LA PUENTE – Edgewood Academy student Kathya Nava loves to draw and discovered career possibilities to further her passion by taking courses through the La Puente Valley Regional Occupational Program (LPVROP) this summer at Bassett High School.

Nava, 11, joined a group of about 40 Bassett Unified middle schoolers who are immersed in a four-week course that explores medical and digital media professions through hands-on experiences. The program is from June 13 to July 7, and has quickly taken students into new and exciting career options.

“I’d never heard of a medical illustrator before I started the program, but now I realize that it goes hand in hand with all the things I love,” Nava said. “I’ve learned that I can also design video game covers, or pursue graphic design if I want to.”

The LPVROP has a long and successful partnership with Bassett Unified School District that dates back to 1970. This is the first year that gives middle schoolers a chance to participate in the program, which includes a highly interactive medical and digital multimedia academy.

“We’re excited to expose middle schoolers to a program that has helped build successful futures through the years,” LPVROP director Victor Gomez said. “What they’ll learn this summer will build a strong foundation that gives them additional options to achieve their goals.”

The curriculum introduces the basics of sports therapy, medical core and first responder, and presents an overview of the digital design industry and practical introductory knowledge of commercial art and design methods.

Interactive activities include students tossing water balloons to illustrate the functions of the respiratory system and sketching favorite animated characters.

“We value the partnership we have with the La Puente Valley ROP, who provide students another way to discover potential careers,” Bassett Unified Superintendent Alex Rojas said. “Our middle schoolers will learn critical skills such as administering first aid and CPR that they can take with them throughout their lives.”

PHOTOS:

BASSETT_LPVROP1: Edgewood Academy student Anthony Padilla (right) learns how to take a person’s blood pressure by practicing on classmate Kathya Nava (left) through a summer medical academy taught through the La Puente Valley Regional Occupational Program at Bassett High School.

BASSETT_ LPVROP2: Students create a clay model of the respiratory system through the summer medical academy taught through the La Puente Valley Regional Occupational Program at Bassett High School.