Carson High School CTE students sweep state competition

More than 80 Carson High School Career and Technical Education health science students and members of CHS HOSA Future Health Professionals swept the Nevada HOSA State Leadership Conference held at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, competing in more than 30 events in March.

Kelly Gustafson, CHS CTE health sciences teacher, said the Carson City students exhibited professionalism, respect, knowledge, and wisdom beyond their years throughout the school year, as well as in competition.

"I am so proud of our students and all of their hard work and dedication to HOSA,” she said. “It shines through in all of their work and in the awards they captured at the state conference.”

CHS HOSA was named State Chapter of the Year for the second year in a row. Chapter of the Year is awarded to one chapter based on size of chapter; participation by members, officers, and advisors; volunteering, participation and attendance at the state conference; professionalism; state officer candidates and overall impact on Nevada HOSA.

The chapter received the National Service Award for their work with the Northern Nevada office of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Chapter members helped with sending out membership renewal emails to its members and making membership phone calls.

CHS also claimed the Gold Membership Award. To earn this level, the chapter must have at least 95 percent of their total health science pathway students enrolled and in good standing as HOSA members. Carson High HOSA was the only school in the state to achieve this award with 125 percent chapter membership with more HOSA members than students enrolled in health science classes.

Gustafson was named state HOSA advisor of the year.

“I was very surprised to receive this award and am honored to be their adviser, teacher and mentor,” Gustafson said. “This group never ceases to amaze me with all that they have accomplished this year. They are truly remarkable."

Frank Sakelarios, CHS CTE health sciences teacher, was named honorary life member for his years of work with Nevada HOSA.

"I am very humbled by this award,” Sakelarios said. “It is because of all the hard work and dedication of our wonderful administration, and students that I received this award. I am so proud of our students and all of their hard work and dedication to HOSA. I am honored to be their advisor, teacher and mentor. "

CHS CTE HOSA state competition results:

Recognition Awards
Outstanding HOSA Advisor of the Year: Kelly Gustafson
Honorary Life Member: Frank Sakelarios

Chapter Awards:
Chapter of the Year
Largest Chapter in Nevada - 325 members, an increase over last year’s 303 members
Gold medal: Membership for 125 percent health science student membership
National Service Project Award

Linda Lopez Scholarship
Jiavanna Wong-Fortunato

Chapter Reflections
America Brena

State Officer for Western Region Vice President
Victoria Defilippi

Barbara James Service Awards:
Victoria Defilippi: 180 hours
Aneet Mand: 156 hours
Rachel Tran: 110hours
Kalysta Branco: 107 hours
Menen Ashagrie: 107 hours
Crystal Vargas: 87 hours

HEALTHCARE ISSUES EXAM qualifiers:
1st overall: Menen Ashagrie
3rd overall: Rachel Tran
Rachel Weese
Jayson Artz
Jessica Camelon
Italo DaSilva
Gabriella Escobar
Sydney Fields
Jacob Wolz

Health Profession Events:

Medical Terminology
4th place: Sydney Fields

Transcultural Healthcare
2nd place: Aneet Mand

Dental Science
1st place: Jiavanna Wong-Fortunato
3rd place: Mohammad Abdelhade

Nurse Assist
3rd place: Taylor Dawley

Physical Therapy
2nd place: Kalysta Branco
5th place: Haley Woodward

Vet Science
2nd place: Camryn Aten
3rd place: Haley Garver
4th place: Saul Yanez

CPR/First Aid
1st place: Jessica Camelon and Victoria Defilippi
5th place: Italo DaSilva and Maya Vasquez

Public Health
2nd place: Ethan Byassee, Jakob Carlson, Juan Juarez and Evan Vizzusi

Extemporaneous Writing
3rd place: Hannah Hope Hodorowicz

Healthy Lifestyle
1st place: Valeria Martinez
3rd place: Emily Gentile
4th place: Moises Angulo

Job Seeking Skills
1st place: Crystal Vargas

Carson High School’s Career and Technical Education program encompasses a vast number of classes and programs that teach today's students the high demand skills needed to get a job. CTE better prepares students for post-secondary education and/or the world of work, whether they choose to enter the work place directly from high school, or select to pursue post-secondary education in a technical training program, apprenticeship, or a two, or four-year college. CTE prepares students for the world of work by introducing them to workplace competencies, and makes academic content accessible to students by providing it in a hands-on context.