Students from the EFCTS Bioscience program attended the HOSA International Leadership Conference for an experience of a lifetime.
Back row: Lilyanne Canini (Pickerington North), Isabela Rivera, Quinn Toth, Anna Zingale, Janna Wilkerson, Sena Mekonnon (Pickerington North), Ella King, Pallavi Sistla
Front row: Marleigh McFarland, Samantha York, Addison Galloway, Jaleea Gamble (Reynoldsburg), Keira Hazell, Bhumi Patel, Asa Mattson, Jesse Johnson
Students from the Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools Bioscience satellite program had a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Houston, Texas where they not only explored a new city but represented the school and program on a national and international scale during the 2024 HOSA International Leadership Conference.
The HOSA International Leadership Conference welcomed more than 10,000 students from around the world to compete in a host of events and learn from industry professionals through more than 140 workshops provided through the event. Attendees came from across the United States, Canada, China, South Korea, American Samoa, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
Rising senior Ella King (Gahanna Lincoln) stood out for Eastland-Fairfield when she was named International runner-up for her presentation in the Research Poster event. Her presentation was entitled “Correlation Between Back Issues/Back Pain and Mass of Backpacks in Teens”, which explored if there is a significant correlation between the weight of a backpack and student back pain or issues in teenagers.
The Eastland-Fairfield group also featured a top-5 team finish in the Community Awareness category. Asa Mattson, Marleigh McFarland, Samantha York, and Annabella Zingale – all recent graduates from Gahanna Lincoln High School – together, placed fourth overall in their event.
A second team of Gahanna Lincoln graduates advanced to the second round of their respective competition. Keira Hazell, Quinn Toth, Isabela Rivera, and Bhumi Patel were present to compete in the Public Health category.
Toth was also a part of a special presentation at the conference where during a private event she was among those awarded a National Technical Honor Society scholarship. She will take the scholarship with her to the University of Cincinnati, where she will be attending this Fall.
As part of their international conference experience, students and staff had the opportunity to explore Houston where they attended a Houston Astros baseball game and explored the art and natural science museums, as well as the Houston Zoo.
HOSA-Future Health Professionals is a global student-led organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services and several federal and state agencies. HOSA’s mission is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience.
For more information about Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools, the Bioscience program, and all of its high school and adult programs, please visit www.EastlandFairfield.com.