Competition in the United States is commonplace. The United States is one of the most competitive nations in the modern industrialized world. Our nation is very competitive in the worldwide market, but even more so we are internally competitive. Every day we are bound to see some type of competition in action whether it is in the sports arena, politics, or the business market. Although competition is meant to be a healthy practice, many times it is used to make others feel inferior to the person at the top. When the "loser" really comes out feeling like a loser, we have a problem.

It is vital for HOSA that we unify the membership across the country. We are growing faster than any other vocational student organization and we must grow together, not apart.

The National Competitive Events Program was designed to be used as a teaching tool. Often times students get caught up in the spirit of competition and fail to recognize the benefits of competing. As an association, it is vital that we work together, respect one another, and applaud the success of each competitor regardless of the school or state they represent.

It is natural to feel loss when you don t place number one, in any situation. However, we should all look to the knowledge that is gained through our experience. It is very hard to perceive something as being beneficial when you have just experienced substantial loss, in your eyes.

When you aren't the winner, have you really been defeated? When we don t win we learn many things about ourselves, others and human nature. In order for a defeat to be a learning experience, we must encourage each other and know that no matter who comes out the "winner," we are all winners if we gain even a minute amount of knowledge from our undertakings.

Dr. Earl Reum once wrote in a passage from A Wish for Leaders, We wish you could know how it feels to run with all of your heart and lose horribly. It indeed is a detrimental feeling when we don t receive what we hoped and wished. When we become supportive of our peers, then and only then will the experience become a learning-filled, meaningful experience. Someone once said, "United we stand, divided we fall." We are the HOSA. United as an assoication, we can bring about the greater good and allow everyone to appreciate the full meaning of the "HOSA Experience".