Polk State Chain of Lakes Students Win Numerous Awards at Regional HOSA Conference

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

Students from Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School brought home several honors from the 2014 Regional HOSA Competition.

The competition took place in late January at Ridge Career Center in Winter Haven.

HOSA-Future Health Professionals is a national organization for students pursuing careers in the healthcare industry. By providing students with opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and leadership, it aims to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality healthcare.

Polk’s results at the competition included:

  • First place in Biomedical Debate — Charde Blocker, Winter Haven; Shermel Cox, Auburndale; Brady Smith, Lake Alfred; Carrie Wilkey, Winter Haven
  • First place in Medical Reading — Sydney Weber, Haines City
  • First place in Public Service Announcement (team event) — Shannon Griffin, Winter Haven; Malia Hafner, Winter Haven; Raani Islam, Winter Haven; Currie-Ann Littleton, Winter Haven; Hayley Lockwood, Winter Haven
  • First place in Clinical Specialty — Sarah Fleischman, Winter Haven
  • Second place in Pathophysiology — Phillip Justice, Winter Haven
  • Second place in Forensic Science (team event) — Chance Jones, Davenport; Ivy Maine, Bartow
  • Second place in Nutrition — Briana Garza, Frostproof
  • Third place in Medical Reading — Claire Godwin, Winter Haven
  • Fourth place in Medical Spelling — Alexandra Michel, Winter Haven
  • Fifth place in Physical Therapy — Aaron Schumacher, Haines City

Students who won in first, second or third place in their categories will compete in the State HOSA Conference in April.

Also participating in the competition were Obi Ilonzo, Wimauma, Medical Terminiology; Paula Rodriguez, Davenport, Human Growth and Development; Dakota Staton, Auburndale, Medical Math.

Polk State College operates two public, charter high schools, Polk State Lakeland Collegiate and Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate in Winter Haven. The schools serve juniors and seniors, allowing them to fulfill requirements for their high school diplomas while also earning college credit — all at no cost. In many cases, students graduate with both their diplomas and associate’s degrees. A third public, charter high school, Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College, helps students get back on academic track and earn college credits.