Henderson High School’s Health Science students put their skills to the test Thursday evening during the annual "Friends and Family Night," where participants had the opportunity to support their aspiring phlebotomists by rolling up their sleeves and getting "stuck." This event, a key part of the students' preparation for their certification exam, brought together friends, family, and classmates to help the seniors meet their required 30 successful blood draws, known as "sticks."
Bailey Friedenburg, a Health Science teacher at Henderson High School, explained the importance of the night, stating, "We are having our family draw night, and our seniors are getting to draw on their family and friends. They have been working really hard in the classroom, and some have upwards of 15 sticks already before tonight. We’re hoping to get them to 30 in order to pass their certification exam."
For these students, the night was not just about hitting numbers—it was about stepping into real-world scenarios and applying the skills they’ve learned over months of training. Phlebotomy certification, Friedenburg noted, opens many doors for these students.
"Certification is so helpful with scholarships and college applications. If they want to get a job right after high school, they can take that certification and go work at a hospital or clinic."
Students were able to practice their technique on volunteers, gaining confidence as they worked towards their certification goal. One of the attendees, watching her friend get stuck, remarked on the unique experience: "It’s really not very scary since you can tell they know what they’re doing. They’ve worked hard, and it shows."
With many of the seniors already close to their target number of blood draws, the night was a success and an important step toward their future careers in healthcare. The certification not only serves as a credential for job readiness but also enhances students’ chances for scholarships and further educational opportunities.
Like all of Henderson High School’s career tracks, the health science program continues to offer students hands-on experiences that set them on a path toward successful careers. Last year near HHS students earned nearly 500 certifications valuable in a variety of industries, demonstrating the district's Tradition of Excellence in preparing students for life beyond high school.
CAPTION: Adalee Chastain carefully draws blood from her brother Brayden, during the HHS Health Science class’ “Friends and Family Night.” The evening helped the phlebotomy students get closer to their goal of 30 successful “sticks” needed to earn a career certification.
