Plymouth High School’s Health Occupation Students of America chapter has 6 members qualified for the HOSA nationals and nine others placing in the top 10 in the state HOSA competitions held at the HOSA State Leadership Conference held in Greensboro March 28-31.

Plymouth’s chapter was recognized as a Gold Star chapter for following the North Carolilna HOSA plan of work. Kathryn Gurganus and Dormekya Clark, PHS HOSA co-presidents, received the award for the chapter.

Gurganus, national service project chairwoman, was recognized with a plaque for heading up PHS HOSA’s national service project with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. PHS HOSA raised $500 and donated it to the foundation.
Charlie Moore Jr.. PHS HOSA vice president, accepted the American Red Cross Award recognizing PHS HOSA for sponsoring two blood-collection drives during the school year.

Moore also accepted the State Service Project Award for PHS HOSA’s American Red Cross disaster relief and hands-only CPR projects, donating $100 to the Red Cross chapter in Pitt County.

Megan Kelly was elected North Carolilna HOSA District 1 vice president for the 2012-2013 term.

Warché Downing, PHS HOSA’s 2012 national HOSA postsecondary/collegiate board representative, spoke at the closing ceremony, inviting everyone to Orlando, Fla., for the HOSA National Leadership Conference during June 19-24.

PHS HOSA adviser Linda P. West, RN, was awarded a Gold Star advisor plaque for outstanding service at the local, state and national HOSA levels. She served as a co-director of the North Carolina HOSA competitive events.

“Plymouth had the most winners out of all the schools in District 1. I am very proud of the hard work the students have put into their competitive events,” West said.

The following PHS HOSA members qualified for national competition in June by placing in the state-level competitions:

• Chapter newsletter: Kathryn Gurganus;
• Job-seeking skills: Charlie Moore Jr., first place;
• Outstanding HOSA chapter: Khailah Rawlins, gold medal;
• Courtesy Corps: Megan Kelly, third place;
• Research persuasive speaking: Sophia Barsanti, third place;
• Knowledge test-pharmacology: Kathryn Gurganus, third place;
• Medical assisting: Chelsea Dickerson, third place.

Placing top 10 and receiving honorable-mention status were:

• Extemporaneous health poster: Jaime Jalali, fifth place;
• Extemporaneous speaking: Jalen Price, eighth place;
• Medical assisting: Alexus Brooks, fifth place; Tonisha Nixon, seventh place and Brittany Brown, eighth place;
• Medical terminology: Quanna Norman, fourth place;
• Job-seeking skills: Tradesia Simpson, fifth place;
• Researched persuasive speaking: Megan Kelly, fourth place;
• Knowledge test-human growth and development: Kim Pham, eighth place.

“Each member worked so hard to prepare for the conference this year and carried that same dedicated attitude into their competitive events,” Gurganus said.

Other PHS HOSA members who competed were Clyje’ Armstrong, Teshawn Barnes, Lashika Basnight, Kadijah Biggs, Raven Brooks, Elexeya Carr, Arlander Cherry, DeClaya Cooper, Elicia Cooper, Jasmine Cooper, Nykia Cooper, Quishauna Cox, Dorothy Crumity, Leslie Drake, Taylor Furlough, Victoria Furlough, Tashiyana Gallop, Trya Galloway, Destini Garrett, Kristy Gibson, Tenisha Hines, Ariel Jackson, Sontia Matthews, Kaitlyn McNair, Justin Norman, Shaquasha Norman,  Whitley Phelps, Joanna Revels, Chris Rogerson, Lauren Rogerson, Chevon Simpson, Jada Simpson, Precious Smith, Davonte Spruill and Desiree Swain.