By Risa Askerooth

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At the Health Occupation Students of America – Future Health Professionals (HOSA) National Student Leadership Conference (NLC) in Florida, medals weren’t the only awards being swept up by MHS HOSA members. On June 28, HOSA adviser Candace Chun was awarded the Outstanding Service Award for HOSA Secondary Chapter Advisers for Region 1, while alumnus Mart Joshua Lopez was named Region 1 vice president, making him the first national officer from any of Hawaii’s Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) programs.

“It’s all a surprise too. So it’s kind of cool, you know, because we’re just on pins and needles, kind of (waiting to) see if we got it,” said Chun. Lopez added, “The feeling was surreal, it was weird to have the whole Hawaii delegation, and not only the Hawaii delegation, have so many states cheer for you.”

The process of applying for the awards was a difficult one, as Chun submitted a resume, essay and letters of support in order to show her accomplishments in HOSA, while Lopez took a test, was interviewed, answered questions from voting delegates and gave a speech. “It’s really time-consuming if you really wanted to make your application stand out and really wanted to make it look nice for everyone that would see it because that would definitely represent you,” Lopez stated.

Although Chun was not initially planning to attend the NLC, after she was named a finalist for the award, she was asked to be present on the chance that she won. Chun then decided to surprise HOSA students by meeting them in Orlando, as it was too late to book the same flight as them. “We totally surprised them (and) I think they were so shocked. And (Lopez) was yelling, ‘I knew it, I knew she was going to be here,’” she said.

Winning the awards was a way for HOSA to acknowledge the work Chun and Lopez put into the program. “I’m really happy because I think (Chun) does the most,” said HOSA member alumna Fejiereich Luz Lopez, “She’s been doing it a long time and she pushed me to do the best that I could.” Mart Joshua Lopez added, “Being part of HOSA for the past four years, it’s really inspired me to take up leadership role positions. I was actually part of the state executive council for Hawaii.”

Having won the position of Region 1 vice president, Mart Joshua Lopez will give speeches and hold workshops about HOSA around the United States until the next NLC. “It’s something where we try to inspire a shared vision within all the members throughout the different states and even other countries that we’re starting to expand to,” he said.

As both Chun and Mart Joshua Lopez will not be joining next year, winning the awards and seeing the friends they’ve made was a satisfying way to end the year. “You know the feeling. Just like graduation, where you have so many people supporting you and that have been supporting you throughout the way and seeing them cheer for you and be excited for you, that was something that I think I’ll never forget,” said Mart Joshua Lopez.

Chun herself is satisfied with the results and memories made at the NLC. “The highlight of my career was (Mart Joshua Lopez) winning nationals,” said Chun.

Next year, although Mart Joshua Lopez is heading off to the University of Hawaii and Shirlen Tanaka is taking over as HOSA adviser, Chun will continue to support the program to the best of her ability.