For the first time at Harvard Public School, a student will be attending the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, after placing first in her respective event.
Raeha Jensen, a junior at HPS, earned gold and named the Medical Assisting champion at the state meet April 10-12, in Grand Island.
“It feels really good,” Jensen said as to how she felt about qualifying for nationals. “It almost feels like imposter syndrome; it doesn’t feel real yet.”
In Medical Assisting— which focuses on those who do paperwork and the clinical side of things—students had to perform blood pressures, hand washing, and taking a pulse, as well as a written test.
With her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) background, Jensen said she already knew how to do some of the skills, but the written test was the hardest part.
To prepare for state, Jensen said her sponsors— Blake Barwick, Jodi Bahr, and Blake Fahrenholtz— gave her the necessary tools to study and practice for her event.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without their [sponsors] help,” she told Harvard School Board members at their monthly meeting.
The success continued for Harvard Saturday, with three students also medaling in their respective events.
Jacee Grimes earned runner-up honors with a silver medal, also in Medical Assisting; Zoe Smith earned a bronze medal in Job Interview; while Cohen Reutzel earned bronze in Precision Machining Technology.
Additionally, Ethyn Whetstine- Jones finished fourth in Masonry, and Brexten Kobza made it to the Top 5 in Motorcycle Service Technology.
This is the second year Harvard has had the SkillsUSA program. Nationals is set for June 23-27 in Atlanta, GA.
Zoe Smith, left, and Cohen Reutzel, both of Harvard, earned bronze medals in their respective events. A photo of Jacee Grimes, who earned a silver medal, was not available. COURTESY PHOTOS | CLAY COUNTY NEWS
