At the recent State HOSA Conference, Lahainaluna High School students advanced to the National Leadership Conference. Students Kamal Golaube and Krizhna Bayudan are not pictured.

LAHAINA – Lahainaluna High School students achieved a “historical moment” at the recent State HOSA Conference, noted Lahainaluna High School?Health Services Pathway leader Malia Shimomura.

At the event on Feb. 10-11 at the Hawaii Convention Center, there were the “most national qualifiers in the history of Lahainaluna,” added a proud Shimomura.

At the Maui District event held at LHS, 35 students advanced to the state HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) competition. Twenty-nine students competed, and a record 19 qualified to attend the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California on June 24-27.

The qualifying students and their events are: Chantelle Baclay, Human Growth & Development; Kathleen Yagyagan, Nutrition; Jacob Mahon, Calen Matsuda, Joanna Aceret and Mike Nguyen, CPR/First Aid; Mark Joshua Ines, Epidemiology; Nikki Zamani, Healthy Lifestyle; Eva Olson, Prepared Speaking; Kamal Golaub, Sports Medicine; Kriznha Baybayan and AynMarie Eastridge, Medical Photography; Jamille Andres, Natalie Brown, Arden Domawa and Angelique Macugay, Biomedical Debate; and Francis Bui, Shirlene Campanero, Maybel Galace and Alexis Matias, Public Service Announcement.

The talented students are now raising money for the trip. Donations from the community are sought.

“Students who have attended this conference have said it is the greatest opportunity a high school student can experience if planning a career in the health or medical field,” the students wrote in a letter last week.

“Not only do students compete against the best in the nation within their respective events, but students also attend professional workshops, expositions, keynote speeches, formal recognition and awards ceremonies, and get to meet and network with others around the country. Students end their seven-night and eight-day trip by enjoying their choices of relaxation and fun at places like Disneyland.

“As students are also saving money for their college investments, this trip holds a huge financial weight on families. LHS HOSA is asking for your monetary assistance of any affordable means.”

Make donation checks out to Lahainaluna HOSA and be sure a specific name is included (if representing a business), so that a thank you letter may be sent for tax write-off purposes.

Checks may be sent to: Lahainaluna HOSA (c/o specific student or whole group), 980 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, HI 96761.

Donations are deposited into the LHS HOSA account and deducts the cost of the trip for the student. Costs include airfare, hotel, ground transportation, registration, workshops and activities.

Students of Lahainaluna’s Health Occupations Students of America, also known as Future Health Professionals, are part of the Health Services Pathway, a line of courses that prepare students for college and a career in medicine.

In joining HOSA, students participate in various community service events, leadership activities and competitive events that include knowledge exams, skills, speaking, critical thinking and research.