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West Shore School News is a presentation of West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press.
By Brooke Hammond, MCP/OCP Intern
VICTORY TOWNSHIP—West Shore Educational Service District Career & Technical Education student Ava Hoekwater has not let her disability affect her studies. Through hard work and determination, she has excelled in her skill in phlebotomy.
Hoekwater was born with symbrachydactyly. This disorder caused her arm and fingers to develop at shorter lengths than average. However, Ava’s parents, Jessica Moss and Aaron Hoekwater, never viewed it as a life altering disability.
“We never treated it as a disability; she just kind of went out and did everything,” Jessica Moss said.
Ava, graduated last week from Ludington High School and was enrolled as a second year CTE Health Occupations student. The program is housed at West Shore Community College.
CTW is a millage-funded program available to junior and senior high school students in Mason, Lake, and Oceana counties and by tuition for Manistee County students. CTE currently offers 14 programs including the health program Ava is enrolled in.
By rising above her physical challenge Ava recently earned third place in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) regionals along with first place in the HOSA State Competitions last month in Traverse City. The wins have secured her place in the HOSA International Leadership Conference (ILC) that will take place in Houston, Texas, on June 26-29.
“I don’t even remember hearing my name; I remember seeing my name on the screen and I think that is when it registered. I was like ‘Oh! I did get it!’” Ava said, reflecting on her first-place win in Traverse City.
While Ava mentioned that she is nervous about the upcoming ILC competition she and her instructor, Robin Walaki are eager for the opportunities Hoekwater will encounter.
“My big goal is for her to connect with other students. It will give her networking abilities,” Walicki said.
Ava said that she is also excited for the opportunity to learn to talk to other people she is competing with and to ask how their skills are developing.
“I don’t think it is very competitive; I think we are more showing that we can come together and show what we can do,” Hoekwater said.
Hoekwater’s determination to overcome her disability has inspired those around her, especially Melissa Fuehring, another one of Hoekwater’s instructors.
“I wanted to ask other people, what is holding you back?” said instructor Melissa Fuehring.
Ava is not just known for her determination, but also for the patient attitude she brings into the classroom and with her patients.
“She is very calm and reassuring to her patient. She is good at remembering all the steps she needs to know for her practice, and she is very gentle with drawing blood,” Walicki said.
For the competition in Houston, Ava must be able to pass her knowledge test before she is able to move on to her skills test. “I am pretty nervous about it, but I think as long as I study my skill, I have a pretty good chance. I think it does help that I am already certified in phlebotomy,” Hoekwater said.
Ava’s dedication to her studies in the CTE health occupations program has not only earned her a spot competing in phlebotomy at the ILC but has also helped her earn CNA and phlebotomy certifications.
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