From left to right: Katy Groseta, BUHS Agriculture Instructor; Sarah Edwards; Ethan Holt; Gigi Aha, BUHS Career Counselor and Teddi Wood-Holt, BUHS Agriculture Instructor.

Congratulations to the 264 Arizona HOSA members and advisors that traveled and competed at the 33^rd National HOSA Leadership Conference. Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) is a student organization dedicated to promoting career opportunities in health care.

AzHOSA currently operates 197 chapters in 120 high schools in Arizona. West-MEC is proud to announce the winners from West-MEC member districts below:

Gold

Outstanding HOSA Chapter - Thunderbird HS Chapters

Outstanding Chapter Newsletter – Thunderbird HS Chapters

Silver

Forensic Medicine –  Jessica Caro and Vanessa Lopez of Agua Fria HS

Bronze

Job Seeking Skills  - Selah Bratt of Thunderbird High School

Placing in the Top Ten

6th Place   Clinical Nursing –  Karina Diaz of Thunderbird HS

9th Place    Medical Photography  - Jacqueline Kartman of Thunderbird HS

Post-Secondary Winners:

Job Seeking Skills:  Katy-Marie Becker, ASU  (Thunderbird HOSA alumni)

Dental Assisting:  Diana Matatova, ASU  (Thunderbird HOSA alumni)

*Special Note- The Kaiser Permanente Health Care Issues Exam event tests members’ knowledge of health and medical related current events.           Elaina Sprau from  Thunderbird HS  was one of five AzHOSA members placing in the top 10% in the nation.

The conference is the premier arena for educators from around the state to develop professional skills and gain insight on the latest in Career and Technical Education.

West-MEC will provide multiple learning opportunities to conference attendees. Below is a list of workshops to be presented by West-MEC staff:

Sunday, July 18

‘What Can West-MEC Do For You?’ (3:30pm-5:00pm, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort)

‘AZ Legislative Update’ (11:45am-1:15pm, Westin La Paloma)

Monday, July 19

‘What Can West-MEC Do For You?’ (10:00am-11:30am, Westin La Paloma)

‘CTE 201’ (11:45am-1:15pm, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort)

‘What the Research Says – Update 2011’ (1:30pm-3:00pm, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort)

Tuesday, July 20

‘A Taste for Marketing’ (8:00am-9:30am, Westin La Paloma)

‘What the Research Says – Update 2011’ (10:00am-11:30am, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort)

‘AZ Legislative Update’ (10:00am-11:30am, Loews Ventana Canyon)

Check out West-MEC’s Facebook fanpage and Twitter feed for updates in real time from the conference.

West-MEC Superintendent Greg Donovan and Assistant to the Superintendent Cliff Migal finalized the purchase of a 2005 Kenworth T60 Heavy Duty Conventional Truck for instructional use.

The new truck will be housed at the West-MEC training bay located on the Sterling, Freightliner, and Western Star of Arizona dealership facility. High school juniors and seniors learn the nuts and bolts of diesel mechanics from industry professionals in this unique program. Students will now be able to experience the features of a live diesel engine as they train.

This purchase was possible because West-MEC has made appreciable and positive inroads with Inland Kenworth and other diesel industry leaders.

West-MEC relies on the guidance of program advisory councils for each of its Central Programs. Business and industry partners examine new and emerging trends in a variety of occupational sectors. They assist with curriculum development, determine workplace needs, and in this instance, assist with the realization of purchasing new instructional equipment.

“We are fortunate to have a knowledgeable and active advisory council leading the charge for our diesel program,” explained Migal.

Migal worked with Inland Kenworth Service Manager John O’Connor to determine the most suitable truck for the diesel program at the most affordable price for the school district. O’Connor scouted the market to find West-MEC’s very own BIG RIG.

Check it out…

West-MEC presented Vineyard Church Director Operations, Jim Hummel, with a plaque as a token of gratitude. The church played host to West-MEC’s first-ever senior recognition ceremony for its Cosmetology program May 14, 2010.