As 14 Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club members compete against a total of 781 student participants from all high schools in Macomb and St. Clair County, tension fills the air.

“I was very, very pleased on how these kids competed at Regionals. They did something above and beyond their school work that they had to work on their own,” club sponsor Philip Crum said.

Regional placements included: senior Savannah Dellach, second in Pharmacology; junior Olivia Shaw second in Prepared Speaking; seniors Urja Parkih and Brendan Berryman,  second as partners in Emergency Skills; senior Celine Eid, third in Medical Math; junior Alexandra Murarescu, fourth in Medical Spelling; junior Samantha Brown, sixth in Medical Reading; junior Madeleine Denton, sixth in Prepared Speaking and senior Sarah Houle, sixth in Pharmacology.

The club gained more members who competed than prior years, although some  couldn’t compete due to ACT testings or scholarship tests at the same time.

HOSA members studied for months before their first competition at Regionals to acquire a feel for the kind of competition to expect at States. Members study and work individually on their particular topic, even if they share the same event as another member, they compete against each other at competitions. There are over 50 different competition tests members can take.

“Competing is pretty serious, because you have to sit in a room with all of your competition; but I like it because I find the material interesting,” senior Nina Bourdeau said. “Learning medical knowledge now will give me a head start on college material.”

The club is made up of many students who are interested in the medical field, which is beneficial because it provides them good practice and experience they can carry with them in their futures.

“It’s kind of like Science Olympiad, but for kids who are interested in the medical field,” senior club president Celine Eid said. “It is a nice club for people who are independent and self-motivated to study.”

As the team advances on to their next level of competition, they can anticipate more difficult competition, as more teams enter.

“Eventually, it’s the best of the best,” junior Olivia Shaw said. “I love it, because I’m competitive; so it’s kind of fun to use my knowledge and speaking skills.”

With the completion of Regionals on February 6, States will follow April 14-15 in Traverse City, Mich and Nationals June 22-25 in Nashville, Tenn.

“All of the kids are really quality kids, they’re great people,” Crum said. “I think they will do well. Whether they are going to Nationals will be up to them.” I think they will do well and I’m expecting that they will do really good. Whether they are going to nationals will be up to them,” Crum said.