‘Just helping kids, helping people’

EPHRATA — Sophomore Navi Kaur already knows exactly where she’s headed – and she’s not wasting any time getting there. The 16‑year‑old Ephrata High School student lights up when she talks about medicine, especially pediatrics. Her interest started early, shaped by the women who raised her.  

“My mom’s a nurse… and I was just really interested in being a doctor my whole life. That’s what my grandma wanted,” she said. “I’ve been really interested in it ever since I was very young.” 

Today, that spark has grown into a clear career path, strengthened through Health Occupations Students of America.  

Finding her place in health care 

For Kaur, health care isn’t just a career goal; it’s a calling rooted in compassion.  

“It’d be really nice to help other people out,” she said.  

She’s especially drawn to pediatrics, thanks in part to her two younger brothers.  

“I took care of them my whole life… I really like being with kids, and I want to understand more about them, psychologically and physically,” she said.  

A hands‑on pediatric workshop at a recent HOSA conference sealed the deal.  

“It really helped me understand that I really do want to go into this field, because it was such a good workshop,” she said. 

Stepping up in HOSA 

This year, Kaur competed at the second level of State HOSA, all on her own. But she said she never felt alone. 

“I was the only one competing, and I didn’t feel alone while doing it,” she said. “I still had a lot of people around me that comforted me… it was really nice to still have people around even though I was the only one competing.” 

Her event focused on family medicine physicians, a project that required interviewing medical professionals and presenting her findings.  

She said one fact surprised her.  

“There’s not that many family physicians anymore,” she said. “There’s been a decline over the years.” 

The experience also helped her grow. She’s especially proud of her improved public speaking skills, something she says HOSA pushed her to develop.  

“Talking to a crowd and not being nervous about it,” she said, is the skill she is proudest of.  

A teacher’s perspective 

Marissa Cox, Ephrata’s athletic trainer, sports medicine instructor, and HOSA advisor, has watched Kaur shine both in the classroom and on the volleyball court. 

“Navi is just super personable and sweet… I don’t think I ever really see her without a smile on her face,” Cox said. “She’s very driven… a self‑starter… she didn’t need much direction to get her work done.” 

Cox said Kaur’s growth has been remarkable.  

“Seeing her play volleyball, she made huge, tremendous growth from her freshman year to this year… it makes sense why she was so successful, because she dedicates herself to whatever she does,” Cox said.  

At State HOSA, Kaur impressed her advisor with her confidence and willingness to connect with others.  

“She took on the unknown really easily… wasn’t afraid to go talk to people she had never met before… it was really fun to see her in that atmosphere,” she said. 

Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Kaur was even invited to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Boston – an honor reserved for standout students nationwide. 

A full life beyond medicine 

When she’s not studying or preparing for her future in healthcare, Kaur is all about volleyball. She plays club, school, and even hopes to try beach volleyball.  

“It would be nice to get recruited for it for college,” she said. 

She’s also involved in Key Club, track and field, and yearbook — with plans to join even more clubs next year. 

Looking ahead  

Kaur plans to enroll in Running Start to get a head start on college, then pursue medical school.  

She’s still exploring where she wants to go, but she’s already building the foundation she needs. 

Her advice for students nervous about joining HOSA?  

“Just be confident… the judges were really nice and kind about it, and it wasn’t nerve‑wracking at all,” she said.  

Cox believes Kaur’s future is bright.  

“Seeing them be successful is super rewarding… and Navi lights up when she sees new subjects she’s passionate about,” Cox said.  

For Kaur, the dream is simple and powerful: “Just helping kids, helping people.” 

    When Navi Kaur isn’t focused on school or medicine, she’s on the volleyball court.
  

    Navi Kaur sits with another student at the Health Occupations Students of America State Competition. Her event focused on family medicine physicians.