Pinning their purpose: Monroe High HSA students celebrate medical ambitions
Excitement filled the room at Monroe High School as students, parents, teachers, administrators and central office staff gathered in the media center for the Health Sciences Academy (HSA) pinning ceremony on Oct. 2. The event was a special moment for 28 students, who proudly received their pins, showing their commitment to the medical field. In addition, 11 students were chosen as new HSA ambassadors after applying and interviewing for the position, taking on leadership roles that will help shape their futures. The ceremony was a recognition and a celebration of hard work, dreams and the bright futures these students are building.
Before the pinning, attendees listened to inspiring speeches from their peers, including Marla Zapata, a recent HSA graduate working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Atrium Health Union while studying at South Piedmont Community College. Marla reflected on her journey, crediting the HSA program for providing invaluable learning opportunities, including hands-on experience and insights from visiting healthcare professionals. Marla aspires to become a registered nurse and hopes to eventually specialize in pediatrics, inspired by her passion for helping young patients.
“The HSA program truly set me on the path to success,” she shared. “I was able to take classes at SPCC while in high school to earn my CNA certification, participate in workshops, practice the skills I was learning and earn leadership positions such as an HSA Ambassador and the secretary and vice president for the HOSA club. I was able to gain college credits, and it was all covered. Take advantage of all of these opportunities presented to you.”
Michael Jordan, Vice President of Atrium Health Union and Union West, spoke at the pinning ceremony. He shared words of encouragement and emphasized the significance of the students' current decisions. He emphasized how these choices will shape their futures and open doors to meaningful careers in healthcare.
"They asked me to inspire you, but really, you inspire me," Jordan said. "The choices you are making now are shaping your future. A year after you graduate, five years, even ten years down the road, I hope you look back and realize how those decisions changed your path. Today is one of those important steps toward your healthcare career. I hope it's with Atrium Health. We support you a 1000 percent. We love this partnership because it's about you realizing your dreams. Keep pushing forward."
While the ceremony was significant, the real stars of the event were the students themselves, each with their journey into the world of healthcare, for 10th-grader Damariyah Griffin, receiving her pin brought her closer to her lifelong dream of becoming a registered nurse.
“I’ve had this passion for as long as I can remember,” Damariyah shared, recalling a paragraph she wrote in fifth grade about her future, which is still on her wall. “It’s my constant reminder to keep going and not to give up on my dream when it gets hard. I know I want to help people and becoming a nurse is the best way I can do that.”
Na'Keyshia Anderson, another newly inducted sophomore, was motivated to pursue a career in healthcare by her personal experience. After discovering a benign lump in her breast, she found herself comforted by the doctors and staff who cared for her during that time. She hopes to become a breast health specialist to help others in similar situations.
"Walking in today for the pinning, I have no words for how I feel. It’s exciting," Na’Keyshia said with a smile. "My mother works in healthcare and that always drew me to it. After my experience, I knew this was the field for me."
Andrew Duran-Falcon, another student receiving his pin, is still exploring different options within the medical field. While he hasn’t decided whether he wants to be a surgeon or pursue another path, the HSA program is giving him the tools to figure it out. His family's strong ties to the medical field, particularly his relatives in Mexico who work in healthcare, also influenced Andrew's decision to join the academy.
“In middle school, we had a career fair, and that’s when I got interested in healthcare,” Andrew explained. “Now, I’m in Health Sciences II, and we’re learning to take vital signs and perform CPR—skills also useful in everyday life.”
The parents in attendance could not have been prouder. Emma Wilson and Victoria Hernandez watched with pride as their children received their pins and embraced the responsibilities of being HSA students. Hernandez, whose two daughters are part of the program, said she was grateful for the support and opportunities offered through the academy.
"I feel so happy about everything they’ve accomplished," Hernandez said. "I know they will reach every goal they’ve set, and I will be there every step of the way."
After the pinning and ambassador recognition, students and their families gathered for refreshments, sharing their excitement about the future.
Pin recipients
- Angelica Yanett Alcauter
- Abraham Amaya Rodriguez
- Na'Keyshia Chanelle Anderson
- Kevin Capote Palacios
- Reyna Salinas Castrejon
- Sanaa Janae Corders
- Andrew Duran-Falcon
- Marco Antonio Figueroa
- Leslie Galeana
- Yazzmine Arnea Gallman
- Damariyah Monezia Griffin
- Madden Elizabeth Griffin
- Katie Brittany Juarez Diaz
- Shenise Nevaeh Lassiter
- Isabel Nandho Rojas
- Briana Nava-Medina
- Vanesa Ortiz Arellano
- Dylan Jordan Parker
- Giselle Pineda Juarez
- Luna Marie Portillo-Delgado
- Laila Purvis
- Kayla Maria Ramirez-Ramirez
- Alaysia Ann-Marie Smith
- Ny'Asia Samone Thomas
- Ashley Thompson
- Sarah Villa-Munoz
- Vanity Latriece White
- Janelle Jasmine Wilson
HSA ambassadors- 2024-2025
- Anissa Ayala, Class of 2025
- Clarimar Gomez Osoria, Class of 2025
- Dulce Santillo-Izoteco, Class of 2025
- Negli Saquich Alvarez, Class of 2025
- Scarlet Villanueva-Orellana, Class of 2025
- Olivia Lambert, Class of 2026
- Aida Lopez-Delgado, Class of 2026
- Atiana Romero, Class of 2026
- Abraham Amaya Rodriguez, Class of 2027
- Dylan Parker, Class of 2027
- Luna Portillo-Delgado, Class of 2027
10/03/2024