School life is a balance between professional pursuit and creative expression for Wright City High School senior Destiny Padgett.

Padgett is enrolled in the school’s health occupations course – a lengthy class that prepares students for a career in healthcare – but also takes AP government, choir, and dual-enrollment theater appreciation courses.

The two-semester health occupations course starts with book learning and lectures, before placing students at hospitals and clinics later in the year to observe and learn. Padgett said the experience will be a step toward her goal of becoming a surgeon.

“I’ve always wanted to help people. Originally I wanted to be a lifeguard,” she commented. Eventually she decided on medicine, but said she’s staying away from being a pediatrician.

“I don’t want to give children shots, because I don’t like shots!” she laughed.

Q: What health specialty did you settle on?

“Cardio-vascular surgeon. ... The heart is just so fascinating; just that this organ the size of your fist can pump blood throughout your body.”

Q: Are any classes a big challenge?

“Health occ. I look forward to it, but there’s a lot of material and you have to memorize all of it.”

Q: What is it you enjoy about also exploring creative arts?

“It makes me feel free. I can lose real-life problems, and when I come back, I’m just light.”

Q: What other school activities are you involved in?

“I’m in cheer, golf, Spanish club and the academic Scholar Bowl team.”

Q: How do you manage your time for all that?

“I’ve always been in a lot of things. I always schedule to where I have just enough time to get there at the start time, and I change in the car. But it never stresses me out – I’ve always been able to do many things.”

Q: What have you learned through those activities?

“There’s always a time and place to focus on your own being, but also you have to make sure you’re part of the team. Teamwork and self-work are equally important.”

Q: Who’s been a strong mentor for you?

“Ms. Jennifer Perier, my choir teacher at Johansen High School (where I used to live). She never sugar-coated when we weren’t in our whole-group dynamic, but she also taught us things to help us blend well.”

Q: What advice would you give to other students?

“Get a planner. Always write down even the little things you don’t think you need to focus on. Always write those too, to stay on top of it. But keep the assignments that you have to get done on top. Stay organized and know how to prioritize.”

Favorite food: Manicotti
Favorite show: “Bones”
Free time activity: Writing
Favorite music genre: Classical
Favorite destination: Knights Ferry