Leer en Español, traducido por El Vocero Hispano
Wyoming — Senior Leslie Gomez Lopez started to think about her future career in eighth grade, when she joined Grand Valley State University’s TRIO Educational Talent Search program.
She knew she wanted to go into health care, and with support from TRIO advisors began connecting the dots. She started taking related classes at Wyoming High School and Kent Career Tech Center, and will graduate in May with a stack of certifications, a scholarship and a clear path toward her dream.
‘There will always be something in the health-care field I think I will love to do.’
— senior Leslie Gomez Lopez
What is your dream? “Right now, I am choosing nursing. I do have a Plan B, which is still in the health-care field, but doing stuff with surgeries, (such as) a surgical technician. That really does interest me.”
Leslie plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College, then nursing school at Grand Valley State University.
Why is this your dream? Leslie said she learned the impact a nurse can have as a young child when family members needed medical care, which also motivates her to go into the field.
“I think it will benefit a lot of people, knowing it’s in high demand” and that people will always need nurses. … There will always be something in the health-care field I think I will love to do.”
Leslie’s family is from Guatemala, and she said she has seen the impact of not having adequate health-care resources.
“The health-care system there is not the same as here. People who have diseases or chronic illnesses and can’t get the help they need is really sad. Especially knowing it’s a loved one of yours — that really impacted me as well.”
She said she also sees how nurses provide support and comfort to families.
“Nurses play a big role, especially with grieving families,” she said. “I feel like that is really important, and something I can do as well.”
How are school and your teachers helping you achieve your dream? Leslie attended the MI-CAPP Student Leadership Summit 2025 in Traverse City in March, where she was awarded a $1,500 MI-CAPP Education Endowment Award scholarship. She was one of 14 TRIO students to receive the award.
She said former TRIO adviser Ashley Fritz opened doors for her and encouraged her in every way. Leslie volunteered, participated in college tours and competitions, learned about financial literacy and many other resources.
“(Fritz) really helped me put my foot in the door and nominated me for that scholarship,” said Leslie, who now does everything she can to spread the word about TRIO and encourage other Wyoming students to join.
She said Wyoming High School English teacher Logan Klepac encouraged her to apply to the Tech Center her junior year, and now Leslie is in the second year of the Tech Center’s Nurse Tech/Patient Care Tech program. She has received college credit and is on track to receive nurse tech certification in May. She also has Basic Life Support, CPR and First Aid certifications.
She is completing internships with Trinity Health and Corewell Health, and has interviewed for a patient care technician job with Trinity Health, which she hopes to start after graduation.
Read more from Wyoming:
• Theme has students learning from the ‘Inside Out’
• Partnership expands CTE program to local districts
