This year was a rocky start for Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and the Health Occupations class. Francine Girard, the previous supervisor, stepped down for the 2016-2017 school year for personal reasons. According to Canton Assistant Principal Mark Bondy, Joan Kalish, Salem Spanish teacher, has been approved as the adviser for HOSA for this school year.

“Mrs. Kalish was very eager to provide a new home for HOSA. We are all very thankful for her support and encouragement in this club,” said HOSA President Pooja Bharadwaj.

HOSA is a competitive student run organization centered on topics in the medical field. Each year, P-CEP has proven its presence as an established HOSA chapter, topping the charts with an enrollment around 150 students last year, many of whom competed in states. HOSA has also sent five people to the International Conference, two of which placed in the top 10 for Health Career display.

As far as funding for the club, Girard was always the one on top of it. “She had always contacted the fundraising companies and set up the fundraiser,” said Bharadwaj. With Girard out, the HOSA board had been responsible for raising funds. Bharadwaj’s goal is to raise at least $3,000 through a Yankee Candle fundraiser going on throughout this month and next month. This money is put towards competition costs that will enable students from P-CEP to participate in HOSA.

Students are eager for the competition season to begin. Plymouth senior Nitya Deshpande said, “I’m super excited because it’s a club that’s focused on what I want to do when I’m older, and it is also an interest that I can share with everyone there.”

HOSA’s first meeting for this school year will be Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m. in Kalish’s room, Salem 2203.