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President: Hayley Owen
Hayley Owen was elected the eighth State President of Arizona HOSA at the 2012 Spring Leadership Conference. Together with eight other dynamic and dedicated health science student leaders, Hayley will represent nearly 5,000 HOSA future health professionals in secondary and post-secondary institutions across the Grand Canyon State.
Now a freshman at the University of Arizona, Hayley is majoring in Microbiology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. After completing her undergraduate studies, she plans to pursue a graduate degree program to study epidemiology or public health management. Her career goal is to use her health science education and HOSA experience and join the U.S. Public Health Service. Hayley is well on her way to achieving her health careers ambitions by earning the prestigious HOSA Internship at the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General in Washington, DC.
As a four-year HOSA member from Kingman High School, Hayley was an honors student who held several chapter offices, won local chapter awards for biology and Outstanding HOSA Membership, and the National HOSA Scholarship through the U.S. Public Health Service. As a state competitor, she participated in the Career Health Display and Epidemiology events. Hayley finished fourth in Epidemiology in 2011 and won the gold medal in 2012.
The 2011 HOSA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim inspired Hayley to seek state office as she experienced first-hand the full spectrum of HOSA leadership and career development opportunities. As State President she will lead the Arizona delegation at the HOSA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, the HOSA Washington Leadership Academy in Washington, DC, and numerous conferences and meetings across Arizona.
In addition to her leadership in HOSA, Hayley is a leader in the community. She has been involved in Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Student Ambassadors, and Mock Trial. She also enjoys volunteering at her local hospital in the Infection Control and Microbiology labs.
Through HOSA, Hayley has experienced opportunities far beyond her original vision. Because of this, she is most excited to serve Arizona HOSA and spread the message of the endless amount of growth and development opportunities for members. "Every student with dreams of serving in the health care field needs to join HOSA; it’s how you truly can become a future health professional," says Hayley.
Region 1 Vice President: Joylynn Sears
Joylynn Sears is Arizona HOSA’s State Vice President representing Region 1 and is a freshman at Yavapai College in Prescott studying sports medicine and will then transfer to Northern Arizona University to pursue her bachelor of science with an emphasis in sports medicine and athletic training.
Joylynn is passionate about sports medicine. During her high school years at Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley she found her love of sports medicine through HOSA. To further her experience she volunteered for two years in the training facility at Bradshaw as well as Yavapai College. As a senior she studied sports medicine in the JTED where she received honors recognition for her work.
“Dreams become reality one choice at a time.” As a student this quote has inspired Joylynn to continue making the right choices to achieve her goals in the health care field. These choices led her to be an active member in HOSA. As a first-year member she placed fourth at the HOSA State Leadership Conference in Clinical Specialty, using the topic of Sports Medicine. While proud of this honor, Joylynn’s goal was to represent Arizona at the HOSA National Leadership Conference. Her senior year she used her competitive drive to volunteer for HOSA activities and service projects. At the 2012 State Conference her study and practice paid off as she double qualified for nationals by earning a second place state finish in the Physical Therapy event and earning gold in the Outstanding HOSA Chapter event.
In addition to her passion for health care, sports medicine, and HOSA, Joylynn is a team player and a champion for her fellow HOSA members. Her leadership and service was rewarded by the Arizona HOSA voting delegates who elected her to the State Executive Council to represent nearly 5,000 members throughout the state.
Joylynn also loves the outdoors. In her free time she enjoys running, lap swimming, tennis, soccer and backpacking. She is a lifeguard at the local aquatic centers and teaches swim lessons. This is something that brings her pure joy and helps her keep her CPR, first aid and AED certifications current. Joylynn believes that service through health care is a calling for those with the courage to dedicate themselves in the service of others. And, she says, “There’s no greater place to find courageous future health professionals than in Arizona HOSA!”
Region 2 Vice President: Moriah McCarthy
In her first year as a HOSA member, Moriah McCarthy is on the leadership fast track having been elected to serve HOSA’s 4,800 members as Region 2 Vice President.
She is a graduate of McClintock High School where she was also a member of the National Technical Honor Society. Her participation in HOSA was made possible through East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) where she studied anatomy, physiology and medical terminology and was a competitor in HOSA Bowl.
Her love for the medical profession is derived through her personal experience with a rare medical condition. Her treatments and personal fight for health nearly cost her academic and school success. But, through the Tempe Unified School District program and HOSA, she was able to rehabilitate her education and graduate on time, as a student leader, and earn acceptance to Grand Canyon University to pursue her goal to graduate with a bachelor of science in nursing.
Moriah is passionate about the benefits of HOSA membership and believes it brings out the leader in health care professionals. “I can’t wait to serve and represent the wonderful State of Arizona with my fellow state officers”, she said.
Her career goal is to become a traveling nurse and visit every country in the world at least once. Moriah wants to spread health and wellness across the globe, especially in third world countries. She believes people everywhere deserve the opportunity to experience healthy lives and medical care from successful medical professionals. And, she of course plans to carry the love and message of HOSA: Future Health Professionals to every nation she visits.
Region 3 Vice President: Danielle Haefner
Danielle Haefner is Arizona HOSA’s State Vice President representing Region 3. She is a freshman at Glendale Community College.
Danielle graduated with honors from Thunderbird High School where she was a two-year HOSA chapter officer and chapter secretary. She was a state finalist in HOSA’s Pathophysiology competitive event and went on to be awarded an Arizona HOSA Scholarship.
Leadership, academics, and service define Danielle’s educational experience. She graduated with a 3.8 GPA while being an active leader and volunteer in organizations such as National Honor Society and Key Club. Danielle was an active DECA member qualifying to represent Arizona at the DECA International Career Development Conference two years in a row in hospitality and tourism competitions. A big believer in the importance of volunteerism, Danielle loves to support the important work of Hospice of the West.
Danielle credits HOSA with expanding her occupational perspective and helping her to decide on a career as a physical therapist. She says, “HOSA is an awesome experience for gaining connections to the health care field and making the right career decision.”
Region 4 Vice President: Amber Ross
Amber Ross is a three-year HOSA member now serving as Arizona HOSA State Vice President representing Region 4 responsible for leadership of chapters throughout Southern Arizona.
Amber graduated from Tucson Magnet High School with her science endorsement and Career Technical Education certification for completing two years of studies in bio-innovations and certification. She is now a freshman at the University of Arizona, majoring in pre-physiology in the College of Medicine with her ultimate objective earning her doctorate in medicine to practice pediatrics in an intensive care setting.
Her journey into the health care world began three years ago when she moved to Arizona from San Antonio, Texas, and started taking bio-innovations courses. She also completed the research methods course where she had the experience of working in a plant pathology lab at the University of Arizona. Her research was focused on the use of enzymes found inside endosymbiotic fungi in biofuel production. Her work earned second place honors in microbiology at the regional science fair, while also winning awards from the U.S. Navy and University of Arizona. Her project qualified for the International Science Fair in Houston, Texas where she represented Arizona with pride.
Amber loves HOSA and leadership! She has served in the position of chapter parliamentarian and chapter president at Tucson High HOSA and placed fifth at the state level in the Human Growth and Development competitive event. She also was secretary and president of the Science Olympiad Club and secretary of the Research Club.
“HOSA brings the enthusiasm, leadership, and networking connections that no other medical youth organization can offer,” says Amber. “It was the key component to all of my health science and bio-medicine experiences.” As a HOSA state officer, Amber is passionate about expanding membership and opportunities for health science students in Southern Arizona.
Historian/Reporter: Lesleigh Zerby
Lesleigh Zerby is a senior at Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley and serves as the Arizona HOSA Historian/Reporter where she is the student leader responsible for statewide communications and public relations.
Through HOSA, Lesleigh has developed her love for the healthcare profession. She has been an active HOSA member for two years and served as the Bradshaw Mountain HOSA chapter secretary. She has attended two HOSA Spring Leadership Conferences and was the 2012 state champion in HOSA’s Job Seeking Skills competition. She has helped organize fundraisers to help her classmates attend the HOSA State and National Leadership Conferences. A big believer in the importance of volunteer service, Lesleigh has also helped raise money for HOSA’s National Service Project with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
In addition to HOSA, Lesleigh is a three-year member of the National Honor Society and Link Crew leadership program. She also completed the Certified Nursing Assistant course at Bradshaw Mountain High School.
Lesleigh has a deep love for patient care and the diverse field of health care. After graduation from high school, Lesleigh hopes to attend the University of Arizona as a Pre Med major with a minor in Photography. Her plan is to earn acceptance to medical school and utilize her HOSA training and experiences to pursue a career as an anesthesiologist or surgeon.
In Lesleigh’s spare time she enjoys to travel. She has already visited England and France and has set a goal to travel overseas again and back-pack through Europe before heading to college. She loves spending time with her family and considers her brother one of her closest friends (especially because he accompanies her to see her favorite band, The Maine!).
Through HOSA, Lesleigh has been able to reach goals she never thought possible. She feels HOSA’s ability to help its members dream and turn those dreams into reality is one of the most valuable tools the association provides to all students. Lesleigh says, “HOSA will push you to reach your true potential and beyond!”
Post-Secondary Vice President: Krystal Jovel
Krystal Jovel is a five-year HOSA member serving as the Arizona HOSA Post-Secondary Vice President. She is a sophomore at the University of Arizona majoring in Psychology with a minor in Gender & Women’s Studies. Her educational goal is to earn a doctorate, become a university professor, and teach students with her same passion for psychology. Krystal ended her freshman year with a GPA of 3.912 and Academic Year Academic Distinction. Krystal is advancing toward her goal by serving as a Research Assistant in the Department of Psychology’s Neuropsychology, Emotion, and Memory Lab studying “the effects of mindfulness meditation on self-control failure (ego-depletion).”
Krystal’s HOSA journey began at East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) while she was studying for a certificate in Medical Assisting. Her career in HOSA has been decorated with two first place and two second place finishes in HOSA Bowl at the secondary and post-secondary level. Krystal also qualified to represent Arizona at the HOSA National Leadership Conference and was a national finalist in the Health Career Issues Exam and HOSA Bowl.
At her home high school, Sequoia Secondary, Krystal was the Student Editor-In-Chief of The Sequoia Voice monthly school publication. She was also a three-year scholar athlete earning a 4.936 GPA and graduating class valedictorian while also playing varsity volleyball and basketball. On the day of her graduation, she received the “Female Student Athlete of the Year” award.
This will be her first time serving as a state officer and she is thrilled with the opportunity to represent the collegiate members throughout Arizona. She hopes to one day serve as a HOSA national officer and to be a medalist in National HOSA’s health careers competitive events program. Krystal believes HOSA gives members the key to owning their future and really engaging in life experiences that matter and will contribute to a better life and society.
Parliamentarian: Gene Pomeroy
Arizona HOSA State Secretary and Parliamentarian Gene Pomeroy is a senior at the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) and Mesa Distance Learning Program. As a first-year HOSA member, he quickly took advantage of the many leadership and career expanding programs the association provides its members and earned the opportunity to serve as a state officer.
Gene believes that HOSA is an organization that gives a person amazing life experience as well as leadership skills and tools to be successful in the future. When Gene moved to Arizona from Texas he was two years behind in school. Through HOSA, online school, EVIT coursework, and a lot of studying every weekend, vacation, and summer he has since caught up and even gotten a bit ahead on credits to graduate. Gene received the Extra Effort Award at EVIT for going above and beyond inside and outside of class, as well as keeping an average grade of 106% with a 4.0 overall GPA.
In addition to his active membership in HOSA, Gene has also participated in SkillsUSA as a competitor as well as a contest judge. Gene enjoys activities such as playing guitar, snowboarding, and helping as many people as he can to make a difference in his community.
Following graduation in 2013, Gene plans to attend the University of Arizona after completing his general credits at Mesa Community College. His goal is to obtain a doctorate degree in Neuroscience or Biotechnology. His future career ambition is to become either a neurosurgeon or a trauma surgeon. A patriot and dedicated citizen, Gene also wants to serve his country through the military by becoming a combat surgeon for the U.S. Air Force Para-Rescue Unit.
Since Gene joined Arizona HOSA, he has become even more passionate about the medical field and his education. Gene believes that if you’re thinking about a career in health care that you are actually thinking about HOSA. He encourages all students to get the future health professionals advantage and join this amazing organization.
