Three members of Allen Community College’s HOSA chapter earned top-10 finishes, including two top-three finishes, at the 2026 HOSA International Leadership Conference in Indianapolis.
Allen’s Shania Charles was second in job seeking skills, Ethan Riebel took third in family medicine, and Sam Sturgeon finished seventh in medical law and ethics.
Two others, Jean Yimba and Alice Griffith, competed in home health aide and biotechnology, respectively.
The conference, held June 17-20, brought together more than 15,000 students, advisors and health care professionals for leadership development, educational sessions and competitive events to celebrate HOSA’s 50th anniversary.
HOSA-Future Health Professionals is an international student organization that prepares students for careers in health care through leadership development, service, education and competitive events. (“HOSA” formerly stood for Health Occupations Students of America.)
“Competing at the international level gives our students the opportunity to measure themselves against the best in the nation and return with greater confidence in their skills,” advisor Leslie Weir said. “The experience reinforces their commitment to serving others through careers in health care.”
THE EVENT was one to remember, Weir told the Register.
“The students all did a great job,” she said. “Even the ones who didn’t medal, bless their hearts, did great. One just ran out of time, and the other had terrible instructions she had to deal with. She was disappointed.”
In addition to the competition, students exchanged state pins with HOSA members from across the country and around the world, toured Indianapolis and attended an Indiana Fever WNBA game.
“I think I’m hooked on the WNBA,” Weir laughed, noting the game featured two of the sport’s brightest young players, Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese.
“We were all super impressed with the city, and the conference itself,” Weir said.
ALLEN offers 12 HOSA full-ride scholarships each year, and still has openings for the 2026-27 academic year.
Weir noted HOSA offers multiple contests and events each year that appeal to more than just students pursuing careers in health care.
“It’s a great opportunity participate in public speaking, extemporaneous speaking, even teamwork projects,” she said. “I’m excited to work with next year’s students.”
