For Ava Sulzberger and Camryn Stecken, Seneca High School’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program is more than just a class—it’s the first step toward meaningful careers in healthcare. Under the guidance of Taylor Neurohr, the school’s Allied Health instructor and school nurse, students in the program gain hands-on experience that gives them a head start in the medical and healthcare field.

Ava has always been drawn to healthcare, seeing the CNA program as a perfect way to explore her interests while still in high school. “I’ve always been interested in the medical field,” she says. “This class is giving me real experience, and it’s helping me figure out exactly what I want to do.”

Camryn’s journey is a little more personal—her mother is a nurse, and she’s grown up admiring the impact of the profession. “I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field,” she says. “Taking this class confirmed it for me. Now I know for sure that I want to be a nurse.”

The CNA program at Seneca High School is a year-long commitment, offering students the chance to complete clinical rotations at a local nursing home while preparing for the state certification exam in May. If they pass, they’ll graduate high school with a fully marketable CNA license, allowing them to work in hospitals, nursing homes, or home healthcare.

While many students enter the program with an interest in nursing, Neurohr is quick to point out that the class opens doors to a wide variety of healthcare careers.

“This isn’t just for future nurses,” she explains. “I have students who want to become pharmacists, athletic trainers, physical therapists, and even dietitians. It’s an introduction to patient care, but it also helps students see what areas of healthcare excite them—and sometimes, what they don’t want to do.”

She laughs as she recalls conversations with students who realize certain aspects of patient care aren’t for them. “Nursing can be intimidating for some because of the hands-on aspects of care, but that’s why this class is so valuable. It helps them figure that out before they go to college.”

For Ava, the program has solidified her goal: she hopes to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)—a highly specialized role that requires years of training beyond nursing school. “It’s a big job,” she admits, “but I know it’s the direction I want to go.”

Camryn sees herself in the fast-paced world of emergency medicine. “I want to work in the ER,” she says. “Maybe even go for nurse practitioner someday.”

Both students are already thinking ahead to college. Ava has been exploring the University of Illinois, drawn to its strong academics and school spirit, while Camryn hopes to play college softball for two years before transferring to a four-year nursing program.

Neurohr, who grew up in LaSalle-Peru and worked at Ottawa Hospital for six years before coming to Seneca, has been leading the program for the past four years. She splits her time between being the school nurse and an instructor, giving students direct access to someone who has lived the career path they’re pursuing.

“I never imagined myself in this role,” she says. “If you had asked me ten years ago, I wouldn’t have seen myself teaching. But nursing has taken me in directions I never expected, and I tell my students all the time—it’s a career that can take you anywhere.”

She also reminds them that healthcare is one of the most stable career fields out there. “There’s a massive shortage of healthcare workers, and that’s not changing anytime soon,” she says. “If you have a healthcare degree, you’ll always have job opportunities—and you’ll have the flexibility to decide where and how you want to work.”

At Seneca High School, students hear the phrase “The Seneca Way” often. For Ava, it means being involved and supporting others. “It’s about helping people and being part of something bigger than yourself,” she says.

Camryn sees it as a reflection of the school’s pride and strong sense of community. “When people visit, they see how much we care about what we do here. It’s about pride in our school and showing good character in everything we do.”

Neurohr, as an outsider when she first arrived, had to learn what “The Seneca Way” meant firsthand. Now, she sees it clearly.

“It’s about this school giving students every opportunity to succeed,” she says. “For a small school, the amount of dual-credit courses, career training, and extracurriculars offered here is incredible. These students graduate with real experience, real college credits, and a real sense of what they want to do next.”

As graduation nears—they are both juniors—Camryn and Ava are excited about their futures. The CNA program has already given them a competitive advantage, but more importantly, it’s confirmed their passion for healthcare.

“You never know where this field will take you,” says Neurohr. “But if you start here, at Seneca High School, you’re already ahead of the game.”