On Saturday, November 8th, HOSA students travelled to South Brunswick High School to compete in the Regional Leadership Conference.
The day started bright and early for the students as they were to meet in the bus parking lot by 7:15. Everyone gathered waiting to get on the bus all dressed in their suits or scrubs.
“I was so excited about going to regionals this year,” said senior Victoria Heady. “I went into it with a different perspective considering it was my last time ever competing at this level.”
Each student had a different event they competed in. The events ranged from anything such as taking tests, performing skills in front of judges, presentations, debates, and more.
The opening ceremony started at 8:45am and lasted until 9:15am. The ceremony consisted of doing the pledge and hearing from guest speakers Mr. Dale Cole (Superintendent, Brunswick County Schools) and Mrs. Dawn Hollis (CTE Director, Brunswick County Schools.)
From 9:15am-1:00pm, students were dismissed and directed by volunteers to their events to start competing. Other students who didn’t have to perform a presentation or skill on campus, (students who took tests) were able to walk around campus exploring all the vendors set up with food, or even go to the expo event in the gym “Build a Bag” where students could talk to different tables set up with all kinds of souvenirs from hospitals, doctors offices, and different health related organizations.
From 11:00am-1:00pm students were provided free lunch in the Cafeteria.
Around 1:00pm students transitioned into the main gym where another two Guest Speakers talked to students about their jobs. One was a nurse practitioner who gave her amazing testimony on how she went from dropping out of high school, to getting her masters degree and another doctor who gave us advice on surrounding yourself with people who will encourage you and are like minded with you.
After the last set of guest speakers finished, it was now time for what everyone had been waiting on. The awards. Many students from our chapter finished in top 5, but the top 3 winners are listed below:
1st Place:
Marely Mendoza- Clinical Nursing
Olivia Fowler and Amairany Amaya- CPR/First Aid
Victoria Heady- Medical Assisting
Noelle Hobgood- Patient Care Technician
Cydnee Harris- Sports Medicine
2nd Place:
Manney Velasquez- Biotechnology
Luma Rosa- Medical Spelling
Coliyah Pitman- Medical Terminology
Jonathan Whitt- Pharmacy Science
3rd Place:
Kendall Reme- Health Career Photography
Many students also qualified to attend the State conference which will be held March 25-27, 2026 in Greensboro, North Carolina.
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Army recruit talking to students about potential medical jobs in military.
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A vendor table set up with beautiful oyster shells reflecting Brunswick County culture.
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Senior Victoria Heady, junior Jayde Daley, and junior Mariana Simpson enjoying their ice cream from the vendor after finishing their events.
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Senior Graycn Taylor posing beside the ice cream truck before she gets in line for a treat.
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HOSA RLC candidates giving their speech on why they should be elected as president.
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West students explaining their interest to healthcare jobs.
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HOSA president, and juniors Brianna Herdic and Luma Rosa waiting for the opening ceremony to start.
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Junior Alyssa Hewett smiling with her brain model that displays a tumor.
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Current RLC president giving her speech about the honor it has been being elected for the past year.
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CTE director Dawn Hollis giving us a special speech on never giving up.
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Brunswick County Superintendent Dale Cole giving a speech about his high school career and experience in CTE.
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Students walking to their event once guest speakers left.
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Top 5 groups lined up for CPR/First Aid awards.
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CPR/First Aid group Olivia Fowler and Amairany thrilled when they got announced as first place winners.
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Senior Victoria Heady announced as first place winner in Medical Assisting.
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Students gathered at a table to enjoy a free lunch.
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Junior Abi Davis and Senior Graycn Taylor posing in their matching pink scrubs and holding their snow cones they got from one of the vendors.
