BCTC STUDENTS EXCEL IN STATE HOSA CONFERENCE

The Pennsylvania Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) hosted its 23rd Annual State Leadership Conference on April 10-12, 2002 at the Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center in Lancaster, Pa. Nineteen students from the Berks Career and Technology Center attended the conference, which provided opportunities for personal growth, friendship and leadership development. This year's theme was "From aspiration to inspiration, HOSA helps around the nation." More than 50 health occupation events and leadership events were held in five categories: Health Occupations Related Events, Health Occupations Skill Events, Individual Leadership Events, Team Leadership Events and the Recognition Program. Approximately 50 HOSA chapters from across the state participated in the conference.

Five Dental Occupations, East Campus students captured the following first place standings: Sara Ruth, Conrad Weiser Area senior, dental terminology; Jennifer Harbonic, adult student, dental terminology; Ashlee Stone, Boyertown Area senior, dental assisting; Ashley Reifsnyder, Boyertown Area junior, dental laboratory technology; and Vicky Ohlinger, Conrad Weiser Area senior, speaking skills.

Second place honors were presented to four students from the same program in the team event on creative problem solving. They were Angela Henderson, Kutztown Area junior; Ruth Keller, Hamburg Area junior; Darcy Gerhart, Conrad Weiser Area junior; and April Schneider, Conrad Weiser Area senior.

Susan Sohn, Exeter Township senior, and Nicole Davenport, Boyertown Area junior, took third place finishes for administrative medical assistant and extemporaneous health poster.

Three students from the Career Center's Protective Services program earned first and third honors. Shawn Gring, Fleetwood Area junior, achieved a first in the category of first aid/rescue breathing. Third place awards were presented to Zachary Roper, Kutztown Area sophomore, and Stacy Simmons, Boyertown Area sophomore, in the category of emergency medical technician.

The Health Occupations program at the East Campus brought home a third place award in the category of creative problem solving. The team consisted of Ashley Cartwright, Kelly Moyer and Shannon Weaver, all seniors at Boyertown Area High School.

Two students from Health Occupations, West Campus, achieved second and third place honors. Rachel Hudock, Wilson senior, competed in the extemporaneous writing competition. The topic was related to HOSA's influence on leadership qualities. Hudock's composition earned her a second place award. Angela Heister, Governor Mifflin junior, took third place in the category of personal care.

All of the students listed above qualified to compete at the national conference to be held in Anaheim, Calif.

The Berks Career and Technology Center was one of several chapters recognized by the national HOSA organization for its participation in Project 9.11. Letters of hope, encouragement and gratitude were included with a package of letters organized by the national chapter and presented to healthcare heroes in New York and Washington, D.C.