Gilbert HOSA debates its way to international stage

Gilbert, SC — Members of Gilbert High’s HOSA chapter debated their way to an international achievement this June. Competing at the HOSA International Leadership Conference, Madison H. Cooke, Harliann N. Hendrix, Harmony A. Hendrix and Brian S. Scircle finished in fourth place in the Biomedical Debate category. The annual competition draws future medical professionals from around the world, with approximately 10,000 students vying for awards in areas of dental terminology, forensic science and more.

Health Occupations Students of America or HOSA, is an international career and technical student organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Technology Education Division. Many of Lexington School District One's HOSA students plan to go into the medical field after graduating. Students in this program of study can easily graduate from high school as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) and then move further into a specialty that interest them.

GHS’s team began preparing their affirmative and negative responses to the debate topic “Pain Management: Opioids are the best solution!” this past fall, finishing third at the state HOSA competition. Determined to improve their performance, the quartet collaborated and practice diligently ahead of the international event, where they debated against teams from the United States, U.S. territories, Canada, Mexico and China.