In recent weeks, SHS has been enjoying a flurry of Saxon send-offs honoring the constant stream of teams and groups that have recently qualified for IHSA State Competitions.  Given the numbers, it would be easy to overlook our HOSA state competitors, but that would be a mistake.

Recently, with the completion of preliminary testing, Schaumburg High School’s HOSA club qualified 21 students for the state competition in Springfield from March 1-3. At the state competition, the SHS HOSA Bowl team placed third, with several top 10 finishes in individual categories. 

HOSA, or Health Occupation Students of America, allows students to explore different aspects of careers in medicine, as well as learn new skills needed in healthcare. So the club caters to students who are interested in pursuing medicine or other healthcare-related careers.  The purpose of the HOSA club is to develop leadership and technical skill competencies through a program of motivation, awareness and recognition, which is an integral part of the Health Science Education instructional program.

Going into state, qualifiers competed against students from other schools where they were evaluated on their knowledge of medicine and health, as well as their presentational skills. The club prepared students for a stiff competition regarding medical practices, health, and specific skills required in the medical field. Students competed in order to be placed in the top 10 at state with the top 3 representing Illinois at International Conferences. 

“My favorite was probably all the new topics I learned because of HOSA. It’s important to me because it gives me an insight into what it’s like to be an actual medical professional. I would totally do it again next year,” states sophomore, Nuren Maroof. 

Schools teach students hands-on skills required for the competition but most of the preparation is done by students individually. Many students have to prepare their own supplies needed for testing as well as organize time to rehearse their topics.

“HOSA provides individuals the ability to develop effective leadership skills, while building and strengthening self-confidence, motivation, and technical skills,” said Mr. Lobo, the HOSA club organizer at SHS.  “To be honest, I also see many students develop a stronger competitive skill set.  With the layers of testing and independent preparation, I feel students start to create independent studying skills that revolve around the healthcare industry.  That is ultimately the goal for this club…develop a sense of the broad and complicated nature of healthcare, which so many kids want to explore.”

The fact that students choose to do this individually, just goes to show how powerful of a calling medicine/healthcare is.  Every single student in our building has been directly or indirectly affected by choices made by medical professionals, so we all have experiences, positive and negative, with healthcare professionals.  These committed Saxons who are already preparing to assist future patients and clients ensure that our families and loved ones will receive the care and help that they deserve.  

Now, Schaumburg’s Alexis Victor, Hafsa Syed, Zahraa Shaikh, Nisaa Nazeer, along with students from schools across the U.S.A, Canada, Italy, Mexico, American Samoa, and Germany, prepare for the International Leadership Conference on June 21-24 in Dallas, Texas.  Join us in wishing them the very best of luck!