Add another Oxford High School student who will be heading to a state final competition in April.
OHS junior Natalie Jones won the bronze medal in physical therapy during the Health Occupations Students of America regional, which took place Feb. 4 at Fraser High School.
‘I had to take a test of about 50 questions about various diseases ? muscle diseases, cardiovascular diseases ? and then I had to perform two skills,? she said.
One skill was applying an ice pack, while another was helping an individual get up and walk.
Jones said her mother encouraged her to compete in the competition because ‘my older sister did it.?
Jones also attends Oakland Schools Technical Campus in Pontiac.
The campuses provides practical career technical education to high school students from Oakland County’s 28 school districts, public academies, private learning institutions and home schools.
Other locations include Clarkston, Wixom and Royal Oak.
She added she was really nervous before the event, but taking the test helped her calm her nerves before performing the two skills.
‘Some people took the test first and some people took the skills first, and I’m happy that I took the test first because it calmed me down and I was more relaxed.?
She said she found out later that day she won the bronze medal.
She added she was interested in going into either physical therapy or occupational therapy.
‘When my little sister had back issues, I had to take her to physical therapy,? Jones said. ‘At first, it was a drag, but when I saw helped her with exercise and helped make her better, it got me interested in it.?
The state competition will take place during the HOSA State Leadership Conference at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, MI from April 18-20.