MADISON – The HOSA State Leadership Conference offered a venue for Bob Jones High School students to gain recognition for their hard work and to network with other students that share similar interests.

“The competitive events motivate HOSA members to develop skills that will ultimately be valuable in the future as they enter the medical field,” sponsor Melinda Lawson said. Lawson, a registered nurse, holds other medical credentials. (HOSA now represents “Future Health Professionals.”)

“Students determined to succeed and willing to pursue excellence by preparing for their event have this beneficial opportunity,” HOSA Historian Hannah Evans said. “(The conference) is important not only for its competitions but also for its inspirational speakers and leadership workshops.”

“Students that attend SLC gain insight about health care, along with knowledge and skills that are valuable to their future careers,” Evans said.

In addition, newly elected state officers receive scholarships. Bob Jones student Nini Nguyen was elected 2021-2022 1st Vice President/Secretary for Alabama HOSA. Students in first, second or third place qualify to compete at the International Leadership Conference in June.

Since 2009, Lawson has served as HOSA advisor. “The benefits I’ve received interacting with HOSA members through participation in our local chapter events and SLC are experiencing students’ excitement and satisfaction of seeing students succeed, which builds their self-confidence and courage,” Lawson said.

“I love that SLC provides my students with an opportunity to strengthen knowledge, improve skills and develop leadership abilities. The opportunity for our students to interact globally with students allows them to strengthen interpersonal relationships. Competition teaches them to accept with grace both success and defeat, which are characteristics of leaders of tomorrow,” Lawson said.

Numerous students earned a place within the top six entries in their event:

* Biomedical Debate Team – Xueer Chen, Megan Danh, Thomas Nguyen and Aubteen Pour-Biazar. Second place.

* Dental Science — Pranav Ramesh, second.

* Emergency Medical Technician Emergency Preparedness Team — Sami Crosby, Katie Laferrera. Fourth place.

* Epidemiology — Neha Chopade, third; Emma Karl, sixth.

* Health Career Photography — Jordan Moro, fifth.

* Medical Law and Ethics — Soorya Ramesh, first.

* Medical Math — James Yoo, sixth.

* Medical Terminology — Emily Lee, second.

* Nutrition — Joshua Lin, first.

* Pathophysiology — Puja Chopade, second; Benjamin Gunasekaran, fifth.

* Pharmacy Science — Nini Nguyen, fifth.

* Physical Therapy — Alecia Walker, second.

* Veterinary Science — Vanessa Nguyen, third.

Bob Jones students will compete at the HOSA International Leadership Conference in June. Following the event, Lawson hopes to report her students’ successes.