JVS student strikes gold at international HOSA competition
Contributed COMPETITORS – Members of the Jefferson County JVS HOSA Chapter competed during the HOSA-Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference on June 15-21 with Catelyn Schiffman taking first in the phlebotomy category. Pictured are, from left, advisor and health technologies instructor Tammy Sismondo; senior Chelsea Channels, who participated in the phlebotomy category; senior Dana Haynes, who earned fifth in surgical tech; Schiffman, who earned a gold medal and led 200 competitors in phlebotomy; senior Cheznie Allison, who gained a silver-level Barbara James Service Award for community service; and Emma Lamp, a junior who competed in surgical tech.
Contributed GOLDEN GIRL – Catelyn Schiffman, a recent graduate of Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and Edison High School, gained first place in phlebotomy out of an estimated 200 contestants during the HOSA-Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference in Indianapolis, Ind., this summer. The Richmond resident plans to study at Trinity School of Nursing and ultimately dreams of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Contributed COMPETITORS – Members of the Jefferson County JVS HOSA Chapter competed during the HOSA-Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference on June 15-21 with Catelyn Schiffman taking first in the phlebotomy category. Pictured are, from left, advisor and health technologies instructor Tammy Sismondo; senior Chelsea Channels, who participated in the phlebotomy category; senior Dana Haynes, who earned fifth in surgical tech; Schiffman, who earned a gold medal and led 200 competitors in phlebotomy; senior Cheznie Allison, who gained a silver-level Barbara James Service Award for community service; and Emma Lamp, a junior who competed in surgical tech.
Contributed GOLDEN GIRL – Catelyn Schiffman, a recent graduate of Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and Edison High School, gained first place in phlebotomy out of an estimated 200 contestants during the HOSA-Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference in Indianapolis, Ind., this summer. The Richmond resident plans to study at Trinity School of Nursing and ultimately dreams of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner.
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BLOOMINGDALE -- Catelyn Schiffman did her school and community proud after taking first place in her category during the 49th annual HOSA-Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference this summer.
Schiffman, a 2026 graduate of Edison High School and Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, represented the JVS HOSA chapter along with four other members of the school's health technologies program. She joined seniors Dana Haynes, Chelsea Channels and Cheznie Allison, and junior Emma Lamp at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis from June 15-21.
They were among more than 13,450 students participating from across the U.S., Canada, China, Korea, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Turkey and Vietnam, including 441 from Ohio.
HOSA, which stands for Health Occupations Students of America, is a student organization that promotes involvement in the health care community. The conference is considered the highlight of the year and includes competitive events focused on leadership, professional and technical skills; educational seminars, workshops and exhibits presented by professional partners; sessions providing recognition and opportunities for HOSA members; and opportunities to network with people from around the world who share similar goals.
In the end, Schiffman took first place in phlebotomy; Haynes earned fifth in surgical technology; Channels and Lamp each advanced to the second round in their respective phlebotomy and surgical technology categories; and Allison earned a silver-level Barbara James Service Award for volunteering with fire department mutual aid.
Schiffman led approximately 200 students in her category and said she was ecstatic to earn the gold medal.
"I was shocked that I placed first," she said. "It was a very exciting event and even more exciting to be able to tell my family about the win. I had never attended internationals before, or even states, before this year."
She added that she previously had competed in the phlebotomy competition but had advanced only to regionals.
The Richmond resident is the daughter of Angel Schiffman-Alvis. Following her win, Schiffman plans to continue on a career path in health care. She will attend Trinity School of Nursing to obtain her bachelor's degree and registered nurse license, but her ultimate goal is to earn a master's degree and become a pediatric nurse practitioner.
"My plan was not always to go into health care, but it was always to help people. My inspiration behind wanting to go into pediatrics was my four younger siblings," she explained. "I found health care to be the best way to help others around me and make an impact in the community."
Schiffman credited health technologies instructor Tammy Sismondo with helping prepare her for the future.
"Mrs. Sismondo has helped me so much in the short two years I was her student. If it weren’t for Mrs. Sismondo, I wouldn't know most of the things I do now about the health care field. She has also been a great inspiration to me. I am very thankful that I had Mrs. Sismondo as a teacher."
She also thanked her family for their support.
"I want to add that this trip to internationals would not have been made possible without the support from my family, especially the support I have been given from my mother. I am forever thankful for having been given this amazing opportunity."
Sismondo was equally appreciative, saying it has been a tremendous experience to watch her students learn and grow.
"Catelyn was a very focused student. Not only did she come in first in phlebotomy at the international competition, she earned an associate's degree [through the College Credit Plus program] during the school year, is a certified phlebotomy tech, a state-tested nurse's aide and a certified patient care tech. She will attend Trinity School of Nursing and I look forward to her becoming an RN. I think she's going to do wonderful things in health care."
Sismondo also praised Haynes, Allison and Channels, who also have graduated, and Lamp, who is beginning her senior year at the JVS. She cited them as focused and dedicated students and said she felt fortunate to be part of their learning experience.
Haynes plans to study at West Virginia Northern Community College to become a surgical technician. She also works as an EKG technician at Trinity Health Systems and holds certifications as an EKG technician, nurse's aide and patient care technician.
Allison, who has worked with the Mingo Junction Fire Department and conducted numerous hours of community service, also is a certified nurse's aide. Channels plans to attend WVNCC to become a radiology technician, while Lamp is a certified nurse's assistant.
"I'm very proud of all of my students. It takes a lot of dedication to get to the international competition," Sismondo continued. "It is the best of the best. I'm very proud and glad that I got to be part of their educational journey and watch them move on."