From left, Grace Takemoto, Jean Ganoy and Nikki Zamani competed at the 40th annual International HOSA Conference in Orlando, Florida last month.

LAHAINA – Fifteen students travelled to Orlando, Florida on June 18-25 to represent Lahainaluna High School at the 40th annual International HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Conference.

Of the 11 state secondary winners, three came from Lahainaluna.

Incoming junior Grace Takemoto earned fourth place in Researched Persuasive Writing and Speaking, incoming junior Jean Ganoy took fourth place in Extemporaneous Health Poster, and incoming senior Nikki Zamani finished in fifth place in Physical Therapy.

In addition, incoming junior Krizhna Bayudan was honored for her “HOSA Happenings” Newsetter.

Lahainaluna students during the 2016-17 school year advanced through Maui and state HOSA competitions to qualify to compete at the international event. The additional qualifiers were 2017 graduate Jamille Andres in Nursing Assisting, incoming senior Francis Bui in Medical Assisting, incoming juniors Bayudan and Shirlene Companero in Health Career Display, incoming seniors Rowel Ansagay and John Supnet in Health Career Display, incoming senior Natalie Brown in Pathophysiology, incoming juniors Chase Uyeda and Shana Ratliff in CPR/First Aid, incoming senior Eva Olson and incoming junior Isabella Omura in Healthy Lifestyle, and incoming senior Kaitlin Hodgins (who did not attend the conference) in Sports Medicine.

More than 10,000 delegates from around the world participated in the conference.

Members not only competed in their respective events; students also attended symposiums, workshops and listened in on keynote speakers.

Competitors also enjoyed some time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Universal Studios, Orlando.