Tel: 602-542-5770
President: Leah Gawin
Leah Gawin, the Arizona State President, will lead Arizona’s 7,500 HOSA members for the 2014-2015 year with the help of the team. Leah is looking forward to the upcoming year and the many adventures that await her.
Leah is currently a senior at Centennial High school in Peoria, Arizona. Since freshman year, Leah has had a growing passion for HOSA. She has held several officer positions in Centennial’s HOSA Chapter including Junior Board President and Vice President. She has led several Blood Drives and community service projects. Leah has attended NLC for the past three years and has competed in Health Care Issues Exam.
Leah aspires to attend University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, with hopes to enter the pre-med track. Her lifelong dream has always been to become a surgeon. Leah’s internship at Centennial High School in the Sport Medicine Program has influenced her decision in pursuing a career in orthopedic surgery with an emphasis in trauma.
In her spare time Leah enjoys running and is a part of Centennial’s cross- country team and distance track team. She also enjoys hiking and biking with friends and family members. The quote “it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round” has greatly influenced Leah’s life. It has reminded her to respect everyone’s opinions and abilities. She learned to apply this in the athletic training room and HOSA when meeting with athletes, members and sponsors.
Leah looks forward to developing into a better leader along with each and every one of you!
Region 1 Vice President: Brett Olson
Brett Olson is the Region 1 Vice President for Arizona HOSA: Future Health Professionals for the 2014-2015 term. While holding this position, Brett will extend a helping hand and bring out the best in all members residing in the northern region of our great state.
Graduating in the top 5% of his class, Brett will be attending Mohave Community College to complete all prerequisites for a nursing degree in which he plans on acquiring at Northern Arizona University. Once Brett receives his BS in Nursing, the schooling does not end. Brett aspires to complete medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin-Green Bay en route to becoming an OB/GYN or General Surgeon.
Brett has been a HOSA member for two years, presiding as President during his senior year, he led all chapter activities and Kingman High School to Gold Chapter Level in 2014. He was a state finalist for the past two years, in Medical Assisting and Home Health Aide, 4th and 2nd respectively. After attending the National Leadership Conference for the second time, Brett will convey his leadership experience to the local chapter level in hopes of improving participation and effectiveness. Being from a rural school himself, he understands the troubles facing smaller schools and believes that their voices are just as important as any other school throughout the state.
“Impossible is nothing. Impossible is not a declaration. It is a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they have been given, rather than to explore the power they have to change it.”
Region 2 Vice President: Alyssa Turner
Alyssa Turner is Arizona HOSA’s 2014-2015 vice president representing Region two. She has been in HOSA since her sophomore year in the Bradshaw Mountain High School chapter. This year, during the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, she will compete with her team in the HOSA bowl competition. She is extremely excited to serve Arizona this year on the state officer team
Alyssa plans to attend Grand Canyon University to major in Nursing, eventually obtaining her doctorate in Pediatric Oncology nursing. Because of her experience in HOSA, she has been exposed to this profession and has been able to change her goal from an athletic trainer to becoming a nurse.
Throughout her time at Bradshaw Mountain High School, Alyssa was on the drum line of her marching band, where she played bass for a year and snare for two years. She served as the drum captain for the duration of her junior year. She was honored with the opportunity to serve as her band’s drum major.
Alyssa’s leadership philosophy is that a good leader opens the door and enters in first, but a great leader holds the door and ensures that everyone else goes in before them.
Region 3 Vice President: Ruben Gallegos
Ruben Gallegos, Arizona HOSA’s 2014-2015 Vice President that represents the Region 3 area and will be a freshman at Mesa Community College majoring in physiology. He plans to continue his education to University of Arizona and become a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Ruben has been a part of HOSA since his sophomore year in high school and started his membership at the East Valley Institute of Technology in his “Introduction to Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology” class with his instructor Mrs. Sharon Black. He then took the medical assisting class and became a certified medical assistant with Arizona.
Ruben competed in HOSA Bowl and placed third at the AzHOSA Spring Leadership Conference. He was also part of the HOSA chapter at his home school at Mesa High School. Upon graduation, Ruben received the EVIT Superintendent “Student of the Year” award along with his certification for medical assisting. He currently works as a medical assistant at the optometry clinic of Dr. Reed/ Dr. Whipple in Mesa, Arizona.
Ruben enjoys many extracurricular activities such as dancing to many genres of music from Latin to hip-hop. Soccer also is a major part of Ruben’s life, whether it’s playing with his family or in a competition; he enjoys and pushes to become a dedicated soccer player. Born into a Hispanic family, he is bilingual. Ruben looks forward to pursuing his goals to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Region 4 Vice President: Courtney Boyce
Courtney Boyce is ready to expand the role of leadership by growing in her position as the Region 4 Vice President of Arizona HOSA. She is looking forward to the upcoming challenges and adventures of the 2014-2015 year.
Courtney is currently a senior at Benson High School in Benson Arizona. She is currently a CNA and is working at Good Samaritan Society Quiburi Mission. She loves her job and all the hands on experiences that the health care field can provide. The CNA program at her school opened her eyes to the new and exciting world of health care. It also led her to HOSA. She has been involved in HOSA for the past year and became her chapter president for the Benson chapter. This led her to her state office position.
She would like to attend Eastern Arizona College in Safford for 2 years and then transfer to Northern Arizona University to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy. She has a dream of helping people get back on their feet. Through HOSA, Courtney has learned that no matter where you come from you can always achieve your dreams. Like Walt Disney said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
Through HOSA Courtney has been able to achieve her dreams, and continues to grow in her leadership goals. She loves to meet new people and show every member that you can do anything you set your mind to.
Postsecondary/Collegiate Vice President: Brooke Smith
Brooke Smith is the current Postsecondary/Collegiate Vice President. Throughout the 2014-2015 year Brooke will be working to closing the gap between our state officer team and the local chapters. With over 7,500 members she looks forward to a year of growth, learning and leadership.
Brooke is a student at Grand Canyon University where she is a junior in her studies to earn her bachelor’s degree in Biology with an emphasis in pre-med. Within this year she will be looking to further her education in medical school as she pursues her dream of becoming a neonatologist. Brooke hopes to attend a medical school in California that is known for their pediatrics program.
When this pre-med student is not in school or HOSA, she is with her family. With a younger brother and loving parents she commits her spare time to being with them at hockey games and many other activites.
When it comes to HOSA, Brooke has committed 110% for the last three years. HOSA brings the leadership and potential out of every member, even the ones that are new to the organization and not sure how involved they want to be. When thinking of HOSA, one quote comes to mind for Brooke. “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them” by William Shakespeare. HOSA is the tool that brings all of these people together, the born leaders, the ones that work for leadership and for those that have a longer process HOSA thrusts greatness upon them. HOSA provides opportunities for everyone regarless of race, gender, religion or background, and shows they can achieve anything in the healthcare field.
Secretary: Shelby Hendricks
Shelby Hendricks is Arizona HOSA’s State Secretary for the 2014-2015 term. She was elected into the position at the 2014 Spring Leadership Conference and will now have the honor of representing over 7,500 AzHOSA members. She is excited to be leading the members of Arizona HOSA to greatness with the help of the other eight state officers.
Shelby is a recent graduate of Buckeye Union High School in Buckeye, Arizona. She served as a HOSA chapter president for the BUHS HOSA chapter. During the 2014 Spring Leadership Conference, Shelby placed in the top five and will be heading to Orlando, Florida to represent Arizona HOSA in the Health Career Display competition. In high school, she was involved with her school’s marching band and winter guard. Shelby has been a HOSA member since her sophomore year of high school. She was recently awarded the Ruth Godfrey Health Occupations Memorial Scholarship. Between high school and the many activities she is involved in, Shelby is a representative for Thyroid Awareness. Entering her freshman year, Shelby is going to Grand Canyon University to pursue a degree in nursing. She hopes to one day be an oncology nurse.
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for yourself, the other for helping others.” Shelby greatly believes that this quote by Audrey Hepburn is one that every HOSA member should live by. She loves to participate in community service and lending a helping hand to those who are in need. Shelby Hendricks is excited to lend a hand to the many members of Arizona HOSA and to witness the greatness that is within every HOSA member.
Historian/Reporter: Elizabeth Carnesi
Elizabeth Carnesi is Arizona HOSA's 2014-15 State Historian/Reporter. She is a senior at Paradise Valley High School in CREST (Center for Research in Engineering, Science, and Technology) and studies biotechnology. She was elected at the 2014 Arizona State Leadership Conference.
Entering her third year as a HOSA member, Elizabeth has served as her chapter’s Community Service Committee Leader and Reporter. Through HOSA, Elizabeth has been able to help the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the New Life Society, and the Valley View Community Food Bank. Elizabeth is not only involved with HOSA, but participates in NHS (National Honors Society), SHS (Spanish Honors Society), SOWS (Society of Women Scholars), and NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars). She is CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) certified and passed her CTE Bioscience exam in the spring of 2014.
Elizabeth’s college decisions will be greatly affected by internship opportunities in the near future but she plans on getting a degree in microbiology or biotechnology. Her ultimate goal is to earn a PhD in microbiology. She hopes to become either a biodefense researcher, or a cardiovascular researcher with an emphasis on curing heart disease.
Elizabeth enjoys participating in choir with her school’s Elite Choir and is a member of the Arizona Girl Choir. She also enjoys reading, learning about biotechnology, and working in the lab at school.
"Just because someone stumbles and loses their way, it doesn’t mean they’re lost forever." This quote by X-Men’s Charles Xavier has inspired Elizabeth and she feels it reflects the effect HOSA has on its members.
Parliamentarian: William Waidelich
William Waidelich has been elected to serve Arizona HOSA as the State Parliamentarian for the 2014-2015 term. HOSA has provided William with three years of adventure and many amazing leadership opportunities during high school, such as community service, training, and speaking occasions.
William attended Bradshaw Mountain High School where he began his life in HOSA; he graduated in the top ten percent of his class and is enrolled at Grand Canyon University to major in biology. Ultimately, William wants to become a general surgeon, discovering new operations and working with the human body every day.
William competed for three years in HOSA Bowl placing second in his junior year and first in his senior year at the Arizona State Leadership Conference. He earned an opportunity to attend the National Leadership Conference and experienced a new perspective on leadership and when he attended the AzHOSA Leadership Camp decided he wanted to become a state officer.
“With great power comes great responsibility.” Said Spiderman’s Uncle Ben. Every person has great power and the potential to use it. HOSA has given William the opportunity to realize this power and use it to show each and every members the awesomeness that HOSA: Future Health Professionals has to offer. No matter the background, experience, or age, let HOSA transform you into the leader you are. “Excuses only satisfy the people who give them.” William has decided to serve Arizona HOSA to give back to the organization and let all members know that any member can obtain their goals and become the leader they want to be!
