Char Ebeid ‘26 has always been interested in going into the medical field because of her desire to help people. Kickstarting the club, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), helped her develop a more in-depth interest in healthcare careers. 

“There’s something for everybody, whether you’re looking to go into physical therapy or become a [physician assistant] (PA) or physician,” Ebeid said. 

HOSA is a national organization with chapters at many high schools across the country, Ebeid said. Students have the opportunity to compete at local, state, and national competitions in events under the following categories: health sciences, health professions, emergency response, leadership, and teamwork. Some subtopics within these categories include dental terminology, veterinary science, CPR, first aid, and medical emergencies.

“HOSA is different from existing medical clubs because we actually send out students to go compete, which allows members to demonstrate their healthcare skills in a more professional setting,” Ebeid said. “I’m most excited [about] the fact that you can get recognized for national awards. These awards are a big deal if you are looking to go into the medical field.”

Aside from competitions, Ebeid plans to connect students with healthcare professionals during meetings. 

“We are going to have some doctors come and speak at our club [meetings], connect students with possible research internships, and hopefully get them connected with other doctors in the area,” Ebeid said. 

The process of starting a new club posed some challenges, Ebeid said. The first obstacle she faced was differentiating HOSA from Future Healthcare Professionals (FHP), another club at LT. Other difficulties included finding a sponsor and identifying meeting times. 

“It was definitely a long process, but I think it is totally worth [it] if it is something that you really care about and want to see happen at LT,” Ebeid said. “I’m hoping within the next month we will wrap this all up. I anticipate us having at least one competition this year.” 

Similar to HOSA, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) is also a career-focused club with chapters all over the U.S. Cofounded by Violet Quinn ‘27, Louise Kallemeyn ‘27, Audrey McCarty ‘26, Winn Waite ‘26, and Bea Waite ‘26, DECA creates a community for young entrepreneurs looking to gain experience in the fields of business and finance.

“I became involved in DECA because I wanted a space where I could further my understanding of marketing, advertising, and hospitality, which are careers I see a future in,” Quinn said. “Additionally, I wanted to engage in [the] competitions DECA offers that I had seen on social media. I believe that DECA is a necessary addition to LT for those who are looking for more independence, have specific career goals, and seek a wide range of competitive events. DECA also has a larger member base, which allows students more networking opportunities to communicate with professionals in the business community.”

The first meeting of DECA was held on Monday, Sept. 8. More meetings and events are planned for the rest of the year.

“[Starting the club] has been a little challenging because of the transition to the new activities director,” DECA Sponsor Andrew Johannes said. “I am new to DECA and [still] learning about the club and how it runs, but from what I understand, DECA is like a blend of [Business Professionals of America] and Model UN. Students compete in simulations that model business scenarios.”