Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) members at Jupiter High School are selling World’s Finest Chocolate bars to raise money for their club. The fundraiser began in late September and will continue until Oct. 22.

The goal of the sale is to help cover the costs of student travel to state-level competitions. The money raised makes it possible for more students to participate without worrying about the expenses.

“One of our [past] presidents came in with the goal that he wanted states to be accessible to everyone, so HOSA always makes a really big push to fundraise for our students,”  Kailey Jenkins, junior and HOSA’s vice president of public relations, said.

Each club member is required to sell at least one box of chocolate. Several students have already turned in full boxes and even requested more to sell.

This year marks the return of the World’s Finest Chocolate brand, which has long been popular among school fundraisers. Last year, HOSA sold a different brand of chocolate due to restrictions, but JHS students are excited to have it back.

For some members, the specific brand didn’t matter as much as the purpose of the fundraiser.

“I thought it was the same as last year,” Aarav Shah, sophomore HOSA member, said. “I just sold them; I didn’t really look at the box.”

Still, some HOSA members are happy about the return of World’s Finest. 

“I think people like it, I like it. It’s good and it has a lot of variety,” Jaclynn Pages, freshman HOSA member, said.

HOSA is an international organization that focuses on preparing students for careers in the medical field. It encourages students to become leaders in the health community through education and experience, according to HOSA’s Official Website. 

“I’m in HOSA because all the competitions are really fun to go to, and I can meet a lot of new people over there. I’m interested in the medical field and it helps me learn more [about it],” Shah said.

HOSA’s competitive events include six different categories: health science, health professions, emergency preparedness, leadership, teamwork and recognition. These events include written exams, skill demonstrations, projects and team challenges.

“You get to develop so much as a professional through competition and it fosters community within our school,” Jenkins said. “HOSA really brings you guys together and you get a different opportunity to connect with people in different grade levels.”