This is the second year of the MHS HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) chapter, and it was full of success. The state conference was held at the Sanford Pentagon on March 30th and 31st. Along with the Pentagon, there were also activities held at USD-Sioux Falls and competitions at Southeast Tech and Sanford Fieldhouse. Throughout the conference, there were breakout sessions, competitions, and games. Unfortunately, the second day was canceled due to inclement weather.
20 members from Madison attended state with 11 placing in the top ten. Some tests are online tests only, while others involve an online test and then the top placings compete at state by doing skills for judges. In the medical math test, Elijah Sims placed 8th and Carsen Schneider placed 5th, Carsen also placed 9th in pathophysiology. Amanda Vacanti placed 9th in Dental Science, and Ashlyn Rustand placed 10th in the same event. Ava Bradenburger placed 8th in Veterinary Science. Evelyn Graham placed 7th in two events, Medical Terminology, and Medical Lab Science. In Pharmacy Science, Autumn Larsen placed 7th. Kendra Havlik placed 8th in Medical Assisting, also placing in Medical Assisting was Delaney Gerry in 6th. Ashlyn Strom also placed in two events, 8th in Nutrition and 10th in Nursing Assisting. One member qualified for the International Leadership Conference in two events, Kate Johnson placed 1st in Pharmacy Science and 3rd in Dental Terminology. The chapter also received an award for a percentage increase in membership. Madison placed third with an increase of 115%.