Sophia Boettner, a Berks Career & Technology Center (BCTC) Health Occupation student and Wilson senior, is known for her passion of water sports, specifically water polo. She was nominated for the All-Berks Girls Water Polo Player of the Year for the third straight year and just committed to play Water Polo at La Salle University.
Sophia’s other passion is women’s health. “In my freshman year, I took a class that studied the development of a baby and I became very interested in women’s health and delivering babies. I eventually want to be a Midwife or OB/GYN. My father suggested to look into BCTC’s, Health Occupations program.” Sophia continued, “I started as a Level 1 Health Occupations student in my junior year and studied all summer so I could start as a Level 3 student this year. It’s been tough, but I was able to keep up and I’m on track to take my Certified Nurse’s Aide (CNA) exam later this spring.”
She currently has an internship at an OB/GYN, office. Sophia shadows the physicians during the office hours and can assist during some appointments. “One of things I am allowed to do is measure the belly of an Obstetrics patient,” Sophia commented. “This is one of the easiest ways to measure a baby’s size.” Sophia can also be found working part-time on weekends at Soul-Centered Wellness, cleaning homes, and babysitting. Sophia added, “I will probably work as a CNA in college too!”
Both of Sophia’s passions will be combined at La Salle University next year, as she was recently accepted into their Nursing program. “I choose La Salle, not only because it is a Division 1 school, but it has a great nursing program.”
When asked if Sophia had any advice for students considering BCTC, she stated, “BCTC will definitely give you a head start in your career. It was an eye-opener for me! I will be ahead of other students who are starting college next year and I will have already earned my CNA.”