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Wilson students win state HOSA honors; MiniThon raises $100,108 for 4 Diamonds
Summary
Wilson High School students placed at the state HOSA leadership conference and the school's MiniThon student organizers reported raising $100,108.25 for the 4 Diamonds Foundation at a 12‑hour overnight event.
Students and advisors from Wilson High School presented two community updates at the May 5 Wilson School District board meeting: the district’s first HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) chapter reported a state-level competitive win, and the high school’s MiniThon leaders reported more than $100,000 raised for pediatric cancer support.
HOSA presentation: Ms. Petrus, who introduced the newly formed HOSA chapter, said the club sent 16 students to the Pennsylvania State Leadership Conference — the district’s first year competing. She said the team advanced through preliminary rounds and that senior Sondora Shridhar earned first place in the research-poster competition; Ms. Petrus presented Shridhar with her state first‑place medal at the school. "They made us proud as Wilson students," Ms. Petrus told the board.
MiniThon report: Student leaders Julia Trickett, McKenna Peacock and Andrew Borneman summarized the yearlong MiniThon effort, listing captains and volunteer leaders and describing community fundraisers that preceded the overnight dance marathon on Feb. 28, 2025. The students reported a final total of $100,108.25 raised for the 4 Diamonds Foundation, which supports pediatric cancer care linked to Penn State’s THON.
MiniThon leaders gave examples of how the organization uses funds, citing metrics reported by 4 Diamonds: 2,862 hours of music therapy, 668 hours of child life services, 22 months to maintain research equipment, 501 days for a clinical nutritionist and 100 days for a social‑work team, among other uses. The student leaders thanked the school district, teacher advisors — including Mr. Rafoff and Mrs. Mikula — community sponsors and a tech crew led by Jacob Ferrera for supporting the overnight event. They also announced student leaders chosen to run next year’s MiniThon.
Why it matters: The HOSA accomplishment highlights emerging career-pathway programming at Wilson High School and qualifies a student to advance toward national HOSA competitions. MiniThon’s six-figure fundraising shows sustained community support and directs money to hospital-based services for children with cancer.
Speakers and attribution: The presentation and fundraising report were made by advisor Ms. Petrus and student leaders Julia Trickett, McKenna Peacock and Andrew Borneman; the board recognized their work and thanked students and volunteers.
Ending: The board thanked the students and their advisors, noting the HOSA chapter and MiniThon as examples of expanded extracurricular and career-readiness opportunities in the district.
