Tri-County Medical Laboratory Technology Students
Sweep Awards at Annual College Bowl Competition

CONTACT: DALLAS JONES, EXT. 2175

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/6/2001
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- The Medical Laboratory Technology seniors at Tri-County Technical College set a record by taking home every award given at an Annual College Bowl last week.

Four Tri-County seniors were selected by classmates to serve on teams comprised of students from eight technical colleges in the state during the annual competition in Columbia. Akeitha Thompson, of Anderson, was a member of the team that took home the state championship award. Dana Ashley, of Abbeville, received a plaque for answering the most questions correctly at the competition. In addition, Jennifer Harris, of Seneca, was first runner-up, and Mark Corn, of Easley, was second runner up. Melissa Vaughn of Anderson, served as an alternate.

"I have never been prouder of these students and their accomplishments," said Dallas Jones, who has led the department since its inception in 1970. "Our ultimate goal is to prepare students for the National Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ACSP) (to be given beginning May 4)," said Mrs. Jones. MLT (ASCP) is the most prestigious credential a medical laboratory technologist may place after his or her name.

"Instructor Polly Kay and I review material with the students two afternoons a week for two semesters in preparation for the National Registry," said Mrs. Jones. "This bowl is a good measuring stick to see if our review has helped."

Also, during the year students take 14 "fake" registries on computers to lower their anxiety level about taking exams by computer. "All of these measures really pay off," said Mrs. Jones.

Last year all of the MLT graduates received passing scores on the National Registry, she added.

Job placement for the 12 students who will graduate this May are endless, said Mrs. Jones. "Many are getting hired even before they graduate."

The Medical Laboratory Technology department is accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education Accreditation in cooperation with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
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