Spain Park High School Health Science Academy wins top spots

Spain Park High School’s Health Science Academy recently took home several top spots at the Future Health Professionals Leadership Conference held in Montgomery. 58 students competed in this year’s competition and 15 qualified to compete in the National HOSA Leadership Convention which be held this June in California.

The competition featured numerous categories including Physical Therapy, Pathophysiology, Transcultural Healthcare and Biomedical Debate. Students began preparing for this competition in September, according to academy director Mr. Jason Zajac.

“I am extraordinarily proud of these fine young men and women. The HOSA competition is an optional extracurricular event and this group worked tirelessly to prepare despite their already rigorous academic schedule. This is the second year for Spain Park to compete at the state level. Not only did we take several more students this year, we had nearly twice as many as last year qualify to compete at the national level,” Zajac said.

The Health Science Academy at Spain Park High School gives students opportunities to study (and in some cases, become credentialed in) in-demand healthcare occupations. The academy has grown to more than 200 students in less than five years. A grant from the Alabama State Department of Education this school year helped the program expand to three fully functional, high-tech labs. The academy partners with nearby Jefferson State Community College in a dual-enrollment program. 

-Submitted by Jason Gaston