By Zoey C., Manjari D., Krish P., and Vanessa N.
We, a group of dedicated students from Normal Community High School and proud members of the HOSA (Health Occupation Student of America) club, are passionate about making a positive impact on our community’s health. Inspired by HOSA’s commitment to health education, we worked on a project called “Community Awareness.”.
We’re a group of students from Normal Community High School and members of our HOSA chapter. We’re passionate about making a positive impact on our community’s health.
In our pursuit of a meaningful project, we delved into national health issues, and one, in particular, caught our attention: Epilepsy. With more than 3.4 million people being affected nationwide and personal connections to epilepsy within our team, the magnitude of this issue became clear. We decided to take advantage and raise awareness to foster empathy, dispel misconceptions, and promote a more inclusive community by focusing on four categories in our research; the basic introduction to epilepsy, the causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Accomplishment
Recognizing November as Epilepsy Awareness Month, we saw an opportunity to elevate our efforts. Our goal was to educate our community about epilepsy’s causes, symptoms, and treatments. To achieve this, we conducted extensive research and designed a multifaceted campaign to raise awareness and understanding.
On the first day of November, we organized an Epilepsy Awareness Day at our school. The student body and faculty showed their support by dressing up in purple, the official color of epilepsy awareness. This visual demonstration of solidarity not only raised awareness but also fostered a sense of unity within our community.
In our commitment to fostering community awareness, we initiated a compelling campaign, starting right at the core of the community—our school. We set up a presentation to not only inform but also inspire awareness and understanding. Following the presentation, we did a creative Scavenger Hunt, encouraging active participation and reinforcing the knowledge gained during the session.
Understanding the power of digital platforms, we established an Instagram page dedicated to epilepsy awareness. By posting daily facts and insights, we gained significant traction. In just one month, our page gained 63 followers, reaching 176 accounts, with over 242 interactions, a testament to the effectiveness of our online awareness efforts.
Recognition and Beyond
Our hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. In November 2023, we qualified for the HOSA Illinois State Leadership Conference, reinforcing our commitment to the
cause. Preparing for the conference, we expanded our reach by collaborating with various organizations to publish informative articles. Our articles, intended as lasting resources, found platforms in our school newsletter, Inkspot, reaching over 1200 people, and through collaboration with Carle Hospital, The Defeating Epilepsy Foundation, and much more!
Moving Forward
Finally, our journey won’t end here. As we continue our efforts, we hope to inspire others to join us in this crucial cause, fostering a well-informed and supportive community that is ready to make a difference in the fight against epilepsy. Together, we can pave the way for a future where awareness blossoms into transformative action.
Resources:
Zack. M.M., and Kobau, R. (2017). National and State Estimates of the Numbers of Adults and Children with Active Epilepsy-United States, 2015. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6631a1.htm
