No matter if you are a freshman or a senior, HOSA members have one common goal: a desire to help others.
HOSA creates opportunities for students by serving their community, running blood drives, and provides CPR training and certification.
HOSA is mostly based on students who want a future in healthcare. There is a state competition with about 56 events you could compete in to test your knowledge on healthcare, exhibit your leadership skills, and other things that can benefit all students.
“Students use HOSA to figure out what they want to do in the future beyond high school. It helps them gain confidence and leadership skills, professional skills, and opportunities to network with people,” said Jennifer Strathman, the sponsor of HOSA. “It was made for students who want a future health career but it could be for anyone to have a place they can come and feel safe.”
Strathman expresses how HOSA actually does a lot more for students as well. Students who may not quite know what they want to do for a career. HOSA throws an ice cream party before major exams, hosts 5ks or participates in 5ks to bring awareness to their cause. Their current president, Loukya Vaka (12), originally joined HOSA to try and figure out what she wanted to do for a future career.
“In all honesty, I had no clue what I really wanted to do in the time between eighth grade and ninth grade and through HOSA, I thought I would get a better idea of who I wanted to be in the future. It’s safe to say that I feel much better now that I have HOSA,” Vaka said.
Vaka, who originally had no idea what she wanted to do, had found a passion through HOSA and now plans to pursue a career in the medical field.
Some students join HOSA with a future career in mind. Students like Owen Pierre (10), for example, who plans to become a physician.
“Helping kids that don’t have proper medical care, always seemed like a good thing,” Pierre said.
Others like Joe Trost (10) see HOSA as a way to strengthen their resume for future opportunities.
“I want to become an EMT and I think it will help me a lot if I have HOSA on my resume. I think it will open up a lot of things for me later in life,” Trost said.
Strathman strongly encourages students to join HOSA for future opportunities, seeing as she has already written letters of recommendation for former students who have gone on to pursue careers in medicine.
Interest in HOSA is strong, with more than 80 participants who attended the first meeting on Sept. 5. HOSA is more than just preparing for healthcare careers. It builds confidence, leadership skills, professionalism, and relationships that can help beyond high school.
