Sixty-five members of the UNMC High School Alliance are among the students taking classes at UNMC this academic year.
The students come from high schools around Omaha and take college-level classes to prepare for health careers. For an entire academic year, the students spend half a day, every weekday, on the UNMC campus.
Today we meet:
- Name: Sam Mormino
- High school: Westside High School
- Year: Senior
How did you learn about the UNMC High School Alliance?
I had heard about the High School Alliance about three years ago when an older friend of mine on my high school soccer team was participating in it. I would always see him running in after school to catch practice, so I asked him why he always seems in such a hurry. It sparked my interest, and my junior year I began my application.
What sparked your interest in science?
My father has a career in science, so he often brought me to his office with him. I thought this was really cool, so I began to take up an interest in science. As far as health care goes, my younger brother was diagnosed with diabetes at a young age, so I have been exposed to health care at the hospital during his diagnosis period and throughout both of our lives at home. I attribute the fact that I have been continuously exposed to sciences throughout my life to my interest in a health care career.
What are your career aspirations?
My ultimate goal is to go to medical school. However, the type of medicine I want to practice is up in the air. I plan to continue exploring my options during the High School Alliance program, my undergrad experiences, and through medical school.
What are your three favorite things about the UNMC High School Alliance?
- We are provided with unique classroom content and experiences that no other high school program offers.
- Being surrounded by students with similar interests to mine makes me comfortable and excited to be in class.
- All the adults who help with the program are eager to teach, help, or answer any questions we have.