Tahlequah calls CareerTech student a hometown hero.
THEN: A high school junior, weighing her career options, Julia Lewis enrolled in the health careers certification program at Indian Capitol Technology Center in Tahlequah to learn about the various jobs in health care.
“I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life,” she said.
The Tahlequah High School student said she knew she liked helping people, but she wasn’t sure which career path to take. At Indian Capital, she
- Learned how to stay calm in intense situations. (See links to stories below)
- Developed time management and organizational skills.
- Learned how to work independently.
- Received certifications in phlebotomy, nursing assistant, CPR, AED and first aid.
The 17-year-old’s career path was reaffirmed this spring when she was called upon to save a man’s life. Riding downtown with her friends, Lewis saw a group of people surrounding a man who was in distress.
“I didn’t think twice about getting out to help him,” Lewis said, adding that she got out of the car while it was still moving. The man wasn’t breathing, and Lewis immediately called 911 and then performed CPR until the paramedics arrived.
Lewis is being hailed as a hero and received an award from the Tahlequah Police Department. She also received the HOSA Hero Award during the group’s International Leadership Conference. HOSA is the CareerTech student organization for future health professionals.
NOW: The CareerTech program helped Lewis narrow her career plans within the health care field. She is now a certified nursing assistant and phlebotomist., and plans to become a dentist or dental hygienist.
Her instructor, Andrea McElmurry, described Lewis as bold, brave, and mature beyond her years. She added that Lewis strives to do her best in every situation.
“She has a bright future ahead of her, and I know she will accomplish her goals,” McElmurry said.
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