Students attending career techs usually have a lot to balance. They have coursework from two
different schools and must maintain their extracurricular activities schedules on top of that.
Emily Farley is not only a junior at Bethel High School, but she is also a drum major in the Bethel
marching band and treasurer of the Gordon Cooper Technology Center HOSA (Health
Occupations Students of America) chapter. To be involved in multiple organizations and
maintain multiple leadership roles, Farley must be well-organized and dedicated.
“Emily is a fantastic and motivated student,” says her instructor, Megan Malouf. “She is
organized and shows outstanding leadership skills. This year she has led a coupon book sale,
bake sale, and hot cocoa sale. Emily showed outstanding professionalism, during the clinical
portion of our class. Emily followed protocol and adhered to the skills she learned in class, while
also being compassionate to residents. If her performance in my classroom is any indication of
how she will perform in the future, Emily will be an extremely positive addition to the medical
field.”
Emily decided to pursue the medical career option at GCTC because she wants to begin her
career while she’s still studying to ultimately become a nurse.
“I want to get a job as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) to get experience,” she says. “After I
graduate, I plan on going to college and getting my RN license.”
Farley says she enjoys the Gordon Cooper Health Careers program because the people she has
been able to meet and work with and because she gets to learn about something she’s
passionate about.
“I like being able to learn about how to help people,” she says.
Outside of her work at GCTC and as the Bethel marching band drum major, Emily is also a
member of the concert band, jazz band, National Society of High School Scholars, National
Honors Society, and the Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy. She is also an active member in her
church’s youth group.
