Friday, March 16, 2007

An Awesome Opportunity for Students at Maquoketa High School


Following breakfast with Bellevue EA members and leaders, we were off to Maquoketa High School. Here we connected with Paulette Horner (standing with UniServ Director Bob Brown). Paulette welcomed us into her Health Science classroom where students were busily preparing for a weekend statewide competition at the HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) conference.
In a one semester course, the students will have completed their certification as a CNA (Certified Nurses Assistant). Maquoketa Schools have offered this program for the past 14 years. There are currently 30 students enrolled in the program.

Paulette explained that a large portion of their field experience is getting into health related offices within the Maquoketa community. She applauded the communities commitment to welcoming the students into their offices and providing the job shadowing and hands-on-experience they offer.
When I had the chance to visit with the students pictured, they shared how they are making plans to head to 4 year institutions within Iowa as well as surrounding states that offer specialized programs for their field of choice. Some spoke of getting their start at the Community College in Muscatine.
It is such an amazing opportunity the Maquoketa Schools have invested in and is embraced by the community. The students couldn't have been more excited about this learning/training opportunity!

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