LISBON — Emma Julian, a senior student in the health academy program at the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center (CCCTC), won the SkillsUSA Ohio State Championship for basic healthcare in Columbus April 9-10.

“I was surprised,” Julian said of the moment she found out she won first place, although she was confident she did well in the competition. “My friends were all speechless. They were like ‘we couldn’t even scream, no words, nothing.'”

Julian will now travel to Atlanta, Ga., to compete in the National SkillsUSA competition from June 24-28.

“We are very proud of Emma. This remarkable achievement speaks volumes about her hard work, dedication, and passion for the healthcare field,” CCCTC Principal Jordan Williams said. “Skills competitions are opportunities to provide adversity to a student’s learning experience.”

“The SkillsUSA Ohio State Championships brings over 5,000 competitors, business and industry partners, instructors, and vendors together in over 100 contests in all 16 Career Pathways to showcase Career and Technical Education in Ohio,” according to the SkillsUSA Ohio website. “Students compete for the title of best in Ohio in their respective career fields. This prestigious event has something for everyone.”

SkillsUSA is “America’s proud champion of the skilled trades,” according to the national organization’s website. “Our mission is to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members.”

Julian said that students first competed in a local competition and since she won that, she was afforded the opportunity to go to the state competition. Her instructor, Pamela Dawson, makes them all compete in the local challenge, “because she’s competitive,” she said.

“Mrs. Dawson, our fantastic instructor, takes great pride in preparing all our students for their post-graduate career opportunities,” Williams said.

For the state competition, Julian had to perform a presentation, pass skills tests that included checking vital signs, dealing with sterile gloves properly, and emptying a urinary drainage bag, and answer some anatomy questions on a written test.

Some of the kids didn’t know how to do certain tasks, she said, and she was glad her instructor and training prepared her adequately. Julian’s certification and job as a state-tested nursing aide at Whispering Pines Village assisted living facility in Columbiana, where she has worked for the past year, also prepared her.

“I knew it was all going to be within the form of what I learned as an STNA,” Julian said. “I’m very glad my teacher taught me that.”

Julian grew up in Salem, first attending Lisbon schools, and then her family moved to New Waterford and she now attends Crestview High School and CCCTC.

After much consideration prior to attending CCCTC and a period contemplating a career in cosmetology, Julian decided to pursue nursing.

“My mom has always told me ‘don’t get a job that a robot can replace you with,'” Julian said. “If I go and become a nurse, everyone needs those.”

Following graduation, Julian is tentatively planning to attend Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pa., to pursue a Bachelors of Science in nursing and become certified as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and registered nurse (RN).

“I like to help people, even during hard times and good times,” Julian said.

She wants to be a labor and delivery nurse someday.

“Yeah the babies are cute and stuff,” Julian said. “I also know someone who had a stillbirth, and she said it was really nice having those nurses there to help her through the hard times.”

In her spare time, Julian enjoys dancing and cheerleading. She is also a member of the 4-H Club.

“Emma’s performance proves she responds well to difficult, stressful situations. These experiences will add to her future career possibilities,” Williams said. “We are excited for Emma to attend the SkillsUSA National Competition and get another opportunity to compete.”

ehouk@mojonews.com