Since freshman year, Warrenton student Nevaeh Noonan knew that she was interested in health and biology. Now a senior, Noonan is dual-enrolled in a health occupation course provided by Four Rivers Career Center in Washington.

“It basically gives us a doorway into all the different types of (health) programs,” Noonan said of the class. She hopes to acquire a certified medical technician license before finishing high school.

Noonan has been enrolled in biology classes every year in high school, although she doesn’t yet know where that interest will take her. She has a couple potential career interests, but plans to take more time to figure out where her life is going.

The health occupation class takes up about half the school day, with other elective classes occupying her mornings. Among her favorite activities is being part of the school band.

Q: What makes you interested in health?

“It’s so intriguing. I love figuring how people get sick and how they get healthy. It’s just part of me, I guess.”

Q: What does the health occupation class involve?

“First semester is all studying. Second semester is supposed to be (professional) clinicals, but they’re trying to find places for us to go because of COVID. ... My teacher now was a nurse for quite a while, and she tries to get (guest speakers) with health care experience.”

Q: What’s it like to interact with those professionals?

“It’s amazing. The teacher gives us a lot more real-world experience than any other teacher would. It’s really great to see a first-hand experience of what she actually does, and it helps us to see if we actually want to keep going forward in this career.”

Q: If you could visit any professional setting, where would you pick?

“I really want to go to the emergency rooms and observe the emergency operations. I really wanted to go to the SSM hospitals, but they’re not letting us in this year.”

Q: What profession are you interested in?

“I was wanting to either go be a physical therapist or a medical examiner, but that takes a lot of years. ... I’ve actually been struggling really hard with what to do after my associate’s degree. I haven’t figured out what university I’m going to. But I know I have to do my pre-med.”

Q: What do you enjoy about band?

“Music has been a big part of my high school career and my life. I really enjoy making music and playing music with my peers. ... Without the band family, I do not know where I would belong.”

Q: What study method is helpful when you’re having trouble with a subject?

“I’m really hands-on. Right now I have a student tutor, and she’s been incredibly helpful.

Q: Who has been influential to you as a student?

“(Counselor) Tonya McDaniel. She has helped me the most out of everyone. She’s helped me with my schedule, my home life, my academics. ... I never really knew what I was going to do after high school, and she’s helped plan that out with me.”

Favorite food: Seafood

Favorite show: “Rick and Morty”

Favorite movie: “The Lovely Bones”

Favorite music: Classic rock

Favorite destination: Brussels Island in Illinois