MHS Students Attend International HOSA Event

South Dakota was represented by 149 high school students, including HOSA members from Milbank at the 2026 HOSA-Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference (ILC). The gathering was held June 16-21 in Indianapolis at the Indianapolis Convention Center. The Milbank, Groton, and Watertown HOSA chapters traveled together by charter bus to and from Indianapolis.

Debrianna Hicks of Milbank represented South Dakota as a state officer. 

Milbank HOSA received a NMDP (BE THE MATCH) HOSA Service Project Merit Award.

Milbank attendees and their respective competitive events:
Declan Peschong – Life Support Skills
Anna Neugebauer and Evy Liebe – CPR/First Aid Team 
Debrianna Hicks, Dana Chan, Kalli Moser and Keira Steffen- HOSA Bowl Team
Kayla Schweer- Veterinary Science.  

South Dakota HOSA had three students with top-10 finishes:
Joey Anderson and Addi Heenan of Winner HIgh School– Emergency Medical Technician
Jocelyn Bucklin of Northeast Technical High School – Pharmacy Science

During their time in Indianapolis, Milbank HOSA members were given the opportunity to attend a career and educational expo,take part in educational sessions and workshops, and trade pins with other HOSA students from across the world. 

The students also explored Indianapolis, including the monuments, the Capitol, Gainbridge Field House, and sculptures and parks. They rode swan boats, spent a day at the Indianapolis Zoo, and had lots of great food at local eateries.  

The  keynote speaker at the opening session was Chris Norton. Norton is a former college football player who suffered a spinal cord injury. The truly inspiring story of his life has been made into the documentary “7 Yards”.