By Betty Gandee
Several Clay County High School students participated in the WV HOSA Leadership Conference earlier this month.
HOSA is the Health Occupations Students of America, and is comprised of students who hope to pursue a career in the healthcare field in the future. The CCHS local chapter brought home 24 state winners.
Third place winners: Kyla Smith in Human Growth and Development Knowledge test, Lexi Ramsey in Medical Law and Ethics Knowledge test.
Second place winners: Hannah Elliott in Nutrition Knowledge test, Katie Ferrebee in Dental Terminology Knowledge test, and Lilly Osborne in Speaking Skills.
Second place teams: Christin Parilac, Celina Humphrey, and Shyanne Rucker in Biomedical Debate; Ava Taylor and MaKenna Brown in Health Education; Jacie Coleman and Kyla Taylor in Original Medical Innovation; and Clare Dawson, Jordan Pierson, Chloe Jones, and Brooklyn Taylor in Existing Medical Innovation.
First place winners: Shiloh Miller in Dental Terminology Knowledge test.
First place team winners: Rielly Taylor, Sharina Ratliff, Reagan Tanner, and Ronee Nottingham in Creative Problem Solving; and Alexis Williams, Brittany Barss, and Kaylee Truman in Original Medical Innovation.
HOSA advisor Lindsay Schoolcraft says, “This is the largest group of students I have ever taken to competition, 45 students, and am very impressed by their behavior, hard work, and professionalism. Our school and county should be proud of the fine young ladies and gentleman that are coming out of our school system.”
President Shiloh Miller says that this is her last year, and she is very proud. “For two years I have competed in team events and won first, but this was my first year doing an individual event. I was so scared I wouldn’t place, and when I got first place it was such a relief,” said Miller.
Rielly Taylor, Vice President, also received the 2019 Catherine Alexander Memorial Scholarship. Taylor says, “When they called my name I couldn’t believe it, I was so excited that all my hard work paid off. I’m so thankful that my parents have always believed in me and pushed me to do my best. I am also thankful to Mrs. Schoolcraft for always supporting me and encouraging me throughout my high school career.”