Radiography Olympics provide an educational diversion

Fifty-two first- and second-year students in Pennsylvania College of Technology’s radiography program participated in the college’s first-ever Radiography Olympics, held July 22 at various locations around campus.

The students, 28 of whom are in their first year and 24 in their second, competed in events like Radiography Bee, Anatomage, Positioning Charades, Medical Terminology Flip Cup and Hospital Relay Race. Each of the activities was designed to provide much-needed relief from summer clinicals, while reinforcing program components.

“We noticed that we had two pretty competitive groups, and we saw a program in another state had a Radiography Olympics on their campus and thought it was a good idea,” said Christine L. Eckenrod, assistant professor and director of radiography at Penn College. “Everyone was taking it seriously but still having fun.”

It was equally entertaining for faculty and staff to see the students having a good time, cheering one other on, and learning or reviewing content from their classes, Eckenrod added.

First-year students, participating under the team name Mediaphilly, earned six gold medals, five silver and four bronze, while the group of second-year students, dubbed Djibouti, earned 10 gold medals, 11 silver and 12 bronze. 

Specific achievements included: 

Radiography Bee – In spelling bee format, students, four at a time, answered a multiple-choice question. If the answer was wrong, they were out. If it was right, they continued. 

• Gold: Heather L. Smith, Jersey Shore (Djibouti)
• Silver: Ellie J. Metzger, DuBoistown (Djibouti)
• Bronze: Jena B. Boyce, Wellsboro (Djibouti) 

Anatomage – Students were given a list of anatomical questions before finding the various structures using Anatomage tablets. With only 10 minutes to complete as many questions as possible, students with the highest points were the winners. 

• Gold: Heather L. Smith, Jersey Shore, and Ellie J. Metzger, DuBoistown (Djibouti)
• Silver: Nikki M. Lytle, Williamsport, and Helene L. Riddles, Elizabethtown (Mediaphilly)
• Bronze: Kianna A. Rizzo, Elysburg, and Payta M. Bentley, Sayre (Djibouti) 

Positioning Charades – Students competed in radiographic positioning. The person positioning couldn’t see the card that had the position on it, and the person who could see the position was only allowed to call it out without giving other clues.

• Gold: Sarah B. Misquitta, Jersey Shore; Emily R. Russell, Hughesville; and Abbi M. Weaver, Cogan Station (Djibouti)
• Silver: Nicholas J. Kreger, Bellefonte; Edward M. Maroulis, Media; and Patrick D. Moore, Pottstown (Mediaphilly)
• Bronze: Natalie A. Haight, Jersey Shore; Teri A. Seibert, Avis; and Jackson W. Folnsbee, Bellefonte (Djibouti) 

Medical Terminology Flip Cup – Students answered a question before they could start flipping the cups. 

• Gold: Jasmine L. Monheim, Loganton; Maura R. Mihalka, Pittston Township; Peyton G. Meehan, Watsontown; Sophia N. Clement, Reading; Damaris Y. Conales-Bustillo, Lebanon; and Camden J. Potter, Philipsburg (Mediaphilly)
• Silver: Logan M. Carey, Montoursville; Kaylei M. Snyder, Montgomery; Grace M. Persun, South Williamsport; Jena N. Boyce, Wellsboro; Matthew P. Harbach, Jersey Shore; and Grace M. Nettling, Cogan Station (Djibouti)
• Bronze: Madalyn E. Adams, Muncy; Lauren A. Anderson, Muncy; Samantha J. Jackson, Peach Bottom; Helena J. Bidelman, Malvern; Mackenize L. Livermore, South Williamsport; and Kianna A. Rizzo, Elysburg (Djibouti) 

Hospital Relay Race – Leg 1: The patient was placed on a stretcher, then pushed to the other end of the Field House. Leg 2: The patient got off the stretcher and donned a gown, gloves, haircap and mask before racing to the other end of the Field House with a cart. Leg 3: Another team member pushed a patient in a wheelchair to the other end of the Field House. Leg 4: The person in the wheelchair got up and raced to the other end of the Field House while using crutches with one leg lifted. 

• Gold: Grace M. Persun, South Williamsport; Logan M. Carey, Montoursville; Kaylei M. Snyder, Montgomery; and Lexi M. Snyder, Hegins (Djibouti)
• Silver: Kianna A. Rizzo, Elysburg; Madalyn E. Adams, Muncy; Lauren A. Anderson, Muncy; and Natalie A. Haight, Jersey Shore (Djibouti)
• Bronze: Mya M. Gautieri, Williamsport; Emma A. Kane, Weatherly; Edward M. Maroulis, Media; and Ian F. Lilley, New Columbia (Mediaphilly)