The 2024 HOSA International Leadership Conference was held in Houston, Texas, at the George R. Brown Convention Center on June 26-29. Of the 12,000 attendees, 115 were South Dakota HOSA students, with three being state officers. The 2024 conference theme was Dare to Create. This theme encouraged students to be the person to stand up and create a positive change for the individuals around them.
On June 26, the conference kicked off with registration. HOSA charters set up booths for chapters to pick up information about the conference, as well as some HOSA swag and pins. This year, South Dakota had two pin designs. One was a metallic bison with "SD HOSA" displayed on the front. The second pin depicted a colorful Mount Rushmore design and read, "South Dakota HOSA." This pin was new for 2024 and was designed by one of the South Dakota HOSA state officers, Kiera. HOSA students historically spend their ILC free time trading pins that represent their state, country, or province. Although the Mount Rushmore design was heavily coveted, the pursuit of acquiring an international pin also became a lasting endeavor for attendees, serving as a networking hub that allowed students to connect with fellow HOSA members while maintaining a fun atmosphere.
In order to feature HOSA members on South Dakota HOSA's social media, the state officer team introduced photo-friendly Benny the Bison. Students from around the world were ecstatic to take a photo with the adorable plushie and share their HOSA spirit.
Attendees of the 2024 HOSA ILC were presented with a plethora of breakout sessions and workshops, all providing an engaging learning experience for participants. Established speakers covered a variety of engaging topics, offering an amazing opportunity for students to gain a deeper understanding through discussions, hands-on activities, and collaborative efforts. Breakouts ranged from suturing practice to MCAT preparation and everything medical in between, with 140 unique workshops hosted by health professionals.
In their free time, many HOSA students were found attending the HOSA EXPO, a wonderful educational experience that not only deepened their knowledge of the medical field but also provided an opportunity to connect with fellow HOSA members internationally. 150 health professionals and exhibitors from around the world interacted with youth attendees, offering valuable insight into college and university experiences in the medical field.
The official 2024 HOSA ILC Fun Day took place at Houston's very own Six Flags Hurricane Harbor while the judges tabulated final results for the award ceremonies. The exciting waterpark opened two hours early exclusively for HOSA members, reducing wait times and providing greater accessibility to rides. Apart from Six Flags, many HOSA groups opted to explore various locations in Houston on their fun day, including Kemah, Galveston, and several other noteworthy destinations across Texas. The fun day provided a well deserved break for all of our hardworking HOSA members!
However, a HOSA conference is not complete without the characteristic competitive events. South Dakota students who placed in the top three at the State Leadership Conference were invited to compete in Houston this summer. Via hands-on skills, presentations, knowledge tests, and more, HOSA members showcased their talents within the medical field and gained tangible insight into their healthcare future. Additionally, students had the opportunity to complete National Geographic Learning tests at the Academic Testing Center. Although these written exams are unavailable at the state competition, they serve to test broader health and science knowledge in various subjects, such as biology, occupational health and safety, anatomy and physiology, and math for health professionals.
The Recognition Session was held on June 28th and recognized South Dakota students in several events, such as the Barbara James Service Award, HOSA Service Project, and HOSA Happenings. These included:
