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Freshman earns chance to compete in international HOSA test

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Katrina Rodenberg, a freshman HOSA-Future Health Professionals Club member at Prairie du Chien High School, was first in the state in the HOSA behavioral health test. This earned her the right to compete in the international competition in Texas this June, as long as she can raise the funds to travel there. She’s pictured with her medal from the state contest. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

A Prairie du Chien High School freshman has realized an academic distinction that could take her to Dallas for further educational competition among her peers internationally. But, to get there, she and her family need to cover at least $800 to $1,000 in expenses associated with the opportunity. 

Katrina Rodenberg, 15, the daughter of Amy Rodenberg and Jeff Hazen, placed first in Wisconsin’s HOSA-Future Health Professionals behavioral health category contest, April 15-17. This involved a 100-question computerized test focused on the whole spectrum of issues associated with behavioral health. Questions regarded conditions such as physical disorders and psychological conditions, as well as the histories of them, therapies, medications, etc. Competitors must apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate the behavioral health info.

“It’s kind of like knowing everything I can about the category,” Katrina shared. “Funny story: It’s all multiple choice, but there’s an essay question at the end and it timed me out.”

She added that the essay question would be used as a tie-breaker if necessary, and she was left just hoping her results wouldn’t come down to that. 

In the end, it didn’t matter. 

Katrina was the top finisher. 

“I was in shock for awhile after I heard the news, so it didn’t really sink in at first,” she said. “But then I started getting excited. It’s crazy, this opportunity.”

Katrina was never told how many questions she aced, the number of fellow contestants or too many more specifics. She simply knows that she won and gets the chance to advance to the HOSA International Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas, June 27-30. She will compete on that Thursday, taking another 100-question test of increased difficulty. The top three competitors from every state have qualified to be there and, since it’s international, students from other countries are likely to sit alongside her as well.

Katrina and her Prairie du Chien HOSA Club adviser Stephanie Timmerman are hoping to attend the Texas activities together. The local club is covering the $90 registration fee for her. Otherwise, her mom said the family is on a fixed income and doesn’t have extra funds available to budget the trip in such a short period of time. Other costs include her two-way plane tickets, a hotel room for four nights, official dress attire, food and more. 

So the family is reaching out for support.

They are planning a few garage sales/bake sales, with the first being May 11-13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at their home at 59520 Old State Highway 60, in Prairie du Chien. All the money made will go toward her trip. 

The family is also accepting donations of items that can be sold at the sales.

Plus, a Friday, May 18 cookout fundraiser is being held at Nelson True Value in Prairie du Chien, from 10 a.m. until food runs out. This is thanks to a local business that is providing a meat donation in lieu of funds. The public is invited to come enjoy the cookout as a contribution toward Katrina’s goal. 

“I really want Katrina to have this great opportunity. She worked hard and earned it. Having this learning experience and placement will be great on her work and college resumes and help her have a successful future,” her mom stated.

The well-spoken, genial teen truly desires to attend the HOSA conference to see where her knowledge of behavioral health stands against others her age. She also hopes to pursue a medical profession after high school and college.

“I like people and I like helping people,” Katrina said of the medical field. “It’s not pointless interaction with people. It has true meaning, like I can make a difference in their lives.”

At the state HOSA event, Katrina participated in Courtesy Corps, which was more behind-the-scenes interaction. She got to be a patient for the students contending in the nursing categories. 

Only four Prairie du Chien High School students attended, challenging themselves in CPR and first aid, scientific terminology and medical spelling.

At the next level, Katrina is enthusiastic about partaking in the opening and closing ceremonies, the educational symposium workshops, and seeing the other aspects of the conference like the health organization exhibits. 

Katrina is on distinguished honors at Prairie du Chien, also participates in Key Club, band and soccer and works part-time at a local fast food restaurant.

To assist her in any way, contact her mom, Amy, at (608) 561-2080, or consider her Go Fund Me page at www.gofundme.com/25nyr-international-hosa-competition.

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