The Regional Occupational Program, otherwise known as ROP, is an on-campus as well as off-campus opportunity for students to receive early experience for their future careers. Many students at Don Lugo are taking classes such as: Culinary, Pharmacy Clerk, Sports Medicine, etc.; students have found their calling while taking these classes. Class of 2017’s Kayla Barraza and Angelica Mendoza are both going down the same path to find just that!

Kayla is part of the athletic sports medicine crew at Don Lugo. She is taking this class to further her capabilities to later become involved within the medical community. Although she is undecided, doing hands-on work with the students sparks her interest in becoming a specialized nurse.

She was hospitalized last year with a left kidney tumor and had to undergo surgery. When asked about this experience, she said with enthusiasm, “I want to help others like they helped me. It’s what opened my heart to want to do it”. She described the nurses as warm, comforting, kind, and full of care; exactly how she wants to treat her own patients.

Angelica on the other hand, gets the chance to step off campus and is taking the Pharmacy Clerk ROP at Baldy View adult school. She attends the classes two times a week, Friday and Saturday, every week. When asked if the Saturday class was a burden, she quickly responded, “It’s worth it. At the end of the day, you’ll get to help someone out and you’ll feel better too”.

Her motivation lies from within, and she hopes to be in the medical field just like her mother once was. Her hopes in following her mom’s footsteps on helping others are a huge factor in her life. One day in the near future, Angelica will get the chance to help those in need and provide the same care she personally experienced.

For both these girls, helping others is what drives them the most. ROP benefits them by leading them closer to reaching their individual goals. Every inch towards reaching their dreams is another inch closer to a connection from their memorable past.