Health Occupations Students of America is an organization that helps prepare and empower students around the world to become a figure in the medical field. As HOSA is preparing for state in Hot Springs, many students are creating projects and studying different medical materials. According to several students and Har-Ber’s medical teacher, this is a great way to prepare for future projects and an enjoyable experience.
HOSA president, Jessie Araujo, is significantly pleased with their improvement from previous years and is ready for the medical field to grow closer together through this experience.
“Har-Ber has helped us throughout the year with guidance of our advisors, providing us the competitors with the materials required to use at comp, so we are able to perform our event at our best.” Araujo said, “I am most looking forward to getting together with my group and studying in our hotel rooms the night before competition.”
According to junior co-vice president, Ethana Hang, the teachers at Har-Ber have really pushed this program to thrive.
“Har-Ber teachers have been making sure that each student is aware of the guidelines for their event.” Hang said, “It helps us to prepare for the specifics of our event.”
The amount of people going to the competition this year has grown from the past, but she hopes that more people end up going to nationals in Texas. She also is looking forward to spending time with other students because she finds it extremely important to bond with the team.
“Competition is always really fun because we have a lot of time to meet new people and explore the city,” said Hang. “I am looking forward to competing because I feel more prepared this year and I am so excited to spend time with people in HOSA.”
Araujo discusses that the HOSA organization is incredibly distinctive because they get to visit different places and meet people from several different school districts.
“Our HOSA competition is so unique; the fact that we are not the only district competing, but it’s all of Arkansas school districts.” Araujo said, “We get to see and even interact with so many students from different places.”
According to the medical teacher, Mr. Becker, HOSA has been putting together many essential events as a way to help prepare students for competitions such as community service.
“This year to prepare for the competition we have had fundraisers and community service projects to raise money and awareness.” Becker said, “ We have had the students studying for their competition or working on their projects since November and continue to hold daily Prime Times every day to ensure that the students are working on their competition areas since most of our competitors have jobs.”
Becker also vocalizes that this competition is not only a place for students to compete with, but also an opportunity for students all around Arkansas and the world to grow and become noticed with their projects.
“This competition is not just a competition, it is also a conference and a big opportunity for students to network with jobs, colleges, and other students from across the state.” Becker said, “If students place first through third, they are invited to internationals which would allow them to network on a global level and grow even more.”