Have you ever seen those nurses walk down the hallway? They are part of the Health Science academy at Miami High and most likely members of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), which is a co-curricular club for student leaders interested in the healthcare industry and in ways to better the delivery of health care to people.
The majority of students in the Health Science academy join HOSA to gain leadership skills within the industry. They mostly find out about HOSA when they join Health Science 1, taught by Ms. Haddid Rodriguez.
“When I first joined Health Science 1, I realized HOSA was the club for me, and I knew that before I graduated, I needed to win a title,” said HOSA Vice President Alicia Espinosa, who placed 2nd in the entire state in the Medical Assistant field. “My love for the medical field is what inspired me to join HOSA,” said sophomore Valentina Molina.
This year, Miami High’s HOSA attended the State Leadership Conference (SLC) in Orlando from April 14th to April 17th, because six of their members made it past the district competition in their respective fields: Zarai Huete and Alicia Espinosa in Medical Assistant; Jazzlin Gomez and Juan Alvarado in Home Health Aide; Valentina Molina and Karla Peña in CPR/First Aid. Most of Miami High’s competitors earned 1st place at the district competition.
The SLC is a 3-day conference with different activities. Medical skills teacher Ms. Gousse-Turner, the current advisor for HOSA, was the one who made everything happen between all the planning for this extensive trip.
Upon arrival on the first day, they had to take a test to see if they qualified for the final competition. Their second day consisted of a day at Universal Orlando where they got to take a break from the hectic activities of the previous day. HOSA President Zarai Huete said, “That day at Universal made us a closer family because we would see the other schools separated into different groups while we stayed together everywhere in the park.”
On the final day, the top 5 state winners were awarded in each field. Miami High’s only state finalist Alicia Espinosa said, “The only way I made it up there was by my hard work and months of practice.”
Junior Jazzlin Gomez, who competed in Home Health Aide and who wants to be a pediatric nurse, said, “I wanted to experience what it’s like to actually perform procedures on a person.” Next year as she enters the 4th year in the Health Science Academy, Jazzlin will take part in an internship at the University of Miami Hospital.
Junior Juan Alvarado, who also competed in Home Health Aide, said, “This conference has prepared me for any situation, especially when dealing with medicine or someone’s life.”
Sophomore Karla Peña who competed in CPR/First Aid, said, “The conference will help me in the near future when it comes to socializing and networking with others and also to be more comfortable in what I enjoy.”