Gravette students attend HOSA conference

Holli McDonald and Marlie Ball are pictured together at the summer HOSA conference.

Holli McDonald and Marlie Ball are pictured together at the summer HOSA conference.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

— Twentyseven students from Gravette High School attended the national HOSA conference held earlier this summer in Nashville, Tenn. According to their instructor/ sponsor Angela Scott, Gravette continued its tradition with great representation for the state of Arkansas at the four-day event.

More than 6,000 competitors from across the nation, state winners from their various states, competed in demonstration and leadership activities.

“All of our students did very well in their respective fields,” Scott said.

Brian Smithers and Lacy Newell, whose picture appeared in last week’s Eagle Observer, earned a gold medal in forensic science. This year, Marlie Ball and Holli McDonald, pictured, also won a fourth-place in forensic science.

Photos of other winners and a group photo are not available for publication, but Scott noted that Russell Sharp, a graduate with theClass of 2013, fi nished 10th in pharmacology.

Since 2005, Gravette High School HOSA has had 33 National Top Ten Finishers, including six national medals.

“We are so proud of all our competitors who continue to represent Gravette High School and the state of Arkansas so well,” Scott said.

Arkansas annually is the state’s top HOSA team with the most students attending the state convention.

This year’s national competitors included Marlie Ball, Holli McDonald, Brian Smithers, Lacey Newell, Peyton Scott, Madison Turner, Austin Thompson, Brennen Austin, Brandon Madl, Saber Treat, Russell Sharp, Colton Holland, Chasen Root, Bryce Moorman, Josiah Morris, Chay McDaniel, Kennedy Bohannon, Taylor Bradley, Damayla Cowan, Levi Franks, Darriann Coffelt, Jayla Brown, Jacob Bookout, Kendra Greenhaw, Katelyn Regalado, Christina Bramel and Meagan McAfee.

“We are very appreciative of the support of our parents and the community,” Scott said. “A special thank you to the parents who traveled with us this year, SherriWebb, Mary Helen Smithers, Tonya Cowan, Natalie Morrison and Meredith Bramel.

Community, Pages 8 on 08/28/2013