The medical world is an advanced area with complex roots, dominated by adults. But thanks to HOSA and their participation in the Spring Leadership Conference on Friday, high school students are afforded the opportunity to research and take part in professional medical conversations and debates, all in a more familiar setting.

However, this year the competitions are in-person as opposed to online for the first time in two years, which adds to the excitement and appeal of the conference which has dimmed since the start of the COVID pandemic.

“For something like biomedical debate, where you go on stage and you literally argue against your team, it can get pretty tense and hyped at times,” junior Abdurraheem Sheikh said. “Doing that over a Zoom call or doing a CNA event or first aid event—a hands-on event online through a simulation—isn’t really the same. so I’m pretty excited for seeing it open up again, like how it was two years ago.”

For Sheikh, the in-person conference is a nerve-wracking experience due to the amount of elite, well-spoken competitors he will be facing off against, but also an exciting experience he feels their team is well-equipped for.

“These are the best of the best students that have come through many rounds of elimination already, and it’s the regional competition that will lead to the state competition if we advance, hopefully,” Sheikh said. “I think we’re prepared, but you can never really know.” 

On the flip side, this conference allows HOSA members who have been preparing for several months to showcase their medical expertise, and receive recognition for their work.

“I’m excited to finally be able to display my medical talent,” senior Amish Bhatnagar said. “It’s different than last year because,  this year we talk about how I’m president. I’m actually able to run everything.”

The conference serves as a culmination of the effort and competitive spirit of arguing medical topics, and produces excitement for those competing.

“I’m excited to compete and to see my fellow peers succeed and finally let all the hard work pay off,” Bhatnagar said. “I get to see the backside of running a competition and making all these students who are very talented compete in a competition and succeed.”