Mariya Hamilton is a senior at Weedsport Jr./Sr. High School. Some people think that she doesn’t care about school, but in reality she wants people to know it means a lot to her. Her greatest accomplishment as of right now is how far she has come in her life. Mariya is taking a program over at BOCES that helps you get ready to become a nurse or a doctor. Some of her favorite things about BOCES are the NHS field trips, and the caring teachers. One negative thing about BOCES is that you really have to try to be there all the time, because if you miss just one class you can get behind quickly.

One of Mariya’s teachers, Mrs. Mullen, remembers many great moments with Mariya. One her favorite things about Maria is that she is always generous and compassionate to other people. Mrs. Mullen says, “She cares for others, and looks out for other people.” Mrs. Mullen has a noticed a change while working with Mariya over time. “She’s ready to go out into the real world. Mariya works hard for what she wants.”

Mariya plans on becoming a nurse after high school. She decided to become a nurse after her brother got sick with cancer. That event inspired her to help others. Mariya’s plan for her future is concrete. First she has to get her CNA (certified nursing assistant), then she plans to become an RN (registered nurse.) After that she will get her LPN (licensed practical nursing degree.)

“I enjoy being a nursing assistant. I like helping people when I can,” Mariya says.