One of the numerous clubs in Sandburg, Med Club includes guest speakers, study sessions, and a group called HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), including students who participate in the state HOSA competition in March.
This year, the sponsors for Med Club are Mrs. Snyder and Mrs. Drzonek. The general executives include Rebecca Philip as President and Kacey Enoya as Vice President. The HOSA executives include Hannah George as President and Nidhi Patel as Vice President, with other exececutive members such as Joanna Matthew, the Med Central Editor-in-Chief, Marram Hishmeh as the manager, and Sangmyung Lee as the Book Club Director.
The state competition is divided into two different parts; the first section contains 50 multiple choice questions over the specific category in which you are participating, while the second section is a hands-on test, graded based on your performance. This year’s HOSA program has numerous categories, including EMT, Dental, Pharmacy, Nursing Assistant, CPR/First Aid, and, for the first time, Biomedical Debate.
With numerous different ways to study, Enoya says, “I take my time to study through online resources such as practice tests and Quizlets for unfamiliar terms.”
Every so often, each category group meets up for a study session for the coming competition. George states, “The study sessions are important because [they] allo[w] students to gain experiences in topics that they want to explore.”
George states, “The nice thing about this is that these sessions are not just about preparing for the competition; it is a place where members can ask questions, work together, and feel confident going into their events.” Everyone must be on the same page before the competition, and this comes with practice. In these groups, members are also able to surround themselves with different people, creating new connections with others.
HOSA isn’t just a club, but a community. George explains, “HOSA has become a space where I have been able to challenge myself across various disciplines and learn from others.” For her, it allows the chance to grow skills, like leadership, and the ability to carry them long after high school.
Philip agrees, saying, “I’ve developed critical values that allow me to stay calm under pressure and trust the work I’ve put into this effort.”
HOSA has lots of opportunities to connect with new people, with Enoya stating, “My favorite part of HOSA is being able to share what I know and show off my skills at the state competition. HOSA is incredibly important to me because of the fond memories I have made with my friends and peers, and I hope to create many more!”
In addition, George values the hard work of students in creating a team publication. “The students who contributed put so much effort into researching their topics, and watching all of their work turn into a finished publication that we created as a team was one of the most rewarding parts of my year.”
Let’s cheer on all the HOSA participants for the upcoming competition in the hopes of taking home yet another big win for this season.