For The Oglethorpe Echo - link to published article
Oglethorpe County High School students are going to the HOSA International Leadership Conference this summer, thanks in part to a $2,000 donation from the Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Department.
Members of Oconee Fire and Rescue awarded a check to Erin Bunch, a healthcare sciences teacher, who is in her seventh year as sponsor of the HOSA program, and three students on Monday night.
“They raised $2,000,” Bunch said. “Because they were able to do that, we have enough now that we can travel, have rooms in the hotel and the registration fee, completely.”
The students who finished in the top three in various categories at the state competition in Atlanta in March advanced to compete at HOSA’s International Leadership Conference on June 21-25 in Nashville, Tennessee.
HOSA is an organization for future healthcare professionals.
"I compete in the speaking competition, and I did a speech on shattering your expectations,” OCHS student Harley Grace Hayes said. “I'm looking forward to giving the speech and trying to win."
Oglethorpe County Fire and Rescue has helped raise money for HOSA students on multiple occasions. Recently, the fire department raffled off a cooler with all proceeds going to HOSA and its trip to the International Leadership Conference.
Senior Elisse Griffiths looks forward to her last competition. She said she’s excited to go with her friends to the international competition.
Bunch emphasized how much support The Oglethorpe County Fire and Rescue give to HOSA students.
“We have a really great partnership with them and the school,” she said. “This year, they are funding two scholarships for seniors that are going into public safety. It’s not just donations like this. They have been an incredible support for our school system, especially HOSA.”
Carl Young, Oglethorpe County Fire and Rescue chief, has been in public safety for 34 years. He supports HOSA with the goal of trying to keep the youth population interested in careers in public service.
“I prioritize public safety very highly,” Young said. “I was raised helping people, and I feel like this is a way to help people.”
