It’s official: after months of extensive studying and perfecting, Pembroke Pines Charter HOSA will attend their state competition. The 2024-25 team also broke a new Charter record with 31 members advancing to the next level. With over 30 members placing in the top five, the club is sure to succeed at states.
The club specializes in different areas in the medical field, including Medical Innovation, Nursing Assisting, and more. HOSA aims to inspire Charter’s future health professionals, encouraging members to increase confidence and step outside their comfort zones. The club also offers a platform for college applications and career planning, giving members experience in their desired field of study before college.
One member, sophomore Alisha Lenka, won first place for her event, Family Medicine Physician. “I interviewed two family medicine physicians and gave a nine-minute presentation on their responsibilities, impact, and why people should choose this career,” she says.
Lenka, who is passionate about the medical field, is looking forward to the state competition, and is proud of her accomplishments at the regional level. She notes that she “prepared by practicing [her] script over and over again, which helped [her] strengthen [her] knowledge and build confidence.” At the end of the day, confidence is key in success, especially at such large competitions like HOSA.
One event, Pharmacology, entails a 100-question exam along with an open-ended question in the span of 90 minutes. This event highlights different medicines, their purposes, and their effects on the human body. Junior Sneha Mathews was awarded second place in the Pharmacology event, and noted the rigor of the event and the preparation it requires.
Mathews says, “Pharmacology is the study of different medicines, so it was essential for me to know different classifications of drugs and specific rules… competitors also need to know how… medications can save one person’s life nut can also bring harm to another depending on usage and amount.”
Though the junior is taking advantage of her win and is proud of her achievements, Mathews is aware of the increased difficulty at states. “At states, rules and questions will be much stricter, and I will have to dedicate a lot of time to do well. I want to try to focus on trying my best and going through one major textbook related to pharmacology… all you can do is give it your all.”
PPCHS HOSA is looking forward to states, where many students are sure to triumph in each of their specialties. In a club full of talent, HOSA members are hard-working and no stranger to success. Now, they can begin to prepare for their upcoming state competition, which is sure to make PPCHS proud.
