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Orlando, FL — June 19−24, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort served as the location for the 7,100 delegates attending HOSA’s 35th Annual National Leadership Conference.

HOSA − Future Health Professionals is a national student-led organization, 138,000 members strong. HOSA’s mission is to promote careers in health care and create opportunities for members to enhance their academic, technical and leadership skills. The 2012 NLC was the highlight of the membership year and proved to be the largest gathering of HOSA members, advisors, partners, family and friends in HOSA history. Forbush High School HOSA was happy to be part of the delegates from around the nation attending not only for the experience of competition but also for leadership development and networking.

More than 5,000 delegates participated in the 56 competitive events and leadership sessions over the 4-day conference. Locations throughout Disney World provided authentic backdrops for several competitive events: the Veterinary Science event hosted by Disney’s Animal Kingdom Hospital, Biotechnology event at EPCOT Agricultural Sciences, the Sports Medicine event at ESPN Wide World of Sports and the CPR/First Aid and EMT events at EPCOT. HOSA is grateful for services and experiences these sites provided for HOSA competitors.

J.R. Martinez, a former U.S. Army soldier, actor and motivational speaker, provided the keynote speech at the opening general session on Wednesday evening, June 20. In 2003, he sustained burns to over 40 percent of his body while serving as an Army infantryman in Iraq. He spent 34 months at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX and has undergone 33 cosmetic and skin-graft surgeries. The audience captivated as he shared his message focusing on the patient’s perspective and adapting to life’s changes and obstacles.

The HOSA 2012 National Leadership Conference celebrated achievement through the national competitive events and scholarship programs, promoted networking among student members, advisors and partners, delivered professional and leadership development opportunities, built momentum and excitement for the 2012-13 membership year, and made new friendships that will grow over the years to come. Led by the 2011-12 National President Sean Sheffer, and the National Leadership Team, the NLC at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort created lifetime memories for our future health professionals.

Forbush High School HOSA students represented Forbush HOSA, Forbush High and Yadkin County Schools well at the HOSA University, where they received leadership training and networking opportunities with other student leaders from around the nation. HOSA members also attended health-related symposiums and participated in the Healthy Start to the Day Workout with one of the Orlando Army National Guard units.

Forbush HOSA received top honors for their chapter’s donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the National Service Project and their participation in National HOSA Week last November. Chase Barker and Cortland Phillips received recognition certificates for their completion of the HOSA National Recognition Portfolio and FHS HOSA received 1st place in Outstanding HOSA Chapter. A special thanks to Catherine Joyce for documenting the chapters activities throughout the year and Rachel Tripp who presented the scrapbook at the HOSA NLC. The Barbara James Service Award/Presidential Volunteer Service Award was presented to Chase Barker for completing over 100 community service hours at Fall Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Samuel Poindexter worked tirelessly with the other NC HOSA State Officer team while at the NLC.