Elkhorn HOSA team shares experiences from international conference
By Heather Ruenz
SLN staff
Not only did the Elkhorn HOSA chapter have the largest team to represent Wisconsin at the international conference this summer, it also had 12 students make it to the big stage, including one team that earned a championship.
HOSA-Future Health Professionals – formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America – is an international student organization, which aims to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people.
At EAHS the program has grown, advisor Stephanie Steinke said, a trend she expects to continue following the success at the HOSA International Leadership Conference.
“Prior to two years ago, only one student made nationals and I believe this is the first time Elkhorn students made it to the stage, with 12 out of 22 we had competing, placing. We were also the largest group from Wisconsin,” Steinke said, of the late June trip to Orlando.
The following were those that placed for the EAHS chapter:
- HOSA Bowl team of Caroline Terry, Carleigh Ramos, Summer Prom and Cammi Jacobson finished in the top 16 internationally;
- Logan Radlein placed in the top 10 for Medical Terminology and was recognized on stage at the awards ceremony. He is the first Elkhorn HOSA student to ever be recognized at the conference;
- The Creative Problem Solving team of Allison Schopf, Elizabeth Gottschalk, Julia Pulokas and Sarah Franz finished in third place. They received a medal and were on the podium at the awards ceremony. They are the first Elkhorn HOSA students to medal in their first international event, and;
- The Public Health team of Katie Hickey, Julia Los, and Josie Longhorn are national champions. They won first place, received gold medals, a plaque and a scholarship and will always hold a place in history as the first Elkhorn HOSA national champions.
The HOSA International Leadership Conference was attended by more than 10,000 people including 7,500 competitors and featured 57 health-related competitive events, 128 educational workshops and a keynote address from author, Paralympian and motivational speaker, Josh Sundquist.
Test and more tests
The Public Health team was required to take written exams to advance at different levels of competition. But they also had to use their creativity.
“We were given a piece of paper with a scenario on it and had a half hour to come up with ideas and posters and then give an 8-minute presentation,” Los explained.
The topic for the team was the Zika virus.
“We wrote a script and performed in two rounds but you get to the second only if your presentation is interesting enough in the first round,” Los said.
“The judges are terrifying – seriously. They sit there in full military dress. We even had the surgeon general. You have to look at them the entire time and it really makes you think on your feet and quickly cover up a mistake if you make one,” Los added.
With the national championship, the Public Health team won a $1,000 scholarship and split it between the three members of the team.
The HOSA Bowl team took an absolute knowledge essentials test and because the team ranked second, earned a first-round bye at state.
“Then there’s the buzz round and it’s really stressful because random questions – including parliamentary procedures and history of HOSA – are asked,” Ramos said.
“At state, we had to be in the top three to advance and won. At internationals, we were eighth on the test – had to be in the top 32 out of 150.) The first round was really easy but in the second, the other teams were really fast buzzing in,” Prom said.
Jacobson said their success can be attributed to the amount of studying they did.
“We studied every day during homeroom and then added nights to prepare. The last week of school until the competition we studied every day,” Jacobson said.
Steinke said the Creative Problem Solving team had to utilize teamwork and quick thinking.
“We each had to speak the same amount of time so no one person dominates the team,” Franz said.
The problem the team was given is the shortage of healthcare workers being willing to come to work.
“We looked at off-site partnerships with childcare places so people with kids could work, for example,” Franz said.
Radlein was required to take two tests and is humble about his success at internationals, but Steinke said it wasn’t as easy as he implies.
“He had prep work, for sure, and could only get one or two wrong on the tests to place where he did. He did great,” Steinke said.
College and life skills
Los said HOSA is a “great opportunity, even for someone not going into the healthcare field. Everyone should have an understanding about these issues.”
Steinke said it also helps students prepare for college.
“They have this experience and have shown their dedication. The public speaking is a great experience and they do that a lot – to groups, the school board and so on,” Steinke said. “Some colleges have HOSA chapters and we have the Elkhorn HOSA alumni that come back and help the younger students.”
Ramos said in addition to the skills learned, they’ve made lifelong friends in the process.
“We knew each other before but we weren’t close. It has really grown into great friendships that will last a lifetime,” Ramos said.
Radlein, who was quiet throughout the interview involving nine of the 12 students that placed at the competition in Orlando, finally spoke up.
“They’re OK and you can quote me on that,” he said of his HOSA teammates.
Pulokas said they met people from all over.
Los agreed.
“Everyone is really nice and supports each other. It’s not about beating others in a mean way,” Los said.
Franz said she was in the shower at the hotel when the results for her team came in.
“I heard everybody screaming. I didn’t think we did well so I wasn’t worried about it and it was my time to shower. Needless to say I finished up quickly,” Franz said.
“Everyone got so excited for everyone else. The whole team and Wisconsin chapter really supported the other Wisconsin teams,” Prom said.
Deep appreciation
The students made it clear during the interview for this story they appreciate Steinke’s leadership.
“We have to give a shout-out to Mrs. Steinke because she’s always here for us. When we were waiting to start, for example, we sent her a text to come and calm us down because we were so nervous,” Schopf said.
“She cares just as much as we do but is very modest about how much she helps us and supports us,” Los added.
Does she have a famous quote?
“Be confident in your preparation,” the students said in unison.
“I love it. Logan was the first Elkhorn student to make it on stage and I told him I was going to be ‘that mom.’ Sure enough, I ran behind him to take photos,” Steinke said.
Though busy at the conference, the group did find time for fun at Animal Kingdom, a waterpark and Disney Springs, and a little relaxation by the hotel pool.
Sponsorship money they raised allowed the team to have two meals together each day while on the trip. Cathy Picknell served as the other chaperone.
Though the students admittedly had fun, they also took pride in seeing their hard work pay off.
“Initially, it was for fun and to go on trips but then you put the time in and start competing and you really care and want to do well,” Los said.
“It’s so great to know all the time spent studying and preparing paid off. It was a lot of time but so worth it,” Ramos added.
For more information visit hosa.org or contact Steinke at the high school at steist@elkhorn.k12.wi.us or (262) 723-4920.
