First place winners(left) Vice President Kayla Guzman and (right) President Jeidy Tevelan proudly wear their gold medals while displaying GEC’s HOSA banner.

The newly formed Greene Early College HOSA chapter attended its first leadership conference and competition for the Southeast  Regional on Saturday, November 19 at Topsail High School, Hampstead, NC.  Eleven of the twenty-two members of GEC ‘s chapter and the advisor and organizer, Shontia Blount,  attended the event. Recognized universally by the U.S. Department of Education and Health Science Education Division of ACTE, HOSA, Future, Health Professionals, is a national student organization.  With a membership of 200,000, it is the largest student organization that prepares students to enter the healthcare field.  

The Southeastern Leadership Conference offered training sessions for the attendees as well as competitive events.  GEC’s HOSA president Jeidy Tevelan placed first in Job Seeking Skills.  Vice President Kayla Guzman also placed first in Researched Persuasive Writing and Speaking.  Members Tyreek Jones, NaKiya Johnson, and sisters Joanna, Selena, and Maryam Mendoza attended the “Stop the Bleed” session, which included various ways to save a life. 

Although it was the first conference for the members, their comments reflected a positive experience. A’Kayla Wooten felt that the conference was very informational and a good way to meet people, as well as spiking her interest in the healthcare field. Referring to her participation in the competition, Jeidy Tevelan  stated, “It was a nerve-wracking experience, but it allowed all the participants to grow more. It is a nice way to learn more about colleges and universities that might interest you."  GEC student Karina Rodriguez remarked, " The conference was really fun and interesting although I’d say before entering the conference I wasn’t as interested in the health careers but [after] learning about all the different types of careers definitely made me want to consider a health career in the future."  

Following this first conference for GEC, the group is excitedly  making plans to participate at the State Leadership Conferenc in April 2023 in Greensboro.