Fort Mill High School's chapter of Health Occupation Students of America raised more than $100 selling doughnuts as part of an autism awareness project.

The proceeds benefit Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to funding research into the "causes, prevention, treatment and cure for autism," according to its Web site.

HOSA is a nationally-recognized, student-led organization that promotes careers in the health care industry. The Fort Mill High School chapter has been doing just that since its establishment last spring under the supervision of health science teachers Martha Pietkiewicz and Catherine Priddy.

The student group participated in a Leadership Conference in Newberry earlier this fall.

"We have several service projects planned," Pietkiewicz said. The club has collected donations for Hospice and Community Care in Rock Hill and prepared "welcome" packages for the residents at the new Agape Assisted Living facility in Rock HiIl. "Last Thursday, we made boxes with stuff like toiletries and candy for the elderly," said club member Farrah Bui, a junior.

The club plans to continue goodwill projects, such as decorating the Spring Arbor assisted living facility in December.

FMHS senior and club president Holly Hirsch said the club "is a really good way to show colleges your leadership qualities and that you have an interest the medical field."

In March, Fort Mill's HOSA members will compete in a variety of events with other HOSA students from across South Carolina at the State Leadership Conference in Charleston.