Inspired by the extreme Texas heat felt this summer, a group of students have launched a health safety campaign titled “Operation Sunblock,” for a HOSA community awareness project. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the risks of heat-related conditions and promote preventive measures both within and beyond the school environment, and it will last till the mid Spring Semester.
Operation Sunblock was inspired by recent changes in Katy ISD’s athletic policies regarding heat and outdoor training. The team believes that further awareness is crucial for protecting the community at large. Shreyo Gosh, a team member who is also a part of the track team, noticed the negligence of heat safety practices among his teammates
“Heat safety is often overlooked, it’s an unexpected killer,” team member Shreyo Gosh said.
Gosh isn’t being dramatic, according to the American Medical Association, heat- related deaths have doubled in the past decade.
The team behind Operation Sunblock comprises three former HOSA ILC qualifiers and several former State Qualifiers. With a fair amount of experience in health-related competitions, they are projected to make a substantial impact.
“Last year was my first time competing in an advanced competition and I definitely learned a lot from it,” Sophomore Coral Batacharyachee said.
The goals of Operation Sunblock a. The team seeks to influence the routines of high schoolers in Katy ISD through a series of ‘awareness events.’ These events will include money drives for medical supplies, sports tournament socials such as pickleball and volleyball, and public presentations to athletic groups and major student organizations.
“Our pickleball collaborations have the best turnout, and we always make sure to emphasize heat safety during our events,” Laith Alkubasi said.
HOSA partnerships and competitions are also integral to the project’s success. As an affiliated event, Operation Sunblock will use the opportunity to raise awareness more effectively.
“We thought it was the perfect event to raise heat safety awareness,” Gosh said.
Social media, particularly Instagram, will be their main method of promoting their campaign.
“We plan to use this platform to share details,” said Alkubaisi.
Despite their enthusiasm, the team acknowledges the challenges ahead. Raising awareness about heat-induced illnesses requires persistent effort and community engagement. To ensure widespread impact, the team aims to engage with a wider audience, including out-of-school events. The team is committed to making a difference not only within Seven Lakes but also the rest of the community.
“While competing in HOSA gave us the outlet and motivation to start this project, but we have gone past that at this point, we’re actually making a difference in the community” Gosh said.
Upcoming events and activities will provide opportunities for the community to support Operation Sunblock. The team encourages everyone to participate and help spread the word about the importance of understanding and preventing heat-induced illnesses.
Operation Sunblock’s message is an important one: understanding and preventing heat-induced illnesses is vital for the well-being of the community. By working together, they can ensure that everyone stays safe and healthy during the hottest months of the year.
