Smiles, laughs and shouts for joy spread through the halls as students learned that school would release early on Jan. 11 and cancel all events on Jan. 12 due to inclement weather.

Yet for some, the announcement brought great disappointment and dismay rather than excitement.

Marquette’s chapter of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), was scheduled to host HOSA Med Talks from 9 a.m to 1 p.m on Jan. 12. As a result of the weather, Med Talks will be cancelled for the safety of students, teachers and community members.

Kayla Berry, senior, serves as the co-vice president of HOSA. Berry said in planning for Med Talks, HOSA invited six Washington University physicians to speak about a variety of topics ranging from medical ethics to circadian rhythms.  

“We definitely put a lot of effort into it,” Berry said. “We met about once every other week to organize concessions, volunteer helpers and also getting the speakers and putting together programs.”

Berry said HOSA Med Talks sold $5 tickets as a fundraiser for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, which is the HOSA national service project for this year.

When Berry heard Med Talks would be cancelled, she was disappointed knowing they had put so much work into it, but she is hopeful they will be able to figure something out and be able to get it rescheduled.

“HOSA really taught me how much I love medicine and made me realize that this is what I really want to do in the future,” Berry said.

Lisa Del Pizzo, HOSA sponsor, said the group put a huge amount of time into planning and organizing the event. The club had to coordinate with the schedule of speakers, as well as maintain communication with both participants and speakers.

“We had actually done quite well with ticket sales, and after curriculum night, we were looking at having over 200 guests, students and community members come,” Del Pizzo said. 

Del Pizzo said she was excited to connect some of the medical leaders in the community with the school and for the opportunities that it would bring for students in the district. 

Although disappointed, Del Pizzo said she was not surprised when Rockwood announced the cancellation because the forecast was not promising.  

“I was kind of expecting the announcement and waiting for it,” Del Pizzo said. “I wish the snow could’ve been pushed off a little bit to next weekend, but I can’t control the weather.”  

Currently, Del Pizzo said HOSA is working on rescheduling Med Talks. She hopes they can find a date that would accommodate most of the doctors’ schedules. If unable to reschedule, Del Pizzo said individuals who don’t want their reimbursement will still have their money go towards the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Joycie Chang, junior, is a member of HOSA and had signed up to volunteer at the HOSA Med Talks.

“I thought it’d be a good experience to learn more about the health field because it’s what I want to do when I grow up.”

Chang was excited to help out with the event and was especially looking forward to meeting with the Dr. Laurie Punch, trauma surgeon, whom she had met earlier in the year when Dr. Punch came in to discuss first aid with HOSA.

“She seemed really good at her work and she was really nice,” Chang said. “I was looking forward to hearing more from her.”

Through HOSA, Chang said she has been provided opportunities to gain more experience in the health industry, as well as put her knowledge to the test through competitions in the spring.

“I was really looking forward to the event so I was bummed,” Chang said.