Polk County charter high school keeps students' hopes of earning diploma alive
The Brief
A charter high school is celebrating the graduation of nearly 200 students.
The charter school offers a standard high school diploma up to the age of 24.
There's a growing need for non-traditional education in Polk County.
LAKELAND, Fla. - A charter high school is celebrating the graduation of nearly 200 students who've been thrown curveballs and obstacles in life and have overcome them.
Big picture view
New Beginnings High School, which started in 2011 in Polk County, gives its students from all walks of life a second chance. The charter school offers a standard high school diploma up to the age of 24.
Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
It also offers a flexible schedule and a digital platform, allowing students to work at their own pace if they have jobs, childcare responsibilities or others they need to care for.
"It's absolutely powerful, because these are students that many people wrote out and who some of them actually gave up themselves. So, for them to get to this point tonight is monumental," said principal, Marvin Pitts.
Local perspective
Zach Roth, 18, is one of 197 graduates this year, 60% of whom will seek post-secondary education. Others become entrepreneurs, enter the work force, or join the military.
READ: Lake Bonny residents brace for new hurricane season after Milton's devastating flooding
It has been a bumpy road getting to this point after losing his mother at 10 years old, but Roth now has a full-ride scholarship to play college baseball, and he's thankful to those who didn't give up on him.
"I didn't care about high school my freshman year. I flunked high school and slept in every class. I just didn't care, but now they gave me a chance, and I focused and worked hard," said Roth. "It feels amazing someone took a chance to give me another shot, and they didn't regret their decision."
What's next
Because of the growing need for non-traditional education, the high school is looking to open a fourth campus next year in the Four Corners area in the northeast side of the county.
The high school serves more than 1,300 students in and around Polk County.
The Source
The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Carla Bayron.
WATCH FOX 13 NEWS:
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV
Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android
Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines
Download the SkyTower Radar app
Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
Trusted Legal Guidance for Families in Times of Transition
BRANDON, FL, UNITED STATES, June 7, 2025 / / -- Brandon Family Law Center, LLC, located in Brandon, Florida, offers legal services to families across the Tampa Bay area. The firm is led by attorneys Mary Greenwood McDermott, Esq., and Karen Allison Howe, Esq., who bring decades of experience in family law. The firm's practice areas include adoption, surrogacy, elder law, estate planning, probate, guardianship, and family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and support. Their approach emphasizes mediation and negotiation to resolve disputes amicably, aiming to minimize conflict and protect the interests of all parties involved. In estate planning, the firm assists clients with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, tailoring plans to individual needs. They also provide guidance on guardianships and elder law issues, addressing the legal concerns of aging clients. Brandon Family Law Center, LLC, serves a diverse clientele, including military families and same-sex couples, reflecting their commitment to inclusivity. For more information about Brandon Family Law Center, LLC and its services, visit their website or call 813-653-1744. About Brandon Family Law Center, LLC: Brandon Family Law Center, LLC is a full-service family law firm based in Brandon, Florida. With a focus on providing compassionate and knowledgeable legal representation, the firm serves clients throughout the Tampa Bay area. Company name: Brandon Family Law Center, LLC Address: 710 Oakfield Dr, Suite 254 City: Brandon State: Florida Zipcode: 33511 Phone number: 813-607-5327 Mary Brandon Family Law Center, LLC +1 813-607-5327 [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Facebook X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Dad, The House Is Underwater' — Florida Family's $3,500 Costco Fridge Turns Into $700,000 Nightmare: 'They Drop the Ball, I Foot The Bill'
A Florida family thought they were upgrading their kitchen. Instead, they say they got a disaster — one that soaked their home, drained their finances, and may soon head to court. According to WJXT-TV's News4JAX in Jacksonville, Saint. John's resident Bradley Byrd and his family purchased a $3,500 KitchenAid refrigerator from Costco in December. The fridge was delivered and installed by a third-party company contracted by the warehouse-club chain — but just six hours later, Byrd got a FaceTime call from his daughter that stopped him cold. "Dad, the house is underwater," she told him. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . Byrd rushed home to find water flooding the floors. Video footage he later shared shows the damage: soaked carpets, standing water, and furniture floating. The family says the refrigerator's water line had been installed incorrectly — a critical error that allegedly caused the line to rupture after being pinched beneath the fridge's wheels. "They allowed the refrigerator's wheels to sit on a line, which caused a crack that grew larger and larger," Byrd told News4JAX. The result? Mold, structural damage, and a $700,000 headache, according to a public adjuster's estimate. The family was forced to evacuate their home just before Christmas and spent months living in an Airbnb. They've since returned, but Byrd says their home is still partially unlivable — with no working kitchen or bathroom, and lawn chairs and folding tables standing in for real furniture. "We purchased these lovely tables to prepare food on and to eat at," Byrd said, with dry irony. So far, Byrd estimates he's spent around $300,000 out-of-pocket on remediation, storage, testing, and repairs. While Costco has provided $38,000 for temporary living expenses and — according to Byrd — offered $175,000 toward damages, the family has not accepted the settlement. Legal action is now on the table. Trending: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. News4JAX reports that its team reached out to Costco multiple times via phone, email, and social media. As of publication, the company had not responded. The contractor responsible for delivery and installation, RXO Last Mile, declined to comment, reportedly stating that the issue is not its to resolve "They drop the ball and are hoping that I foot the bill with my life savings for their bottom line," Byrd told News4JAX. He's now documenting the ordeal publicly on and even paid for local billboards to raise awareness. His site includes a detailed cost breakdown, showing the scope of the damage and his mounting expenses, which include: $360,000 in estimated damage to the home $76,000 in personal property losses $78,000 in alternative housing expenses $117,000 for mitigation, moving, and storage $72,000 in professional services and legal preparation At the center of the story is a growing concern many homeowners may not think about: who's responsible when a third-party contractor makes a mistake? Costco contracts out appliance installations to outside vendors — in this case, RXO — and the legal responsibility for any errors may ultimately depend on what's proven in court. While Costco did provide some assistance, the Byrds say it's not nearly enough. As of now, no lawsuit has been filed, but Byrd told News4JAX, "I think that, unfortunately, is the next step."This case has raised questions about what recourse homeowners have when something goes wrong with a professional installation. In many cases, appliance damage caused by poor installation may not be fully covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy — especially if the damage is considered preventable or due to contractor error. Some experts suggest: Always photograph the installation as it happens Check water lines and electrical connections before accepting delivery Request the installer's credentials and inquire whether the work is bonded or insured Consider supplemental liability insurance or home warranties that cover third-party work As for the Byrds, they're still hoping for resolution — and a return to normal life. Until then, their kitchen remains unfinished, their bathroom nonfunctional, and their story a cautionary tale for anyone who assumes a fridge upgrade is as simple as plug-and-play. Read Next: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —? Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'Dad, The House Is Underwater' — Florida Family's $3,500 Costco Fridge Turns Into $700,000 Nightmare: 'They Drop the Ball, I Foot The Bill' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
News24
3 hours ago
- News24
Auditor-General dismisses ActionSA's collusion allegations
Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Show Comments ()
