When Merari enrolled in her Sports Medicine class at Analy High School, she had no idea the impact it would have on her future. She was passionate about helping people, but she didn’t know where to start, or what was possible. “I had no idea this career was even an option for me.” Merari shared. “This class taught me so much and opened doors I didn’t know existed.”
Through her career technical education (CTE) class – practicing athletic taping techniques, working in labs and completing a 100-hour internship at a local pharmacy – Merari unlocked the confidence to step into her future.
“Through my Sports Medicine course and my internship, I realized I wanted to pursue this career. I learned skills I use every day and even got offered a job after completing my internship!”
Today, Merari works as a pharmacy technician and is continuing her education at Santa Rosa Junior College, with the intention of pursuing her Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
While Merari’s CTE class equipped her for lifelong success, too many Sonoma County students still do not have access to hands-on, career-connected learning.
Currently, only 1 in 5 Sonoma County students are engaged in career technical education.
The demand for career-connected learning has never been greater. Our students are ready to discover their purpose, fuel their passion and shape their own future – one that leads to a meaningful local career in healthcare, construction, engineering and beyond. For 13 years, donors have helped CTE Foundation transform the educational experience. By investing in programs like Sports Medicine at Analy, we’re connecting students’ academics to the real-world and kickstarting career aspirations for students like Merari.
This is where you can make the difference.
Together, we can make sure every student has access to meaningful opportunities, the guidance to build skills and a path towards success after graduation.
Merari discovered a path that changed the course of her life. With your gift, students across Sonoma County will graduate with confidence and the connections they need to build their futures right here in our community.
Please visit ctesonomacounty.org/donate to change the lives of students like Merari today!
