Contributed COMPETITORS — Seventeen health technologies students attended the Future Health-HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Region 3 competition at Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia, joining more than 500 students from across the area for a chance to move on to the state conference this spring. In the end, 14 members advanced to the competition at the University of Toledo on April 8-10. Those attending the regionals included, from left, front, Catelyn Schiffman, Chelsea Channels, Brianna Householder, Kaylee Sandy, Brooke Scharfenberg, Journey West and Katelynn Mavromatis; and back, Hayleigh Carlier, Olivia Brousseau, Madison Higginbotham, Kimber Rogers, Dana Haynes, Daelynn Cordle, Ava Watkins, Honorae Dowdell, Natalie Stiltner and Cameo Burnworth.

BLOOMINGDALE — Fourteen health technologies students at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School earned top spots during the Future Health Professionals-Health Occupations Students of America Region 3 Competition and now advance to the state contest in Toledo this spring.

Seventeen health technologies students participated in the event at Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia on Jan. 25, where they were among 24 schools and more than 500 overall attendants. Individual and team winners included Ava Watkins, who earned first place in phlebotomy; Kaylee Sandy, second place, patient care technician; Daelynn Cordle, second place, nurse assisting; Chelsea Channels, third place, nurse assisting; Katie Mavromatis, fourth place, nurse assisting; Hayleigh Carlier, third place, home health aide; Honorae Dowdell, fourth place, personal care technician; Brianna Householder, fourth place, clinical specialty; the team of Olivia Brousseau and Madison Higginbotham, second place, CPR/first aid; and the teams of Brooke Scharfenberg and Journey West and Dana Haynes and Kimber Rogers, who tied for fourth place in CPR/first aid.

The winners will go on to the Ohio State Leadership Conference on April 8-10 at the Glass City Center at the University of Toledo. JVS HOSA Adviser Tammy Sismondo was delighted by the results and said her students worked hard to prepare for the competitions.

“I’m really proud of the students,” Sismondo said. “There were a lot of challenges but they really stepped up and did well. I’m looking forward to seeing them at the state conference and the students are excited to attend.”

In addition, student Kimber Rogers will perform the national anthem during the festivities.

The conference attracts an estimated 2,500 students from across Ohio who will participate in contests, workshops and seminars during the three-day event. Activities include a career show, Anatomage competition, general sessions, awards presentations and a middle school conference.