By Derrick Smith

Macy Thomas had a moment in her childhood that had a big influence on her. The impact was so big in fact that it helped determine the path that her future would take.

“When I first met a nurse, that situation made a positive impact on my life,” she said. “And I wanted to be able to have the same impact on someone else’s life.”

Now, as a senior in high school, Thomas is in the second year of the Health Careers program at the Kansas campus of Northeast Tech. The program has been a huge asset to Macy.

“It has opened my eyes to the healthcare world and given me a lot of experience and information,” Thomas said. “I heard about Northeast Tech from friends, and I knew I wanted to be in the healthcare field someday. If someone is thinking about going, I would encourage them to go to Tech to gain the knowledge even if it’s not a career they plan to go into because you learn lots of valuable skills.”

Macy attends Colcord High School and is a member of the Lady Hornets’ fastpitch softball team. Throughout her life, she says that she has had some people influence her life. But she also says that there are a few people that made larger impacts.

“My biggest role models are healthcare providers,” she said. “I look up to them because I hope to someday be working in the same career field and helping people like they do. Also, Carrie Stock and Kim Foster have both been influential. They have made me realize my passion for the healthcare world and taught me many things about healthcare.”

Along with her classes at Northeast Tech and playing sports at Colcord, Macy also serves as vice president of the Colcord chapter of the Future Farmers of America program. After she graduates from high school, she plans to attend John Brown University and obtain her bachelor’s in Science and Nursing. She hopes to become a pediatric nurse.