Colorado HOSA SLC

What state contains “The Mile High” city, has the Rocky Mountains within view on the western horizon, and recently acquired their second, former University North Carolina at Chapel Hill point guard, Raymond Felton, after the Carmelo Anthony trade? If you answered Colorado, you would be correct, and in the town of Loveland the Colorado HOSA SLC made its presence felt March 3^rd-5^th as more than 450 members throughout the state came to test their skills and expertise within HOSA’s competitive events. 

Colorado HOSA State Officer Candidates Warm Up for Elections!

Colorado State HOSA Advisor, Jen Staley, showed how much hard work can pay off, as only her second year in office while increasing membership within the state from around 400 students to more than 900 in just a two year period! Chase Edwards had the opportunity to attend this glorious event, and while Colorado HOSA does not boast as many members as say Texas or Florida, they soon showed him that they had every bit of their passion and enthusiasm for the health care profession! State Officers Jessica Linker, Christian Jimenez, Paulina Meraz, Jesse Leazenby, Ashley Avila and Leo Chacon wanted to make sure the conference was a huge success by showing up a day before the conference started to prepare and make sure that the Colorado HOSA members had their best SLC to date.

The 2010-2011 Colorado HOSA Executive Council

HOSA Chapters, complete with Advisors and Members alike, started to show early Thursday morning in order to register for the first ever Colorado HOSA SLC hosted within Loveland Embassy Suites, and the site couldn’t have been a better location, as the excitement showed on the HOSA members faces as they entered the hotel. The conference officially began at 12:00 p.m. that Thursday with the Colorado HOSA State Officers starting out with the opening session. Chase Edwards gave a greeting to the members from the HOSA National Executive Council. The Opening ceremony was followed up by motivational speaker Ryan Moran, who gave key notes of his philosophy P.O.S.S.E., which talks about being positive, open, sincere, having spirit and not being exclusive. HOSA members then disembarked to prepare for their competitive events, and start the two day fundraiser project for JDRF, PENNY WARS!

Penny Wars Participants Look at Their Scores Before the Final Count

In the afternoon, one could find members in the lobby and hall ways studying for upcoming events and within the conference room’s members giving their best shot performance in hopes of attaining a one way invitation to Anaheim, California for the 2011 HOSA National Leadership Conference. The day concluded with curfew at 11:30 p.m., as clearly defined and demonstrated by the Colorado HOSA State Officers within the opening ceremony, so that members could attain rest for the upcoming day’s competitive events. The second day was filled with excitement in the air, as members knew their preparation had come to its climax, the chance to prove that they are the best candidate to represent Colorado HOSA in the upcoming NLC within each of their respective competitive events. That day in the conference a member also had the opportunity to attend different symposiums. Chase gave a presentation on the personal leadership insight essentials, what it takes to be a better leader inside and outside of HOSA. Friday also marked the day in which Colorado HOSA State Officer Candidates were allowed to sit down with Colorado HOSA voting delegates and allow the delegates to question the candidates on their vision with HOSA if elected to a state officer position. 

Colorado HOSA Members Enjoying the Awards Ceremony

The night unfolded with a five star dinner for HOSA members in the conference center and guest speaker Jay Leeuwenburg to help remind the members why JDRF was chosen as HOSA’s National Service Project. Jay, a nine year NFL player, was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at the age of 12. However, that didn’t stop him, as he made his way through Colorado collegiate football, an All-American his senior year, and then being drafted within the NFL in 1992. The show went on with the recognition ceremony quickly following the speech. Members and advisors were together acknowledged through their hard work put forth into HOSA from the past year. At the end of the session, state officer candidates were able to share their speech with the members, a chance for the members to get a look at some of the new faces who will be leading through the 2011-2012 year. After the recognition ceremony, members had the opportunity to celebrate the conference with a dance, but only if they paid the entrance fee of $1, of which all proceeds went to JDRF. Members also made a last minute run to the Penny Wars piggy banks, as the deadline was set for 10:00 p.m. that night. The state officers and Chase had the privilege of counting the pennies after the dance, until three o’clock in the morning, of which a total of $996.28 were raised for JDRF.

Jessica Linker Gives the Closing Speech

The final day brought about the decision of who should be appointed as the new Colorado HOSA executive council as well as the moment everyone had been waiting for, the awards ceremony! Of the nine state officer candidates, eight were chosen to lead Colorado HOSA forward within the coming year. There was happiness abound within the ballroom, smiles, shouts of joy, and cheers from fellow members as one by one competitive events medals were handed out to the top three deserving competitors within each category. Members sensed the pride of being awarded the opportunity to take a trip to Anaheim, California this summer for the 34^th annual HOSA NLC. The conference adjourned with Jessica Linker giving final remarks.

 Chase feels humbled to have been granted the opportunity to attend the Colorado HOSA SLC, as this marked the first time he had set foot within the state of Colorado. Chase says it is a memory he will cherish forever, with the way in which the HOSA members of Colorado displayed their excitement for HOSA but also carrying themselves with profound professionalism throughout their stay within Embassy Suites.  Chase would like to thank Ms. Jen Staley, the Colorado HOSA Executive Council, the conference staff and all of the HOSA members in attendance for the remarkable experience and lasting lifetime memory.