BY ANALISE SAINVIL
On Sunday, April 12, members of the Health Occupations Students of America traveled to compete at the New Jersey State Leadership Conference, where students earned both first and fifth place finishes while gaining new experiences alongside chapters from across the state.
Zainab Khan, Riya Kohli, Vinuthna Yerra, and Sai Smrithi Vaddamani placed first in Public Service Announcement with a project centered around healthy habits and brain health. “Placing at States felt incredible,” said Vaddamani. “It really showed us that all the hard work we put into preparing for the conference paid off in the end.”
The group worked together to divide responsibilities while preparing their presentation and video. “It was honestly such a great experience,” said Zainab Khan. “I loved meeting new people and challenging myself in the competition.”
Their PSA highlighted themes of isolation, self-reflection, and brain health through creative storytelling and editing. “For the PSA, my team and I created a short video inspired by ‘Chamber of Reflection’ by Mac DeMarco,” said Yerra.
Despite entering the competition with nerves, students said the results made the experience memorable. “To be honest, I didn’t think we would place, especially first, but we did,” said Kohli. “All four of us were equally as surprised we won.”
Caleigh Espinosa and Selorm Amekudzi placed in the top five in Mental Health Promotion after creating a social media campaign focused on adolescent mental health. “It gave me much more confidence in my capabilities as a HOSA member,” said Espinosa.
Their project included an Instagram page, Spotify playlists, videos, interviews, and motivational content designed to encourage teenagers to prioritize their mental health. “We posted information about various mental health disorders common in teens today, daily check-ups, and videos engaging with the Old Bridge community,” said Espinosa.
Students balanced preparation for the conference while also managing school responsibilities and extracurricular activities. “I think our biggest challenge was definitely managing our time,” said Espinosa. “Having to handle the social media campaign while keeping up with schoolwork and extracurricular activities was a lot.”
Students said the conference exceeded expectations and allowed them to connect with other HOSA members from around New Jersey. “The environment was super supportive, and I got to meet so many passionate people who share similar interests,” said Yerra.
For many competitors, the event also created opportunities to grow more confident and meet students from other schools. “The most memorable part of the trip was meeting new people,” said Espinosa. “I got to make new friends and hear new ideas about leadership and community.”
The conference marked another successful year for the HOSA chapter as students returned home with awards, new experiences, and preparation for future competitions. “Competing at the HOSA NJ State Leadership Conference made me feel excited and nervous at the same time,” said Vaddamani. “Overall, it was a very inspirational experience!”
Posted on May 4, 2026
Photos provided by Sally Fazio, Zainab Khan, Caleigh Espinosa, and Vinuthna Yerra
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