14 Somerset students headed to Internationals after making history at HOSA

Some local students have reason to smile after their recent impressive showing.

According to advisor Lyndsey Francoeur, at the recent HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) State Leadership Conference, 14 students from Somerset made history by winning awards and securing their spots to advance to the International Leadership Conference.

“This remarkable achievement highlights the dedication and talent of the Somerset Berkeley community in the field of health sciences.”

In the Physical Therapy category, David Perry took home the gold with a first-place finish, followed by Julia Moreira in second and Matthew Barboza in third. The Emotional Well-Being Challenge saw a strong performance from Gabriella Marques, Addison Pavia, and Maya Jasse, all earning second place. In Nursing Assisting, Emily Almedia secured third place, showcasing her skills in a vital area of healthcare.

The competition also featured Health Career Photography, where Samatha Souza claimed second place. In the Medical Innovations category, Grace Tweedie and Jacob Wilson finished third, while Jasper Troutman and Nate Melo earned second place. Ryan Viera and Grace Tweedie, who impressively won first place for the second consecutive year, represented Somerset in Pharmacy Science. Lastly, Laylah Kelsey made her mark in Clinical Laboratory Science.

Francoeur stated that this year’s conference not only showcased the exceptional abilities of Somerset students but also marked a record-breaking achievement for the community.

“Their hard work and commitment to health professions are paving the way for future leaders in the field. Congratulations to all the winners and participants for their outstanding accomplishments!”