Five students from Prairie High School proudly represented their school and state on the international stage this June at the 2025 HOSA International Leadership Conference (ILC), held in Nashville, Tennessee. The event, which brought together thousands of future health professionals from across the globe, offered students the opportunity to compete, collaborate, and connect with leaders in the healthcare field.
The Prairie High School attendees included 2 teams. Medical Reserve Corps (MRC): Gabe DeCaria, Ella McLeod and Ryan Stewart and Mental Health Promotion (MHP): Alaina DeCaria and Anna Francis. Over the course of the 3-day conference, the students participated in a wide range of activities including competitive events, leadership workshops, and networking sessions with peers and healthcare professionals.
The HOSA ILC is renowned for its rigorous competitions, where students demonstrate their knowledge and skills in events ranging from medical terminology to clinical nursing. The Prairie team prepared for months leading up to the event, with guidance from their HOSA advisors, Liz McLeod and Deb Walker.
In addition to competing, the students attended symposiums led by healthcare professionals, engaged in hands-on medical simulations, and explored potential career paths in medicine, public health, and biotechnology.
The experience in Nashville marked not only a high point in the students' high school careers, but also a meaningful step toward their future in the healthcare field.
Prairie High School’s HOSA chapter continues to grow and empower students with a passion for health sciences. With opportunities like the ILC, students are gaining real-world insight and inspiration that will serve them well beyond the classroom.  A continued thank you for all the support in our fundraising efforts to get to this event.