July 10, 2024
South Sumter Graduate Destiny Barnes Shines At HOSA International Leadership Conference
By Kyle Coppola
South Sumter Graduate Destiny Barnes Shines At HOSA International Leadership Conference
Some terrific news out of Sumter County as Destiny Barnes has placed 8th in the world in her categroy Sports Medicine at the International Leadership Conference for HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America.) Destiny’s hard work have made her a standout not only at school but also on state and international stages. Destiny, a straight-A student since the sixth grade, has left an indelible mark on her school, her family, and everyone who has had the pleasure of watching her grow and achieve.
Destiny’s academic success is evident in her outstanding 4.9 GPA, a testament to her relentless pursuit of excellence. But her achievements go far beyond the classroom. A multifaceted student, Destiny has been involved in numerous school activities and clubs, each benefiting from her leadership and commitment.
Among her many accolades, Destiny’s work in weightlifting stands out. She has made it to the state championships twice, earning second place finishes both times.
Destiny’s talents are not confined to sports alone. Her artistic abilities have been recognized at the highest levels, with one of her paintings displayed in the state capitol. This honor highlights her creative spirit and her ability to excel in diverse fields.
(Destiny shows off her medals she has won during the course of her weightlifting career culminating in two FHSAA State Runner-Up Finishes.)
Her journey with HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) is particularly noteworthy. Destiny has twice competed at the state level, culminating in a state championship win during her senior year. Her dedication to the field of sports medicine reached new heights when she placed 8th in the world in her category at the International Leadership Conference for HOSA. This global recognition underscores her passion and expertise, positioning her as a future leader in health sciences.
As Destiny prepares to leave for the University of Florida on August 16th, her family, the South Sumter Raiders, and the entire community are beaming with pride.
Destiny’s journey is a powerful reminder that with hard work, dedication, and a supportive community, the sky is the limit. Her achievements reflect not only her individual efforts but also the love and guidance of her family and her unwavering faith.
As she embarks on this new chapter at the University of Florida, there’s no doubt that Destiny will continue to shine, inspiring others and making her mark on the world. Congratulations, Destiny, on all your achievements and the bright future ahead!
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
