Two students from Hixson High Health Occupations students placed in the Top 10 in their respective competitions at the Future Healthcare Professionals International Leadership Conference.
Recent Hixson graduate Ciera Smidt won a silver medal placing second in Nursing Assisting. Hixson High has placed in the top two in the event for the fourth consecutive year.
Nathan Schofield also placed in the top 10, taking eighth in Physical Therapy; another competition in which Hixson has a top 10 legacy.
The conference was in Dallas, Tx. June 27-30.
“Ciera knew the pressure would be extreme and still wanted to take that challenge,” stated Renee Parker, a Hixson High HOSA advisor. “To end up winning the silver medal is phenomenal.”
Five other Hixson High students, Allison McCollum, Amy Carranza, Rachael Lane, Bhumi Patel and Brooke Watne, qualified to compete in the international competition by placing in the top three at the Tennessee HOSA State Leadership Conference held earlier this year.
Future Health Professionals from all over the country, Canada and Puerto Rico came together to compete, learn and share their experiences. Over 9,000 HOSA members, advisors and guests participated in the International Leadership Conference. Over 6,000 of the participants competed in 57 events demonstrating competencies developed through Health Science class instruction, technical training and HOSA activities. Conference highlights included over 150 educational workshops, health-related exhibits, opportunities for certifications and a keynote address from U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Jerome M. Adams, M.D.
Pictured, left to right: Ciera Smidt, Brooke Watne, Rachael Lane, Nathan Schofield, Bhumi Patel, Amy Carranza and Allison McCollum