The Southwest Voice

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“Winner of the gold medal in the extemporaneous speech category, from Stockdale High School ... Joe Feghali!”

As I stood on the brightly lit stage facing the dark auditorium, the words rung out and echoed in my ears. Time seemed to come to a halt. I jumped with excitement as an explosion of applause emanated from the spectators.

Recently, my classmates and I traveled to Santa Clara to attend the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) state conference, where 24 competitors qualified for nationals, which will take place at Dallas, Texas in June.

This competitive conference encompasses over 30 healthcare events which are attended by more than 800 competitors. Stockdale HOSA members have enjoyed attending this annual four-day conference for the past 12 years along with Janell Burke, the chapter’s advisor.

Tryouts are held for the Stockdale team in February, and the conference always occurs in April. The events test competitors’ practical and written skills, and anyone can find an event perfect for their strengths. Medical spelling is available for spelling enthusiasts, while medical terminology is a popular event for vocabulary devotees. For the more practical members, CPR/first aid is the preferred event, which simulates a scenario of two victims suffering from medical emergencies.

Speaking events are also offered for the people who wish to endure the stares of judging evaluators as competitors present either a prepared speech or a spontaneous one.

Usually, events center around a specific theme, which is the case with biomedical debate. In addition to researching the use of alternative medicine training for doctors, this year’s participants had debate with some of the toughest competition in the state.

HOSA mainly focuses on competitive events, however, the excitement of the weekend is also enjoyed in other various opportunities presented by the conference. Students feel a sense of independence and freedom as they choose what to wear, where to go, and when to go to bed in a five star hotel.

Additionally, opening and closing ceremonies, dances, workshops, and showcases peppered the trip with thrilling occasions for fun and relaxation. The HOSA conference is not just an educational endeavor. It is a great chance for students to socialize with other teenagers across the state, whether by politely clapping for opposing teams during the announcement of the winners or by trading insults with our lifelong rivals from Palmdale High School during encounters in the hallways.

Finally, one of the most important aspects of HOSA is its ability to connect students with a network of major health care companies such as Kaiser Permanente, the American Red Cross, the Autism Speaks foundation etc. After all, HOSA members are interested in health care and its many opportunities.

Whether we strive to become dermatologists, speech pathologists, nurses, or surgeons, one hope unites my classmates and I — the hope for a better future in the medical field where huge numbers of health care providers are available to greatly improve the well being of every single patient in the country. With the help of HOSA, I believe this hope will soon become a certainty.