Timothy "T" Pollock

I decided to pursue the Academy instead of a traditional high school because my goal is to attend the Air Force Academy and then become a pilot. The school's location and academic standards were big draws for me. The school is located at the Lakeland airport; there's no better place for the CFAA. I also really liked the dual enrollment options that the school offered which will help me get a head start in college. CFAA also offers incentives, like going to NASA, so that students strive for high GPA's. In my opinion, the academy experience is much better than the traditional high school experience because the entire school is focused on the goal of the student's interests of aviation and engineering. This provides a learning environment that interests me and motivates me to work harder. Another reason that the academy experience is better than a traditional high school is simply due to size. There are fewer students enrolled in the Central Florida Aerospace Academy then there are in most freshman classes at a traditional high school. It is really easy to get to know almost everyone at the school and the teacher to student ratio is pretty small which is very helpful if you are having trouble in a specific class and need a little extra help. I feel that this academy has put me one step closer to my goals and aspirations.

Tia Messer

I decided to join and pursue the Academy of Finance when Ms. Wallace walked into my Algebra class my freshman year. She gave a speech on the Academy and I was intrigued in what the Finance Academy had to offer. Immediately I filled out the application, turned it in and got accepted into the Academy. The Academy offers opportunities for students to get into the finance field and learn what business is really like. You are offered dual enrollment opportunities that you cannot possibly turn down. Being in the Academy of Finance is a wonderful path to take in high school rather than your average traditional path. In the traditional high school paths you are not given the opportunity to advance in finance like classes. These finance classes offer accounting, Accounting II, Personal Finance, and much more. Classes like these advance you with technology and teach you how to balance and keep track of money.

Being in the Academy of Finance has motivated me to pursue my dream of being a dentist and owning my own practice. The Academy of Finance has not only motivated me but it has taught me all the fundamentals about money and owning a business of your own. My grade point average has even improved along with my plans after high school. Being in the Academy of Finance is a high school experience I recommend for anyone looking to find their way.

Morgan Carlton

After talking with previous students that were involved with agriculture classes and the FFA, there was not a doubt in my mind that I would be an active FFA member. In my opinion, taking agricultural courses is better than the traditional high school path because students are more involved in hands on activities. I maintain a grade point average of 4.44 and I plan to pursue a career in the agriculture industry. FFA is a major part of agriculture at our school. I am currently President of our FFA chapter and Vice-President for the Polk County FFA federation. Throughout my two years in FFA I have had great experiences. I have traveled to Washington DC, met Adam Putnam, traveled to Indianapolis for National FFA convention and I have made many lifetime friends. I have also been on the state winning forestry team, and also on the state winning citrus team. In FFA there are endless opportunities.

Ambar Ramos-Perez

I decided to pursue the Biotechnology Academy because I was interested in the topics studied in the academy and all the hands-on labs that are performed. I feel the academy is a better choice than a traditional high school path because this academy takes learning to a higher level and offers many experiences other students never get. This academy involves more critical thinking and teaches at a more in depth level than other science classes. It provides a good opportunity to start planning a career since we explore many different types of careers related to this field.

The Biotechnology Academy requires a commitment in time. My grade point average and attendance have both benefitted from the academy. Labs may run several days and I have to be there to complete the work. Attendance and skill development are parts of the academy that help prepare us for the workforce or for higher education. Because of the various labs we perform, I am now looking into genetic engineering as a career.

Viral Patel

The Polk Academy of Business & Technology has all the latest hardware and software available to help prepare students for their future--whether it is college and/or a career. The level of instruction is very high and most students graduate with at least one Industry Certification---whether it is in Microsoft Office or one of the Adobe programs. The academy teachers really care about the students and continually encourage and motivate us to reach for our highest potential.

By taking the classes, academy students can earn up to 18 college credits while in high school through the articulation program and dual enrollment. I've already taken two dual enrollment classes and plan to take two more during my senior year.

I plan to major in engineering at college, but I'll also need the business skills I learned through the academy classes so I can have my own business. I am very proud to be a member of the Polk Academy of Business & Technology family.

Haley Pickrell

When I first found out about the awesome opportunity of raising a heifer with Lakeland High School Vet Academy, I took it in a heartbeat. I've always had the deepest passion for animals and with this project my passion has grown tremendously. Wanting to be a part of this academy caught my attention very quickly because I have an aspiration to be a vet, and through this experience I hope to gain knowledge of what it truly takes to be a veterinarian. I have thoroughly enjoyed this program because it has given me the chance to do what I adore most- bonding with my heifer, Emma. Before being in the veterinarian academy I had never shown in a fair, or even thought it possible to ever own an animal and raise it. I never thought to make such great friends in the process, but I have met some of my closest friends through the vet program. This academy is definitely a gigantic learning experience in all. With raising my heifer through this academy, I have learned several facts and keys to raising an animal, such as different kinds of feed, how much to give them, what is good and what isn't for your animal. A huge contributor to why I love the Vet Program at Lakeland is it's a very hands-on program. For example, in my first year in the academy I was already giving animal's shots, and medicine like it was my job. It's very beneficial to have these opportunities to try doing things, because it really helped me decide that I want be a veterinarian when I'm older. The amount of responsibility needed to be in this program has been tremendously high- it's been a ton of work, but it has helped build my character and who I am. Although it takes a lot of time and commitment, throughout this academy I've learned so much, and had the best time doing it!

Christian Fluitt

I choose to pursue the Multimedia Communications Academy at Lakeland Senior High School because of my interest in TV production and web design. By participating in MCA I have had the chance to learn skills that are used professionally, and those same skills have proven to be extremely valuable. Throughout the course of my involvement with the academy, I have learned video production and web design skills through hands on activities where I have had to produce various projects both in class and in the real world. Being a part of MCA motivates me to attend school even more because I simply look forward to coming to class to learn new skills and to work on new projects. In the future, I see myself pursuing a career in communications, whether it is in broadcasting or some form of information technology industry.

Had I not joined the academy at LHS, I would have never had the chance to experience producing a media project like I did in an internship with the City of Lakeland. In addition, MCA has allowed me to experience real life production with live jumbotron events at Bryant Stadium.

My entire experience in the MCA has been great! There is no other path that I would have rather taken while in high school. I look forward to continuing my education and working with media production and communications long after graduating high school.

McKenzie Richardson

I wanted to be in the Style Academy because I have always wanted to learn how to sew and design. Being an academy student versus going through high school as a regular student is more fun to me because I feel like I am a part of a group that I share a common interest with. I feel my grades and attendance have gone up because I need to maintain good grades to stay in the academy and my attendance has improved because I don't like to fall behind on my fashion projects. My career plans are to go to medical school and become a nurse. I could use my skills I learned in the academy to help pay my way through school. All in all, the Style Academy has made my high school experience more enjoyable.

Bradley Williams

iMAG is not only my most valuable class, but it has helped me grow and prosper as a person and future leader. The most important product Mr. Chayt and Mrs. Warner design and produce is the skillful workforce of tomorrow.

Zoe Lauters

I originally chose the Power Academy as a way to attend Tenoroc. However, with all the skills I have learned, I would not trade it for the world. I have been able to build a resume and learn vital interview and job skills. I have also learned a lot about how powerplants work, how to wire, and so much more. One of the greatest advantages to the academy is our industry certifications which are nationally accredited, meaning they will be recognized world wide! I feel like academy programs are a breath of fresh air in school systems, being that they have so many new and extra things to offer.