Through Great Lakes Bay Early College, Kelsie is taking college courses while still in high school and exploring a future in pediatric health care. She is considering paths in nursing, respiratory therapy and, potentially becoming a pediatric doctor.
At first, those goals felt big.
鈥淎s I started taking college classes, it felt like I could have these goals,鈥� Kelsie said. 鈥淚 can do these classes and get these credits, and I can move toward my dreams.鈥�
That confidence has grown through her classes and the people she鈥檚 met along the way. Seeing other students navigate through health care programs helped her picture herself doing the same.
But some of Kelsie鈥檚 most meaningful experiences have happened outside the classroom.
Working in Delta鈥檚 BEDI offices, she helps connect students with campus resources, from the food pantry to clubs and other support. The experience has reinforced something Kelsie has believed since she was young.
"You never know a person's story, even smiling at somebody in the hall is so significant to a person's day," Kelsie said. "It's always so lovely to see people brighten their face when you do something nice for them, or they get something that they needed. Even if it is something small, it always has an impact."
That lesson is shaping where she wants to go next.
Kelsie hopes to build a career caring for children, particularly when they鈥檙e sick, hurt or simply need someone in their corner. Helping students at Delta has only strengthened that goal.
"It's so enlightening for me," she said. "I want to do that every day for people, for children, for anybody I can because I love being able to help people and give them joy, peace and what they need. Whether it's food, an ear, or a resource."
For Kelsie, getting ahead isn鈥檛 only about earning college credits early. It鈥檚 about discovering what she can do with them.
By Mikaila Bluew, writer & editor
