HARLINGEN — Many people like to imagine themselves inspiring thousands of people with their eloquence.
Matthew Garcia, 17, will get to do just that as the new vice president of Texas HOSA Area 7.
“We get to go to competitions and conferences and give these great speeches,” said Matthew, a senior at the Harlingen School of Health Professions.
He and fellow HSHP senior Aaron Castillo began the lengthy process in December to become officers. That’s when they had to take a tough exam on the history of HOSA, or Future Health Professionals.
Matthew was elected to his position in February, and in April Aaron, 17, was named Texas HOSA State Secondary Vice-President.
They just returned from a leadership camp last month, said HOSA sponsor Raquel Garcilazo.
“That was their official officer training for the school year,” she said. “These two students went above and beyond in their HOSA chapter by showing exceptional leadership skills.”
Both students spoke enthusiastically about how HOSA had improved their lives.
“HOSA has opened my eyes to what is out there in the health care field,” Aaron said.
“It’s allowed me to meet people like me from around Texas and the world,” he said.
Matthew said he felt honored by the election.
“I started HOSA in my freshman year,” he said. “I got to experience first hand just how inspiring an officer team can be at our first competition in 2015. I’m honored that I get to extend this legacy of inspiration to the next generation of HOSA students.”
Garcilazo expressed pride in her students.
“They are both very excited for the upcoming school year and can’t wait for HCISD students to see what Texas HOSA has in store for them,” she said.
HOSA: Future Health Professionals, formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America, is an international student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education (HSE) Division of ACTE. HOSA’s two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA’s goal is to encourage all health science instructors and students to join and be actively involved in the HSE-HOSA Partnership.
Source: www.hosa.org
