State President Medha Kuntamukkla ‘25 gives out a backpack at the HOSA Store Feb. 18. Backpacks and water bottles were free for SLC attendees and exchanged for red tickets given to students at the beginning of the conference. Other HOSA merchandise was available for purchase and could be bought throughout the conference. “I had to make sure everything was running smoothly and be there as support for the members,” Kuntamukkla said. “If they had any questions, I would direct where to go, and also just helped out with registration, making sure all the chapters were checking in okay and they were all getting their rooms.”

media by Bella Lin

Healthcare of Tomorrow

A recap of Jags at this year’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) State Leadership Conference (SLC)

by Bella Lin, Managing Editor

March 5, 2025

On Feb. 18, 62 Jags arrived at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel to attend the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) State Leadership Conference (SLC).

HOSA is an international Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) with a mission of promoting healthcare opportunities and enhancing the world of medicine, developing leadership and communication skills along the way. Secondary and even post-secondary students are provided a variety of events to select from and compete in.

Competitive events fell into six categories: Health Science, Health Professions, Emergency Preparedness, Leadership, Teamwork and Recognition. Some events required students to submit their materials early through HOSA’s Digital Upload System by 5 p.m. Jan. 30. Their projects were pre-reviewed by judges to determine whether or not they qualified to compete at the SLC. During the three-day conference, students donned formal wear while preparing presentations, filling out tests and presenting their work to judges.

The conference officially commenced with the Opening Session on the night of Feb. 18. SLC participants were welcomed with games and karaoke while waving lightsticks gifted to them before the ceremony began. Afterward, the 2024-2025 State Officer team was introduced to the audience, including State President Medha Kuntamukkla ‘25 and State Vice President of Membership Saanvi Cooduvalli ‘26. This group guides the State Association and advocates for HOSA to their peers, educators and elected officials. They have opportunities to travel around the state for the organization and develop quality leadership skills.

A fishbowl questionnaire was then conducted with the 2025-2026 State Officer Team applicants, in which they went on stage and drew a question from a bowl to answer on the spot. Jaguars Abhiman Gowda ‘26, Shiven Patel ‘26 and Cooduvalli all ran for a position on the new team.

Along with the fishbowl questionnaire, applicants appealed to voting delegates during the Campaign Board Session and through a prepared speech. They were also required to score at least 70% on a test about HOSA and the organization’s history.

Between events, students also had a chance to participate in a variety of symposiums, including sessions teaching topics like methods of wound closure, which taught SLC attendees how to perform a simple interrupted suture, and live diagnosis of patients.

Helping with the conference were District Representatives, HOSA participants who served on committees and focused on member engagement and service. In order to earn a position, students were required to fill out an application and pass an interview. There were three committees: HOSA Store, SLC Planning and Social Media.

Manik Thapa ‘26 was a member of the HOSA Store Committee. He, along with his fellow members, organized the products that would be sold to SLC members at the HOSA Store and how much they’d cost, including HOSA merchandise.

“We had to attend practice sessions [for the ceremonies], and I remember one activity we did was Miracle Minute,” Thapa said. “We had to walk up and get in our positions, and we also selected people for the game played at the SLC opening ceremony.”

During the first day of the conference, Abhiman Gowda ‘26 and Shiven Patel ‘26 man the Courtesy Corp Sign Up table Feb. 18. Courtesy Corp members were responsible for multiple tasks during the conference, including assisting judges, running errands, heading information tables and helping with symposiums. “People can sign up to help,” Gowda said. “And I’m here to look over and help with questions and anything else.” (media by Bella Lin)

SLC participants attended the Recognition Ceremony at 8 p.m. Feb. 19, in which results for Recognition Events were announced. New state officers were also announced at the end of the ceremony, with two jags gaining a spot on the team: Abhiman Gowda ‘26, serving as the 2025-2026 State Vice President of Membership and Alumni, and Shiven Patel ‘26, serving as the 2025-2026 State Vice President of Outreach.

“I was really happy,” Gowda said. “Originally, I was kind of nervous, so it was nice to see that all my hard work had finally paid off.

The conference concluded with the Grand Awards Session at 8:45 a.m. Feb. 20, where the results of the rest of the events were announced. For each event, individuals or teams that placed in the top ten were called up on stage. There, the top three competitors were announced and given their respective gold, silver, or bronze medals. The rest were awarded a pin for their achievements.

After awards finished, the 2024-2025 State Officer Team officially handed off their positions to the newly elected 2025-2026 State Officer Team, including State President Medha Kuntamukkla ‘25.

“It was really bittersweet,” Kuntamukkla said. “[HOSA] has been a huge part of my life and it made up a big part of my high school journey, so saying goodbye to it was definitely hard, but it was also exciting to see the new set of State Officers and I’m excited to see everything they do.”

HOSA State President Medha Kuntamukkla ‘25 speaks to the audience and officially signs off from her position during the Grand Awards Session Feb. 20. Elected at the 2024 SLC, Kuntamukkla served as the State President and leader of the State Officer team throughout the 2024-2025 HOSA year, and will now hand her position off to Aanya Sidhu ‘26 from Cherokee Trail High School. “I just want to say thank you [to my fellow 2024-2025 State Officers],” Kuntamukkla said. They’ve been my biggest support throughout this year, and I definitely could not have done anything without them.” (media by Bella Lin)

State Vice President of Membership Saanvi Cooduvalli ‘26 and newly elected State Vice President of Membership and Alumni Abhiman Gowda ‘26 stand side by side during the transfer of officer teams at the Grand Awards Session Feb. 20. Gowda’s future initiatives for the organization include increased networking and outreach. He aims to recruit more healthcare professionals to attend SLC and provide more internship opportunities to student participants. He also plans to connect with judges more efficiently and better showcase the organization on the Colorado HOSA Instagram account. “I love HOSA for the community,” Gowda said. “And I look forward to meeting and working with new people.” (media by Bella Lin)

The Grand Awards Session finished at 11 a.m., and students were then free to leave the hotel. Multiple Jags placed in the top ten in their events and took home awards.

“I loved meeting people while in HOSA. I got to travel a lot, and I met people across the entire nation,” Kuntamukkla said. “They were definitely my favorite part [of HOSA], including my State Officer team, and it was just a really cool experience because of the bonds you make and the community you find.”

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