Pensacola State College’s baseball program has a long, rich history of being a catalyst for great talent and the start of many successful careers ─ in the Major League and the business world. That storied saga adds a new chapter this summer as four former PSC Pirates took to bigger stages to showcase their talents on the ballfield.

Three former Pirates competed with the Australian team in the 2024 WBSC Women’s World Cup Finals.

Georgia Hood, Jenna Trim and Shaylan Whatman helped the Aussie Spirit to a seventh-place finish in the World Baseball Softball Confederation finals held July 15-21 in Castions di Strada, Italy. Hood, the most recent Pensacola State College alum, was named an NJCAA All-American, State and Panhandle Player of the Year in her freshman and sophomore seasons (2022 and 2023).

When Andrew Puharic moved to Pensacola in March 2020, the former plumber planned to purchase investment property to develop and resell. However, COVID-19 had different plans. “The pandemic hit, and the global housing market went crazy,” recalled Puharic, a Pensacola State Math Lab tutor who instead enrolled in the College in fall 2020.

Pensacola State College’s Charter Academy was among 14 Escambia County School District institutions to earn an “A” grade for the 2023-2024 academic year from the Florida Department of Education. The school district earned an overall “B” grade for the 2023-2024 school year. Since opening in Fall 2022, 61 Charter Academy seniors earned high school diplomas, with 28 of those graduates also receiving PSC Associate in Arts degrees.

Ashmore Auditorium had a full house for the first Pirate Path New Student Orientation session on July 30 on the Pensacola campus. Bailee Petry won the prize for having traveled the farthest. She and her parents drove 14 hours from Clinton, Iowa. “We arrived Sunday (July 28) night,” said Petry, who has relatives in the Pensacola area.

Pensacola State College alumnae Shannon Hoffman is among several firefighters and support staff employees recognized at the 2024 Escambia County Fire Rescue Awards Ceremony at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church in June. A fire and rescue department photographer, Hoffman received a Service Recognition Medal. A double-PSC graduate, Hoffman has been with the fire and rescue department for over four years.

Danelle Shavers ─ an ABM Industries team member ─ is nothing short of amazing. Shavers embodies the spirit of dedication and perseverance, not just within the walls of Pensacola State College but also as a passionate participant in Special Olympics Florida. Known for her hard work and reliability at ABM, she brings a level of excellence that inspires everyone around her.

Pensacola State College donors and supporters were treated to various hors d'oeuvres during the Garde Manger President’s Circle Appreciation Reception held July 24 in the Delaino Student Center on the Pensacola campus. Culinary and Hospitality Program students created appetizers and sweet treats for the “A Toast To Your Generosity”-themed event.