Many WS students compete for the school with the goal of making it to states. Some compete as
basketball players, some as gymnasts, and some as health professionals. Senior Reggie Payne was able to achieve his goal, placing first in the district future health professional’s competition and placing third at the state level
Future Health Professionals or HOSA (which used to stand for Health Occupation Students of America) is an organization for students that prepares them to become healthcare professionals. The organization includes high school and college students who want to do work in healthcare after they graduate.
“It’s like DECA for health professionals,” said Payne. “It’s all about the leadership.”
Most high school students aren’t sure of what they want to do in college and beyond, but Payne has a plan that perfectly lines up with what HOSA provides for students like him.
“I want to get a bachelors in exercise science and a masters in physical therapy,” said Payne.
Payne also wrestles for West Springfield, so he has to balance his HOSA events with sports and school. His goals aren’t easy to achieve, but Payne has proven that he’s up to the challenge. Payne’s first place finish in the district competition booked him a ticket to states, where he proved his skills again by finishing in third.
Payne is able to take classes like anatomy to help him learn about his field, but HOSA provides something extra to push him above other students who hope to do the same. Payne is able to test his skills outside of the classroom in real world settings by working on actual patients. This gives Payne the experience that he couldn’t get in the classroom.
“It’s kind of stressful because I have to find time to shadow physical therapists and work on my portfolio,” said Payne. “It’s tiring.”
The learning experience is great, but winning makes it even better for Payne.
“I don’t get to do a lot of extracurricular stuff,” said Payne, “so doing as well as I did means a lot.”