Members attend HOSA Fall Leadership Conference

  • Two women with two girls smiling at a podium
  • two women with two girls at a podium
  • two women, a man, and a girl at a podium

SWBOCE’s Brianna Osario presided over HOSA Fall Leadership Conference

In mid-November, nearly a dozen students and advisors participated in the HOSA Fall Leadership Conference in Albany. 

The HOSA Fall Leadership Conference was from November 16 to 17. Attendees took part in several formal meetings and had an extended visit with workshops at the Albany College of Pharmacy to participate in leadership and team-building activities.

“It was a great place to meet new people. We got to meet a lot of people from other schools,” said Mariana Mena, a junior from New Rochelle. “I feel like the tour was an expected but nice touch to it. You get to see what other places have to offer, outside the tri-state area.”

The meetings were presided over by Southern Westchester BOCES’ own Brianna Osorio, a senior from White Plains, who currently serves as the organization’s State President for the 2023-24 school year. Members participated in activities such as a scavenger hunt, laser maze, a medical-themed game, and a spy game.

“My favorite part was just leading the activities and going to Albany College,” said Brianna. “I not only got to lead, but I was also able to take part in the activities. It was really fun, especially the escape room.”

Nine students and two advisors attended the conference, with two students and one advisor receiving a HOSA New York Achievement Pin. The Achievement Pin denotes outstanding knowledge of the organization, participation in all sessions of the conference, and the ability to recite the HOSA Creed from memory. 

“This meant to me that I was special and smart enough to get this pin,” said Gabrielle Marcelin, a Junior from New Rochelle, one of the recipients. “It felt great knowing that my hard work paid off.” 

While at the conference the members also participated in a fundraiser for Be The Match, an organization that connects patients with a matching donor for a life-saving blood stem cell transplant. Members brought in themed gift baskets that were raffled off. The fundraiser brought in approximately $900 for the charity.