Louisiana HOSA: Reaching New Heights

Determined, passionate and enthusiastic are just a few words to describe the members of Louisiana HOSA. For two days this group of future health professionals would have many exciting guest speakers, workshops, competitive events and HOSA sessions to attend!

Your Region I Vice President Tayla Brown had the pleasure and opportunity to share those two days with Louisiana State HOSA for their 2012 Spring Leadership Conference. The conference was held in Lafayette, Louisiana at the Holiday Inn Conference Center. The beautiful hotel served as the perfect spot for the next two days. 

Region I VP Tayla Brown with Louisiana State Officers and Advisor.

5,4,3,2,1!
Day 1 of the conference began with registration, opening session and workshops. Members and advisors lined the hall during registration eager to attend and ready for opening session. Registration consisted of all the essentials you would need during the conference like schedules, maps, and cool Louisiana HOSA tee shirts and drawstring bags. Once everyone was registered, opening session begun. Region I Vice President, Tayla Brown welcomed everyone attending on behalf of National HOSA and raised excitement for the National Leadership Conference that will be held in Orlando, Florida this year. Members were excited to have their chapters and advisors recognized, and the new middle school and post-secondary/collegiate chapters were all also welcomed during this time. Guest speaker Dr. Tahisa Colbert a local dentist who graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City also shared her story and gave the members a encouraging message about not giving up on their goals in life. During lunch session the state officers candidates were introduced and gave their campaign speeches.

Louisiana HOSA also hosted a senior dinner that night. This dinner was held to congratulate all the senior HOSA members. Dinner included a slide show and a short speech from Tayla Brown about the transition from high school to college and how to remain focused on their journey. The group of seniors were all given HOSA keepsake glasses for memories.

Louisiana HOSA Logo.

Two is always better than one!

Day 2 was ignited with a zumba class and breakfast to get the day off to a healthy start. Members continued on with competitions and workshops until lunch. During lunch the new Louisiana State Officers were installed and guest speaker Senator Fred Mills gave the everyone an inspiring speech about not letting one mistake hold you back from a successful future.

The conference was coming to a close but not before the awards session, a time when members were eager to find out the results of their competition and see if their hard work dedication had paid off. The points had been counted and the results were in, the awards session was underway. Smiles brightened the room as members names were called for each competition and awarded a medal of bronze, silver or gold. State advisor Shirlene Bender also announced which HOSA chapter would be taking home the Louisiana HOSA Cup! The conference closed with HOSA cheers and a short recap of the year by Louisiana HOSA's former state president Rebecca Stanley. The Louisiana SLC was a huge success, everyone who attended took something home with them from this conference from new experiences to new friends!