NJC students do well at State HOSA Conference

***Press Release***

LOVELAND (March 9, 2013) – Over 400 secondary and post-secondary students interested in health care careers attended the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) State Leadership Conference from March 7-9, 2013 at the Embassy Suites Loveland Hotel and Conference Center.  Students attended general sessions, Educational Symposiums and competed in over 40 different Competitive Events.

Twenty students from Northeastern Junior College’s  HOSA attended the State Leadership Conference. Including some that are in the high school secondary level of HOSA and some that are now in the collegiate post-secondary level.  Those attending from NJC included: postsecondary student  Kelsey Hummel and secondary students Amanda Rogers (State Officer-Vice President of Communication and Local Chapter President), Tarah Bennett, Krissa Baseggio, Alexis Blagg, Katie Buchleiter, Bianca DeMaria, Brittany Harris, Ashley Helvie, Kelsey Hodges, Zach Kellogg, Lauren Montoya, Jamecia Nygaard, Tabby Rangel, Amanda Ramirez, Ashley Reeves, Hannah Schreyer, Desiree Sharples, Jamie Sheldon, and Megan Zimmerman.

Amanda Rogers completed her year as a state officer. She was on the state officer team that organized this state conference and competition, doing to planning, organizing and managing of the various activities. She also was chosen as the recipient for the HOSA State Scholarship.

The remaining students participated in various competitive events and other conference activities in several categories including health science events, leadership events, and teamwork events.

Winners of competitive events are as follows: Health Science Events (which are Knowledge Tests):  Dental Terminology-3^rd place-Alexis Blagg;  Amanda Ramirez a top 10 finalist;  Nutrition Test-top 10 finalist-Katie Buchleiter;  Growth and Development Test-3^rd place-Ashley Reeves; Emergency Preparedness Events:  Epidemiology-1^st place-Kelsey Hummel- Health Profession Events (performance of skills):  Sports Medicine-top 10 finalist-Katie Buchleiter; Veterinary Medicine-3^rd place-Hannah Schreyer;  Dental Science-3^rd place-Alexis Blagg.

In the Leadership Events competitions, Sterling students did well including:  Extemporaneous Writing- top 10 finalists-Lauren Montoya, Tabby Rangel, Desiree Sharples and Megan Zimmerman; Extemporaneous Poster-2^nd place-Katie Buchleiter; Job Seeking Skills-1^st place-Kelsey Hummel; 2^nd place- Kelsey Hodges.

Teamwork Events winners included: Career Health Display-top 10 finalist team-Megan Zimmerman/Hannah Schreyer; Pace Setter Awards went to Kelsey Hummel, Ashley Helvie, Amanda Rogers, and Jamecia Nygaard for being exemplary HOSA chapter members. An Outstanding HOSA Chapter recognition award was presented to Bianca DeMaria for the scrapbook competition..

Those students placing first, second or third in their respective events are qualified to compete at the National HOSA Leadership Conference June 26-29, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Accompanying the students to the State Conference were chaperone Nicole Pollart and HOSA Advisor, Joleen Rinaldo. Rinaldo was also honored for her outstanding years of service and leadership to the students of Colorado HOSA. Rinaldo is retiring this year.

“These students are truly the face of future health care professionals.  They competed in activities that showcased not only their health care knowledge, but their leadership skills,” said Jen Staley-Girvin, Colorado HOSA State Advisor. “Congratulations to the students and their teachers for their hard work and preparation.”

HOSA Future Health Professionals is a national, student-led organization whose mission is to promote career opportunities in health care for students in secondary and postsecondary institutions.  HOSA is the pipeline for future health care professionals and members are proudly working toward alleviating the health care workforce shortage.  There are over 150,000 active members in over 4,000 chapters in 48 states, including Puerto Rico.