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At the BOS center in Springfield, future health professionals gathered from March 18-20 for the HOSA (Healthcare Occupational Students of America) State Leadership Conference, showcasing their skills in competitions from medical assisting to forensic science, showcasing their intelligence at the national level. “HOSA is a group, it's nationwide, so it's all different states. They prioritize healthcare professionals, then hold competitions every year where you can study different categories of healthcare, qualify for the nationals, and compete against other students," said OH senior Jordan Sheets. "It's just a very large community of networking for healthcare.” HOSA had much education to offer; the amount of diversity and variety was fundamental.

On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, starting a full-scale war between the nations that has engulfed the Middle East, with consequences that affect residents of Oswego, and OH students are feeling the impact at the gas pump. The war has sent shockwaves through oil prices because Iran is a major exporter of oil and is estimated to have 10% of the world's oil reserves. Since the war started, global oil prices have risen 40%.  “I think [there was] close to 50 or 60 cents per gallon price increase. I think it’s... leveled out a bit, but there was a time right when the conflict started where prices went up close to 40 cents in an hour,” said OH Consumer Ed teacher Lucas Frauenhoff.

State-wide testing has never failed to stress out students. Even with in-class preparation and support, some feel unprepared, may not care about it, or feel unmotivated to do well. It’s a tale as old as time, being confused about what’s going to occur on the day-of. OH ACT Prep teacher Thomas Hart is determined for all of his students to feel well prepared, motivated, and capable of their abilities to thrive during the test. “We start the semester with a base line of practice tests. We also have a textbook where we’ve done a lot of practice sets because that’s really what we’re trying to focus on” said Hart.