It’s official. Darien High School is now home to its first HOSA chapter, taking over for what was formerly the Medical Interest Club. Proposals for it have been thrown around between students and administration for years, but it could not have been established without a core class connection, which was recently provided with the new Anatomy and Physiology class.
Having the opportunity to join HOSA is great, but what does it really mean? HOSA stands for Health Occupations Students of America and was created to empower students to become the future of healthcare and develop leadership and initiative. It is a global student-run organization providing opportunities for education and skill development within the healthcare industry. The chapter plans on competing in upcoming statewide and national competitions, allowing its members an opportunity to showcase their medical knowledge and pursue the fields they are most passionate about.
DHS HOSA has been in the works since April of last year, starting with the election of the Executive Board under the new chapter adviser, science teacher Ms. Erin Ritz. The results of this election were as follows:
President: Jamie Spataro
Vice President: Juliette Gaber
Treasurer: Maddy Smaldon
Secretary: Eve Christie
Social Media Manager: Tate Sedlock
Following these elections, the Executive Board has been working overtime to establish a smooth transition from a club of medically-interested kids to a full-blown organization. This involves the preparation of:
- Organizational Bylaws – To provide the chapter with structure and rules
- A Program of Work – To create a month by month guide of the activities the chapter will complete throughout the year
- A Full Year Calendar – To determine dates for chapter meetings during the school year
- Meeting Minutes – To be shared with members in the event of a member’s absence, to keep them up to date on the chapter’s actions
- Meeting Agendas – To be shared with members to structure the meetings
Sample Agenda For Meeting October 16th, 2025
HOSA went to its first-ever DHS Club Fair this past September, and it was a success, with 99 students expressing interest and who will attend biweekly meetings. The chapter will meet every other Thursday in C207 and include guest speakers, slideshows, and activities such as IV Spiking and Stop The Bleed. When asked about her favorite part of the Chapter, Secretary junior Eve Christie said, “I like HOSA because I enjoy hearing stories from people involved in the medical field”.
If you are interested in being a part of this organization, join the Google Classroom with the code: hp7ufux.
Since the chapter is part of a national organization, there are both state and national dues, which in Connecticut add up to $10 state, $10 national, and $5 local dues, totaling a $25 registration fee. This payment registers students as official members of HOSA statewide and nationally, but also helps provide funding for chapter events. As for staying informed and connected, students can follow both the national and local Instagram to stay updated on all events held by the chapter:
Local: @hosa_darienhighschool National: @hosafhp
The first meeting was held on October 16th. Many members showed up and participated in an on-boarding scavenger hunt, getting a glimpse into what HOSA is all about. This past Sunday, the chapter then participated in DHS’s Trunk or Treat event to introduce the organization and its mission to the broader Darien community.
Mark your calendars and join HOSA in C207 for our next meeting on October 30th, at 7:15 a.m. There will be an EMT speaking at the meeting.
