Maria Ortiz is in her senior year at Ringwood High School. And with her high school years coming to a close, she already has her sights set on her future.
“My plans for after high school are taking my pre-requisites at Northern Oklahoma College for nursing,” she said. “And then getting my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and my Registered Nursing License at Northwestern Oklahoma State University and then go to the University of Oklahoma for my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.”
A career in the medical field is something that Maria has always dreamed of. After taking classes at Northwest Technology Center, she is already on the road to achieving her dream.
“I first heard about Northwest Tech by going to the eighth grade tours,” she said. “It caught my attention because I’ve always wanted to educate myself more in the medical field. I am in the Health Careers program, which has given me a lot of exposure to a lot of things in the medical field and what it is really like. It has helped me alot.”
Ortiz has enjoyed her time and what she has learned while at Northwest Tech. She encourages anyone that is interested to give it a shot.
“It is worth it,” she said. “You get to learn a lot being there. And all the instructors are great people too.”
Maria is involved in the Beta Club at Ringwood. She is also part of the National Technical Honor Society and HOSA, which is a club for future health professionals.
Throughout her life, Ortiz has had a number of people that have helped her get to where she is today. But out of them all, she says that there are two people that had a really big impact.
“My parents are my biggest role models,” she said. “They are the most hardworking and selfless people I know,and giving me the best advice and encouraging me always.”
