UH Hilo HOSA strikes Gold at national competition

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo turned in a championship performance at the 2015 HOSA National Leadership Conference held recently in Anaheim, California.

UH Hilo sent two Public Service Announcement (PSA) teams to the conference who were tasked with developing a 30-second PSA on Concussion: Prevention and Recognition followed by a four-minute oral presentation that provides a synopsis of the PSA, explains the creative process of the project, and how it may affect the target audience. 

Team B: Chapter President Lark Jason Canico, Shane Naeole, and Taumata Tue Vaea (serving as an alternate from UH Manoa) took 1st place. Team A: Ridge Cabaccang, Kelly Gani, and Sheldon Cabudol earned Top 10 honors.

“I’m overwhelmed with joy and still in denial that we captured Gold facing such tough competition that included fellow UH Hilo members and other Texas Technical Institutes,” Canico said. “To finish first after coming in second last year makes it extra special.”
This year’s conference was the largest ever with over 8,550 members in attendance. Hawai’i brought a total of 223 members, ranked second in the nation for most medals won in every competitive event, and won the Most Enthusiastic state award.

“A trip to Anaheim usually includes a visit to Disneyland,” said faculty advisor Dr. Cecilia Mukai. “But I was more than happy to trade that visit for the chance to see both our teams finish in the Top Ten, with one capturing Gold.”

Established in 1976 as Health Occupations Students of America, HOSA-Future Health Professionals is now an international organization with the addition of Puerto Rico, Italy, Canada and Mexico, who competed at this year’s leadership conference. The organization totals more than 175,000 members and 2.4 million alumni.

HOSA was established in Hawai’i in 2005 and has grown to more than 1,300 members. UH Hilo’s membership is open to all majors/grade levels and Hawai’i Community College students. 

For more information, email hosa.uhhilo@gmail.com.