For Northbrook High School (NHS) junior Alondra Gomez, summer wasn't just a break from the classroom, it was an opportunity to build on a passion she's already been pursuing throughout the school year.
As a student athletic trainer at NHS, Gomez spends the school year supporting student-athletes and gaining firsthand experience in sports medicine. This summer, she took that interest even further by attending the Explore Cru Nursing Camp at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and the Athletic Trainer Camp at University of Texas at Austin.
Gomez earned a scholarship through the SBISD Student Athletic Training Workshop in the spring, provided by Memorial Hermann, SBISD's official health care provider. She used that scholarship to attend back-to-back programs that gave her hands-on experience with clinical nursing skills, sports medicine techniques and patient evaluations while exposing her to college campuses and health care careers.
"Getting hands-on experience in health care on actual college campuses and connecting with people who share the same passion made it an unforgettable experience," Gomez said.
The camps also challenged Gomez to strengthen her communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills through simulated clinical scenarios, helping clarify her career goals.
"Experiencing both programs firsthand helped me figure out my exact path," Gomez said. "Blending the fast-paced, hands-on nature of sports medicine with clinical nursing made me realize that my ultimate goal is to become an ER nurse."
Gomez's experiences exemplify Spring Branch ISD's commitment to T-2-4 Readiness by giving students opportunities to explore career pathways, build real-world skills and discover the path that's right for them before they graduate.
This school year, she plans to continue building her knowledge in the athletic training program while maintaining strong grades, particularly in science courses, as she prepares for college nursing programs.
Gomez also credits NHS's athletic trainers with encouraging her to pursue opportunities that helped shape her future.
"I'm extremely grateful for my athletic trainers," she said. "Their encouragement and guidance have played a huge role in helping me figure out what I want to do after high school and giving me the confidence to pursue a career as an ER nurse."
As Gomez returns to class this fall, she does so with a clearer vision for her future, one shaped by hands-on experiences and a summer well spent.