HOSA competes in first spring conference

Peyton Berry, Staff Writer

April 22, 2024

In the club’s first year of existence at Manhattan High, the HOSA chapter qualified seven health science students to attend the National competition through participation in the Spring Conference on April 15 at Kansas State University.

Qualifiers were sophomore Agnes Choi, who placed first in Antomage Event and second in Physical Therapy; sophomore Isabela Villoria, who took first in the Anatomage Event; junior Mian Zhao, who placed second in General Chemistry; junior Sama Nepal, who placed third in Pharmacology and third in General Chemistry; sophomore Raychel Deines for earning second in Medical Law and Ethics and third in Biomedical Debate; junior Raisa Hossain, who placed first in Job Seeking Skills and third in Cultural Disparities and Diversity in Health Care; sophomore Zac Morgan, who got third in Biomedical Debate; and freshman Eera Venkatesh-Prasad for placing first in Anatomage Event, top five in Anatomy and Physiology, and third in Biomedical Debate.

Also attending the contest were senior Lia Jimenez who got top five in Medical Terminology, and junior Salina Wang, who earned a Bronze medal in HOSA Stars.

“I am really happy with the results, especially since it was our first time. I was really proud that we had so many qualifications for nationals,” Hossain said. “In terms of what the competition there were multiple different formats of events so you could take a test, or you could do some sort of application event like CPR or Physical Therapy, for example. I did an interview very tailored to each area of healthcare so not only doctors but all kinds of it.”

HOSA will be traveling to Houston for the international conference June 26-29. They are working on fundraising and getting ready for those events to represent MHS.

About the Contributors

Peyton Berry, Staff Writer

Peyton Berry is a 14-year-old freshman. Throughout a normal school day, Berry looks forward to journalism and history class. A few of her hobbies are golf and softball. Since the start of this school year, Berry’s biggest achievement has been passing qualifications for the golf team. Throughout her life, her parents have always been her biggest supporters and her inspiration. She describes herself as one who is very helpful, always willing, and kind. Whenever struggling with something, the first thing that she does is talk to someone about what is bothering her, and if that is not an available option, she turns to sports. If Berry could go back to one place again, she would choose Saint George, Utah. As Berry describes what it is like there, “Utah definitely had a desert feel to it, it was kind of hot there, it was sunny, but it was like, the weather was nice and everything,” Berry said. “Oh, and the sunrises there are beautiful.” She chose to take 21st Century Journalism for mainly one reason, “I’ve always kind of liked writing.” If Berry had a time machine, she would tell herself to not give up and to always push herself through the toughest moments. Berry has a specific way of dealing with stressful situations or people. Berry said, “I always tell them everyone has a chance to try a new thing out, and sometimes people don’t think that you can do it, but you actually can do it.” When asked what her biggest learning experience has been, Berry said, “Probably when one of my teachers from a few years ago explained how they went through a hard time, and how they got through it. The teacher shared some ways how in how they managed to get through those hard times.” Berry wants it to be known that she is always trying her best. Berry said, “I’m always trying my best, even though sometimes it might not seem like it.” She has a few words of advice for incoming high-schoolers, “try joining classes that offer volunteering at a school event.” By Otis Mazurkiewicz Staff Writer

Hunter Flagg, Online EIC

Hunter Flagg is a freshman staff writer who joined journalism this year after moving from New York, not too far from the city. If Flagg can find the time outside of class, he likes to be with friends as he likes people in general. “I like writing and videography and stuff like that,” Flagg said. “Haven’t been able to do that because of school.” Flagg joined journalism with hopes of creating entertaining articles and having fun. “I like all aspects of journalism, mainly videography,” Flagg said. “It allows me to bask in a job well done.” Flagg also has hopes of changing the yearbook for the better. Flagg believes the yearbook can get a bit cringy at times and he wants to stop that from happening. “I thought the yearbook sounded cool to me,” he said. Flagg wants to be a sports correspondent to write more entertaining life filled articles. “No offense to people in politics, but I don’t feel like the students care about it that much,” Flagg said. “I want to write about sports, current events and things that have an impact on student’s lives.” After high school, Flagg wants to join the military with no interest in continuing Journalism. Flagg says to anyone wanting to join journalism to “do it.” By Thurston Rogers Staff Writer

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HOSA competes in first spring conference

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