Three Plant City High School students competed at a national competition event in Anaheim, California this summer for Health Occupations Students of America.
HOSA is a group that prepares students going into the medical field. It holds an annual competition focusing on the different mediums of health services. The club teaches students basic health guidelines and promotes science and medical career opportunities.
Shannon Yagins, Sarah Roberts and Yessica Chavez attended the event among the 8,000 students who flew in from around the country. Their HOSA teacher and leader, Bobbi Fortner, came along for support and guidance.
“Mrs. Fortner is amazing,” Yessica said. “She always encourages you.”
Yessica participated in the medical assisting sector. She answered phones, carried out a vision and urine test and performed several other procedures that a nurse or medical practitioner may have to do regularly.
“You have to do exactly like the guidelines say to,” Yessica said.
Shannon and Sarah took part in the speech competition. They prepared for months on the assigned topic “hope to lead.”
“We were in front of three judges, and we had to enunciate and talk very clearly,” Sarah said.
Sarah placed fourth at nationals. She said she was overwhelmed she was able to accomplish being in the top ten after the life hurdles she’s had to overcome.
“I grew up without a great childhood,” Sarah said.
Her father dismissed her complaints about headaches until Sarah’s biological mother took her to the hospital. At 7 years old, the doctors diagnosed her with brain cancer. Since then she’s battled brain cancer two more times and was adopted three and one half years ago.
“These last few years I didn’t get the best grades,” Sarah said. “My parents have made me want to do better.”
Now she is a junior who strives to eventually become a pediatric neurologist to help children like herself.
“I just want to give back,” Roberts said.
Shannon, vice president of the club, did not always feel so strongly about joining the health profession, but now she is a 17-year-old senior ready to become a nurse after she graduates.
As a freshman, Shannon wanted to join a culinary class. When she realizated Plant City High School didn’t offer a culinary arts class, the administration automatically put her in an open spot, a nursing class.
“I remember we were reading this one medical book about the human body,” Shanon said. “And I was like, ‘I think this is what I want to do.’”
The group previously attended regionals, along with other club members University of Florida, and the three girls continued onto the state competition at a Disney World hotel in Orlando.
“At regionals, I was so nervous I was shivering, except I wasn’t cold,” Sarah said. “But at states I knew what to do, and I did it even better.”
After placing at regionals, all three students packed their bags for the national California competition.
When they were not competing in front of judges, the group traveled to Hollywood to sightsee and tour the city.
“I liked all the crazy adventures trying to find restaurants and the different foods,” Yessica said.
ABOUT HOSA
Some of HOSA’s goals for its members are:
To promote physical, mental and social well being.
To make realistic career choices and seek successful employment in the health care field.
To build self-confidence and pride in one’s work.