Twenty Upper School students attended and competed at this year’s State Leadership Conference for HOSA – Future Healthcare Professionals (formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America). Although the event (held on March 25–28 in Greensboro, NC) was attended by over 4,000 students from across North Carolina, the members of Charlotte Latin’s own HOSA club distinguished themselves in multiple medical fields.

Latin students competed in events related to fields that included medical terminology, dental terminology, and research posters. Charlotte Latin fielded two different biomedical debate teams, who argued on the topic “Social Media Health Influencers Should Be Monitored” — they finished first and second in the state. The first-place team’s members were Saanvi Gaddam ’27, Shivani Kaw ’27, Sita Sagunarthy ’28, and Jean Yang ’28; the second-place team comprised Zoe Panzo ’26, Divija Rao ’26, Jackie Rao ’26, and Nicholas Willett ’26.

In addition, Lillian Dong ’27 placed third in the surgical technologist event. All students who finished in the top three in any event are invited to compete at the HOSA International Leadership Conference, held in June in Indianapolis, IN.

Sia Gullapalli ’27 was honored with the Barbara James Service Award – Gold Level in recognition of her completing over 280 volunteer service hours relating to health.

“This student club allows students to be curious about their futures in healthcare,” said the HOSA club’s advisor, Jean Asinger RN BSN MSN, the Upper School Nurse. “They meet other students with similar interests and build networks with professionals to help guide them along their educational journey.”