From Preparation to the Podium: Competitive Events 101

Standing underneath the blinding spotlights and listening to the roaring cheers of fellow HOSA members as your name is announced, you can’t help but smile not just in awe but in appreciation of your competitive event (CE) preparation that has led you to this very moment standing on the podium. 

In the coming 5 months, you too may experience the thrill of winning your competitive events at the 2026 State Leadership Conference (SLC). SLC is Indiana HOSA’s largest annual conference and will take place on April 15-17th at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown with 107 unique CE! However, in order to truly understand CE, let’s take part in Competitive Events 101 where we will undergo an overview of CE, dive into the guidelines, and highlight an ideal timeline of preparation that will propel you to success at SLC.

First, what are CE and how can you participate in them? 

CE are designed to develop future health professionals by enhancing healthcare knowledge and skills, enriching leadership ability, and strengthening confidence and collaboration. In order to compete, members must be affiliated with HOSA - Future Health Professionals and registered on their local chapter’s roster. In adherence to Indiana HOSA’s Conference Worksheet (which has been sent out to chapter advisors), competitors can participate in a maximum of 3 regular events. These are any events that are not NGL/Cengage Academic Testing Center or Recognition events. Some CE events require digital uploads or written tests prior to SLC; other events will be judged and competed in-person. The top 3 finalists may receive scholarships and are automatically qualified to compete at the International Leadership Conference!

Next, where can you find information about CE? 

You can use the guidelines! Within each event-specific document, the guidelines follow the same format. They start off by noting updated information, an event summary, event dress code, items competitors must provide themselves, general rules for the event, a list of official references, and the judge’s rating sheet. There may also be additional information for testing, skills, presentation, and digital upload events. These guidelines are broken down by division––middle school, secondary, and postsecondary/collegiate—and event category.

Lastly, what does a month-by-month timeline look like in order to be thoroughly prepared for SLC? 

December: Event Exploration. If you are unsure about what CE to choose from, this month is all about learning! To start off, let’s quickly go through the 7 different categories of CE, which are located in the guidelines.

• NGL/Cengage Academic Testing Center (ATC): These events are written tests that must be taken prior to SLC. Members can take a maximum of 2 ATC events, these do not count towards their maximum of 3 regular events. 

• Health Science: These events are also test only events that must be taken before SLC. The only exception is Medical Spelling, which has a Round 2 spelldown at SLC.

• Health Professions: These are specialized events relating to various healthcare careers and often have 2 rounds where Round 1 is a written test and Round 2 is a skills test. However, some exceptions are Clinical Speciality, Family Medicine Physician, and Personal Care.

• Emergency Preparedness: These events mainly require teammates, except for Epidemiology and Life Support Skills. The focus of this category is for members to exercise their skills in preparing for and responding to emergency situations. Some of these events have a Round 1 test and Round 2 skill, while others only have 1 round. 

• Leadership: These events highlight leadership development, employability, and research skills. With the exception of Health Career Photography and Healthy Lifestyle, Leadership events are individual single rounds events. In Indiana, there is a significant update with Prepared Speaking. This event will now have a Round 1 digital upload where the member will have one opportunity with a proctor in the room to videotape and submit their speech. Then, only the top 30 competitors in Prepared Speaking will advance to compete at SLC. 

• Teamwork: Although the category title is self-explanatory, these events require 2 or more teammates to solve problems and share knowledge.

• Recognition: These events recognize student involvement. There is no limit to the number of Recognition events a member competes in because these events are not considered regular events and as such, they do not count towards the maximum of 3 regular events.

While this information may feel overwhelming, there are several resources to ease the burden of decision-making. In particular, HOSA has published a document that includes a flowchart and summarizes all CE for the middle school division and secondary and postsecondary/collegiate divisions. You may also find it beneficial to ask fellow chapter members or officers on their competitive experience and advice. 

January: Deep Dive. By this point, you should already have a general understanding of the events that you are interested in so you can begin narrowing down your choices. To expedite this process, the 2026 Winter Rally which will be held on January 16th at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. There, you will learn CE tips and gain valuable insights on how to succeed in competition! By the end of this month, you should thoroughly review your top event choices to finalize them.

February: Practice, Practice, Practice. Now that your events are set, you must enter competition mode. Upon reading your event-specific guidelines, you may want to take a look at the spreadsheets that have the official resources and break down the events by components. While it is an option to purchase textbooks as study material, you may want to consider renting or ordering it through your school library. Another beneficial resource is the exemplary Competitive Event Samples which may prove as worthwhile inspiration.

Additionally, you should create and adhere to a weekly or biweekly practice schedule. 

• Testing event: Recognize that event guidelines include a test plan with percentages corresponding to tested topics. Integrate this into your studying. Jot down notes from your readings and practice with flashcards. 

• Skills test: Make note of the potential skills that may be tested at SLC. Watch demonstration videos of the skills and begin practicing them.  

• Presentation: Whether you’re competing as a group or individual, take this time to brainstorm ideas, produce outlines, and develop drafts. 

March: Polish and perfect. Keep in mind that March 1st is the deadline to register for SLC with your CE. As such, you should use this month to truly prepare for competition. To do so, check out what items will be provided, determine what items you must bring, and be sure to pack clothing items that align with the proper dress code to receive bonus points! If your event guidelines state that you have to submit a digital upload, turn those in by April 3rd.

In order to become competition ready, continue polishing and perfecting each event that you are competing in.

• Testing event: Start completing targeted reviews and practice tests. While HOSA does not offer any official practice tests, find a way to quiz yourself by simulating the testing environment. Take into account that ATC and Health Science events must be completed before SLC, so communicate with your chapter advisor to determine when your chapter will be conducting those tests.

• Skills test: Practice with the official sample scenarios provided by HOSA. Use the judge’s rating sheet in the guidelines as a step-by-step checklist of skill accuracy. Several events that test skills require a certain dress code, so dress accordingly.

• Presentation: Finalize visuals and scripts. Continue refining the speech skills of projection, gestures, eye contact, variation in voice, and impactful delivery. Practice in front of a mirror and record yourself to hear it back. Present to an audience for constructive criticism.

April: Time to shine. With SLC coming up, you are almost there! Use these last few weeks to put your finishing touches on your event. If your event has a Round 2, you will find out if you qualified for it at SLC, so come prepared. Once you finally walk the halls of the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, hopefully a sense of excitement and calm washes over you knowing that you have prepared the absolute best that you could. 

As such, here are a couple of reminders when competing at SLC. 

• Always bring your photo ID. If you do not have a valid photo ID, fill out the Competitor Identification Form. A photo ID is required to be eligible for competition.

• In order to ensure fairness, do not discuss or reveal any secret topics or scenarios for any event. 

• Understand that appointment times are an estimate. Each event will do its best to run on time, but be prepared to have a short waiting period.

At the end of the day, the goal is to enjoy the competition. Competitive events are not only an opportunity to show off your hard work, but are also a valuable learning experience to grow professionally and personally as a future health professional! Yet, with 5 months of dedicated CE preparation, you too may find yourself at the podium with your medallion at the 2026 State Leadership Conference. Best of luck!

Amber Liwanag: State Vice President (2025-2026)