JVS senior places third at international contest

BLOOMINGDALE -- Two recent Jefferson County Joint Vocational School graduates took part in a competition that draws contenders from across the globe, with one earning third-place honors.

Kristen Carroll and Bailey Ebright, 2022 alumna in the health technologies program at the JVS, made their way to the International HOSA Future Health Professionals Leadership Conference June 21-25 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. Carroll earned third place in the personal care category and Ebright made it to the second round in the home health aide contest.

Tammy Sismondo, JVS instructor and HOSA adviser, said Carroll's competition involved performing basic nursing skills while Ebright's entailed a written test and skills performance.

"Students had the opportunity to attend educational symposiums as well as learn leadership skills," Sismondo added, saying participants represented all 50 states, Canada and China.

It was the first time Carroll and Ebright attended the event, although the JVS has had others previously take part.

Sismondo said her students have gone every year, including virtually when COVID prevented competitions from being held in person, while the conference has drawn about 10,000 attendants.

Health Occupations Students of America, is now known as Future Health Professionals and is a student-led organization invested in middle school through collegiate students' future in the global health community.

Carroll of Hammondsville is the daughter of Michael Phelps and Heather Curran and graduated from Edison High School. Ebright of Cadiz is the daughter of Chris Ebright and Rita Morrison and graduated from Buckeye Local High School. Both plan to study nursing, with Carroll at Eastern Gateway Community College and Ebright at Kent State University.