Childhood dream comes into focus for high schooler in Exploring program
Ashley Klay participated in the Lima Memorial Medical Explorers program and is now working fulltime with them as an LPN. It is part of a childhood dream for her ever since elementary school, Ashley had visions of being a nurse. As she grew and became a high schooler the opportunity to explore the nursing field became a reality thanks to Lima Memorial Hospital’s Exploring Post. She attended Apollo for her Junior and Senior year. Enrolling in the health science program helped give her a head start for the LPN program. Ashley applied for the LPN program and then got accepted into the program.
Ashley said her father has been an inspiration and because of him, she has become interested in the medical field and ultimately wants to help others.
Ashley found out about the medical Exploring program through a flyer distributed at Apollo and she jumped at the opportunity to learn first-hand at one West Central Ohio’s largest medical facilities.
In the Exploring program, student participants get the opportunity to learn while doing hands-on lessons and activities, and in Ashley’s case, she received the experience to help her confirm her childhood dream that being a nurse was for her.
One of her favorite meetings was when they explored the ER. They spent some time on cardiology and learning about the heart. They also got to learn how a stent is placed within the heart.
Meetings were held once a month at the hospital and hands on activities which included the phlebotomy laboratory, suturing, nursing, and physical therapy.
Once she graduated from school and she received her LPN license she then got hired by Lima Memorial Hospital in September 2020. Ashley was so happy the program is available and thankful Lima Memorial sponsors it. Being able to see patients smile and getting better is what keeps her smiling and making a difference to others. Ashley advice to middle school and high school students is to “keep fulfilling your dream, and it will all be worth it.”
Jaime De La Cruz, Director of Human Resources at Marathon is this year's Keynote Speaker at the annual Exploring Dinner. CLICK HERE to Register by the April 6 deadline.
If you have a story for the Extraordinary Explorer newsletter or would like to learn more about the program for local high school students, contact Kaleb Brown at Kaleb.Brown@Scouting.org
Exploring began in 1949 and is part of the Black Swamp Area Council program and learning opportunities along with the Scouting program serving young people of West Central and Northwestern Ohio.More than 5,400 individuals are participating in the local program as a Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, Explorers and adult volunteers. In 2020, these individuals participated in 8,069 hours of community service. For more information about finding Scouting near you, visit BeAScout.org
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