Career Tech Center student earns gold medal at national healthcare competition
Muskegon Area Career Tech Center (MACTC) Health Science Academy student Ashley Sokolowski was one of only five Michigan competitors to earn a gold medal during the HOSA 40th Annual International Leadership Conference, June 21–24, 2017. Sokolowski recently graduated from Ravenna High School. This year, Michigan HOSA sent 293 delegates to Orlando for the national conference. Ten thousand students from across the US, Canada, and Mexico competed in 56 separate competitive events.
Sokolowski earned gold in the Personal Care event where she successfully completed seven skills ranging from proper handwashing to discharging a patient. These are skills she uses every day in her job at Sanctuary at the Shore in Grand Haven. Sokolowski began working there in October of 2016.
“Ashley worked hard for this,” shared Health Science Academy Instructor Kathy Andrews. “Even after graduation she came to class every Friday to practice,” Andrews added.
In addition to the competition, Sokolowski participated in leadership academies, educational workshops, and connected with healthcare associations through interactive exhibits. She also explored GatorWorld and held the jaws of a live alligator shut!
HOSA is an international student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education (HSE) Division of ACTE. HOSA’s two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. 
The Muskegon Area Career Tech Center (MACTC) offers 16 free career training classes to high school juniors and seniors from public, charter, and non-public schools in Muskegon County. Many students earn free college credits as well.