The Summerville High School HOSA leadership donated their time and talents
to present their support for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
at the local Scarecrow in the Square competition.
We are so proud of our students and appreciative of their supportive parents!
We are beyond excited to begin the inaugural year of the first HOSA Chapter in York Middle School history. At our initial interest meeting, we had 12 very eager 7th and 8th grade students eagerly participating in an interactive leadership simulation, a technology-based HOSA scavenger hunt, and a very special visit from two awesome HOSA alumni. Since the initial meeting, interest in joining HOSA has grown, and one student was so excited that he suggested a weekly meeting of the group rather than the planned monthly gathering. We look forward to the future of HOSA at York Middle School!
Shannon Carrigan (Assistant Principal)
Beth Matthews (School Nurse)
Every winter during the month of February, Kennedy Middle School in Aiken SC, hosts Mini Courses on each Wednesday for all 6-8th grades. For the last five years, the Aiken County Career and Technology Center Health Science/HOSA students have been invited to participate with the event. Each year the “Insight into Health Care Careers” has been presented. Middle school students are introduced to basic first aid, vital signs, and even infection control. Students are given the opportunity for hands on learning, as well as the various career paths available in healthcare using tools like explorehealthcareers.org, schosa.org and hosa.org. These students are given an insight into the unique opportunities that the health science class and the HOSA organization can give any student interested in a health career. Through INNOVATIVE teaching methods, the ACCTC Health Science/HOSA class hopes to INSPIRE future generations and IGNITE a passion for learning and careers in healthcare.
Great Job, Aiken County Career & Technology Center HOSA Students!
Yamolli Gaona, Bryson Fulmer, Keely Jordan, Charlotte Day & Brooke Day
On Friday, October 30th, Spring Valley HOSA hosted a Color War on Blood Cancers. This event raised over $700 dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, to help support their mission to create a world without blood cancers. Approximately, 150 participants spent a fun hour throwing packets of color on each other, dancing, partaking in the organized games like
“the blob” and racing through an obstacle course. One of the most popular activities was the teacher color bomb, where students threw color on teacher volunteers. Students, teachers, administrators, HOSA leaders, and the National Guard helped to make the first ever Color War an overwhelming success! The Color War encompassed what Spring Valley HOSA is all about having fun while doing good for others!
On October 21st, Spring Valley’s HOSA chapter spent the evening volunteering at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s annual Boo at the Zoo. Sixtyfive students and their advisors manned educational booths and passed out candy to trick-or-treaters while helping the staff at the zoo provide a fun, safe, family-friendly environment for community members, during their Halloween Spooktacular!
Spring Valley HOSA lit up the night in a walk through Finlay Park on Thursday, October 29th, in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual ‘Light the Night’ walk. The night kicked off with music, food, and fellowship. Cancer survivors were then given the opportunity to share their tru
ly inspiring stories about their journey with cancer.
People walked with lanterns held high around Finlay Park, and just when the night seemed like it couldn’t get any better, a truly breathtaking display of fireworks filled the air during the last lap. Students, as well as the entire community were brought together in one place, for one night, to celebrate something near and dear to our hearts since money raised during other big events will be going directly to L&L Society. It was a great way for HOSA members to show support for the National Service Project!
On Monday, November 2nd, HOSA inducted eighty-two future health professionals, some of whom were returning but many were new members. Tanvi Mehta, Priyanka Rao, and Nerielle Legaspi were inducted as this year’s HOSA officers. The other members of this year’s leadership team were introduced: Malarie Schexnider, Cayla Riley, Maya Ingram, Vijay Tripathi, and Jasmin Angeles. This induction ceremony marked the official beginning of this year’s HOSA membership.
At our annual events night, SVHS HOSA members were introduced to competitive events at the chapter, state, and national levels. We had two of HOSA alumni speak about their competitive event experiences, since they placed 2nd in the nation last year. We also allowed our members to partake in three different mock events: creative problem solving, extemporaneous health poster, and interview skills. SVHS HOSA is gearing up for a great competitive season!! State competitions will take place in March in Charleston, SC.
Ashley Ridge High School’s HOSA chapter organized a ceremony and reception for Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance to honor all local first responders, law enforcement and military personnel. The chapter presented Mrs. Barbara Grube, the Lowcountry MRC coordinator, with a certificate of recognition on behalf of the Medical Reserve Corp for improving public health, emergency response, and resiliency of our community. Local first responders, law enforcement, and military personnel were recognized for their bravery, dedication and selflessness displayed each day to save lives, ensure our safety and preserve our freedom. The chapter used the generous donations to install a flagpole in front of the school’s main student entrance to fly the new USA flag and Always Remember 9/11 flag. This flagpole is dedicated in memory and honor of all first responders, law enforcement, and military. The flags were raised and then lowered to half staff and a wreath was placed at the base of the flagpole by Mr. Billy Lang, a 9/11 NYPD officer, while a trumpeter played TAPS. We are honored to have this opportunity to thank so many heroes in our community. We look forward to making this an annual event!
