Replacing the Pre-Health Professionals club, a new opportunity this year is HOSA: Future Health Professionals Association.

HOSA stood for Health Occupations Students of America  up until 2004 when the association decided that the term “health occupations” limited the opportunities students could get from HOSA; now the acronym is the title.

HOSA is a national organization in America and in Puerto Rico. The association supports any and all students who are interested in going into a health care career.

Students have the opportunity to gain leadership experience and learn about current health care problems, environmental issues and needs of their community, nation and world.

Other opportunities include applying for HOSA recognition and scholarships for college, competing in state and national events and speaking to and working with health professionals.

Jennifer Keillor, science teacher, is sponsoring the club and students that join HOSA will collaborate with Keillor to decide which event they want to participate in at the State Competition in March.

If the club wins at the state level, they will move on to the national competition in June 2015 held in Florida.

Once members have decided on an event, the club will begin preparing for the competition in March.

As of now meetings are once a month, but the team will meet more frequently as the March approaches.

Each member will have dues to pay, $5 for towards the state and $10 towards the nation.

The State Competition fee is $45, which pays for registration, lunch and snacks on that day.

The total amount of $60 will be due by the second meeting. Fundraising will be available to any student who needs it.

The first meeting will be Tuesday, Aug. 26 in Rm. 234 from 3:15 to 4p.m.

Students interested in joining should talk to Keillor in Rm. 234 in the senior hallway.