Meet LPS Focus Program Senior: Michael, Bryan College of Health Sciences

March 28, 2025

The mission of Lincoln Public Schools is to prepare ALL students for successful careers, lifelong learning and civic engagement.

High school graduation is a culmination of our scholars' and educators' hard work toward this significant milestone. 

The LPS Focus Programs’ core values of exploration, education, engagement and empowerment are beliefs rooted in the overall LPS mission and the school district’s commitment to high school graduation. 

Read how senior Michael used the Bryan College of Health Sciences Focus Program at Northwest High School to Launch at LPS in this Q&A. 

Name: Michael

Grade: 12

Home High School: Northwest

Focus Program: Bryan College of Health Sciences 

Why did you choose the Bryan College of Health Sciences Focus Program?

I chose this focus program because it enticed me with a new opportunity. I liked the idea of getting a head start in the medical field. With the chance of the initial years of the focus program having free tuition paid by the school, it seemed like too good of an opportunity to pass up.

How did the Bryan College of Health Sciences Focus Program change your high school experience?

Well firstly, I had to switch schools that I was attending completely. Initially, I went to school at Lincoln High for IB (International Baccalaureate). This was a huge change to my experience at high school – new sports teams, friends, teachers and a new building. Secondly, it changed a lot of what I was doing in school. It brought a lot more opportunities that I wouldn't have gotten if I wasn't in the program, like going on field trips to the hospitals, meeting different health professionals, and getting to use all the resources the focus program provided me in furthering my academic goals in the field.

What is the greatest lesson you learned from the Bryan College of Health Sciences Focus Program? Why?

As much as I would like to say something health-related, as it is a health-focused program after all, I'd have to say that the greatest lesson that I had to learn was time management because of how much information is given and how much work has to be done. I had to find ways to balance it out with sports, other classes and playing the violin. If I didn't figure out how to balance the time that I have every day to get everything done, I would not be as successful as I would be now.

How did the Bryan College of Health Sciences Focus Program help you reach your graduation goals?

It gave me elective credits that I could use for graduation. I now have more than 40 extra elective credits. 

What are your post-graduation plans?

My post-graduation plan is to go to college as soon as possible and study pre-dental.

How did the Bryan College of Health Sciences Focus Program help prepare you for those post-graduation plans? 

This focus program was what really propelled me into my post-graduation plans. I would have never seen myself going down the path that I am now. Because of the nature of the focus program, it gives a lot of initial information that I need to go down a pre-dental pathway.

How did the Bryan College of Health Sciences Focus Program help prepare you for the future?

It helped give me insight into what the pre-medical field would be like in college. It also helped me be better at my time management as stated before.

What would your advice be to younger students considering joining your focus program? Why?

Some advice that I would give to younger students would be to learn your study style and not procrastinate in class, especially in Anatomy and Physiology. I think it is also beneficial to stay engaged with the teachers who teach the class, as building those relations can make the class more enjoyable.

What are you most thankful about this experience? Why?

I am thankful to LPS and Bryan Health for having the focus program offered to students like myself. I'm also thankful for all the experiences that it has given to me and all the people I met through the focus program. I am thankful for all this because I don't really know what I would be doing right now without this focus program, as it has really narrowed down what I see myself doing in the future. It has also led to me meeting a lot of great people.

Congratulations, Michael! We wish you the best in your future endeavors. We are thankful our educators could help you Launch at LPS!

 

Choose your passion. Choose your community. Choose your future with LPS Focus Programs. 

Learn more about the Bryan College of Health Sciences Focus Program at Northwest by visiting its website at https://healthsciences.lps.org/ or stop by our website home.lps.org/focus to get more information about all our focus programs.

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