Ariana Balleza
Olathe, Kansas

A senior at Olathe West High School, Ariana is enrolled in the dual-degree program at Johnson County Community College, where she will graduate with an associate degree in general science. She has participated in the STAHR Scholars Summer Program at UMKC School of Medicine, the UMKC Saturday Academy and the KEE Program at KU Medical Center. She is the founder of her school’s Latinx Student Union and was an active member of her previous health care program’s HOSA. Aside from academics, she enjoys writing, spending time with her family, and playing with her friends’ dogs. Ariana hopes to attend medical school and is particularly interested in cardiology. As a member of KU Medical Center’s Teen Community Advisory Board, she hopes to be a familiar face to other students of color who are interested in health care and help break generational barriers of poor health education.

Tessa Carson
Goddard, Kansas

A junior at Eisenhower High School, Tessa is president of her school's KAY program and is also involved in HOSA, science club, NAHS and Outloud. In her free time, Tessa enjoys playing volleyball, volunteering in the community and getting ice cream with her little sister. Tessa aspires to attend medical school and hopes to become a family physician. She views the board as a valuable platform to build connections and gain experience. By participating, Tessa hopes to contribute to the community by encouraging exploration of the wide range of careers in medicine and fostering the growth of health science pathways in her school and others.

Brody Cole
Goddard, Kansas

A senior at Goddard High School, Brody serves as president of his school’s HOSA chapter, is an officer in science club and a member of National Honor Society, all while volunteering at Wesley Medical Center. Outside of school, Brody enjoys playing golf and spending time with family and friends. He hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in orthopedic surgery. As a member of the board, Brody is eager to help other students explore opportunities in health care and inspire future health professionals in his community.

Addisyn Huband
Deerfield, Kansas

A senior at Deerfield High School, Addisyn has participated in student council, National Honor Society, volleyball, cheer and the Superintendent's Advisory Board. She has helped organize and run a variety of events in her community, and she’s already well on her way to a career in health care. Addisyn has completed dual-credit classes with Garden City Community College, and she earned her certified nurse aid (CNA) credential last year. She has worked as a lifeguard and as a dietary aide at the Kearny County Hospital. She is looking forward to being the student voice of rural Southwest Kansas. Addisyn hopes to pass this opportunity to other students at her school looking to change health care. 

Kamryn Kirkham
Hugoton, Kansas

A junior at Hugoton High School, Kamryn has been a member of her school's emerging HOSA program for two years as well as the secretary of her chapter for the 2025-2026 school year. She is an active member of FFA and National Honor Society. Kamryn also is a leader in her community's 4-H program and teaches young members about their livestock projects. She volunteers with several organizations in her community, as well as her church. In her free time, she works at her parents' feedyard, shows livestock, reads and sews. In the future, Kamryn plans to attend school for social work and marriage and family counseling. She is thrilled to be a member of the board and intends to bring more targeted medical education to her rural community.

Lily Koksal
Garden City, Kansas

A junior at Garden City High School, Lily serves as a student athletic trainer for her school’s football team and competes on both the basketball and track teams. Beyond athletics, she is active in Resist, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and LiveWell Finney County. In her free time, Lily enjoys spending time with her rescue dog, George, as well as her family and friends. She aspires to follow in her grandparents’ footsteps by attending the University of Kansas and KU School of Medicine, with the goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon and combining her love of sports and medicine. As a member of the board, Lily is passionate about bringing opportunities to students in her community and encouraging new doctors to return to rural Kansas to practice.

Ashlyn Kroeger
Ellis, Kansas

A senior at Ellis High School, Ashlyn has participated is KAYS, FCCLA, student council, volleyball, softball. This year, she started a HOSA club at her school. She has been working as a certified nurse aide at a nursing home for almost two years now and is working to earn her certified medical assistant credential once she turns 18. In her free time, Ashlyn loves to read, spend time with family and friends and watch true crime documentaries. She hopes to attend medical school and become a doctor. As a member of the board, she wants to show her small school and others that it is possible to achieve big goals even with limited opportunities in a rural area.

Alex McBride
Roeland Park, Kansas

A junior at Bishop Miege High School, Alex has been involved in an array of school activities, including policy debate, theater, concert band, robotics and HOSA. Outside of school, Alex is a proud Eagle Scout and an avid car enthusiast. He is passionate about medicine and has volunteered at University Health-Truman Medical Center and KU Medical Center. He recently completed a research internship at KU Medical Center in triple-negative breast cancer. He’s also a strong advocate for mental health resources and fundraises to provide weekly supplies to local food panties. Alex is excited to be a member of this board during its inaugural year and looks forward to collaborating with other students who share his interests in medicine.

Camilla Ortiz
Manhattan, Kansas

A junior at Manhattan High School, Camilla has volunteered on research projects at Kansas State University and participated in the HOBY Leadership Seminar. Camilla is on the executive committee of her school’s HOSA chapter, an officer in the German club and active in the Hispanic Student Union and rowing. A registered certified nursing assistant, she is passionate about hands-on health care experience. In her free time, she enjoys running, walking, baking and spending time with her mom. She hopes to attend medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon. As a member of the board, she seeks inspire interest in medicine, raise awareness of teen medical mental health, and encourage young people to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.

Kallan Rothchild
WaKeeney, Kansas

A senior at Trego Community High School, Kallan is active in her school and community, participating in cross country, wrestling, track, science club and KAY and serving as president of her local Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter. She works at Well Center for Hope, a mental health outreach center, and a local coffee shop. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, hanging out with friends and spending time with my family. In the future, she hopes to attend KU and become a pediatric surgeon, ultimately hoping to return to rural Kansas to practice medicine.

Whitney Wolff
Valley Center, Kansas

A junior at Valley Center High School, Whitney is actively involved in her school community as a member of the volleyball team, girls swim team, student council, pep club and book club. Outside of school, she works as a lifeguard at the local recreation center. In her free time, Whitney enjoys reading, baking and traveling with her family. She aspires to attend medical school and pursue a career as a cardiothoracic surgeon. Through her participation on the board, she hopes to connect future health care professionals with meaningful opportunities to support their growth and success.

Hailey Worden
St. George, Kansas

A junior at Rock Creek High School, Hailey has served as a leader in her HOSA chapter and as a student ambassador for the CTE Pathway Advisory Council. Her other activities include Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, Yellow Ribbon, volleyball, softball, Outset camps and has volunteering at Rock Creek Recreation Commission. In her free time, she likes to play or watch sports, read and spend time with family and friends. Hailey hopes to go to nursing school and specialize in pediatrics. Through her service on the board, she hopes to bring opportunities to other future health care students living in rural and under-resourced communities.