Pacific Crest Academy prepares students for bright futures

Noel Stack Managing Editor

Spending hours in the fast-paced environment of an emergency room, hearing cries of the injured and watching the steady hands of nurses and doctors helping them — all this solidified one thing for Pacific Crest Academy junior Sofia Frost. She wants to be a nurse.

Since the start of the spring semester the 17-year-old has spent five or six hours a week shadowing Marshall Hospital emergency room staff as part of PCA’s internship program, which sends students into the real world to get on-the-job learning experience.

“This gives students the ability to try something before they commit to it,” explained Leslie Redkey, PCA’s director of education options and innovations.

PCA’s goal is to have each student participate in at least one mentorship/internship experience during high school, Redkey added.

“Every student who does an internship is so glad.”

Sophia raved about the opportunity, telling the Mountain Democrat she really enjoyed observing the ER staff, getting to know patients and asking a lot of questions. “It really solidified the idea of going into nursing,” she shared — though her area of focus has shifted. She had originally envisioned a career as a pediatric nurse but after spending a few months in the ER, now wants to make that her focus.

Now it’s time to look at colleges — Sophia has her sights set on Southern California.

And while Sophia basks in the sunny glow of her future, fellow junior Ethan Bain continues to explore options after his internship at the El

Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, where he helped staff with research and sorting old case files.

“It definitely gave me some interest, not specifically in law, but in public service,” the 17-year-old shared.

He said the experience was both valuable in terms of planning a future career and building relationships. The DA’s internship landed him an interview for the opportunity to intern at Sen. Marie AlvaradoGil’s office. Will voters one day see “Vote for Bain” campaign signs?

“I’ll see how that goes,” Ethan said with a public service smile. “It could be possible in the future.”

PCA has about 100 students on its campus next to Union Mine High School in El Dorado. In addition to the internship program, the school hosts a spring career day that brings together students and professionals who teach them about their jobs and opportunities within their organizations. This year representatives from the USDA Forest Service, Sweet Pairings Bakery, Marshall Medical Center, SAFE Credit Union, El n See AcAdemy, page B5