The Class of 2021 is unique. These students have completed their RISD journey in the most unconventional way – amid a global pandemic. They have created many memories and have plenty of stories to tell. Here is one:
Richardson High School senior Owais Sayeed is the 2021 Texas HOSA state champion in Medical Law and Ethics.
He is ranked seventh in the RHS Class of 2021 and plans to attend UTD to study neuroscience.
The Texas Association of HOSA began in 1972 for students enrolled in health occupations education programs. It is a curricular program of student-lead activities designed to develop future leaders for the health care system. Texas has the largest state HOSA organization in the world with more than 30,000 members.
Sayeed finished first in the area 2021 Medical Law and Ethics exam and the health care issues exam. He also finished first in the area last year, but the further competitions were canceled due to the pandemic.
This June, Sayeed will compete in the international HOSA competition in both the health care issues exam and Medical Law and Ethics.
“Owais has been a big part of our HOSA since we were able to restart the program his sophomore year,” RHS Health Science instructor Melissa Thurman said. “He has driven our volunteer and service projects. He has a big heart to serve. Last year, he did over 200 service hours for the community in some type of health science area. He is also a district leader for HOSA, and as we are developing an RISD executive HOSA council, he has been very instrumental in developing what that will look like with leadership and the bylaws. Owais with his friend Nick started a club initially called Teen Learning Wizards. This is a tutoring program for our elementary and junior high campuses. They originally started it for the RHS feeder schools, but as HOSA members from other schools got involved, it expanded to the entire district. It is currently developing into a non-profit organization that is reaching beyond the RISD community.”
Sayeed invited Thurman to be his teacher representative at the RHS Top 10 lunch even though he never had her class.
“I have been fortunate to work with him for three years through HOSA, and Owais is an exceptional young man. He is compassionate with a huge heart for others while also determined to be excellent,” Thurman said. “HOSA has really become a district club that knows no boundaries. He is a huge part of that.”
Congratulations, Owais, and best of luck at UTD! #RISDGreatness #RISDClassof2021
