A group of Merry Acres Middle School students brought home some impressive wins at a recent International Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., as a part of a student group that is focused on health occupations. 

HOSA has over 200,000 members throughout the fifty-one chartered HOSA Associations in the United States, American Samoa, Canada, District of Columbia, Germany, Italy, and Puerto Rico. The International Competition is composed of the top ten finalists from each state. The highlight of every year for HOSA members is the HOSA International Leadership Conference. This year's conference was held in Orlando, FL, June 21-24, 2017 at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center. However, due to the magnitude of the students competing and the volume of competitive events, competitions were simultaneously held at two convention centers.

HOSA is an international student organization recognized by the Unite States Department of Education and the Health Science Education Division of Association for Career and Technical Education. HOSA's two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for secondary, postsecondary, adult, and collegiate students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science programs or have an interest in pursuing careers in health professions.

As a result of winning state awards in their selected categories, during the 2016-2017 school term, five Merry Acres Middle Magnet School of Medical Arts students competed at the International Leadership Conference. Madison Blackmon won 1st place at both the State and International Leadership Conference in the Health Topics Prepared Speaking category. As a group, the team consisting of Cinnamon Burroughs, Kelcey Stapleton, Jakerius Stubbs, and Chaniyah Nelson won 3rd place at State and 1st place at the International Leadership Conference in the category Public Health.

The HOSA advisor is Mrs. Felicia Hosely, Mrs. Cathy Clyde, Medical Magnet Coordinator, and Dr. Willie Adams, Medical Magnet Consultant. The Parent Advisors were Dr. Tijuana Burroughs, Dr. Marlene Ramsey, and Mrs. Nicole Nelson. Mrs. Gail Griffin is the principal of Merry Acres Middle Magnet School of Medical Arts.