In the 1980’s Southfork Ranch was the location of the popular TV drama Dallas, but on Friday it will be the site of the opening ceremony for HOSA‘s Spring Leadership Conference that will feature 20-25 Redhawks.

“We’ll have a great ceremony and then we’ll go to a local high school in the Dallas area to compete,”  HOSA President Praneeth Akkineni said. “We just hope for the best for our competitors.”

With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, this year’s SLC competition is back to an in-person format.

“Although everything was on zoom the competitors still had a great time and the events worked out effectively, but the in-person experience is just different overall so I’m excited for the competitors to get to experience an in-person SLC,” Akkineni said.

This year had a full turnout for the area officer candidates, with four of them qualifying past the online testing back in December.

“Personally I’m excited for SLC,” junior Kritika Ramesh said. “I think it’s a great conference and a great way for people all over the area to meet each other and especially seeing the area officers and just working with a lot of other people who are competing in the same event.” 

Ramesh is also excited to experience the in-person conference this year. 

“Going in-person on the bus, and just having a fun time is something I’m looking forward to, Ramesh said. “This is my first in-person SLC, so I’m really excited for what it has to offer and hopefully a lot of the Liberty kids are able to place in their competitions and events.”