By Derrick Smith

Gabriella Herrera is a junior at Cherokee High School. She also attends Northwest Technology Center in Alva where she can get a head start on her future career while still in high school.

“I first heard about Northwest Tech when I was in the eighth grade,” she stated. “They had a program called Health Careers, which immediately caught my attention. I just knew it was a great start to pursue my career in the medical field. I wanted to take this class because of my interest in helping people. I always wanted to be a nurse and this class is a great way to get me started.”

Herrera has enjoyed her time at Northwest Tech so far and says that she would highly recommend it to anyone.

“If you are considering going to Tech, do it,” she stated. “It is a great experience; the classes and teachers are amazing. It is a great way to get started in whatever career you choose. It is allowing me to be more understanding of what I would like to do in future by showing me how to take care of people the right and safe way. I have learned many things on how to take care of people.”

Gabriella is a student athlete at Cherokee. She plays both softball and basketball for the Chiefs. She says that she loves to play sports because she can always work hard to get better.

“My favorite part about playing sports is that I like to push myself to be the best that I can be,” she said. “No matter how good I get, I can always improve somewhere.”

Throughout her life, Herrera has had numerous people that have had an impact on her, both as an athlete and as a person. Out of all of them, she says there has been one person that has been the biggest role model for her. 

“My father has been the greatest influence in my life,” she said. “He has always pushed me to be at my absolute best and has been my greatest supporter.”

Along with sports and attending Tech, Gabriella is also a member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and HOSA.