Local CTE students participate in national leadership conference

Front left to right: Joshua Ritzema, Cesar Gamez, back Katelyn Graczyk, Jessica Johnson, Gabrielle Kelly, Samantha MacDonnell, and Autumn Espinoza

Students from the local Career and Technical Education  Allied Health Program competed at the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)  National Leadership Conference (NLC) June 25-28 in Orlando, Fla.  HOSA is a national student organization that provides leadership development, motivation and recognition for students interested in pursuing careers in health professions.

The local HOSA students are among the 165,822 members from across the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico and the 8,400 competitors at the NLC. Three of our local students were national finalists.  Jessica Johnson and Katelyn Graczyk from Mason County Central finished 9th place in CPR/1st Aid and Autumn Espinoza from LHS finished 8th in Clinical Specialty. Others local competitors were Joshua Ritzema (MCC), Samantha MacDonnell, Gabrielle  Kelly, and Cesar Gamez, all from LHS,  who finished 33rd  in HOSA Quiz Bowl.

Sally Wright, Allied Health Instructor at West Shore CTE, stated, “What an incredible accomplishment to be in the top 10 and even 33rd out of 185, 000 plus competitors. These students deserve a lot of recognition for their dedication and achievement! They are a credit to their schools and community.  I am very proud of them!”

Middle photo: front left to right Joshua Ritzema, Cesar Gamez, back Katelyn Graczyk, Jessica Johnson, Gabrielle Kelly, Samantha MacDonnell, and Autumn Espinoza

Bottom picture (middle) Katelyn Graczyk (front) and Jessica Johnson (back) on stage.