HOSA Happenings: January 2019

Happy New Year!! It is crazy that 2019 is already here. North Meck HOSA cannot wait for the school year of a successful state competition, a multitude of awareness activities, as well as some community service events.

The first Tuesday back will be the first meeting of 2019: January 8th. State registration is going on currently, so members will begin to decide what event they would like to pursue, whether this is continuing their regional event in which they qualified for, or take on a new challenge. States will be held on March 6-9, 2019 in the Charlotte Convention Center, and details about exact times will come out later.

It was disappointing news to hear that the past Greensboro location would be moved to Charlotte, as it was such an experience last year to be able to travel, stay in a hotel, and enjoy some bonding time, especially crushers our seniors, who wanted a chance to travel one last time. Haley Bowland, the historian of HOSA and a sophomore, remarks that"while I’m excited about the fact that the conference will be closer, I’m definitely going to miss the fun experiences of Greensboro. I hope that because the competition will be closer, we will have more interest in the event". Therefore, there is a talk about renting a hotel in the convention center so that members can not only experience their competitive events, but also take advantage of the lectures, workshops, and performances that are held from sunrise to sunset. Only driving to this location makes it undesirable for our members to come early to attend a lecture, or stay late and enjoy the ball. Thus, the possibility of renting a suite is a plausible way to ensure the utmost experience of states, even closer to home.

Moreover, the NC state conference will hold competitions in several locations, instead of solely in the convention center. CPCC will be utilized for some events, most likely the closest campus to the main center. This will require students to take a bus to and from locations, dependent on where they need to be.

While March is 2 months away, we are positive that the time will fly by. Thus, it is vital that members make their final choices during the first half of January so they can begin to prepare for their events. We are looking forward to a life-changing experience yet again.

Our theme in December 2018 focused on mental illnesses, and our theme for January/February 2019 will be on NEDA/eating disorders. We are excited for two awareness activities that will be sure to broaden horizons and cultivate an open conversation. As state registration will not overtake all of our meetings, each officer plans to help create a more productive meeting each Tuesday, and incorporate specific tasks and presentations in order for HOSA to fully resemble their 'health awareness' pillar that we strived to achieve at the beginning of the year.

A meeting in January will have members making a life size drawing with perceived attributes of one with an eating disorder, and will be learning about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of such disorders this month. NEDA Awareness Week is February 25 to March 3!!

As a member, it is important to attend every meeting possible in order to stay informed about competitions and events, but also to invest oneself into a world that is much bigger than oneself.

From all the HOSA officers, happy new year. We can't wait for 2019.