A Student Account of HOSA Internationals

Photo Caption: Seven Hills students (left to right ) junior Vibu Ramineni, junior Sakshum Vij, 2025 graduate Andrew Zhou, junior Jason Zhou, 2025 graduate Kyle Wang, junior Avery Wang, junior Ariana Chaudhry, and sophomore Mia Wang at HOSA Internationals in Nashville.

This summer, five current Upper School students and two members of the Class of 2025 traveled to Nashville with science teacher Bridget Ancalmo to attend HOSA International Leadership Conference. HOSA, Health Occupation Students of America, competitions are designed to motivate HOSA members and highlight what they have learned in health, science, and biomedical sciences. 

Below is a first-hand account of 2025 graduates Kyle Wang and Andrew Zhou, sophomore Mia Wang, and juniors Jason Zhou, Ariana Chaudhry, Vibu Ramineni, Sakshum Vij, and Avery Wang’s time at HOSA Internationals written by Avery Wang. 

Cowboy hats. Light sticks. Music blasting. Flags waving.

That’s how HOSA ILC began. Thousands of students from across the country and worldwide filled the convention hall. The Opening Ceremony felt like the Olympics of future healthcare as states erupted in cheers when announced. Flashing lights twinkled through the crowds, and glow-in-the-dark letters spelled out state names overhead. When Nick Ballard, the HOSA president, stepped on stage, we knew this would be an experience we would never forget.

Soon after, we launched into the pin-trading frenzy, racing through halls and up escalators to chase down rare Chinese and South Korean pins. Each trade came with friendships as well. We shared our hometown stories, exchanged laughs over how we pronounced “crayon,” “aunt,” and “caramel,” and even compared weather disasters back home. The pins were fun, but the friendships were better.

Then came the breakout sessions. We competed in chemistry-themed escape rooms, diagnosing a patient with necrotic lesions and rushing against time to formulate a cure. We calculated dosages, crushed tablets, and measured medications to the nearest thousandth. We practiced suturing techniques with real tools and extracted our own DNA to seal in keepsake necklaces. 

We toured a working forensics lab, learning about crime scene analysis and the difference between a coroner and a pathologist. At the massive Expo Center, we explored rows of interactive booths. We learned about Belmont University, practiced CPR on dummies, measured blood pressure, tested our strength on boxing machines, and spoke with pharmacists. Everywhere we visited, there was something new to experience and someone new to talk to.

Outside our competitions, we spent every moment together. We celebrated birthdays with cake and songs, cheered for graduating seniors, and turned the city of Nashville into our playground. We strolled through the Vanderbilt University campus, browsed the bookstore, and hopped on a trolley tour of downtown. We passed by Music Row, where our guide pointed out the studios where stars like Taylor Swift and Meghan Trainor got their start. At Centennial Park, we took a spontaneous cold plunge, cooled off with refreshing jugs of lemonade, and painted our arms and faces with layers of sparkling glitter.

But behind the fun and adventure was also hard work and success. Kyle Wang placed Top 10 in ATC Physics College, and Andrew Zhou took first place internationally. We screamed. We jumped. We waved our light sticks. We celebrated their wins like they were our own.

Most of all, we discovered ourselves. At HOSA ILC, we became part of an ever-growing community of passionate, determined future healthcare professionals. We explored, competed, learned, laughed, and became part of a family that will stay with us for life.