Members of HOSA, a club for students who aspire to become health professionals, competed Nov. 9 in Knightdale in the HOSA Regional Conference. The students faced situations where they showed off their first-aid skills.

According to the national HOSA website, “HOSA is a global student-led organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services and several federal and state agencies. HOSA’s mission is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience.” 

Senior Alyssa Backus was one of the competitors. 

“Basically there are competitions at the conference, and each team is given a scenario. Our scenario was a burn victim and an unconscious woman, so we had to provide the necessary care,” Backus said. 

Backus described what she did to prepare for the competition.

“You must pass a test to be eligible to attend the conference,” Backus said. “We practiced as a club beforehand, and I studied to ensure I knew what I was doing.” 

Senior Sage Backstrom also said that there was a lot to prepare for. 

“I learned a lot about medical terminology because that’s what I competed in, so I had to memorize 300 medical terms, and just a lot about health science careers in general,” Backstrom said. 

Backstrom then describes how the conference was organized.

“There were a lot of competitions. I don’t know how many specifically, but that’s the main thing in general, and the informational sessions are just kind of things you can do on the side when you’re not competing,” Backstrom said.

For senior Gen Stubbs the conference began on a hectic note.

“Some things never really go as you planned. We were almost late, but it was fine: we made it on time, but a lot of things at the conference got moved around, and all of us were a little confused on what was going on, but we got everything where they needed to be,” Stubbs said.

Sophomore Hannah Phillips said that she learned a lot about how to treat people at the Conference. 

Several members interviewed joined HOSA because of their future career goals.

“I joined HOSA because I am interested in the medical field, and want to help people in my future,” senior Rachel Koschatzky said. “It aligns very well with my future, and the career path I want to take.” 

Members say that the interactions they had with students at other schools were limited for this competition. 

“We didn’t really have any other interactions with other schools. We were in a room with just our team,” Backus said. 

Backstrom expands on how often schools interact at different competitions.

“You don’t really talk to other people at different schools at regionals too much, but you do at states, and then there’s like a fall leadership conference–I think it’s called. That’s where you really get to learn about what projects they do for HOSA, what they’re competing in and what they’ve done. 

Phillips has known for three or four years that going into the medical field was something she wanted to do, and most of the members agree they’ve been interested for a long time. 

“I’ve been interested in the medical field pretty much all my life. I love science, so that’s my thing. It was a pediatrician, and then a doctor,” said Stubbs

Finally, the students talked about how the competition can help the development of the club. 

“So the conference helps the club by putting us out there, and kind of like advertising us a bit,” said Stubbs.