Morgan Turney
Lake Region Medical Academy
The interest I have in the medical field and in the Academy was sparked by a tragic personal event; the death of my neighbor who was a cancer patient. Ever since then I've wanted to help those in need via medicine. The Medical Academy is the perfect starting point for that goal, because it combines textbook knowledge with hands-on experience. I believe that an academy better prepares a student in an area they are particularly passionate about in addition to the regular and general information they receive in a traditional class. In my opinion, academies better prepare students for the future. Students will feel more comfortable going to college classes relating to a particular career field and will adjust and adapt easier. This will be due to the plethora of knowledge they gain in a high school academy.
Ever since joining the Medical Academy at Lake Region High School, I have been excited about waking up every morning to go to school. My attendance has increased and being in an academy has made me want to push myself in all my other classes! Being interested in the medical field means that I need top-notch grades all around.
I hope to learn as much as possible in my academy. I plan to take Latin language classes online to prepare me for college and eventually Pharmacy school. My major career goals include getting a Doctorate degree in pharmacy and working in the clinical sector.
Florida Celebrates Career and Technical Education on the Hill
In recognition of Career and Technical Education Month, students met at Florida's Capitol to share career and technical education success stories. Seven Polk Academies' students joined more than 200 students and teachers from 50+ high schools, technical centers, state colleges and state career and technical student organizations at the state Capitol on February 11, 2014. These students' displays and demonstrations highlighted the importance of career and technical education programs. This 5th Annual CTE Day on the Hill was a platform showcasing student's knowledge learned in CTE classes as well as the skills achieved for a competitive career in today's job market.
The Ledger: Workforce Education Expo Attracts Thousands of Students From Academies Around Polk
Students played on a hoverboard, ate hummus, braided hair, and even petted a horse Tuesday during the first day of the sixth annual Polk academies WE3 Expo.
About 2,700 fifth- and eighth-graders roamed around three airplane hangars at Sun 'n Fun all day to see what more than 100 academies at 28 Polk schools had to offer.
The expo was designed to highlight career academies and workforce programs at middle, high and postsecondary schools around the county so incoming students could see what their options will be in higher grades.
The Ledger: Teens at Ridge Community High Take Charge of Their Own Music
Ridge Community High School isn't getting money for nothing, but with its Recording Arts Academy, the music is free. Students in the academy at Ridge are creating music for everything from the homecoming dance to radio commercials, including a remake of the 1985 Dire Straits song "Money for Nothing," all in class for school credit.
CFDC: Imagination, Inc. Academy Teaches Students How to Effectively Run a Business
The Imagination Inc. Academy at Lake Region High School may seem like a regular academy focusing on business and technology, but one aspect makes it different from the rest. While most academies need some amount of funding to operate annually, Imagination Inc. Academy is almost completely sustainable.
Imagination, Inc. Academy, shortened as iMAG, focuses on a marketing and graphic design curriculum. iMAG students serve as marketing consultants as well as custom designers and learn both technical and creative skills including: vinyl cutting, screen printing, laser engraving, event planning, and designing logos. They also learn soft skills, such as customer service and time management. Some of the products iMAG can customize include vinyl signs, trophies, plaques, key chains, and t-shirts.
Florida State Legislators Visit the Industrial Biotechnology Academy
Florida Senate President Don Gaetz, House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senator Kelli Stargel visited the LGHS Industrial Biotechnology Academy as part of the "Work Plan Florida Regional Tour." The students displayed their skill set by demonstrating techniques using pipettes, micropipettes, spectrophotometers, centrifuges, gel electrophoresis, and PAGE (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis).
