On Feb. 20 through Feb. 21, Emerson’s HOSA chapter competed at the HOSA Area State Leadership Conference, where students could advance to the state competition. The two-day conference was held at Parker University in Dallas, Texas, a private university known for its focus on healthcare education. The event brings together students from across the region who share an interest in healthcare careers and provides them with an opportunity to compete in academic and leadership-based events.

While the conference may only last two days, preparation begins weeks in advance. Leading up to the competition, chapter officers and advisors organized meetings to help competitors stay prepared, refine their presentations and practice their event materials. Students also participated in mock judging sessions designed to mirror the real competition environment, giving competitors valuable feedback before the official event.

“To prepare for this, we made sure to hold regular meetings with competitors to keep them on track and make sure they are working on their events,” HOSA Officer Sai Polturi, 11 said. “Leading up to Area, we made sure to hold mock judging to give the competitors a practice round with the same rubric that will be used for grading.”

Area SLC goes beyond competition; this conference serves as an experience for students interested in a career in healthcare to gain a better grasp on what their future entails. Additionally, students are able to show off their pre-existing skills and knowledge on healthcare through showcases and presentations. This gives students a jump-start on their career through hands-on learning experiences and making connections with current or future healthcare workers.  

“The purpose of HOSA Area SLC is to allow students interested in healthcare careers to compete, showcase their knowledge, develop leadership skills and gain real-world experience,” Polturi said.

For many students, the conference became a memorable milestone in their HOSA journey; Several competitors successfully advanced to the Texas State Leadership Conference and will represent the school in Corpus Christi during a three-day competition in late March.

“Our advancing students will represent our school as they go on to State in Corpus Christi on March 24 through 26, 2026,” Polturi said.

In addition to competing, students spent time connecting and creating memories outside the competition rooms. Whether preparing for events together or exploring local coffeeshops, the experience strengthened the organization’s sense of community.

“Members had many shared experiences such as ‘what’s-in-my-bag’ videos and visiting café spots together,” Polturi said. “They cheered each other on before and after the competitions, making everyone feel included.”

As the chapter now turns its focus to the state competition, students continue to refine their events through individual preparation and mentorship from officers and teachers. Make sure to stay updated with HOSA and their success at Corpus Christi!