HOSA on the Hill is one of the most defining experiences in the HOSA leadership journey. Each year during Washington Leadership Academy, state officers step into the heart of Capitol Hill to champion career and technical student organizations (CTSOs), speak directly with policymakers, and demonstrate the strength of member leadership. This year, Georgia HOSA’s state officer team arrived prepared and determined to share why Perkins funding is critical to HOSA members across their state.

For State President Gianna White, the preparation process itself was a moment of awakening. As she researched Perkins funding, she began noticing the stark differences in opportunities across Georgia. 

“Georgia is known in HOSA for having one of the largest chapters in the world, which is Lambert High School. Schools like these and those in more metro areas have plenty of resources and funding. [But,] once you spread out to more rural communities, that’s not as prevalent,” White said.

White entered her meetings grounded in the skills she built through HOSA—public speaking, confidence under pressure, and the ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. She reminded her team that representatives, despite the intimidating setting, are regular people first. Meeting them with authenticity and clear purpose, she said, makes advocacy far more powerful.

 

Vice President of Innovation Maggie Ansert approached HOSA on the Hill with a similar sense of responsibility. Before Washington Leadership Academy, she viewed Perkins funding as something abstract, or happening “behind the scenes.” But as she prepared, its significance became unmistakable. 

“The impact it has on giving members the resources they need is unprecedented,” Ansert said. 

She focused her talking points on what Georgia HOSA does best—providing conferences, workshops, and hands-on experiences that spark members’ interest in the healthcare field. She shared her own transformational moment: shadowing a cardiothoracic surgeon through Georgia HOSA, an experience that solidified her passion for medicine. 

“That [experience] showed me not only the importance of school, but also the dedication and drive [required] to become whatever your aspiration is,” Ansert said. “HOSA, of course, is focused on health care, but it’s really directed toward forging your future and your passion.”

President-Elect Shivani Lal and Vice President of Officer Relations Abigail D’Morais emphasized the importance of advocating not only for HOSA but also for all CTSOs. Both reflected on how preparing for the Hill deepened their understanding of how CTSOs contribute to workforce pathways, student confidence, and career readiness. Lal noted that researching Perkins funding helped the team tailor their message to both state and national contexts, while D’Morais highlighted the value of collaboration—knowing when to speak and when to let another leader lead. 

“I love to speak,” D’Morais said. “But, I think it’s important to know when to not speak and when to let someone else speak, because they might have better insight than you.”

Lal spoke on the importance of being adaptable in these settings. “Being able to think on your feet, think critically, and read the room is definitely helpful,” she said.

Vice President of Membership Soneesh Kothagundla described the experience as an eye-opening look at what he called “uppercase advocacy” and “lowercase advocacy.”

“There’s two types of advocacy, lowercase and uppercase advocacy. Lowercase is more like grassroots advocacy, for example doing a tabling event and talking about NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program). Uppercase advocacy is ‘the big things’ like talking to senators, representatives, and getting that support in writing,” Kothagundla said.

Kothagundla expressed both types of advocacy matter, but HOSA on the Hill showed him how to communicate effectively when advocating for the causes he cares about and the importance of bringing personal stories into formal spaces of influence. 

“Carrying your cause everywhere is really important,” Kothagundla said.

Throughout the day, the Georgia officer team experienced a shift that many HOSA members describe—a realization that advocacy is not reserved for adults behind closed doors but is accessible, teachable, and deeply meaningful. Demystifying the process reminded them that their voices carry weight, their stories have impact, and their lived experiences offer insight.

HOSA on the Hill empowers members with the tools of civic engagement, public speaking, and leadership. For Georgia HOSA, advocating for continued Perkins funding illuminated the importance of their role in shaping the future of CTE and CTSOs like HOSA–Future Health Professionals. As they walked out of congressional offices and into the brisk D.C. air, they did so not just as members but as emerging leaders—ready to champion the causes that will shape the next generation of healthcare professionals.