MEDICAL MINDS—Moorpark High School Health Occupations Students of America club members participate in a state leadership conference in Sacramento last month. They placed high among 1,200 other students in a state-wide competiton. Thirteen local students traveled to Sacramento last month to test their knowledge of healthcare against that of 1,200 peers.

The Moorpark High School students performed well at the leadership conference hosted by the California Health Occupations Students of America. The organization encourages instructors to integrate health sciences into their curriculum and young people to pursue jobs in the healthcare industry, said Jeannie Alexander, club advisor and U.S. history teacher.

The Moorpark club, formed in 2007, has 20 members.

"Students who join the organization are focused and many of them have goals to work in the health industry," Alexander said.

Those competing at the conference took written tests on sports medicine, medical terminology, nutrition and nursing.

Moorpark students Melissa Casim and Camille Cruz placed in the Top 10 in human growth and development, and Lauden Imani and Karen Dang placed in the Top 10 in nutrition.

Karen, a junior, received a bronze medal, qualifying her to attend the nationals in Nashville, Tenn., in June.

"I was surprised when they called my name because this is my first year doing (the club)," she said.

The 16-year-old, who also recently participated in a Future Business Leaders of America competition, joined the club because she enjoys academic challenges and healthrelated subjects.

"I've always been interested in keeping healthy because I'm a dancer," Karen said. "I'm also interested in the health field, so this is a perfect opportunity for me to get a first hand look at it."

In addition to answering 100 questions about what causes diseases, Karen completed an essay in which she had to construct a model meal plan as a dietician would.

"I think balance is the most important thing in diet," said Karen, who is considering further studies in nutrition as well as the study of anesthesiology.

"(Health occupation) students meet at lunch and it's up to us to study on our own outside of school," said Karen, who's hoping to be elected vice president of the club.

Advisor Alexander endorses her efforts.

"Karen is respectful and she's respected by her peers. She immediately impressed me. Few juniors have her maturity," Alexander said.

Other students who competed at the state event are Genesis Almanza, Jennifer Barbosa, Carol Craig, Brandon Gillette, Czarina "CJ" Lagarde, Alyssa Nagai, Jennifer Tang, Amanda Ullman and Katee Walters.