Four teachers and 10 students from Idaho earned accolades at the virtual HOSA International Leadership Conference held June 23-26, 2021. The conference featured general sessions, workshops, and competitive events that focused on leadership, professional, and technical skills.

Highlights included inducting Meridian Medical Arts Charter School teacher Carie Staub into the HOSA Hall of Fame. Staub, a licensed athletic trainer, teaches health sciences and sports medicine, serves as a HOSA advisor, and sits on the HOSA board of directors and the planning committee for the state leadership conference.

The HOSA Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize individuals and companies who have rendered outstanding service to HOSA, health and biomedical science education, and the health industry. Each year, one chartered association advisor, one local advisor, one member, one alumnus and one partner is inducted into the Hall of Fame; Staub was inducted as a local advisor.

“Carie was committed to ensuring this year’s virtual State Leadership and International Leadership conferences looked and felt as normal as possible for all students during an unpredictable year,” said Stephanie Mai, Idaho HOSA state advisor. “She continually dedicates her free time to grow and develop opportunities for her own students, as well as all HOSA members. Idaho HOSA would not be the same without her profound knowledge, spirit and commitment.”

Three other Idaho teachers received recognition during the June 26 awards session:

• Blake Gaudet, Outstanding Local Advisor (Secondary), Meridian Medical Arts Charter High School, Meridian
• Rene Rambur, Outstanding Local Advisor (Postsecondary), College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls
• Olivia Swainston, Outstanding HOSA Leader, Idaho State University, Pocatello

Idaho students also earned awards and honors at the international conference:

Postsecondary/collegiate division:

• Soraya Berry, 2nd place, Job Seeking Skills, College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls
• Kassandra Klimes, 5th place, Dental Science, College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls

Secondary division:

• Madison Boring, Silver Service Award (175-249.9 service hours), Canyon Ridge High School, Twin Falls
• Xavier Christy, $1,000 scholarship recipient from the Association for Career and Technical Education Health Science Education Division, Meridian Medical Arts Charter High School, Meridian
• Kyra Deville, Bronze Service Award (100-174.9 service hours), Canyon Ridge High School, Twin Falls
• Angel Dominguez, 1st place, Job Seeking Skills, Grangeville Chapter
• Hailie Goldthorpe, Silver Service Award, Mountain Home High School, Mountain Home
• Wency Suo and Karoline Yang, 6th place, Health Career Display, Boise High School, Boise
• Cynthia Zepeda, Bronze Service Award, Canyon Ridge High School, Twin Falls

“We’re really proud of our students and how well they adapted to the virtual events and competitions,” said Jessie Kellogg, Idaho HOSA manager. “We know how hard they had to work to overcome the obstacles of the past year.”