Students in Health Occupations Students of America, also known as HOSA, are set to go to states in Traverse City, Michigan on April 24.
“It’s exciting. The kids who qualified at regionals can polish up their skills at the state level through great competition,” teacher Lisa Tancredi said. “For them to be surrounded by students who are also interested in health care is awesome.”
The HOSA program combines all four UCS high schools, including Henry Ford II, Eisenhower, Stevenson, and Utica. Over fifty HOSA students from all four schools are entering states, which spans over forty competitions.
“It’s my first year going to states. Right now, I’m reviewing almost every day for my medical math competition,” senior Matt Miller said. “I’m excited to compete and see the atmosphere of the event. I’m expecting Utica to place pretty high at states.”
Last year at states, one group of students made a thirty-second public service announcement on hypertension, or high blood pressure. The group placed second in the state for their video and were subsequently placed into a national competition in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Nationals were so much fun last year. It was a fun experience, and we started a huge flash mob,” senior Alyssa Clemens said. “I met a lot of people there that I still keep in touch with. I want to go back again this year.”
Although last year’s group did not place in the top ten at nationals, they were highly praised by their teacher, Melissa Rice.
“I’m very proud of them for their effort,” Rice said. “I’m very happy with how well they handled it and the way they represented our school when they were there.”
The HOSA program hopes to be even more successful at this year’s competition.
“They’ll do great. They do well every year,” principal Janet Jones said. “Chieftains do a good job competing at any and all levels; we’re competitors.”
Junior Tyler Meholic, who is new to HOSA this year, is thoroughly preparing with his group for states. For his group’s task, participants will have thirty minutes to make a poster and prepare a verbal presentation.
“My group and I are doing creative problem solving,” Meholic said. “I’m excited and ready. I’m expecting more prepared competition, but I think we will place in the top five.”
Although Utica has several new HOSA members competing in states this year, some returning members, like Clemens, look to repeat their run at nationals. Despite a relatively inexperienced team, the group expects to be very successful overall at states.