Twelve students from Russellville High School found success at the HOSA State Leadership Competition in Montgomery a few weeks ago.

Students competed in everything from medical terminology and nurse assisting to the banner competition.

“I think it helped them learn a lot of leadership qualities while giving them a chance to network,” said HOSA instructor Stephanie Oliver.

Lily Pounders advanced to the second round and placed third in prepared speaking. Oliver said for prepared speaking, students had to submit a two-minute video ahead of time, and the top 20 were selected to give their speech at competition.

For competition, the speech had to be expanded to five minutes long. Speeches were based on the theme of this year’s competition, “Towards tomorrow.”

Gracie Pounders advanced to the second round by placing in the top six in Pharmacy Science.

Anna Beth Oliver, Alayna Fish, Bergie Villarreal, Priscila Bahena, Julianna Wallace and Ally Oliver received the Barbara James Service Award. To receive this award, students have to complete at least 70 hours in a health-related field, and Oliver said most of these students began in June to complete their hours by the January deadline.

“It takes a while to complete 70 service hours, especially when these students have to find time for that around sports and extracurricular activities,” Oliver said.

Oliver said her students began preparing for competition in September, which included extensive studying and preparation.

Students had to prepare for the first round, which tests their knowledge, and for skill tests in the second round. Oliver said all students had to prepare for both rounds in case they advanced.

Oliver said she even sent several students out to various local businesses to learn firsthand about some of the things they would be expected to know in the healthcare profession.

“These students have worked very hard,” Oliver said. “There’s a lot that went into this, and I’m proud of the job they did.”