MID-TERM PROGRESS REPORTS: On Tuesday, February 21 the HS^2 students were to send home Mid-Term Progress Reports with an attached reflection on their current grades, progress, and celebrations & action steps for continuing. Keep in mind, these are in-progress grades, not final grades, which means students still have the ability to make changes to improve their scores. We hope that these reports can help facilitate a conversation between advisors, students, and guardians. Students and parents will continue to have access to these reports via Infinite Campus under the Documents section.

SPRING CONFERENCES: Parents and Guardians should've received an email on how to set up a conference with your student’s advisor this week. If you did not receive an email, or if none of the times work for you on March 7, please contact your student’s advisor through the “staff contact” link found at the bottom of this newsletter.

ProHealth Care is hosting a career exploration series using the online platform, WebEx. These 30-minute sessions aim to educate high school students about the wide range of careers in healthcare. All of the highlighted professions in the virtual series are careers with a high demand for workers.

Online sessions are held on Wednesdays from 11:05 to 11:35 a.m. Dates and topics for the sessions are:

Registration is required. You will need to register for each date separately. The WebEx meeting link will be included in the confirmation email.

"A huge part of HS^2 is that students get the opportunity to explore a variety of career paths, even if they are not offered directly through HS^2 partnerships."

I have had the passion to be a veterinarian since a young age and decided that in the 2021-22 school year (my junior year) I would attempt to design my own place based learning outreach. I came up with a list of nearby veterinary clinics and hospitals and contacted a total of 16 different clinics before finally being accepted by North Prairie Animal Hospital. I shadowed there twice a week for four months during the school day and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Throughout my time shadowing, I watched many appointments with both dogs and cats and even had the wonderful opportunity to shadow dental procedures, a spay, an ACL reconstruction, and a removal of a mass cell tumor. I discussed veterinary science with the lead veterinarians and veterinary technicians and learned new things regarding animal sciences and schooling for veterinary care. I also learned how to fill up vaccination shots and assisted with filling medications and prescriptions for the animals. During appointments, I got to see how veterinarians and technicians work with each other and with the animal’s owner to provide the best possible care. I observed basic physical examinations, vaccines given, nail trims, blood draws and tests, urine and stool samples and analyses, x-rays and sadly the putting down of some animals. All of the workers at the clinic were so friendly and taught me a lot about how to work with animals. After my first day shadowing, I knew exactly that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I am extremely grateful that HS^2 provides opportunities and flexibility for students to explore different career paths and pursue their greatest dreams and interests. 

Written by Carmen R., HS^2 Senior

What have you been up to since graduating high school?

Since graduating HS^2, I have successfully completed my first year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and am currently in my second year. Over the summer of 2022, I studied abroad in Athens, Greece with my twin sister, Sophia. Although my experience in Madison, WI has been amazing, traveling across Greece with my sister was unforgettable.

At UW-Madison, I am majoring in Neurobiology with a certificate in Criminal Justice, and I am involved in numerous organizations and activities around campus. For instance, I joined Pi Beta Phi, a sorority on campus, and met lots of great people through the organization. I currently dance for OPTIMA, which is a large dance group on campus. On top of this, the arts community in Madison is huge, and I am able to exercise my love for journalism by writing for the Daily Cardinal and co-hosting a true crime talk show on Madison’s radio station: WSUM 91.7. College classes have proved to be difficult, but forming a strong support system here at school was instrumental to my success so far!

How did HS^2 prepare you for your future?

As a student in HS^2, I made it my priority to throw myself into any new opportunity I could get. Research was one of these things that absolutely stuck as I continued my academic career. I have continued my experience in research as a research technician at the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine lab at UW-Health. Here, I help my supervisor with lots of cool projects, including one analyzing the cellular components and pathogenesis of tuberculosis.

Sophia (left) and Athena (right) graduating from HS^2

Athena and the “Big Red Plasma Ball” at the Physics Laboratory in Madison!

Is there anything specific you enjoyed about HS^2?

My favorite thing about HS^2 is the freedom that comes with it. In the four years I attended HS^2, I learned that the freedom to choose your academic path is earned through honesty and hard work in school. After forming good relationships with my teachers and peers, I was able to prioritize particular activities and experiences that I knew I would be interested in; particularly research and clinical experience, both which were made possible through HS^2 programs like CNA training and SUPREMES.

What advice would you give to current and future HS^2 students?

I would tell students to trust your abilities. Don’t let your hesitance or self-doubt keep you from pursuing something you might enjoy, whether it be a position on student senate or a spot in a student program at the Medical College of Wisconsin. After all, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!

Written by Carmen R., HS^2 Senior

In this issue of HS^2 Counseling News, you will find information about:

• Test Prep Opportunities
• KMEF Scholarships
• Summer Opportunities
• ... and more