Polk County Public Schools
Students from Auburndale High, Bartow High, George Jenkins High and Lake Gibson High won awards at the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) 2007-2008 state conference held in Orlando. HOSA is a national student organization whose mission is to promote career opportunities in healthcare and to enhance the delivery of quality healthcare to all people. Students winning 2007-2008 state HOSA awards are listed by school with place won and competition category. HOSA advisors are listed in parentheses.
Auburndale High (Angela Carroll and Shirley Paramore): team of Julia Dean and Megan Cook, fourth, health education; Emily Malvin, third, administrative medical assisting.
Bartow High (Lisa Harboe and Kozy Hubbard): Nestor Beltre, fourth, extemporaneous writing; team of Justin Carnes and Rachel Giddens, third, emergency medical technician; Prachiti Dalvi, fifth, medical spelling; team of Jessica Fielder and Missy McGalliard, first, emergency medical technician; Shivani Patel, fourth, human growth and development.
George Jenkins High-Lakeland (Deborah Dubendorff and Bridgett Owens): Danielle Villareal, scored in top 10 percent of the National Health Care Issues exam.
Lake Gibson High-Lakeland (Paula Lawlor and Samantha Thompson): Zak Abrache, fifth, clinical specialty; Katelyn Brackin, first, personal care; Sarah Dean, fourth clinical specialty; Mandy Fuillerat, first, nutrition knowledge and scored in top 10 percent of the National Health Care Issues exam, Fuillerat was only Florida student to place in two competitive events; team of Megan Fussell, Colby Long and Amber Parsons, second, public service announcement.
Culinary arts students from George Jenkins High, Lakeland High and Winter Haven High won awards at the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association ProStart Culinary Competition held in Orlando. ProStart is a program for high school students interested in the culinary, restaurant, foodservice and hospitality management professions.
George Jenkins students Alyss Ervolina, Bethany Hartle and Tamara Parchment each received $10,000 scholarships to Keiser College for their first place finish in ProStart’s waiter’s relay event. George Jenkins teacher Brenda Doss was their advisor.
Lakeland High students Matthew Fogg, Shenique Harris, Katelyn Strzalka had a fourth place finish in the waiter’s relay event. Kim Martinez is their advisor.
Winter Haven High students Jacob Floto, Rebecca Grant and Alex Mehaffey finished in sixth place in the gourmet meal competition. They each received $6,000 scholarships from the Art Institute of Tampa and a $1,000 scholarship from the Orlando Culinary Academy. Their advisor is Joy Maynard.