Students from Kauai are preparing for professional careers with promising futures.
High schoolers from Kapaa to Waimea recently traveled to Oahu, entering an annual state competition for the Career and Technical Student Organizations Conference.
Career and Technical Education courses extend teaching and learning through innovative programs, business and community partnerships, and leadership experiences at the school, state and national levels.
The Hawaii state conference is more than a competition; students participated in leadership activities, educational symposiums and community service.
“It takes all those kids that belong to Career Technical Education programs and has them do written and skill tests or competitions of all different kinds from leadership to job interviews,” said Kapaa High School Nursing Teacher and Health Occupations Leader, Kara Kitamura.
Kapaa High School took 27 students — all girls — who are part of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club to compete in events including CPR/first aid, health care photography, medical terminology, and veterinary care.Three of Kapaa High School’s future health professionals won first place in the competition.
Kapaa junior Haley Gokan earned first place in the Healthcare Photography competition. She was required to photograph three health occupations on Kauai, one of them an actual surgery performed by Dr. David Rovinsky at Wilcox Medical Center. She then narrated the photographs, describing the skills being used and showing her knowledge of the health career. The high school student worked especially hard after placing second in the competition last year.
Juniors Victoria Hennessy and Hannah Collins-Doijode won first in the CPR/First Aid category and were recognized for achieving high standards of performance in competitive events and demonstrating skills and knowledge essential for a successful career in health care.
“They had a mock crash scene and had to treat their victim, and they did the best,” Kitamura said.
Kapaa students Gina McNarney placed fifth and Kora Quintana took sixth in the Nurse Aide competition. The team of Brisa Guerra and Serena Avery placed sixth in the CPR/First Aid category.
“These kids get to go to nationals now, where they’re going to represent the state of Hawaii,” Kitamura said. “So it’s kind of impressive.”
The three Kapaa High School students will advance to the national competition, representing Hawaii at the HOSA 41st annual International Leadership Conference in Dallas from June 26 to July 1.
“It was a group effort. It takes the professionals that help them, plus the teachers that help them and of course their efforts to make it happen,” Kitamura said. “So it really shows how our school’s advancing just to form a community partnership with our health professionals or any of the other careers.”
Career and Technical Student Organizations provide Hawaii students with opportunities to apply academic, technical and employability knowledge and skills necessary in today’s workforce.
