HOSA EMagazine WINTER 2021

HOSA Hears You By Shreya Shrestha & LJ Pasion In times of collective hardship and pain, it is more important than ever to come together as a community and find strength in numbers. As future health professionals and global leaders, we are devoted to listening to the stories of others and offering our empathy and support to remind each other that no one must endure life’s challenges alone. This is how we build a community of compassion and collaboration. With everything 2020 has brought into our lives, we have come away with stories of love and loss, and of triumph, and hope to inspire, empower, and unite us in the years to come. We would now like to share some of the powerful stories of HOSA members from around the globe, as well as advice and their hopes for the upcoming year.

Ellen Paligo TENNESSEE HOSA

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I spent my time volunteering at the local nursing home. Once the pandemic started, I was no longer allowed to do this for safety reasons. I began to write cards to residents of nursing homes across the country, a project that I am continuing for the Barbara James Service Award. I am so grateful for HOSA, and the ability to give back, despite the restrictions of the pandemic.

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Elizabeth Colavecchio ALASKA HOSA

Over quarantine I had the opportunity to visit the capitol of my state (Juneau, Alaska) and go on a bear viewing trip. Not only did the money spent on this trip support the local economy, but I got to experience the wonderful Tongass National Forest up close and personal! I learned a lot about the behavior of bears, overcame some fears, and traveled by float plane for the first time!

Sarah Marks KENTUCKY HOSA PRESIDENT

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Prior to the pandemic, I was on track to complete a nursing assistant program in May 2020 through the area technology school I attend. As soon as things began to shut down, my classmates and I knew we wouldn’t be able to complete the portion of the class that was supposed to be in a clinical setting. I knew if I couldn’t assist others in a clinical setting, I had to find some other way to assist in the pandemic. Being crafty, I broke out a sewing machine and scrap fabrics and began to sew masks for healthcare and essential workers. After making hundreds of masks, I still didn’t feel as though I had made a large enough contribution. The only grocery store in my county of 13,000 people was hiring, so I applied and accepted the position. Wearing masks, constantly sanitizing surfaces, and helping to keep the community safe has been an eye- opening experience for me. Not only am I potentially exposed to COVID-19 hundreds of times each shift, I have seen how the pandemic has affected so many people. Parents being forced to stay home to care for their children has put them in difficult financial situations, elderly people haven’t had the social interactions they need to

Travis Makana Taylor HAWAII HOSA Goals/Hopes for 2021 Dorian Ho NEW JERSEY HOSA Quarantine Activities While in quarantine, I got back into doing daily crosswords and learned a new violin concerto (Korngold Violin Concerto, Op. 35).

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thrive, and so many other people have endured challenges as well. I am thankful for all of our healthcare heroes that are fighting this virus on the front lines daily, and I offer condolences to those who have lost their lives to it. Anna Becker WISCONSIN HOSA

My goals are to improve upon the leadership skills I have gained so far, as well as doing well in HOSA competition. My biggest hope in 2021 is that we can all pull through in the face of adversity and accomplish things that we otherwise thought we could not before.

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I’m a senior in high school and also a State Officer. Way before COVID was even in effect, I knew this year was going to be special. I spend my time working as a CNA, completing HOSA projects, and doing my homework for school. I am devastated that my last year of HOSA is all virtual and that I missed so much compared to other State Officers from years past. However, this year has also brought good in my life. I am a senior and am almost ready to start a new chapter in my life. I am committed to play soccer at the college level, I am a WI State Officer and have been able to work, collaborate, and laugh with the amazing team that is WI HOSA’s State Executive Council. There is a lot of bad that has happened this year, but once you look at all the good things that have happened, it puts it all in perspective.

As HOSA members, we recognize the need for compassionate healthcare leaders, and we understand that starts when we come together to support one another. We were not able to include all of your incredible submissions, but we appreciate the stories you have shared and the ways in which you strive to remain a beacon of hope to the future of healthcare. HOSA hears you, and we will always be here for you.

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