ARVIN -- Kip Glazer was shocked to find out she was named California's "Outstanding Advisor" at the Health Occupations Society of America, or HOSA, national conference.

"I had no idea," she said. "This is my first year coaching, and there are so many veteran teachers and advisors there."

She has taught English at Arvin High School for three years, but also holds a teaching credential in Health, which enabled her to be an advisor for the school's HOSA chapter.

She inspired her students to succeed, with several accepted to the nursing program at Cal State Bakersfield and others with aspirations to finish medical school to become doctors.

Glazer says she was humbled by the award.

"Our principal, [Blanca Cavazos] kept insisting that I go to an awards ceremony, so I thought maybe the students are getting something because they were volunteering," Glazer said. "First time luck, I guess."

HOSA promotes student interest in the health careers at the high school and college levels through competitions such as those in medical debate and presentations.

Students from Arvin's health careers academy competed earlier this year in Sacramento, with four of those students selected for the national competition.

"The students I worked with are already in the health careers academy so they already have interest," she said. "Having the competition element makes it a lot more fun and exciting for the students."

Glazer emigrated from Korea, and says it's remarkable to see how far she's come.

"When I first came here in 1993, I didn't even speak English," she said. "So being able to teach English and coach kids and be nationally recognized, it's just like a dream come true. The American dream, for me."