Georgia HOSA in the United States Capitol

By:Cameron Carter

From September 22nd to 26th, Georgia HOSA's State Executive Council embarked on a journey to Washington Leadership Academy. Departing from Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, September 22nd, our State Officer team made their way to the heart of the United States, the Capital. During their time at the Washington Leadership Academy (WLA), our team diligently honed their state officer leadership skills. They achieved this by aligning their unique leadership qualities with insights from the Clifton Strengths leadership report. They also seized the opportunity to establish connections with fellow state leaders and the international council. This exchange of ideas involved sharing insights from our delegation while also listening to the perspectives of other chartered associations.

During their participation in WLA, our State Officers had the privilege of touring two of the most iconic landmarks in the nation's capital: the White House and the United States Capitol. These visits offered them insights into the founding of the U.S. government and American history.

The highlight of our State Officers' journey occurred on Tuesday, September 26th, when they took to Capitol Hill. Their itinerary included productive meetings with both Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock's teams. They also had the honor of engaging with other United States Congress members. Neal Fernandes, our President-Elect, stated, "At its essence, advocacy involves standing alongside the individuals you represent and speaking on behalf of a cause greater than yourself." Cameron Carter, our President, also mentioned, "During our engagements with these teams, our mission was to leave an indelible impression and elevate HOSA to the status of a widely recognized household brand." Departing from WLA, the State Officer Team ran into Senator Raphael Warnock. They were able to put their elevator speech skills to use and speak on behalf of our 15,000+ Georgia HOSA members. 

In unity with local leaders from Crawford County High School, our State Officer team advocated for essential funding for Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE). They also conveyed the mission of Georgia HOSA, the members they serve, and the promising future of healthcare.