Team 21 Signing-Off

Team 21:

This year has truly been one of growth for Georgia HOSA, as we have increased in members, interactions, and pride. And it has been just that for Team 21. We all are forever grateful for what this organization has given us and  for what all of you have given us. From the moment we heard our names called during the 2021 SLC to nearly a year later as we stand on that stage once again, we have been on a whirlwind ride: learning, practicing, and, well, growing. So as we near the end of our term, Team 21 has some final words to share with Georgia HOSA: ones that illustrate the love we have for this organization and all the people involved. 

Your President: Reema-

The end of a term as a HOSA state officer may seem like an abstract idea to any given reader, but after rounding out almost two years as a part of HOSA’s state officer program, the end of my term holds a great amount of weight for me. In all honesty, the memories I’ve made, lessons I’ve learned, people I’ve interacted with, and places I’ve been as a part of being Georgia President-elect and President have, frankly, never felt quite real. In many ways, I grew up in HOSA. From my freshman year of high school to my freshman year of college, this organization has become my second home and my second family. It’s been a true privilege to work with Georgia HOSA’s staff, Board of Directors, Team 20, and Team 21. This year, I was able to witness Team 21’s state officers blossom into close-knit group of friends, from being afraid to unmute during Tuesday night planning calls to cutting up on each other as if we’d known each other forever. This year, I was able to witness members continuously (say it with me) shatter expectations with their knowledge of healthcare, their efforts to raise funds for Be The Match, their initiative in finding opportunities to learn and grow, and their unfettered enthusiasm towards building healthier communities and brighter futures. It sometimes scares me just how smart, funny, hard-working, and caring you all are, but more than anything, it makes me hopeful for the future. If I could give any final advice to members, it would be to do it for the right reasons! Do it because you care, not  because caring will earn you a given amount of money or prestige or because someone else expects you to care. It’s got to come from you! So long as we can all keep that ideal in our back pockets as a guiding force, I know the future of healthcare is in good hands.

Your President-Elect: Sriya- 

When reflecting on this past year with Team 21, I am drawn to this one quote- “the most important things are always the hardest to say.” This quote speaks to me on not only a personal level and serves as a reminder that the best experiences are often the ones that just cannot be put into words. It just goes to say that there truly are no words that I could use that would do justice to everything that this past year with Team 21 has taught me. This was the “comeback” year, as some like to call it. The term has primarily been used to describe Georgia HOSA being revitalized in the 2021-2022 school year, but in my vision, all I can see is Georgia HOSA flourishing with the abundance of support and direction. This was a year where members of Georgia HOSA “came back” to all that their futures have in store for them- what the future of healthcare has in store for them. It truly has been an honor to watch members of Georgia HOSA and Team 21 “come back” to the aspects of life that reinvigorate their passions and I am beyond proud to have the opportunity to watch you all grow into the future of healthcare in the next term.

Your Vice President of Innovation: Bavishya- 

I was told at the beginning of my term that my time as VP of Innovation would be over before I knew it. It was similar to what I had heard at the beginning of high school or any new school year, yet I still didn’t choose to believe it. Now, a full year later, I sit here shocked at how quickly time has passed, as I prepare to hand over my role to someone else. This predicament I seem to face every year is best combated with my favorite quote: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” I am forever grateful for this opportunity I had, and I will cherish the memories I made the most. As fast as time moved, I made sure to stop and look around, holding on to moments I knew I would never want to forget. From the handshakes I received at Officer Jumpstart to the members I took pictures with at Fall Leadership Conference, my entire term is filled with these moments of joy. Thank you to the state staff, all the members of Georgia HOSA, and, last but certainly not least, Team 21. I wouldn’t have become the person I am today without everyone’s support and encouragement. I will end my sign-off with one mission for all of you: try. You never know what could happen if you don’t take a shot. For me, it led to a year full of growing as a leader, meeting thousands of like-minded individuals, and being surrounded by a team that turned into family. Thank you, Georgia HOSA for this past year; I am forever grateful. 

Your Vice President of Membership: Faby-

Georgia HOSA, 

I cannot believe that it’s been a year since I began this journey. Trial and error has been a predominant outlet for my growth, both professionally and personally, and particularly towards the beginning of my term. Thankfully, I’ve had a supportive team that’s allowed me to see failures as one of the many privileges that come with being a state officer. In a way, team 21 acts like a mirror- helping me understand my resilience and capabilities and visualize the best version of myself. I saw this relationship between myself and my team flourish when we attended Officer Jumpstart last summer, spending a majority of the trip on car rides across the state, practicing our workshops, and visiting members from all seven regions of Georgia. I’ll never forget that week, which acted as an impetus for the rest of my term- that feeling of commitment and devotion that I can put into all my future endeavors. And, for that, Georgia HOSA, I thank you.

Your Northern Region Representative: Nika-

Dear Georgia HOSA,

In all honesty, my application to be a State Officer was practically done on a whim. I knew that I wanted to further my involvement in HOSA, but I really didn’t know if I had what it took to be a State Officer. However, I took a risk applying, and my life truly changed for the better. Immediately, I found myself surrounded by a team, a team that I had never gotten the chance to be a part of before. We each had our specific roles, but we supported each other in our endeavors, and through each weekly conference call we had, I saw growth in each and every one of us. Team 21 taught me how to be the best leader I could possible, but this experience would not have been complete without the members. The members I have been able to learn more from and about have taught me how to become better and how to become a friend for others. Seeing them all develop throughout the year, whether it be seeing them run for state officer, or even seeing them take the initiative to compete in a new event, has given me joy beyond measure. I am so thankful to have been able to learn from so many new people, and I would not trade this year in Team 21 for the worlds. Thank you, Georgia HOSA, for everything. 

Your Central Region Representative: Chiara-

This year was a year I will never forget. As a freshman, I had no idea how much the word HOSA would transform me as a person. Looking back now I feel how much more confident, curious and capable I am; I feel like I have found a part of myself in this organization. My favorite and probably my most nervous experience from this year was Officer Jumpstart. Four days of sightseeing, meeting new people, and talking in front of hundreds pushed me as a leader, showed me how much I need to grow in some areas, and when I got home, proved that I am able to sleep for 12 hours straight. I’ll never forget the laughs we shared together and I hope that these memories are as powerful for you as they are for me. Thank you Team 21 and an even bigger thank you to Georgia HOSA and the state staff for making this year possible. I can’t believe it’s coming to an end. 

Your Southern Region Representative: Sahil-

To Georgia HOSA, 

It’s difficult to fathom that this journey I embarked on a year ago is nearing its end, but looking back on my term, I can say with confidence that not only have I grown as a leader, but I have left my mark on Georgia HOSA, and I hope it stays that way for many teams in the future. When I first applied, I had no expectation to get slated; I was someone who was highly passionate for HOSA, but was unsure if I would be able to fill the shoes required to be a state officer. However, I took that “leap of faith” when filling out the application, and I was fortunate enough to be elected to serve on Team 21. What baffles me the most is how different I was then when compared to now. Coming into my term, I felt I had room to grow, but I found myself surrounded by a talented, supportive team and a state staff that worked to elicit the best of us. I began to learn and evolve into a leader that was ready to take on the challenge and help the members of Georgia HOSA have a memorable year, especially coming out of a virtual year. Reflecting on my experience, I am grateful for everything that I have been taught over the course of my term, I cherish the bonds I have had the opportunity to make with members, and I hope that I have helped make an impact on Georgia HOSA as a whole. I cannot express my gratitude enough for this organization, and I can definitively say that Georgia HOSA will always hold a special place in my heart.

Thank you Georgia HOSA,