A delegation of 194 student members, advisers and family members representing 25 chapters statewide attended the HOSA-Future Health Professionals Conference June 25-28 in Orlando, Fla.
Among the 140 Hawaii student competitors, there were 34 top 10 finalists, 13 gold medalists, 14 silver medalists and five bronze medalists.
Mart Joshua Lopez, a 2014 Mililani High graduate, became Hawaii’s first national officer for HOSA. Lopez was named Region 1 vice president after a grueling process.
The Orlando gathering was HOSA’s 37th annual leadership conference.
Candace Chun, Mililani High School HOSA Adviser, was recognized for outstanding service in HOSA’s Region 1 with a $2,000 award.
Gold medalists are:
» Jennifer Nakasone (UH-Manoa) — Biotechnology (Postsecondary Division)
» Brianna Daranciang, Chelsie Smyth (UH-Manoa) — Public Health Team (Postsecondary Division)
» Kelsi Baltazar, Brittney Min (Farrington High) — Community Awareness Team (Secondary Division)
» Calen Matsuda, Mike Nguyen (Lahainaluna High) — Health Career Display Team (Secondary Division)
» Chasidee delaCuesta-Batara, Fejiereich Luz Lopez, Mason Matsuo (Mililani High) — Health Education Team (Secondary Division)
Among other awards and achievements:
» Paul C. Banko received the U.S. Department of Interior’s Distinguished Service Award — the highest honorary recognition an employee can receive.
Banko started work with the Palila Restoration Project in 1996, and under his leadership was produced the most comprehensive and long-term research on any Hawaiian forest bird, the department said.
The project has provided "a scientific foundation for developing recovery strategies for the Palila as well as understanding the ecological dimensions of Hawaiian bird conservation."
