Southwest Technical College (STECH) would like to congratulate the students that participated in this year’s HOSA – Future Health Professionals State and International Leadership Conferences. This is the first year that STECH has participated on the state or international level, and our students placed in several categories, including first place in Nursing Assistant, and fourth and tenth place in EMT on the international level. Each of the student participants represented STECH to the highest caliber of professionalism, and we are so proud of their accomplishments.
The HOSA – Future Health Professionals State Leadership Conference State Leadership Conference and competition was held over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, March 15-18, 2023. STECH sent seventeen students and three advisors to the competition, which was held in Layton, Utah. Of those seventeen students, twelve advanced to the second round of the competition, with eight students placing in the Top 10 during the finals round. Among those eight students, five placed in the Top 3, some in multiple events. This earned them an automatic spot in the international competition in Dallas, TX. Despite some competitors earning multiple medals and awards, each member or team is only allowed to compete in a single event on the international stage. These five members competed as (2) EMT teams (consisting of two team members each) and a single Nursing Assistant student. A sixth member of the delegation was also later added due to her rankings, to compete in Healthy Lifestyles.
On June 20, 2023, co-advisors Charlie Gray and Rachel Stewart arrived in Dallas, TX for the the HOSA International Leadership Conference and Expo with team members: Madi Kropf (Post-Secondary EMT), Sam Johnson (Post-Secondary EMT), Dallin Anderson (Post-Secondary EMT), Austin Dotson (Post-Secondary EMT), Ian Anderson (Post-Secondary Nursing Assistant), and Shannon Roach (Secondary Healthy Lifestyles). There were over 12,000 students in attendance at the Conference from across all 50 States, Canada, Mexico, South America, China, and beyond. There were over 12,000 students in attendance at the conference from across all 50 States, Canada, Mexico, South America, China, and beyond. In addition to competing, our STECH students attended seminars, listened to conference speakers, and participated in numerous academic activities and lectures.
During the first round of the competition, the competitors were weeded out based on a written test. There are typically over 75 events, and only a percentage of the highest test scores in each of the competitive events moved on. All six of STECH’s students moved on to Round 2. In the second round, students were tested on their practical skill set within their discipline. The competition was stacked with talent, but when the dust settled, STECH’s five students were once again ranked in the top 10, this time internationally, with one student taking top honors and earning a gold medal. STECH’s student rankings were as follows: first place in Nursing Assistant – Ian Anderson; fourth place in EMT – Dallin Anderson & Austin Dotson; tenth place in EMT – Madi Kropf & Sam Johnson.
Congratulations again to each and every one of the participating students. Your achievements are truly a reflection of the caliber of education and the quality of the faculty at Southwest Technical College.
SPECIAL NOTE:
The HOSA Students and co-advisors would like to extend their appreciation to President Wood and the Southwest Tech Board for their unwavering support of HOSA – Future Health Professionals. This is the first year that the STECH Chapter of HOSA has been rekindled in several years. And if a little school in Cedar City, Utah can perform with such exuberance their FIRST year back in the game, just wait to see what the coming years bring!