PASCAGOULA, Miss., — Forty-two Health Occupation Students of America from Health Sciences and Sports Medicine classes traveled to the HOSA Fall Leadership Conference in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Pascagoula High School hosted the conference in the school’s Performing Arts Center. Twenty HOSA chapters from across the state attended the conference.

Four student officers led the opening ceremony. Students recited the pledge of allegiance along with the HOSA creed. They then listened to motivational and guest speaker, Dr. Tyler Sexton. Sexton spoke about overcoming obstacles that cerebral palsy has placed on his life as a physician. He is a pediatrician at the Singing River Health System and has written and published two books.

Senior Kenny Dean Smith serves as the Mississippi State HOSA Vice President. He is passionate about his role as Vice President and how he serves different HOSA students throughout the state.

“I felt great about how I was able to lead the students, and I was so excited to see how much participation we had from so many schools from across the state. In addition, I like how I am able to inspire the students through my role as state Vice President,” Smith said.

After the opening ceremony, students visited different healthcare booths, and food trucks were stationed outside the performing arts center. Students practiced skills ranging from intubation to athletic training taping techniques.

Kristen Hunt is the new Health Science I teacher at Starkville High School. This is her first year as a school HOSA advisor.

“The conference was a great opportunity to show my year one students the hands-on experiences they will get to learn in the year two programs and motivate them to pursue a career in the medical field,” Hunt said.

Starkville High School will host the HOSA Northern District Conference January 29, 2022, at the Millsaps Career and Technical Center.