Officer Candidate Profile
Joseph Chen
Bentonville High School
Grade: 11
Number of Years in HOSA: 1
I see the leader as one who captains the train, the project, navigating from the origin to the end destination, the end goal. The leader doesn't just operate in isolation but coordinates the team—crew members, technicians, and others—ensuring everyone is moving toward a common objective. The leader's role is pivotal in harnessing the collective energy and motivation of the team, channeling it toward the project's success.
However, the essence of great leadership goes beyond mere management of tasks; for me, it's about understanding and connecting with team members on a deeper level. As a seasoned doubles tennis player, I learned the importance of pushing teammates on the court whilst recognizing their limitations. As a lead hornist, I learned to balance the various voices of the section and provide constructive feedback. These experiences solidified my belief that leadership starts with understanding individual strengths and weaknesses, allowing me to set actionable steps and achievable goals for the good of the team.
Among the quintessential qualities a leader should possess, I strongly believe humbleness, compassion, and a genuine willingness to help others are paramount. A humble leader is approachable and relatable, fostering an environment where each team member feels valued and heard. This openness paves the way for honest communication and constructive feedback, which I firmly believe are essential to continuous improvement and progress.
Video Submission:
Introduction and why you think you would be a good fit for the HOSA State Officer Team.
HOSA Officer Experience, Activities, and Conferences
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This is my first year in public school and HOSA.
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Dental Science (23-24)
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2024 SLC
School and Community Leadership Experiences and Honors
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School
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(1. 2020-2021) Outstanding Varsity Brass, Forestwood MS, (2. 2020-2021) MVP, FMHS Varsity Tennis, (3. 2021-2022) Thaden Debate Captain, (4. 2019-2024) Consistently placed top seats in TMEA/ASBOA all-region & all-state band for French Horn, (4. 2022-2023) Thaden Student of Color Union (SoCu) founding member, (5. 2023-2024) International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate, (6. 2023-2024) Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy.
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Community
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(1. 2023-2024) Pediatric Dental Internship (3 weeks), Dr. Anil Reddy, Coppell, Texas, (2. 2023-2024) Founder - Food, Friends, Friday (FFF), (3. 2022-2023) Presidential Volunteer Award for 170+ hours of service, (4. 2023-2024) Amazon Outreach dental volunteer, (5. 2022-2024) VP, Memphis Gavel Club (Toastmasters)
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Why do you want to be a HOSA State Officer?
Why did I apply to be a state officer in my first year of public school and thus my first year with HOSA? My decision stems from a simple motivation: HOSA is the perfect platform to combine my passion for healthcare with my leadership, collaboration, and organizational skills.
Throughout my academic and extracurricular career, I’ve learned and honed my leadership skills. From captaining my undefeated MS tennis team & current position on varsity to the harmony of a band, where I earned all-region & all-state recognition for my French horn performance, and even interning at multiple dental clinics and collaborating with Walmart executives on a community food project, leadership has taught me the importance of collaboration, dedication, and shared purpose. The same spirit of leadership fueled my creation of Food, Friends, Friday (FFF), a community initiative fostering cultural understanding and tackling social isolation through shared meals and healthy eating awareness.
Moreover, my experience as an IB Diploma student & busy home cook juggling academics, leading team projects, and coordinating community events has honed my ability to identify challenges, anticipate roadblocks, and develop effective solutions, all of which I would apply as a HOSA officer.
Arkansas, particularly the south, grapples with limited healthcare access due to poor health education, in addition to one of the nation's highest obesity rates at 38%. As your HOSA state officer, my goal is to fight against these issues through educational campaigns, workshops, and community outreach. I strongly feel that our education system does that emphasize enough of this, and I want to help.
My drive is fueled through my passion for food, health, and the genuine desire to help others: I stand proudly as a person of service, recognized by the Presidential Volunteer Award for my 170+ volunteer hours.
As your HOSA State Officer, I pledge to be a committed advocate, a bridge builder, and a catalyst for positive change. My organizational and leadership skills, collaborative spirit, and unwavering passion for service are the tools I bring to the table, and I truly believe HOSA can make a difference in improving the healthcare of Arkansas.