November 3rd-9th was HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) week all across the Nation. The Brownwood High School local HOSA chapter decided to get the word out about HOSA by providing some education at local Brownwood ISD elementary schools.

“Monday through Thursday HOSA members went to one elementary school and taught each and every class how to wash their hands,” said BHS Health Sciences Teacher, Annalyn Deen.

Classes that visited the elementary schools included the CNA class that visited Woodland Heights Elementary on Monday, the Pharmacy Tech class went to East Elementary on Tuesday, and the Junior Practicum class traveled to Northwest Elementary on Wednesday.  On Thursday, HOSA officers visited the Life Skills Class at Brownwood High School.

“They used an interactive lesson with a puppet name Henry the Hand,” said Deen. “He had some germs on him and every student gave him a high five which led to them getting germs as well. The students then introduced a black light that allowed the students to see the germs on their hands.”

Students were instructed on correct hand-washing motions and mimicked the actions of washing their hands. “Finally one student was chosen to actually wash their hands and show what they looked like under the glow light when they were clean,” noted Deen. “They were also taught to cough and sneeze into their elbow, to wash their hands before they eat and after they use the restroom, and to never touch their eyes nose or mouth as this is where germs enter the body.”

“Every school was very receptive to the teaching. The elementary students enjoyed seeing the high school kids. Some even asked if they could be in that program when they get to the high school,” said Deen. “The HOSA students hoped it would prevent the spread of cold and flu among the elementary schools and enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm of the elementary schools. It was a win win for both Brownwood High School and the Brownwood elementary schools.”

To round out the week several HOSA students attended a Fall Leadership Conference in Copperas Cove, Texas on Saturday, November 8th. “They learned how to become better leaders,” noted Deen. “They came back with a mission to help support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Association which is HOSA’s mission this year as well.”

Pictured above:  Junior Practicum Students Cassi Hall, Tanya Martinez, Abby Robledo, and Danielle Ryan teach hand-washing techniques to Northwest Elementary Students.

Pictured above:  Senior BHS Pharmacy Tech students Darian Philbrick, Paxton Vaughn, Marissa Blincoe, Bailey Watkins, and Taran Cardenas use Henry the Hand to teach hand-washing to East Elementary Students.

Pictured left:  BHS HOSA student, Brady Taylor (Area 5 Secretary), leads the opening at the Fall Leadership Conference.