JVS ADVANCES TO NATIONALS — Students in the health technologies program at the Jefferson County Vocational School will attend the HOSA Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference in Nashville June 18-22. The students proved successful at state competition in April. Taking part will be, from left, front, Brooke Scharfenberg, Journey West, Brianna Householder, Kimber Rogers and Kaylee Sandy; and back, Cheznie Roth, Honorae Dowdell, Daylynn Cordle, Olivia Brousseau and Chelsea Channels. -- Contributed

BLOOMINGDALE — This summer, students in the health technologies program at the Jefferson County Vocational School will be moving on to national competition after proving successful at their state competition. Those in chapter adviser Tammy Sismondo’s course will be attending the Health Occupation Students of America Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference.

The students will attend the event at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center in Nashville June 18-22. They will be among an estimated 13,000 HOSA members taking part in leadership training sessions and contests. HOSA includes 54 state associations and 4,500 chapters worldwide. Participants have represented the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Italy and China.

Sismondo said her group attended the HOSA Ohio Leadership Conference in Toledo April 8-10, where Kaylee Sandy won first place in the patient care technician category. Brooke Scharfenberg and Journey West earned first place for CPR/First Aid. Honorae Dowdell placed third in personal care, while Cheznie Roth and Chelsea Channels won Gold Emblem School Recognition.

Sismondo said Scharfenberg and West placed first at state for the second straight year, while Roth and Channels created a book based on chapter activities done throughout the year, which garnered recognition as a HOSA Gold Emblem School for going above and beyond meeting organization goals and implementing a meaningful program of work focusing on leadership development, career exploration and service learning. Roth was recognized with the Barbara James Service Award, Bronze Level, for community service above and beyond service hours. Member Kimber Rogers performed the national anthem.

“Our students did very well at the states,” Sismondo stated. “I’m really excited for this year in Nashville and I think the students will do well. It’s not only an opportunity to compete, but they also get leadership training. They worked really hard to get there.”

Sismondo noted that JVS HOSA members have attended the nationals every year. In addition to the training and contests, they have an opportunity to do pin trading with other chapters and go sightseeing around Nashville, taking in such landmarks as the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Ryman Auditorium.