One of the goals of our Upper School’s Experiential Learning program is to provide opportunities for students to explore potential career paths. In the same vein, for several years, Seven Hills’ science department has hosted a chapter of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), a national organization that exposes students to professions in healthcare.  

Each year, at HOSA Ohio’s annual two-day conference, students participate in a series of competitions that test their scientific and medical knowledge as well their aptitude for timely and effective responses to medical emergencies. To prepare, students in our HOSA chapter spend months both studying anatomy and biochemistry and preparing the presentations which they will give to conference attendees. In addition to the competitions, the students also attend workshops, interact with professionals from a variety of healthcare fields, and network with representatives from healthcare companies and universities. 

Last week, 27 Upper School students traveled to Toledo, where they battled students from dozens of other HOSA chapters across Ohio. Overall, nine Seven Hills students placed among the top three in their competitions, thereby qualifying for HOSA International, held this year in Houston!  Seven Hills teams placed in the top 10 in Medical Innovation and Nutrition. Another student placed first in the state in College Physics and third in Microbiology. Our CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) skills team placed third. Two other students placed first in the state in Forensic Science for the second year in a row! And our HOSA bowl team, which tests scientific knowledge in a quiz bowl style competition, also placed first in the state.  

Congratulations to all the students involved. And many thanks to the science department — and especially to biology teachers Bridget Ancalmo and Brian Berning — for providing this valuable opportunity for our students. It truly is an amazing opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the healthcare field and explore where their lives might lead. 

Christopher P. Garten
Head of School