HOSA students learn about leadership during trip

BLOOMINGDALE -- Health technologies students at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School spent time in the nation's capital as part of the HOSA-Future Health Professionals' 17th-annual Washington Leadership Academy.

Hundreds of youth and advisers converged upon the Grand Hyatt Washington on Sept. 23-26 for workshops and interactive events. The Leadership Academy, which is considered to be the highest level of leadership development for Health Occupations Students of America, included sessions with experts as well as meetings with senators, advocacy for vocational education and a chance to interact with other students. The teens also received a history lesson by visiting such landmarks as the Arlington National Cemetery and the Smithsonian Museums. Additionally, advisers from state and local HOSA chapters had opportunities in experiential learning, real-world applicability and networking.

JVS HOSA Advisor Tammy Sismondo said it was her group's first trip and she joined chapter President Madison Cost, Vice President Lexas Lashhorn, Secretary Zoe Board and Treasurers Ashley Brown and Serenity Edwards, and everyone agreed it was a rewarding experience.

"There were a lot of opportunities," said Cost. "We sat in meetings with the HOSA board and broke into groups and talked to people from all over. There were people from Puerto Rico, Texas and Arizona. It was a really nice experience and I think I learned a lot."

She continued that participants also learned how to speak in a professional manner and gather important information through conversations. In addition, the group toured such sites as the Holocaust Museum, White House and Capitol Building during their trek.

"I enjoyed the history of it," added Lashhorn. "It opened my eyes to a lot of new things and I can get out of the box and talk to different people."

Brown noted that it was a great way to meet people and hone leadership skills she can use in her future healthcare career.

"I thought it was super fun to see people from other cultures at work. It really helped me open up and make new friends," she said. "I can use my leadership and communication skills and build relationships (with patients) to comfort them."

Sismondo concluded that the students learned a lot more about leadership and history by being in Washington.

"It brought history to life, so everything they learned about they actively got to see and it was an extra plus," Sismondo said. "They also have seen a huge difference in how they speak to people professionally. I also brought back ideas from the advisory meetings to make classes interesting and fun and to enhance education."