"I always make jokes that she chases me around with needles," Bill Enriquez says. His daughter, a student at Holland Medical High School, and wants to continue into the medical field. He says that Holland Medical has really sparked an interest and desire in his daughter. "She's excited, she wants to be a nurse practitioner, and this is just another way to get there."He adds that career schools, like Holland, provide a great learning opportunity for students who are unsure of their future. "I think this program gives any participant a head-start."
Which is something Tim Lancaster, Chairmen of the Task Force, says is Abilene ISD's goal. "AISD wants to make sure that we have multiple paths to graduation."
Enriquez says, the hands-on experience his daughter gets in the classroom has given her a stronger focus in school. "She's a little more disciplined because she is really concentrating on something she wants to do. It's a career path for her."
While Holland has made a big impression on parents and students. AISD wants to expand and add more paths for students to take in more fields, saying there is even a desire in Abilene for more.
"I think we also heard some encouragement from local industries on why we need to move forward with the career high schools," says Lancaster.
This parent agrees that these career schools can have a positive effect on a students desire to learn.
"I'm so proud of her for doing so well," beams Enriquez.
**AISD school officials and the Task Force got together for part one, of two, to talk about the progress on issues like facilities, security, classroom technology, and additional vocational high schools. If you missed tonight's presentation, you can still bring your questions to the next meeting, Thursday night at 7 at Bowie Elementary.**
