Last week, February 18-20, 46 students from Fossil Ridge High School attended the HOSA-Future Health Professionals State Leadership Conference. The conference allowed for students to display their talents through several different events related to healthcare careers and pathways. 

Fossil displayed a wide variety of expertise across all grade levels and events, as 20 of these students placed in the top ten or higher in their events. The students who finished in the top three will move on to the International Leadership Conference in June, taking place in Nashville. 

Students in HOSA began planning for the conference in November, which involved choosing their events. Since then, students prepared for their events and tests through studying and collaboration with other HOSA members.

Addie Garner, a senior in HOSA, placed 10th in her event of Home Health Aid. This was her first time competing in the Colorado HOSA conference, as she had previously competed in the Idaho HOSA Conference during her sophomore year. 

“It was really fun. I connected with a lot of people, and I was able to build my expertise in my events,” Garner said.

Although she is disappointed about not placing for the national conference, Garner stated that she will continue to memorize and study her event, in the case she gets invited for the  conference. 

Shel Zhou, a senior at Fossil and President of HOSA, competed in three separate events: Behavioral Health, CPR, and Forensics. She finished successfully, placing in the top three in Behavioral Health and Forensics. 

“It’s nice to win something that you worked hard in,” said Zhou. 

She continued to express her excitement and pride about her wins, and stated that she hopes to attend the national conference in June. 

The conference was not only a rewarding experience for students competing, but also for chaperones and advisors involved. 

“I love getting to attend the opening and closing sessions where we get to cheer for Fossil and celebrate everyone’s success and effort and preparation,” said Sarah Hower, HOSA advisor at Fossil. “It’s really rewarding and makes me so proud to see how hard everyone works leading up to and at the event.”

During the International Leadership Conference, students will have the opportunity to compete in events, work with industry professionals, and learn from leaders in several different fields relating to healthcare. 

In the months leading up to it, students will prepare for their events by continuing to study, and working with Hower to practice their healthcare skills. 

“It makes me really proud to see them be successful and see their hard work pay off…there’s nothing cooler than seeing that joy.”

Final Results:

Shel Zhou — Behavioral Health 3rd place

Riya Sajjan & Annie Tao (Team) — Mental Health Promotion Top 10

Ryan Nelson — Pharmacy Science Top 10 and Medical Law & Ethics Top 10

Sarah Seib-Azofeifa — Pharmacy Science Top 10

Jay Nguyen — Pharmacology Top 10

Ashton Leistikow — Biotechnology Top 10 and Healthy Living Top 10

Jaimie Dang — Clinical Laboratory Science 3rd place and Pathophysiology 2nd place

Mya Lewis — Clinical Specialty Top 10

Chloe Hahm — Family Medicine Physician 2nd place and Human Growth & Development Top 10

Shel Zhou & Jaimie Dang (Team) — Forensic Science 1st place

Zef Guida & Syd Korzyniowski (Team) — Forensic Science 3rd place

Chloe Farr — Health Career Photography Top 10

Syd Korzyniowski — Health Informatics Top 10

Leah Chen — Home Health Aid 1st Place

Addie Garner — Home Health Aid Top 10

Leo Wang — Human Growth & Development 1st place

Jillian Tonso — Nursing Assisting Top 10

Anna Engelbart — Nutrition Top 10

Lauren Magelky — Researched Persuasive Writing & Speaking Top 10

Megan Rieker — Respiratory Therapy Top 10