![Student Spotlight: Daija]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1731688523/district287org/oke5dcvbokcn42v5wsem/DaijaStudentSpotlight.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1731688523/district287org/oke5dcvbokcn42v5wsem/DaijaStudentSpotlight.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1731688523/district287org/oke5dcvbokcn42v5wsem/DaijaStudentSpotlight.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1731688523/district287org/oke5dcvbokcn42v5wsem/DaijaStudentSpotlight.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1731688523/district287org/oke5dcvbokcn42v5wsem/DaijaStudentSpotlight.jpg","width":1280}])
Each year, we elevate our student and family voices by inviting them to share their story at a school board meeting.
Michaela Nettum, Career & Tech Center School Counselor, introduced Daija to the school board. Daija started in the Gateway to College program in the 2022-2023 school year. Within the last year, she completed a CPR and independent living pathways course and was a teacher support to her peers in the culinary class.
"This program has opened so many doors and allowed me to explore subjects I'm passionate about like my EMR and EMT classes. I've learned to juggle a more demanding workload, which also teaches me valuable time management skills...Being in these classes is not only advancing my academic journey but has also helped me build confidence in myself and my abilities to do things outside my comfort zone," said Daija.
This year, Daija is balancing a part-time college schedule aimed at earning a certificate as an emergency medical technician, all while managing her core Gateway classes and supporting those around her.