Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex (JSEC) is a High School located in South Providence with a Career and Technical Education Program in Biomedicine and Life Sciences. It is a school that has a heart of gold, a staff that goes above and beyond, and amazing students ready to be inspired to learn. This year our students who competed at our State Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) Leadership Conference showcased their leadership skills, passion, and commitment to health care and won a total of 9 silver medals earning them a spot at HOSA’s International Leadership Conference. This achievement is not just a testament to their hard work and dedication but also a reflection of their exceptional talent and potential. Recently JSEC was nationally recognized:
HOSA is a National organization whose mission is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience. Every year students have the opportunity to showcase their healthcare knowledge in college and career readiness first by excelling at the state level to earn a spot at the national level, HOSA’s International Leadership Conference (ILC). ILC is the premiere HOSA event of the year where over 11,000 competitors from 54 chartered associations compete to become an international champion in one of HOSA’s competitive events. Students met accomplished health professionals and notable alumni and visited 162 exhibitors representing colleges and professional health associations. Students also had the opportunity to choose experiences from 145 different hands-on workshops led by health professionals. Most notably, actor Seth Rogen and his wife Lauren shared Lauren’s family struggles with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and how they turned grief into action in their documentary Taking Care.
Our travels began at 5:00 am at T.F. Greene Airport in Providence RI. We boarded our plane at 7 am only to deboard 20 minutes later due to storms and a 2 ½ delay before we could begin our adventure. After running through Midway Airport in Chicago to make our connection to Houston, we finally made it to our hotel, checked out the rooms and the pool, and found some fine Houston cuisine. The conference began with an early morning registration where students were adorned with glittery cowboy hats, shirts, a bag, and 20 Rhode Island trading pins which were designed by our very own Angie Cruz. Unbeknownst to us, RI pins were quite the trading commodity and students were grabbed and pulled aside from the group before we had a chance to gather our bearings for our desirous pins. Despite being thrown into the world of aggressive pin-trading negotiations right out the gate, our students caught on quickly and developed some impressive skills themselves in the art of making a deal. According to Raquel Ortiz, “Pin trading was one of my favorite experiences because I got to meet so many different people.” 
Another one of our competitors, Lesly Guzman, stated that “the opening ceremony was very exciting and fun, and it was great to see my friend, Jaya Richards (our States flag bearer) waving the Rhode Island flag.” Not only was Jaya our flag bearer but she is also one of our Future Gen Cancer Scholars and was inspired by the keynote speaker Dr. Rayne Rouce who is a pediatric oncologist and researcher whose clinical work focuses on how to harness the immune system to recognize and attack cancers. Dr. Rouce’s passionate speech about increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in cancer research and patient advocacy was equally matched by her amazing rapping skills and lyrical expressions on how HOSA can change the world. According to Jaya, “I loved the keynote speaker and how the ceremony was concert style making it so much fun for all participants.”
Overall, despite some traveling delays, and lots of firsts such as their first flight, first time away from home, first International event, and first time in a hotel with friends, our students did amazingly well and were inspired by what they learned and saw along the way. Veasna Yean said it best. “ I was able to see people from all around the world and how they take the initiative to follow their careers. I was inspired by all the competitive events especially medical innovations where students created a new medical innovation that could impact and improve our world which shows leadership and dedication and makes me feel more encouraged for my future. My advisors kept us safe and our HOSA advisor, Madeline Chisholm, even won the award of Merit for “Outstanding HOSA Advisor.” All in all, I would rate this trip a 10/10 because HOSA’S International Leadership Conference exposed me to what the future in health care holds for me and my HOSA teammates and the many opportunities HOSA has to offer.”
