By Brandi Miller / For the FCT

Red Bay High School HOSA has a long tradition of always placing well in local, regional, state and even national competition. This year proved to be no exception.

The Alabama HOSA State Leadership conference was held in Montgomery Feb. 20-23. The students who scored in the top percentile in regional competition had the opportunity to attend the Alabama State HOSA Conference to compete against students from across the state.

Students have been working since September to prepare for this competition, practicing during class and reviewing project guidelines. Harlee Brewer, Cheyenne Wallace, Layal Bilstein and Conner Ashley competed and placed in the top 15 for the state of Alabama in public service announcement.

Lexie Carnes and Cara McNeil placed first in health career display–oncologist and were also awarded a monetary prize of $100 each.

Savannah Shaw, Cameron Burks, Matthew Williams and Brooke Shotts placed first in medical innovations–existing.

Abby Montgomery placed second in most outstanding chapter, and Sydney Hardin placed first in HOSA Happenings – Newsletter. Sarah Williams and Kaylee Markham took fourth place for health careers display–bariatric surgeon, and Elizabeth Markham, Brooke Shewbart, Paige Hester and Cynthia Granger took fourth place for medical innovation–original.

Devin Nichols attended the competition, taking the transcultural test.

Shaw and Hardin received the Barbara James Award, and Red Bay High School won the Alabama State Service Project. RBHS was awarded a plaque and $100 for this honor.

In addition to the many awards won by the students, RBHS HOSA teacher Dr. Kay Hargett won the Alabama State Health Science–HOSA Teacher of the Year.

In addition to their impressive showing in Montgomery, Markham, Shewbart, Hester, Granger, Shaw, Burks, Williams and Shotts are also finalists in the Shoals Snap competition at the University of North Alabama.  These students will present their respective innovations March 8 at 4 p.m.  These students are also in consideration to make an appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. If chosen, these students will travel to New York to showcase their inventions on the television program.