Take one new high school, a dynamic teacher and a recession, and mix them together to get a club that is growing exponentially.

Students at three-year-old Holly Springs High School are clamoring to join Health Occupations Students of America. When the school was new, only 12 students attended meetings. Today, amid news reports that jobs in the health sector are “hot” and “evergreen,” the club has grown to 112 members.

“My job is to teach a curriculum that prepares students to go into healthcare professions,” said medical science teacher Ron Davis, also HOSA’s advisor. “It is one of the areas of the economy that isn’t suffering.”

Among other things, Davis helps arrange off-campus internships and set up college courses and advises students on academic competitions. “HOSA offers young people the opportunity to experience leadership. I’m a hands-off advisor — they make it or break it. This group has made it,” said Davis.

Holly Springs High HOSA publicist Taylor Price said Davis is a big reason for the success of the group. “HOSA’s popularity has a lot to do with Mr. Davis’ classes. He teaches biotech and other medical science classes and goes around the school to recruit more students,” Price said. “When people take his classes, they get interested in medical science.”

HOSA, part of an international organization with 40,000 student members, encourages students to learn and do community service. Holly Springs High members have participated in the MS Walk and hosted blood drives.

Price became interested in pediatrics after an event benefiting juvenile diabetes. “I met kids who had juvenile diabetes and wanted to help them,” she said.

Through HOSA, students can also take written and practical exams to compete in regional, state and national medical science competitions.

Holly Springs placed sixth in the state in CPR skills. Two of its HOSA members qualified to compete at nationals. Phillip Reinhart took a health-care issues exam by Kaiser Permanente and placed second in North Carolina. Lauren Meyer placed second in the state for sports medicine. She aced a written exam and put on dressings and bandages in front of a panel of judges.

“HOSA is an extension of our classes that is fun and also a way to do things for our community,” said Price. “Health care is something you can always do. With HOSA, we know that we have 112 people who will be there in the future to help.”

HOSA will host a blood drive at Holly Springs High School. Members of the community are invited to donate on Friday, May 8. Call the school at 577-1444 for information or to schedule an appointment.