In February, HOSA, Health Occupation Students of America members from BBHHS competed at the regional competition, hoping to place and qualify for states. Depending on the event, competitors qualify through online tests, in-person competitions, or a combination of both.
This year’s Regionals brought some impressive results. In online testing, junior Nakshatra Mohen placed second in Medical Reading, sophomore Lydia Smith placed fourth in Dental Terminology, and senior Eric Lin placed sixth in Nutrition. For the in-person competitions, freshman Annelies Chase secured 1st place in Persuasive Writing and Speaking, while sophomores Ereny Bebawi and Diya Anand placed fourth as a team in CPR/First Aid.
For states, competitors need to place in the top four of their event at regionals. This allowed Anand, Bebawi, Chase, Mohen, and Smith to qualify.
The HOSA Ohio State Competition is taking place in Toledo from April 8 to April 10, 2025. Along with the competitions, the event will feature workshops, speakers, and opportunities to connect with others, all leading up to the awards ceremony.
Competitors in Persuasive Speaking/Writing receive a prompt and must prepare a two-page speech taking a position on the prompt. Their work is judged online for writing quality and persuasiveness, while the in-person portion is based off of their performance on the speech. This year’s prompt is “Should GLP-1 Agonists have open access for anyone who wishes to use them?”
First Aid/CPR includes both a written test and a hands-on skills assessment. Competitors must show they can properly administer first aid and perform CPR under pressure. Bebawi and Anand placed fourth, working together in this category at Regionals, earning a spot at states.
Anand, who competed in First Aid/CPR, explains, “In this event, we demonstrate our ability to assess situations, provide appropriate care, and ensure patient safety. Preparing took months of studying, training, and hands-on practice. The competition was tough, but it was a great experience.”
Along with these events, HOSA offers many others that one can choose to compete in. HOSA is about more than just competition, it is a chance for students to gain some real-world experience, build leadership skills, and connect with others who are passionate about healthcare.
Anand, who founded the Brecksville Chapter of HOSA, emphasizes its impact saying, “HOSA has been an incredible way to learn and grow. It takes commitment, but the experiences and opportunities make it worth it.”
For students interested in healthcare, HOSA offers all kinds of events, from Medical Terminology and Biomedical Debate to Health Career Photography. There is an event for everyone. It is also a great way to explore the world of healthcare and gain experience.
As the qualifiers prepare for the state competition, they are exited to represent their district with dedication and hard work.
