![MORE THAN A GAME. With two diving catches in the outfield, the Lions showed up defensively, aiding in their victory over the Pacers. One catch was made by Atwood, and the other by McGraw. Throughout the game, the Lions knew that it wasn’t just about their victory today. “I think [playing for cancer] makes it bigger than just a game,” McGraw said. “Knowing that you have a bigger impact in this world than just who you are as one person.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/I70A1454-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Students in the National Art Honor Society work on the Mount Hood mural on the window of SouthLake Church. The students brought a variety of paints and mixed their own custom colors. “Instead of brushstrokes, we’re doing more dabbing, because it gives [a] better impression of tree foliage, rather than looking like actual brush strokes, because if we’re painting trees, we need it to look like trees,” Crawford said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_2397-1200x900.jpg)
*WEB CONTINUATION: This article originally appeared in Volume 106 Issue 1 of our news magazine, Amplifier.
Choosing a future in healthcare can be overwhelming, but there is help. Through organizations like Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), students gain the opportunity to learn new skills and develop leadership abilities that can enhance quality healthcare in the future. According to Oregon HOSA, there are 1,300 students in Oregon learning and experiencing working in healthcare through their program, and 300,000 participating nationwide.
This year marked the first time West Linn High School attended and competed at HOSA’s State Leadership Conference, held on March 16-18 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Multiple students earned top placements in various events. Sandy Tang, senior, got fourth in Behavioral Health; Akshay Shah, sophomore, got fourth in Medical Math; Abigail Shin, freshman, got second in Research Persuasive Writing and Speaking; Nadja Kotlyar, junior, got third in World Health and Disparities; and Lauren Shin, junior, Misha Rana, Sandy Tang, Lucy Lu, and Sandy Li, all seniors, got first in the Public Service Announcement category. Lu also received a bronze recognition for the Barbara James Service Award, and Tang received gold recognition for the Barbara James Service Award.
With approximately 18 million employed in the healthcare industry in the U.S., HOSA and other similar organizations are taking steps forward to prepare students for the future of healthcare. Starting students off with a strong support system and experience, HOSA not only allows the opportunity to experience the healthcare world but also offers scholarships and recognition programs. Shin, a freshman, is a HOSA member and competed at the conference and placed second in her event.
“I feel like it’s a really amazing thing to be a part of a health association when you’re in high school, you get to experience such huge things,” Shin said.
Harsanam Sidhu, junior, is another member of HOSA who attended the conference.
“There were many speakers giving us notes, and we learned a lot from them. They were very inspirational,” Sidhu said.
Aside from competitions, HOSA also has speakers deliver speeches, teaching and inspiring students. For Shin, these moments were more than an educational experience.
“I learned a lot, and I felt really grateful that I got to experience something so awesome, because there were so many different events and opportunities and people that I could meet,” Shin said. “I learned to be confident and just try new things too, because I would have never put myself out there and done a speech before.”
Through HOSA, students gain knowledge and leadership skills, but also build connections and confidence that will help them succeed later on. With the guidance of this club, students are preparing today to make a difference in the future.
