HOYA 1 Nov/Dec Article
HOYA Class Monthly Update: November & December
As we wrap up the final months of the year, our HOYA students have been hard at work gaining essential healthcare skills, expanding their medical knowledge, and participating in meaningful community experiences.
November Highlights
In November, all students successfully completed CPR training—and we are proud to share that every student is now CPR certified! This achievement marks an important step in their healthcare education and equips them with vital lifesaving skills.
Students also explored urinary and bowel elimination, including the structure and function of the kidneys. Through this unit, they gained a deeper understanding of how the body filters waste, maintains fluid balance, and supports overall health.
December Updates
December has been an exciting and busy month for the HOYA class. Students officially started clinicals, allowing them to apply their skills in real healthcare settings while working directly with residents and staff. This hands-on experience is an essential part of their training and helps prepare them for future careers in the medical field.
We also began our new unit on dementia, focusing on both clinical understanding and compassionate care. Students participated in a dementia simulation to better understand the challenges individuals with dementia experience. This powerful activity encouraged empathy, patience, and awareness—qualities essential in quality caregiving.
As part of this unit, each student is creating an interactive activity they will lead with residents living with dementia. Later this month, students will travel to Liberty Village or Lena Living Center to share their activities and spend meaningful time with residents.
Student Comments
Our students have had a meaningful and eye-opening experience this semester. Here’s what they have to say:
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“I have learned more about illnesses and diseases I knew nothing about.” — Elena
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“I like exploring different careers when we do job shadows.” — Madey
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“I like that I have got to get actual experience in the medical field and not just learning from a book.” — Paytn
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“I like being able to learn about different careers.” — Gracie
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“I liked doing job shadows and learning more about the different jobs in the medical field.” — Caitlynn
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“I liked going to clinicals and experiencing all that’s gonna happen when I start working, and I think it’s just gonna be really fun.” — Kayleigh
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“One thing I like about HOYA is the job shadows. I enjoy exploring the various career opportunities in nursing. It gives me a great idea about what I want to do in my future.” — Tatumn
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“I have learned so much in HOYA, and it makes me very excited to start my career.” — Jaycie
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“My favorite thing about HOYA is being able to experience different jobs and see if I would be interested in the career.” — Tori
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“A few of my favorite things about HOYA are the job shadows and the skills we learn. The job shadows are such a fun and exciting experience, and it is cool to see how each job works. As for the skills, I am excited to carry the skills I learned from this class into my future career.” — Madi
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“My favorite thing about HOYA is being able to have all different types of opportunities that others don't get to experience. Another thing is you get to meet new people from other schools and get close with them!” — Arystin
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“My favorite thing about HOYA are the job shadows, because it allows me to explore the different careers and learn more about the health care department.” — Angie
Upcoming Event: Dementia Awareness Bake Sale
Mark your calendars!
Date: December 17th
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: St. John’s in Freeport — CareerTEC Entrance
The HOYA class will be hosting a Bake Sale for Dementia Awareness. All proceeds will be donated to the dementia units/residents at Liberty Village or Lena Living Center. We hope you’ll stop by to support our students and this important cause.