At Ringwood High School, junior Romina Gonzalez balances a busy schedule filled with athletics, academics, and career training. A member of the track team, Romina’s drive to push herself on the track mirrors the same determination she brings to her time at Northwest Technology Center, where she’s enrolled in the welding program.
Romina’s journey to Tech began long before her junior year. She first toured the campus as an eighth grader and again as a sophomore. That second visit proved to be a turning point. Her older brother encouraged her to check out the welding program, and she figured she might as well give it a look. What started as curiosity quickly turned into excitement.
“The day before I went on the tour, my brother insisted that I check out the welding program, so I did, and it turned out to be a really interesting class,” Romina said.
During the tour, she even got the chance to try welding for herself, a brief but memorable hands-on experience that solidified her decision to join the program.
“When I went on the tour my sophomore year, I got the opportunity to weld a little, although it wasn’t much. It was really fun.”
Now in her second year at Tech, Romina appreciates the real-world skills she’s learning, from practical welding techniques to professionalism and teamwork. The program has not only given her confidence in her technical abilities but also a clear path toward her future career.
“Tech is preparing me for my future career by teaching me practical skills in the field of my choice. It is also teaching me professionalism and how to work in a real-life environment.”
After high school, Romina hopes to work in a shop while earning her bachelor’s degree, continuing to build on the foundation Northwest Technology Center has given her. Whether in the welding lab or on the track, she strives to push herself to new heights, always guided by the support of her family and the lessons learned along the way.
