From scrubs to sirens, Allied Health senior Elizabeth Perry can do it all. A senior at Zane Trace High School and in Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center's Allied Health program, Elizabeth is soaring toward her dream career in emergency medicine.
Elizabeth joined the Allied Health program with a clear goal: gaining valuable skills and certifications that would give her a head start in public safety. Her hard work has paid off, resulting in an impressive collection of industry credentials, including STNA, phlebotomy, CPR, first aid, and certifications in OSHA 10 and Lean Six Sigma Yellow & Green Belt. She even earned college credit for her medical terminology class. But even after all of those, Elizabeth wasn't done yet.
Fueled by a lifelong desire to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather, a heavy rescue firefighter and paramedic, Elizabeth decided to take the next step and enroll in the EMT-Basic program through Pickaway-Ross Adult Education. This program allowed her to continue her studies and provided her with the essential training to become an EMT.
Elizabeth's journey is a testament to the power of Pickaway-Ross programs. Her success story wouldn't be complete without acknowledging the unwavering support she received from Allied Health instructor Ms. McVicker. With the support of instructors like Ms. McVicker, whom Elizabeth credits for pushing her and providing invaluable guidance, students are empowered to pursue their passions and gain real-world experience.
"The program gets your foot in the door," Elizabeth says, highlighting the benefits of Pickaway-Ross. "It’s something that I've been wanting to do ever since I was little. You start working right out of high school, and you get paid well." But for Elizabeth, the rewards went far beyond the paycheck.
With her EMT-Basic certification in hand, Elizabeth is now setting her sights on the future. Her plan? To join the Union Township Fire Department as an EMT while continuing her education in Fire 1 and, eventually, enrolling in Pickaway-Ross Adult Education’s Paramedic program. Since EMT-Basic is a prerequisite for the Paramedic program, she saved herself money by taking EMT-Basic while still in high school.
Elizabeth's story is a shining example of how Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center empowers students to pursue their passions and chart their own career paths. It's a story not just about textbooks and classrooms, but about real-world opportunities, dedicated instructors, and the unwavering pursuit of a dream – a dream that starts with scrubs and ends with the wail of sirens.
Here's to Elizabeth Perry and to all the students who dare to dream and strive for success in the pursuit of their passions.