Vyas Vishnukumar

How many years have you been an active member of HOSA? This is my first year of HOSA.

Have you competed in HOSA?  If yes, please list the event and how far you advanced (each year).

Yes, I participated in the CPR/First Aid event with a teammate, who is also a freshman. We competed in the area competition. 

Did you attend all HOSA meetings this past year? If no, please explain.

I have attended every meeting, except for the very first one due to a conflict with a CMA mentor-mentee session. 

List ALL activities you are involved in (School/Volunteer/Work).  Be sure to include leadership roles within those activities.  Please consider the time commitment of these activities before applying for a HOSA Officer position.

I am a member of Carroll Medical Academy, Carroll Debate, DECA, Southlake Youth Action Commission, and City of Southlake Volunteering (where I received the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award).

What goals/ideas do you have for HOSA this upcoming school year?

As an incoming freshman this year, I faced challenges in understanding the format of HOSA and how to study effectively for my event. To address this, I would like to implement three core strategies for next year.

The first program I would like to implement is a mentorship program. This year, I found it difficult to understand what to expect during the competition and struggled to find useful tips and strategies for succeeding in my event. To help incoming freshmen, I envision a program where upperclassmen, who have experience with the competition, can mentor underclassmen. This support would give new members an advantage and mitigate the impacts of competing in their first year. In addition to one-on-one tutoring sessions, I plan to create an asynchronous mentorship program. I will interview upperclassmen to compile their best tips and tricks, then publish these on a website easily available to Carroll HOSA members. This will provide underclassmen with an archive of helpful material, even if they cannot attend in-person sessions.

Secondly, I would like to increase HOSA’s involvement with STEM activities in the DFW Metroplex. I recently attended the UT Southwestern Women in Science Symposium through my affiliation with CMA, which offered valuable insights into medical research and the medical school experience. Many students who participate in HOSA are interested in STEM fields, and involvement in STEM events would deepen their understanding of their chosen areas of study. This initiative would serve as a valuable resource for HOSA members, expanding exposure to STEM topics and enhancing our knowledge of relevant subject matter. Additionally, even if students cannot participate in events due to conflicts, I would like to create a newsletter that lists upcoming events that students can attend. This would increase awareness of various programs that could be valuable for students interested in STEM fields.

Finally, I would like to expand HOSA’s community outreach efforts. During middle school, various clubs would come to our school, increasing our exposure to various high school communities. However, HOSA did not present to middle schoolers. I would like to implement a program that allows middle school students to learn about HOSA before they enter high school. This could involve presentations at Carroll Middle School and Dawson Middle School, as well as increased participation in rising freshman activities such as the Course Fair. In addition, I would like for HOSA to host a freshman-only orientation night that involves multiple aspects. This could include an explanation of basic rules and regulations, specific events, strategies for managing time, and a Q&A session. 

I feel that I am qualified for this position because…

I have always been a mentor by nature, and mentorship has played a significant role in my life. I demonstrate this through various experiences. As a member of Carroll Debate, I have mentored middle school students on key aspects of debate, teaching them the nuances of the events I participate in. Additionally, as a swimmer, I have helped younger children improve their strokes by teaching them the proper techniques and postures for different swimming styles.

I am also deeply committed to STEM. As a member of CMA, I have shown my dedication to this field. In my AP Biology class, I have consistently scored above 97 thanks to my drive to excel in science. I also achieved scores of 99-100 in my Medical Terminology class. I am CPR certified by the American Heart Association and aspire to expand my medical knowledge. In middle school, I participated in Science UIL, where I placed third in my event. Additionally, I competed in the Mathcounts competition and ranked in the top 25 out of 66 participants.

I possess strong communication skills, which are essential for an officer. I can effectively use these skills to foster a sense of community among HOSA members, advisors, and officers, as well as to encourage more incoming freshmen to join HOSA. As a member of the Carroll Speech and Debate Team, I continually refine my persuasive speaking abilities and can apply this knowledge to increase HOSA membership.

Lastly, I have the skills necessary for the secretary position. I am highly organized and have several methods for tracking my responsibilities. Additionally, I pay attention to detail, ensuring that all my work meets the highest quality standards and reflects the effort I invest. Finally, I possess strong time management skills, allowing me to dedicate the required effort to HOSA without neglecting any of my other responsibilities.