By Viktoria Buckman
ROGERS, ARK. — Scholars from all Haas Hall Academy campuses showed off the medical field skills they have been working on this season at the state HOSA competition, which was held in Hot Springs, Ark., with several taking top spots in their respective categories.
The competition also provided scholars with an opportunity to learn more about their future career choices. For Rogers sophomore Mimi Costaldi, who plans on becoming an infectious disease pathologist, won silver in medical reading, “because of my category, HOSAs helpful to me,” she said.
Five scholars from the Rogers campus returned home with a top-three win. “Winning the competition was really beneficial because it made me more confident…trust myself a little more,” said junior Addison Sexton, who won bronze in clinical nursing.
But this wasn’t Sexton’s first time at a HOSA competition, she tries out a new topic every year that she’s in HOSA, “…that way I can try out different things in the medical field, so I can figure out what type of things I like doing.” As well as Freshman Marlies Dolan, who won gold in nutrition, “I was in HOSA last year, in the middle school division. I placed first at state and second at international.” Dolan has decided to go to international in Houston, Texas this year as well!
“Anyone who places in the top three qualifies for ILC,” said Costaldi. International competition is a seperate competition with components from different countries that are part of HOSA. “I’m gonna go to the internationals over the summer… it’s like the same thing, but a harder test,” said Dolan.
These winners didn’t win in the state competition from luck; they’ve been preparing for it since the beginning of the season. “There’s also a lot of Quizlets that you can find, and even YouTube videos and crash courses. I also choose ones made by teachers,” Dolan said. According to Costaldi, “You should start studying right when you get your topic.” As well as, “…review before the competition, you will eventually be able to grasp the concept.”
According to Dolan, “Also being part of the club is really fun too! It gives something to look forward to throughout the week.”
Sexton said,“ I think HOSA is a really, really cool opportunity, and I think people should try it out; it may seem a little intimidating, but overall it’s a really fun experience. Even if you don’t place, it’s still just an amazing experience to be able to go to.”
Congratulations to this year’s HOSA winners, and good luck at internationals!
