The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program has not only shaped the futures of its students but has also instilled in them a renewed sense of purpose and hope. When I first joined the Nursing Program, my initial intent was merely to "test the waters" of the healthcare field. Prior to this experience, I was uncertain about pursuing a career in healthcare; my understanding was limited to the potential financial benefits. However, through this program, I have come to realize that healthcare is much more than that, it is about serving a community and making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Without this program, I genuinely do not know who I would be today. Before joining, I was an extremely introverted individual, so much so that even my instructor, Mrs. Reiling, once questioned whether I ever spoke. I had no direction for my future after high school, and I lacked motivation when it came to my academic performance. Today, I can proudly say that I am a dedicated, hardworking student with the confidence to speak in front of an audience, something my past self would have never imagined doing.

This transformation is not only due to the CNA Program itself but also to the extracurricular opportunities that accompany it, most notably, HOSA: Future Health Professionals. HOSA has been one of the most impactful organizations I have had the privilege of joining. Through its competitions, conferences, leadership camps, fundraisers, and community service projects, I have been able to grow personally and professionally. HOSA has pushed me beyond my comfort zone and allowed me to connect with like-minded students from across Arizona.

The Nursing Assistant Program has fostered growth not only in myself but in many of my peers as well. At the heart of this journey is our instructor, Mrs. Reiling. Her unwavering support and dedication to her students have been instrumental in my development. She has inspired and encouraged me to become the person I am today. Mrs. Reiling is an outstanding educator who deserves recognition for the profound and positive impact she has made in the lives of her students.