The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon

The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon

The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon

HOSA Triumphs in State Competitions

HOSA+Triumphs+in+State+Competitions

From Wednesday, April 8 to Saturday, April 11, HOSA students participated in a state competition at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. After long preparations, facing an ambitious regional competition, and spending many hours on their projects, the students were ready to compete at the state level. At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the students along with their sponsors, Mrs. Trevino and Mr. Gaines departed school for their HOSA experience.

Upon arrival, students were able to interact with other HOSA competitors in the hotel. It was a late night, so many settled down to get ready for the first round of competitions the following morning.

“The whole competition itself was a new experience where you got to meet people from all over,” Diksha Verma ‘16 said.

Thursday marked the start of the first round events. Competitors arrived early to their conference room where their category would be held. There, many students prepared and reviewed material for their presentations. Nerves circulated the air, as students from all over the state competed for the same prize: a trip to Nationals in Anaheim, California.

After competitions, students were able to socialize and hang out for the remainder of the day. The HOSA organization sponsored events such as a line dancing night and bull riding activities for recreation in the evening. An opening ceremony was also held on Thursday, where guest speaker Kevin Wanzer entertained listeners with his life stories.

On Friday, competitions continued. Some events required two rounds, so most were held on this day as well. In their down time, many students spent time doing homework, swimming, and even bonding through games such as hide and seek.

“HOSA state was so much fun,” Simran Makwana ‘15 said. “I loved having the opportunity to get to know and compete with so many kids interested in healthcare.”

Despite all the fun, the main focus was on the competition, where everyone worked hard and put forth their best effort. Many students placed within the top ten, and five have been given the opportunity to advance to Nationals.

“I was very happy to find out that I made it to Nationals!” Tanuj Mahendru ‘18 said. “This is a great thing to put on college applications, but also a great way to experience new things.”

Even those who didn’t advance should still be congratulated for their effort and dedication. All competitors worked and performed to their fullest potential.

“It is a competitive environment so even if you don’t make it to the next level, you feel accomplished when you have placed,” Verma said.  “I am definitely going to try to make nationals next year.”

Overall, by providing an enriching way to learn about the healthcare field, the HOSA state competition was a rewarding experience for all who participated.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover
About the Contributor
Khira Patel, Heritage Portraits & Ads Editor
Hi! My name is Khira Patel and I am an Assistant Editor for the Heritage. This will be my third year as a member of student press and fifth year working with yearbook design. My favorite movies are 27 dresses and anything Marvel. I’m a SunDancer and I love to cook and bake. You can also find me snacking on Hot Cheetos, carrots, or green apples at any time of the day. I can’t wait for another year with the best staff!

Comments (0)

Westwood Student Press intends for this comment area to foster welcoming, thought-provoking discussion. Comments are expected to adhere to our standards and to be respectful and constructive. As such, we do not permit the use of profanity, foul language, personal attacks, or the use of language that might be interpreted as libelous. Comments are reviewed and must be approved by a moderator to ensure that they meet these standards.
All Westwood Horizon Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *