Bryan’s HOSA chapter competed for the first time since it was started two years ago.
The state leadership conference was hosted at Creighton University March 10-11. Attendance in previous competitons aren’t necessary to compete, but if competitors place top five, they qualify for nationals.
HOSA is an organization for students interested in healthcare careers. This includes doctors, dentists, nurses, veterinarians, mental health practitioners and more.
“I think its pretty fun,” Tzompantzi-Contreras said. “I have a few friends in there, and they make it interesting and engaging. Everybody in the club is pretty friendly. We’re not all directly friends, but we help and support each other.”
HOSA is open to everyone.
“I joined the beginning of this year,” said sophomore Valeria Tzompantzi-Contreras. “I wasn’t sure what part of the medical field I want to join, but I was interested and knew that HOSA would open a lot of doors for me.”
HOSA students attended state last year to gain a better understanding of what the organization has to offer, but this year they had five students compete.
“Students choose a topic, there’s a bunch of different competitions,” said sponsor Stephanie Wagner. “Then, they take a test over the topic and find out later how they place. Depending how you do on the test, you may have to do a live component.”
Competing were Adriana Medina in human growth, Juliana Wratchford in anatomy and physiology, Jussely Ceballos Aragon in medical terminology, Valeria Tzompantzi-Contreras in medical law and junior Genesis Castillo in certified nursing assistant.
“I didn’t do so well, but it was a good experience to know what to expect in the future,” said sophmore Jussely Ceballos Aragon.
Preparation for this competiton was a challenge for both students and sponsors.
“The biggest challenge for us is that we don’t have healthcare career classes,” Wagner said. “It’s a matter of having the motivation to take the time to find information on their own if they are really determined to do well.”
With limited resources, students had to get creative. Co-sponsors Wagner and counselor Sheila Lahmann suggested using textbooks and Quizlet as resources and pushed students to branch out of their comfort zones.
“I think it’s (competiton) going to teach them what they might need to do to better themselves if they want to be in a leadership position,” Wagner said. “It allows them to learn a lot of information that they didn’t know beforehand. I think it’s a good educational tool.”
Students were exposed to HOSA chapters around the state, which left a lasting impression.
“All these people came from advanced schools,” Ceballos Aragon said. “We saw them get award after award, and we didn’t really see Omaha representation, so it made us feel out of place.”
This HOSA chapter does not have a leadership team but hopes to in the future.
“I do like how this HOSA chapter does take suggestions, feedback and caters to the students’ needs,” Ceballos Aragon said.
Members have described a welcoming environment that has allowed them to learn more about their interests.
