Rachel Madsen and Robyn Gamble oversee the MHS students enrolled in the HOSA program, which just finished a regional event and will be heading to state at the beginning of March.

“HOSA - Health Occupation Students of America, is a national student leadership organization that help students build leadership skills as they prepare for a health career,” Madsen said.  “This year we only have about 8 students actively involved and we have tried to do service projects and in the past have done field trips and had guest speakers.  Usually there is only one state competition each year but this year there was a regional event to help students prepare for the state conference, which is in March.”

For regional, students select an event to participate in and prepare for. These could range from CPR skills to Forensic Science Problem Solving to Health Education and Healthy Living events. This year, 5 students participated. Emma Bird and Purity Miller created a Health Career Display after researching a career as a cardiovascular surgeon.  Tanner Howard and Aidan DeVore crated a health career display highlighting the career of EMT since they are currently enrolled in the EMT program at the high school, and took fourth in the category.  Bayli Nesbit wrote and delivered a prepared speech based on the assigned topic Powered by People, for which she took first place.

Students were also able to attend a mental health presentation showing how to identify and help those with mental health struggles along with the opportunity to get certified in the Stop the Bleed program. 

“The leadership conference helps students get out of their comfort zone and learn how to present in front of judges.  It is also a great place for them to connect with students from other schools who are also interested in health careers,” Madsen said.

Robyn Gamble noted that along with the others, Bella Smith will also be competing in phlebotomy at state.  “Bella was not able to attend regional because of a conflict with a wrestling competition, but had to complete a written test prior to going to state to do her skills portion.” 

They group will now be modifying and preparing for the state competition in Pocatello on March 5th - 7th.  

The Enterprise will keep in touch with the HOSA students as they head to state on March 5th, and bring you the results.