April Students of the Month

Melody Saysithideth is taking full advantage of the opportunity she’s been given as a high school student. Though just a senior in high school, Melody is already taking classes at Davis Applied Technology College to give her an edge once she graduates. “I’m taking the Nurse Assisting program so that I can get more knowledge in the healthcare field. I plan to go on and get my RN license.”

It will only take Melody one semester to complete nurse assisting classes and then she plans to work as a Nurse Assistant. She would like to save up to move out and attend school at either Weber State or University of Utah. “My parents think this is good for me. It’s a college program and they’re proud of me for taking it.”

 

Not only has Melody impressed her parents, but her instructors, Mindy Tulane and Joellen Shumway, feel she has what it takes to make it in the healthcare profession. Mindy states, “She is an outstanding student that has stood out among many of the other high school students that are in her class.  She is always in class with a very positive attitude and willingness to learn.”

 

Joellen says Melody is a leader in the classroom. “Other students look to Melody for assistance and she is very diligent and helpful in the classroom. When she comes to class she is ready and spends her time very productively in the classroom. She takes learning seriously and wants to be prepared. Her level of understanding for direct care is outstanding.”

 

Because of her love of helping others, Melody has been successful in the Nurse Assisting program. “I like helping people and being around other people. I even like being in the hospital and hope to be helping people there one day.”

 

 

Pamela Bray has found incredible personal growth this year. Just recently, she became a single mother and is fighting through the challenges that accompany her situation. However, Pamela’s attitude is one of accomplishment and she has set many goals for herself, including going back to school and eventually helping other women who find themselves in the same circumstance.

 

Enrolling in the Paralegal program at Davis Applied Technology College was one of the first steps Pamela took to change her life. Pamela knew she would need a career that would pay well in order to support her four children. In just the few months she has been enrolled, Pamela has made great strides. Her Paralegal instructor, Jann Farris, says, “Pamela is working hard to complete her Paralegal certificate. She has had some adversity in her life recently, but she still comes to class with a smile every day. I would hire her today if I had an opening.”

 

As soon as Pamela started the Paralegal program, several facets of her life seemed to fall into place. “I got into the Paralegal program and my whole world exploded. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would love law. I thought all I was capable of doing was working retail.” Pamela soon found out that she had much more to offer. She passed one of her tests and her self-esteem shot up dramatically. “I’m a different woman than I was in July and I just keep growing.”

 

Pamela hopes to assist other single women once she completes her education. “I want to help women who know they need to get on with their lives and can’t afford an attorney.” Pamela would like to work as a Paralegal for a family law practice as well as volunteer her time helping women in shelters.

 

The most important thing Pamela would like to pass on to other women who are seeking to change their life is to stay motivated. “I’ve learned that you can’t sit back and let other people do things for you. You have to be your own advocate for yourself and your children. You can’t rely on other people to do it for you.”

 

UCAT is the parent organization for Utah’s eight regional applied technology colleges