TMHS HOSA Hosted Successful Spring Leadership Conference

February 17, 2023
TMHS HOSA Hosted Successful Spring Leadership Conference

A plan that began five years ago was put into action this Spring and executed flawlessly.

Tomball Memorial High School was tasked with serving as the host for the 2023 Area 6 HOSA-Future Health Professionals Spring Leadership Conference, which welcomed over 1,100 students from 90 schools across the state, including both Tomball ISD comprehensive high schools: TMHS and Tomball High School.

What is HOSA?
HOSA is a student-led global organization that provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for middle school, secondary, postsecondary, and collegiate students enrolled in health and biomedical sciences. 

TMHS educator Jennifer Hasson took over as HOSA Advisor and immediately began preparing for the organization’s largest Spring event nearly five years ago. Collaboratively working with Tomball’s CTE department, the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce, and TMHS Administration, Hasson and her HOSA students were well-prepared to show off TMHS and host its annual area competitions. 

HOSA hosts two conferences a year. A Fall Leadership Conference, which offers sessions to explore a wide variety of healthcare opportunities, and to concentrate on leadership roles and the impact the organization can make, and a Spring Leadership Conference, which is where the competitions happen.

Students have the opportunity to compete in competitive events, categorized by health science, health professional, emergency preparedness, leadership, and teamwork. They also participate in a social event to help raise money for “Be the Match.”

Tomball ISD is proud to have HOSA organizations at both Tomball Memorial High School and Tomball High School. 

Results from the Area 6 Spring Leadership Conference: 

Tomball Memorial High School

• 1st - Abbigail Bass (Clinical Nursing)
• 1st - Jocelyn Auxier, Kendall Wallace, Taylor Benard (Community Awareness)
• 2nd - Kaitlyn Gonzalez (Dental Science)
• 3rd - Meryll Valmores, Anh Van, Emily Pham, Mylan Le, Presley Howell (Public Service Announcement)
• 5th - Desiree Gonzalez, Abby Itzen (Emergency Medical Technician)
• Newly-elected HOSA Area 6 Officer - Mylan Le

Tomball High School

• 3rd - Sarah Kane, Allie Moon (Medical Innovation)
• 4th - Jose Gomez (Biotechnology)
• Newly-elected HOSA Area 6 Officer - Allie Moon

The top three places from each event will advance to the State Conference in Round Rock, March 28-30, and the top three places at State will advance to the HOSA International Conference later this year.

Because of their philanthropic efforts, TMHS HOSA students will also be recognized at the State Conference with the Barbara James Service Award, which honors students who have become contributing members of their communities by performing worthy volunteer community service hours related to health. These students will also be rewarded for their Blood Drive efforts this year.

HOSA students and teachers at both TMHS and THS have continued to grow this organization and are serving as leaders at the State level. Through HOSA, students are learning how to network, grow, and develop leadership skills and creative communication.

In order to successfully host an event this size, it took a team effort by so many at TMHS. Whether it was securing an opening and closing ceremony location, organizing meals for judges, walking campus to select rooms for competitions, securing speakers, finding judges and volunteers or simply serving as the local liaison for Texas HOSA, all hands were on deck. Contributing to the overall success were the HOSA students, advisors, other student organizations on campus who served as volunteers, TMHS administration, and community support.