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A Step Above: Paula Chelee R. Castro
A Step Above 89135
Paula Chelee R. Castro
Northwest Career and Technical Academy
Class of 2014
G.P.A.: 4.8
Are there times when you look at others and think, “How do they have the time?” Paula Castro, a senior at the Northwest Career and Technical Academy, would fit into that category. She has the time because she cares, and she makes things work because they are in her line of focus and on her list of goals. This multi-lingual “stud-ette,” originally from an island called Saipan, has proven her commitment to her new community through service and continues to raise her bar with new goals and challenges. Her tenacity and impassioned spirit are impressive and place Paula – A Step Above.
Scholarships/Awards
- Delegate, Key Club District Convention, 2013
- Delegate, Key Club International Convention, 2013
- Girl Scouts Gold Award, 2013
- Outstanding Vice-President, Key Club (District Level), 2013
- GAGE Community Service Award, 2013
- NWCTA Academic Letter and Gold Bar Award, 2011-2013
- HOSA State Competition (Career Health Display 4th Place)- 2012
- Distinguished Key Club Officer, 2011
- Nevada Representative, National Youth Leadership Conference, 2011
- Key Club Member of the Year, 2010
Clubs/Community Service
- Key Club, 2010-Present; President 2013-2014, Vice President 2012-2013, Sergeant At Arms 2011-2012, Fundraising Committee Chair 2010-2011
- Polynesian Club, 2010-Present; Vice President 2012-2014, Treasurer 2011-2012
- National Honor Society, 2011-Present
- Health Occupation Students of America, 2011-Present
- Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, 2011-Present
- National Society of High School Scholars Ambassador, 2011-Present
- Children’s Miracle Network Youth Marketing Committee, 2011-Present
- National Honor Society of Sports Medicine, 2012-Present
- Advanced Placement Club, 2011-2013
- Southern Nevada Youth Advisory Council, 2013-Present
- Sahara West Library Volunteer 2010-2011
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s 2010- Present
- Making Strides against Breast Cancer 2010-Present
- Relay for Life 2010-Present
- Light the Night Walk 2010-Present
- Springs Preserve 2010-Present
So…your goals made our head spin a little bit. You have a ton of energy! “For the remainder of my senior year, I would like to finish off both high school and my term as Key Club President strong. I plan to major in Nursing and double minor in Business and Spanish at a four year university, however, I hope to finish college in three years so that I can move on to medical school. I have always aspired to someday become an Interventional Nephrologist, a fairly new specialty in the field of medicine, so that is what I plan to study for. When I am finished with all my schooling, I hope to return to Saipan and open my own dialysis center”
It’s not always been an easy road. “When I first moved here, I was often dubbed foreign and incompetent of the CCSD curriculum because I came from an island. I was placed in all regular classes and denied the opportunity to take Algebra 1 Honors. Instead of allowing this to undermine my competence I persisted, focusing intently on my academics and proving that my origins had nothing to do with my capabilities.”
What’s your favorite quote to live by? “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
― Howard Thurman.
