By Chloe Dinsdale

Students gathered at the flagpole Nov. 13, to get the ultimate revenge on their professors. SMU Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) members hosted their annual “Pie Your Professor” event to raise money for their upcoming competitions in Galveston and Nashville. Money raised will also go to their Leukemia and Lymphoma National Service project.

HOSA is a national organization that helps prep medical students in the medical field with knowledge of terminology, various medical practices and exposure to lots of different career opportunities.

“HOSA exposes you to things that you wouldn’t get in a normal classroom setting,” member Ryan McKee said.

“It’s a great way to get involved in the health care industry,” HOSA secretary Katie Mixon added.

HOSA helps build students’ résumés for their health care career path, practice social and leadership skills, give students hands-on experience in the field of health care, and a chance to do some philanthropy in their communities as well.

“We did an elementary school science fair day a month ago in Irving to demonstrate science experiments for kids and to have some fun,” HOSA President Zainab Fatima said. “We also volunteer at a nearby women’s shelter in Dallas.”

Professors participating in pie day were more than happy to strap on their goggles and ponchos and get pie thrown at their faces. Professors came from various departments including PRW, philosophy and chemistry.

“We always want to support the students in what they do,” philosophy teacher Scott Bartlett said. “We were students once and our professors cared about us so we are here to give the same support.”

Students will be going to Galveston this April to compete in health related competitions. Mixon said that last year she competed in Medical Spelling and hopes to do it again. Last year, some members even qualified for the national competition and got to go to Anaheim, Calif. to compete. This year’s national competition is in Nashville.