The Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD) is proud to announce that Carmyn Heltunen, a recent graduate of Jeffers High School and former Career and Technical Education (CTE) Health Careers student, represented the district at the prestigious International Leadership Conference (ILC) in Houston, TX, from June 26-30. Carmyn qualified for the ILC after placing third at the State Leadership Conference in April, showcasing her exceptional skills and dedication to the health sciences field.
During the ILC, Carmyn participated in educational symposiums and expos, and completed a written knowledge test, looking to advance to the second round. Among more than 10,000 students from around the globe, Carmyn stood out, earning a $2,000 HOSA scholarship and being honored at the conference. Her attendance at the ILC was made possible through the generous support of the Jeffers Foundation, UP Health System (UPHS)-Portage, Copper Country HOSA, and the CCISD.
Carmyn’s journey in health careers began in high school, where she attended the CCISD’s CTE Health Careers program as a junior and senior. She successfully became a Certified Phlebotomy Technician during her second year, passing the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exam after independent and guided study and completing over 30 venipunctures and capillary draws. Her dedication extended beyond the classroom, as she completed over 100 hours of job shadowing at the UPHS-Portage lab, which went above and beyond in supporting her learning experience.
This fall, Carmyn plans to continue her education at Michigan Technological University (MTU) in Medical Lab Science, following a family tradition as her mother, aunt, and grandmother are all lab technicians. Her preparation for the ILC received special support from UPHS-Portage's Lab staff and Claire Danielson, MTU’s Medical Lab Science (MLS) Program Director.
Amanda Hermanson, BSN, RN, and CCISD CTE Health Careers Instructor, expressed her pride in Carmyn’s accomplishments, “Carmyn has demonstrated exceptional dedication and passion for the health sciences. Her success at the International Leadership Conference is a testament to her hard work and the support of our community. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and look forward to seeing her continue to excel in her future endeavors.”
The CCISD is immensely proud of Carmyn’s achievements and the determination she has shown in her pursuit of a career in the medical field. Her accomplishments reflect the high standards of the CCISD’s CTE Health Careers program and the supportive community that has helped her reach these milestones.