By Emily Cleveland
Panther’s Tale
Five club members of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and I competed in different categories such as Biomedical Laboratory Science, Medical Terminology, Behavioral Health, and Medical Math on Monday and Tuesday.
We traveled to Pittsburg and the events were hosted at Pittsburg State University. The first night consisted of knowledge tests, which all competitors participated in.
Junior Paige Davis won first place in her Behavioral Health category.
“I was really nervous going into the testing rooms, and I honestly didn’t think I was going to do very well,” Davis said.
Later on that night, we all stayed in our hotel and studied for our event the next day: Biomedical Laboratory Science. Five of the six of us competed in this category and did not know what to expect; for most of us it was our first year competing.
The judges could pick up to three of the seven skills to perform: Identifying Laboratory Instruments, Infection control and transmission-based precautions, Inoculate and streak an agar plate, Using a microscope, ABO Grouping, Gram Stain and/or Preparing a Laboratory Solution.
When we got there we were tested on identifying laboratory instruments and infection control, which is putting on and taking off personal protective equipment. After we performed our skills for the judges, we headed back home and waited for the results to come in within the next day or two.
Derby finished well:
Junior Hannah Berk, fifth place
Cyaira Pierce, fourth place
Senior Marissa Stuckey, third place
Junior Paige Davis, second place
Junior Emily Cleveland, first place
Co-advisors of HOSA — Karla Long and Kathleen O’Brien — were alongside us and helped us prepare for our events.
“Ms. O’Brien and I simulate lab situations and run through practice drills, but the competitors carry the ultimate responsibility of being prepared for competition,” Long said.
Competitors who did exceptionally well go onto nationals which is in Orlando, Florida this summer.
“I am so proud of everyone who competed. Everyone was super to work with and to sweep the Biomedical Laboratory Event and place first, second and third was great. Also two of our competitors qualified for nationals, so our work isn’t done.” Long said.
Pictured left to right: junior Paige Davis, junior Cyaira Pierce, senior Marissa Stuckey, junior Emily Cleveland, junior Hannah Berk, senior Autumn Pourhussin, photos courtesy of Karla Long
