Bassett High School senior Maria Gonzalez explained to students from Torch
Middle School and Edgewood Academy what a black light does, as one by one, students stuck
their hands into a box to see just how many germs were living on their hands.
Middle School and Edgewood Academy what a black light does, as one by one, students stuck
their hands into a box to see just how many germs were living on their hands.
The students were among more than 270 Edgewood Academy and Torch Middle School eighthgraders and Bassett High freshmen gathered for the Pathways Showcase, an event
demonstrating career pathways in health care, business and marketing, pre-engineering and
robotics, ceramics, music and art.
“I am excited to show off our Health Science Pathway to students because it is a great program
that teaches you all of the basics in your first year,” Gonzalez said. “You get to spend your
second year interning at an actual clinic, working the front desk, taking in patients and giving
injections and all of that good stuff.”
Gonzalez is president of the Health Occupations of America club at Bassett High and has been
accepted to California State University, San Bernardino. She also has applied to Cal State Long
Beach and Cal Poly Pomona. She plans to pursue a career in dentistry. She was joined by fellow
Bassett High seniors, juniors and sophomores in showcasing careers during the event, held in
the high school gymnasium.
“Our career technical education (CTE) pathways offer students the academic and technical skills
knowledge and rigorous training necessary to succeed in careers and become lifelong learners,”
Assistant Principal Veronica Cueva said. “What we share at the showcase is a glimpse of how
students can begin to think and dream of their future, a future that offers them choices.”
The students from Torch, Edgewood and the freshmen from Bassett High also were encouraged
to explore visual and performing arts (VAPA) classes, while receiving guidance on the academics,
life, employability and technical skills needed to pursue their dream jobs.
All career pathways are tied to a specific outcome: employment, certification or completion of
University of California and Cal State admission requirements.
“We are here to support our students, whether they want to pursue higher education, to
perfect their skills at a trade school or start their career, Bassett Unified will provide the tools
they need in order to succeed,” Bassett Unified Superintendent Debra French said.
“We are here to support our students, whether they want to pursue higher education, to
perfect their skills at a trade school or start their career, Bassett Unified will provide the tools
they need in order to succeed,” Bassett Unified Superintendent Debra French said.
perfect their skills at a trade school or start their career, Bassett Unified will provide the tools
they need in order to succeed,” Bassett Unified Superintendent Debra French said.
PHOTOS:
Top: Bassett High School senior Maria Gonzalez uses a black light
to show Torch Middle School students the germs on their hands as she highlights health care
careers Bassett High School’s Pathways Showcase, held Jan. 30 at Bassett High School.
to show Torch Middle School students the germs on their hands as she highlights health care
careers Bassett High School’s Pathways Showcase, held Jan. 30 at Bassett High School.
Bottom: Torch Middle School students and Edgewood Academy
students learn how to put on and remove gloves covered in fake blood as part of a lesson on
health care careers during Bassett High School’s Pathways Showcase, held Jan. 30 at Bassett
High School.
students learn how to put on and remove gloves covered in fake blood as part of a lesson on
health care careers during Bassett High School’s Pathways Showcase, held Jan. 30 at Bassett
High School.