Dear Editor,

I recently had the opportunity to attend the state HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Conference in Denver with the Roaring Fork Med-Prep students and their advisor, Judy Burke.

As a chaperone and a judge in some of the competitions, I was able to witness the expertise and knowledge our students displayed while competing in written tests, speech presentations, debates, creative problem solving, and CPR and First Aid skills.

Every one of our students was announced as possible medal winners. As a group, they received a total of 23 medals. Thank you to Judy Burke for the excellent Med Prep program she has developed for the Roaring Fork students.

This program would also not be as successful if it weren’t for all the community support and medical facilities, such as Valley View Hospital, who have opened their doors to these students and given them the opportunity to be exposed to such a positive experience in the field of medicine.

Many of these students have chosen a future in a health-oriented career and part of their decision-making can be attributed to all of the community support.

Also, Congratulations to the four GSHS students who were state officers for the 2002-03 HOSA year. Tess Jankovsky, Joe Bevins, Promise Bauers, and Kate Waibel did an incredible job with organizing, planning and executing such a successful conference.

A job well done!

Pat Hansen

Glenwood Springs