Thanks to BLADE for creating the next level of commercials for West-MEC.

West-MEC presents Sanja Vrcelj, a senior at Paradise Valley High School in the Paradise Valley Unified School District with the Career and Technical Education Student of the Month award. Sanja is currently enrolled in the Health Care Assistant course at her high school as well as West-MEC’s Emergency Medical Technician program at Paradise Valley Community College.

Sanja excels in both the classroom and in her interactive clinical training. Her introduction to health care began as a junior when she enrolled in the Health Care Academy program at Paradise Valley HS. Her diligence and eagerness to learn earned her admirable evaluations from her clinical supervisors.

“The patients Sanja has cared for as well as the staff she has worked with appreciate her thoughtfulness, dependability and desire to make a difference,” said Becky Laidig, Paradise Valley High School health careers instructor.

Laidig nominated Sanja for the award. The Student of the Month program encourages CTE instructors to nominate students that stand out in their CTE course. CTE courses prepare students to embark on a career in a variety of industries. Nominations submitted by CTE teachers consider a student’s academics, attitude, class attendance, leadership, and respect towards peers and teachers.

Sanja is from Serbia. She came to the United States at age 12 with her mother and siblings, her father is deceased. Upon her arrival, she did not speak English yet she was motivated to learn.

“Sanja has overcome many obstacles but has remained focused and goal-oriented regarding her future,” Laidig explained. “She is an inspiration and well-suited for a career in health care.”

West-MEC staff will award Sanja with a plaque and a $50 gift card to Best Buy. Local Valley businesses including: Phoenix International Raceway, The Orcutt Winslow Partnership and The Sundt Companies donated funds to support the West-MEC CTE Student of the Month.

Cutting Edge Style Academy students donated their time and services to style the hair for students at the Children First Academy of Tempe, formally one of the two Pappas Schools serving homeless children from across the Valley.

Several boys rocked the faux-hawk look while the girls got dolled up in sparkly hair clips, barrettes and braids and everybody finished the day with a smile.

KTVK Channel 3 covered the event, airing this special story in their evening news broadcast.