SHS sweeps statewide dental competition
P theroper preparation prevents poor performance.
Southwest High School students were well-prepared, as they completely swept competition during the Cal-Health Occupations Students of America 2017 state leadership conference in Sacramento recently.
In the dental science division, eight of the top 10 students who placed in the competition were from Southwest, including Alfredo Jimenez, who won, Alyssa Banuelos and Luis Villegas, who placed second and third respectively.
Out of all 20 students who came from around the state to compete in the dental division, 14 of them were from Southwest High — although the school’s success did not come from one overnight study session.
In January, the students entered what they referred to as “study season” in preparation for the competition, practicing for three hours during school then going to a classmate’s house after school to study until 8:30 p.m. and usually having study session Saturdays.
“I think it paid off because it was a good feeling going on stage and seeing all the smiles and support from all my classmates,” reflected Banuelos on whether her time spent studying was worth the effort.
The Southwest students practiced seven different skills that could be used in the competition, but did not know which two they had to showcase until they were in Sacramento.
Before the study process began, many students had to overcome the fear of taking part in a statewide competition.
“I was nervous because I felt like I wasn’t prepared. I just thought there’s probably going to be a lot of people and I won’t even place,” said Banuelos on why she initially did not want to enter the competition.
The students gained confidence after four Southwest alumni medalist came to the school to share their experience in the competition and saw how much their advisor supported them.
“I encouraged students to take risk and to put themselves out there to try new things,” said Southwest High HOSA Advisor Jackie Valadez, who strongly encouraged her students to participate in the conference.
“Students are fearful because it’s unknown to them and we don’t want them to miss out on those opportunities because of fear,” explained Valadez. “I’ve never met a student who regrets the experience.”
From March 15 to March 19, Valadez traveled to Sacramento with 14 of her students, which was the largest group competing in the dental category she’s had in her 10 year teaching career.
“They really came together when it was time to study and prepare. They really worked together and bonded as a team,” commented Valadez on her HOSA Dental Science students.
While in Sacramento, the group of Southwest students was recognized by Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia during an assembly session at the state capital.
During the competition, students had to demonstrate in front of a judge how to teach proper oral hygiene to a patient and how to set up a dental chair and a syringe.
“We did the skills repeatedly and we knew what to expect,” said Banuelos.
A list of the top five performers were then called on stage — and Villegas couldn’t have been any less shocked when he and four of his classmates’ names were called.
“When I saw my name on the list, I just jumped out of my seat. I forgot my jacket and I had to go back and get it,” remembered Villegas.
“I was freaking out. When they called my name I just thought ‘no way.’ Standing on stage, my heart was beating fast and my legs were shaking. I never expected to win,” recalled Jimenez on winning first place at the competition.
Following Jimenez, Banuelos and Villegas were: classmates Ashley Rodriguez in fourth place, Alma Estrada in fifth place, Aileen Centeno in sixth place and Samantha Bedoy-Ortiz and Jose Chavez in eight and ninth place respectively.
Southwest High’s Sakhi Patel also finished in fourth place in the pathophysiology division of the competition.
Other notable high school students from the Imperial Valley that placed at the competition were Calexico High’s Korina Alvarez, who finished third place in the transcultural health care division, Brawley Union High School’s Victor Martinez, who finished in third place in the biomedical laboratory science division and Imperial High’s Isabella Castillo who placed sixth in the health career photography division.
The three Southwest medalists advanced to compete June 21 at the HOSA International Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla.