Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics HOSA members move on to Nationals
From left, front row: Chelse VanAtter, Eesha Maisuria and Nishi Patel. Middle row: Melat Tarekegne, Chloe Moore, Layne Scopano, and Kayleigh Kelly. Back row: David Bombard, Landon Bradshaw, Austin Geer, and Reed Studer.
On March 7, eleven students from the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics participated in the South Carolina Health Occupations Students of America (SC HOSA) State Leadership Conference in Charleston. HOSA is an international, student-led organization serving students interested in pursuit of health and biomedical professions.
During the conference, attendees participated in competitions highlighting skills required in healthcare and several Govies distinguished themselves with top 10 finishes:
• Layne Scopano ’19 from Fort Mill 1st Place Transcultural Health
• Chloe Moore ’19 from York 1st Place Medical Spelling
• Nishi Patel ’19 from Fort Mill 3rd Place Prepared Speaking
• Melat Tarekegne ’18 from Columbia 3rd Place Behavioral Health
Eesha Maisuria ’18 from Lexington and Chelse VanAtter ’18 from West Union shared team 4th/5th Place Forensic Science
All top 3 finishers received invitations to the HOSA Nationals, which will be held in Dallas this June.
GSSM HOSA advisor Dr. Bhuvana Paramaswaran commended the students on their preparation for the event and their competitiveness, “Unlike other schools where the topics are taught through the year in classroom courses, HOSA at GSSM is entirely student-run, and they facilitate their own preparation with very little teacher influence or assistance. I provide the books and the lab space whenever they need it. Other than that, they really don’t need, or want, much help.”
She gave special recognition to club president Eesha Maisuria for her dedication and commitment to organizing the school’s participation.
GSSM’s HOSA chapter is sponsored in part by Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center (CPRMC). Hospital CEO Bill Little congratulated the group, “We’re proud to have sponsored GSSM HOSA students in Charleston and look forward to their representing our state in Dallas. The healthcare industry is in need of smart and dedicated professionals, and we look forward to the day when these students enter the field as doctors, nurses, and researchers.”