By Florida HOSA Team 24
Amidst navigating the HOSA competition season, Florida HOSA’s Fall Leadership Development Academy (FLDA) serves as the ultimate pit stop to refuel, recharge, and reignite our members’ potential. Team 24 spent hours coming up with the perfect theme; ultimately, key components of teamwork, adaptability, and resilience solidified Cars as our theme. Much like Lightning McQueen in Cars, FLDA embraces the idea that leadership isn’t solely about crossing the finish line—it’s about the journey.
FLDA is Florida HOSA’s version of the Washington Leadership Academy, designed for our regional/chapter officers and budding leaders. The goal of the conference is to cultivate the leaders of tomorrow through an immersive and interactive experience. From workshops and skits to team-building exercises, FLDA offers a blend of learning and fun that equips attendees to lead with confidence, bring new ideas back to their local chapters and region, and build lasting relationships with others from across the state.
The workshops are the heart of FLDA, designed to “tune up” leadership skills and provide practical tools for navigating team dynamics and decision-making. At this year’s FLDA, our members were able to experience a series of dynamic workshops centered around Bases of Power, Time Management, How to Deal with Conflict, Public Speaking, Preparing for Competition, and Parliamentary Procedure. During these workshops our members work together, participating in activities that aim to foster camaraderie and the spirit of teamwork, which is the ultimate goal of our FLDA!
After workshops, members shifted their sights toward Field Day – tug of war, eating donuts, passing the sponge, potato sack racing, solving puzzles, and more. Working within their respective teams, led by a state officer, members competed eagerly to be dubbed THE “Piston Cup Champions!”
This year’s FLDA saw the highest attendance count since COVID, a testament to the dedication of Florida HOSA members. History was made at FLDA 2024 with 9 out of 11 regions, 45 chapters, and 254 members and advisors in attendance! Team 24’s hard work and vision shined through during FLDA, setting a new standard for the heights FLDA can achieve. The State Officers demonstrated the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and a growth mindset, through entertaining Cars themed skits throughout the weekend. And of course, ending the weekend with the FLDA tradition of the campfire, spent singing and dancing to our favorite campfire songs, and eating delicious s’mores with our FLDA family!
As the conference came to a close, members crossed the Camp Kulaqua finish line not just as attendees, but as inspired leaders ready to take on the challenges ahead. With newfound skills, stronger networks, and a refreshed sense of purpose, members who attended FLDA are now better equipped to steer their chapters and regions toward success.
FLDA 2024 was an unforgettable ride. It reminded everyone that leadership is a journey, and as HOSA members, we are all Powered by People!
