2011, then her Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management degree in 2013. In December of 2016, Dewdney was named one of Polk State’s Distinguished Alumni — the College’s first from its baccalaureate degree programs.

Steve Warner, Vice President of Resource Development and Executive Director of the 91�ؿ�, praised Dewdney’s enduring influence.

“T-Fay’s story is a masterclass in grace and grit,” Waner said. “She reminds us that legacy isn’t about perfection, it’s about purpose. Her journey inspires our students, our alumni and our entire community.”

As the ceremony concluded, Dewdney stood before a crowd of supporters, friends and family to remind everyone not to give up on the people in life who have hit a bump in the road.

“I’ve been through many challenges, but my family has always been by my side,” Dewdney said. “When I encountered setbacks, they prayed for me to rise again. And when I’m on my A-game, they cheer me on. Family is truly a blessing from God. They make this all worthwhile.”

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Polk State Lake Wales to host Ready to Soar giveaway with 500 backpacks & 1,500 books

Lance Ferguson — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 20:41:54 +0000

Polk State College is hosting its Ready to Soar event on August 2 at the JD Alexander Center in Lake Wales to provide students and families with support and resources as the new school year begins, including up to 500 backpacks and 1,500 books.

Polk State College’s Ready to Soar

Backpack, book, and school supply giveaway

Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Polk State JD Alexander Center

152 E. Central Ave., Lake Wales

The event is open to the public and intended for students from kindergarten through college. While supplies last, each student will receive a backpack with school supplies and will have the opportunity to select up to two books to take home, thanks to a generous donation from The Family Literacy Academy at Lake Wales.

The 91�ؿ� will also provide hamburgers and hot dogs from Topsy’s, along with drinks for students and families at the event, while supplies last.

There will be photo opportunities and children’s activities throughout the day.

Individuals with questions or who are interested in contributing to the event should contact Von McGriff, Director of the JD Alexander Center, at vmcgriff@polk.edu or 863.669.2885. Donations to the Polk State 91�ؿ� can be made online at foundation.polk.edu. Proceeds support community events like this as well as scholarships for students.

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