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Upper School Students attend Annual HOSA Conference and Win Honors

Earlier this week, 18 Upper School students attended the annual HOSA Future Health Professionals State Leadership Conference in Spokane, where they had the opportunity to experience and participate in hands-on workshops, sessions, and competitive events. While at the conference, our students also received valuable coaching and advice on healthcare-related careers, as well as the ability to network with health professionals from across the state.

Several Northwest students also won awards and recognition across various competitive events at the conference: Avi (Class of ‘27) won 2nd place in Biotechnology, Daniel (Class of ‘27) won 3rd place in Microbiology, Max (Class of ‘28) won 5th place in Phlebotomy, and Sophia (Class of ‘27) received the Bronze Certificate for the Barbara James Service Award, which honors students who complete more than 100 service hours in the field of health education.

Our students represented themselves and the Northwest School community spectacularly, and I am so very proud of each and every one of them.
– Danielle Thal, Science Faculty

HOSA provides future health professionals with resources and access to continuing education and career opportunities with the goal of addressing ongoing health industry workforce needs. Students, in particular, can learn how to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience.

This conference provides a valuable learning experience for our students beyond the classroom, like competing in the Anatomage Tournament to see who had the quickest anatomy identification skills. 

Students also had the opportunity to visit the local Washington State University campus and tour and learn more about the pharmacy lab, sleep and performance lab, cow eyeball dissection, and the cadaver lab - which allowed them to view human organs and body parts, including the knee, liver, brain, spinal cord, and heart.

HOSA has inspired me to step outside of my comfort zone and believe in my capabilities to achieve my goals.
– Sophia L. (Class of '27)

Sophia L. (Class of '27) is thrilled to see her preparation and determination culminate in the award recognition. “During my 3rd year with HOSA, I set the goal to be recognized for the Barbara James Service award with over 100 service hours," she shares. "In preparation, I spent the year educating, volunteering and serving the Seattle community to express my passion healthcare. By working toward and eventually earning this award, HOSA has inspired me to step outside of my comfort zone and believe in my capabilities to achieve my goals.”

Northwest Science faculty, Danielle Thal, couldn't be prouder of her students. Reflecting on the value of experiences like attending the HOSA conference, she says "Each of these students has been working for months to learn about the new field of health sciences. They have demonstrated perseverance, dedication, and resourcefulness. They have shown themselves to be independent learners who are capable of trying new things."