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Lahainaluna HOSA students advance to national contest

By Staff | Apr 8, 2010

Lahainaluna High School Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) members celebrate their state medals.

LAHAINA — A bright light continues to shine through the dimming skyline that is the public educational process in the State of Hawaii, as organizations such as Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) strive to promote career pathways for high school students.

A nationwide program that involves over 100,000 students, HOSA annually sponsors competitions on the local, state and national levels that help boost student involvement in career pathway endeavors.

The HOSA program at Lahainaluna High School nurtured by Health Education teacher Malia Shimomura has been a beam of success since its inception in 2005. For the fifth consecutive year, the LHS contingent has qualified to represent the school at the Career and Technological Student Organizations (CTSO) National Conference at Orlando, Florida, on June 23-26.

These eight students qualified for the nationals by advancing through the regionals held at Lahainaluna on Jan. 18, then the state event at Honolulu Convention Center on March 22.

The National Leadership Conference in June will bring together some 3,000 HOSA students, representing schools across the country to compete in 50 medical and leadership events.

Led by three-time state gold medallist and top ten nationally recognized senior Josie Gomez, the Lahainaluna contingent will also include seniors Kevin Quitoriano, Lyka Sarian, Fredeliz Misay, Shannel Ulep and Annastaceya Arcangel; and juniors Latisha Cajudoy and David Arcangel.

Gomez shines brightly in the medical math category; Misay and Ulep compete in medical assisting; Quitoriano advanced in extemporaneous health poster; Sarian competes in job seeking skills; and both Arcangels and Cajudoy excelled in career health display.

Along with engaging in the challenging curriculum of the health and medical services pathway at Lahainaluna, these students have volunteered at blood drives, the Lokahi project, Relay for Life, Caregiver Walk, UNICEF, Hoops for Heart and many other organizations that expose them to community wellness. They have also shadowed and interned within many of the medical facilities on Maui.

The Lahainaluna HOSA program seeks donations from community members and organizations who understand and appreciate the importance of healthcare and the future of this field. If you would like to help, send donations to the Lahainaluna High School HOSA account — for specific student or general team beneficiary — to LHS HOSA, 980 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, HI 96761.

For more information, contact Shimomura by e-mail at malia_shimomura@notes.k12.hi.us or call 662-3979, extension 317.