From Arizona to Houston: Arizona Virtual Academy Student Shines at National HOSA Competition!

Did you hear about our awesome student Angela Sutton? She’s making waves and showing the world just how amazing students from Arizona Virtual Academy can be! Angela, who’s in 11th grade, recently snagged third place in the Prepared Speaking category at the HOSA International Leadership Conference in Houston. How cool is that?

For those who might not know, HOSA (formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America) is a fantastic organization that’s all about empowering future health professionals to lead in the global health community. It’s recognized by big names like the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, so you know it’s the real deal.

Angela has been a shining star in our HOSA chapter since her sophomore year, and she’s currently rocking it as our chapter president. According to Dr. Erica Young-Jackson, our career readiness education administrator, Angela’s been dedicated to her personal growth and the healthcare field for years now. It’s no wonder she did so well at the competition!

Angela’s journey to the HOSA International Leadership Conference wasn’t just handed to her—she earned it! She first wowed everyone at the Arizona HOSA Regional Leadership Conference, securing her spot at the state level. Then, at the Arizona HOSA State Leadership Conference in

Tucson back in March, she took home first place in Prepared Speaking and even snagged fourth in Human Heredity. Talk about a winning streak!

When Angela took the stage in Houston, she competed solo and delivered an incredible five-minute speech on the role of failure in the creative process. She tackled the pressure many of us feel perfect, especially with social media, and reminded us that failure is a crucial part of creativity. Her message hit home and resonated with the judges and her fellow competitors.

“Placing at both the State Leadership Conference and Regional Conference was such a remarkable feeling; seeing all my hard work pay off as I stood in front of my peers and educators was such a gratifying experience,” Angela shared. She’s already got big dreams of becoming a speech pathologist, and with her drive and passion, we know she’s going to go far.

Angela’s speech was truly inspiring, especially when she talked about how everyone experiences failure. “We’re all going to fail, probably many, many times. We’re going to have ideas that won’t work, and we’ll get pushed down time and time again. And that’s okay because that’s how we create things. It takes time, and there’s no creativity without failure,” she explained. It’s a powerful reminder that making mistakes is just part of the journey to success.

Angela also touched on how the pressure to be perfect can be overwhelming, especially with the constant presence of social media and the stress of getting good grades. “It’s easy to feel like our success is what defines us because being perfect has become too normalized, and mistakes have become too taboo. But we’re human: we mess up, we fail, and we make mistakes. That ability, that privilege to fail, is what gives us the ability and privilege to create. I dare to create mistakes.”

Her words are not just wise beyond her years, but they also capture the spirit of Arizona Virtual Academy—a place where students are encouraged to take risks, learn from their experiences, and grow into the leaders of tomorrow. We’re incredibly proud of Angela and can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next!

Angela’s achievements are a shining example of what can happen when hard work, passion, and the right support system come together. Here at Arizona Virtual Academy, we’re all about helping students like Angela reach their full potential, both inside and outside the classroom. Keep an eye on this rising star—she’s just getting started!