Mount Pleasant High School held its fourth annual pinning ceremony for Health Science program students who have completed certifications in electrocardiogram (EKG), Phlebotomy Technician, Patient Care Technician Assistant, and Clinical Medical Assistant. The ceremony was conducted in the MPHS auditorium on Wednesday, May 6. MPHS senior, Alyse Cervantes, offered the opening prayer and senior, Alessandro Greco, served as the emcee for the evening.

Health Science teacher Sarah Carrell pinned those who have tested and are credentialled Certified EKG Technicians. EKG Technicians work with patients to monitor and interpret their cardiac health using EKG tests that measure the electrical activity in the patient’s heart. Receiving pins for certification and/or program completion were Jannely Aguilar, Lucero Arroyo Orellana, Erick Bernardi, Emma Berry, Valerie Bradshaw, Kaylin Brannon, Jocelyn Camarillo, Kaylie Castillo, Kelly Castillo, Natalie Chaves, Sebastian Contreras Jr, Khloe Cooper, Logan Curley, Yannet Diego, Jacob Equihua, Seth Escobar, Lia Esguerra, Ashley Espinoza Coronado, Maritza Estrada, Emilia Ethridge, Lindsey Francisco, Elias Garcia Oliva, Irlanda Gasca, Violeta Gomez, Ana Gonzalez, Angie Guzman, Diego Hernandez, Vasti Hernandez, Alexis Herrera, Kenlee Jaggers, Jose Jimenez Jr, Caydon Johnson, Cielo Lopez Almazan, Angela Lopez, Emily Lopez, Jenaliz Lopez, Genesis Lozano, Alexander Manrrique, Veronica Jaisvet Mannrrique, Veronica Heidi Martinez, Axel Mata Macias, Makayla Mather, Allison Mendoza, Daena Mendoza, Jocelyn Mendoza, Kace Moreno, Adriana Munoz, Jared Munoz, Andy Ortiz-Valenzuela, Carolyn Pena, Lady Pimentel Cierra, Jacolby Pogue, Charity Prater, Gisel Ramirez, Cooper Rider, Nicole Salazar, Stephanie Salddana Leyva, Margarita Salinas, Karyme Sanchez, Joshua Sanchez, Alfredo Santillan, Denise Serrano, Francisco Serrano Ontiveros, Briana Solis-Atrizco, Маусі Stoker, Maximus Tutone, Carla Villegas, Adira Wario, Amiyah Willis, Maggie Wilson, and Alba Zeqaj.

Health Science teacher, Kristi Houchin, awarded completion cords and pinned the Certified Phlebotomy Techs and the Certified Patient Care Tech Assistants. Phlebotomy Techs perform the following tasks to aid in patient care – venipunctures, explaining procedures and making patients feel comfortable during lab draws, performing Point of Care (POC) testing, preparing specimens for testing, and maintaining medical lab equipment. Certified Patient Care Technician-Assistants assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), routinely check on patients to maintain safety and wellness, and perform EKGs. Receiving those cords and pins were Karen Alvarez, Ceslie Beltran, Alyse Cervantes, Jahayra Chavez, Jazlynn Chism, Valerie Colocho, Nathan Copado, Liliana Cruz, Humberto Damian, Neftali Delgado, Sara Evan, Starlie Fernandez, Maria Garcia, Arlyn Gonzales, Esther Gonzalez, Riley Guereca, Aylin Hernandez, Summer Jimenez, Samaya McCarty, Yolanda Nicolas-Abrego, Rosali Nino, Maribel Ramirez, Zadquiel Ramirez, Candy Sanchez, Chloe Smith, Wendy Valdez, Yvette Vargas, Dakota Vogele, Jaeda Walker, Leticia Willis, and Geraldine Zermeno.

Health Science teacher Lucero Rivas awarded completion cords and pinned the Certified Clinical Medical Assistants. A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant works in a physician’s office. They schedule appointments, verify insurance, take patient history and chief complaint, vitals, assist the physician with exams and in office surgeries, administer injections, perform phlebotomy skills, and perform an in-office EKG and identify abnormal readings. CCMAs work directly with physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Being a CCMA allows you to work anywhere in the United States as it is a national certification. Cord and pin recipients included Brissia Alvarez, Preston Arnold, Valerie Cassio, Violet Castaneda, Aaliyah Delarosa, Sandy Farias, Jaqueline Fernandez, Ava True Fite, Azlyn Fluellen, Emily Garcia, Audrey Garrett, Jamie Garrett, Atalee Gonzalez, Jai’lyn Gutierrez, Joseline Hernandez, Marisol Hipolito, Jordan Krumrie, Ana Lara, Rossmeli Leyva, Rosario Lopez, Jennifer Luna, Jaydy Martinez, Ariel Medina, Alaya Organista, Aidan Perez, Ailin Quinonez, Laura Ramirez, Adeline Rosewell, Alondra Ruiz Lara, Ninel Ruiz, Rebecca Torres, and Jose’ Vargas.

The 2025-2026 Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) officers received their graduation cords. Officers for this year were President Jaydy Martinez, Vice Presidents Jennifer Luna and Joseline Hernandez, Secretary Brissia Alvarez, Treasurer Marisol Hipolito, Parliamentarians Neftali Delgado and Wendy Valdez, Historians Alyse Cervantes and Jordan Krumrie, and HOSA Representatives Emily Garcia and Rosmeli Leyva.

In all, 95 MPHS students received recognition for at least one certification that will follow them after high school and allow them to work in the medical field immediately after graduation.

Photos-

1: Certified EKG Technicians and Certificate of Completion recipients with instructor Sarah Carrell

2: Certified Clinical Medical Assistants and instructor, Lucero Rivas

3: Certified Phlebotomy Techs, Certified Patient Care Tech Assistants, and Certificate of Completion recipients, and instructor Kristi Houchin