Student Blog

Each year the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School presents a "Mini MedicalSchool for High School Students, Achieving Excellence in the Sciences". This program met weekly, in the evenings from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, from February 24, 2010 thru April 28, 2010. This statewide competition had more than 700 applicants. CtK Prep Junior, Tiffany Adams, was fortunate to be one of the 150 students selected to participate.

Tiffany shares some thoughts about her experience below…

Hello Everyone,

My experience at the Robert Wood Johnson Mini Medical School this spring was truly incredible. I had the opportunity to be part of a selective group of high school students to learn more in depth about the occurring events in the medical field and ongoing problems that arise everyday.

The mini medical program was located in Piscataway, New Jersey on the Rutgers-Piscataway campus. While on the campus, I blended in with all of the college students and just being there made it more real to know that I will be going away to college in a year.

All 170 of us students sat in a college lecture hall for the mini medical program. Real physicians and surgeons taught us about their careers in medicine. Some of the most interesting topics I learned about were health illiteracy, the teenage brain, and heart transplants.

This program really paved the path for me to continue to pursue my interest in medicine. This opportunity would not have been possible with out the support of my school and the NJ SEEDS Program.

In the future, when I become a doctor, I will give back to all those who helped me to achieve my goal and make this a reality. This is only the first step to many of my successes. Thank you to all who believed in me and made it possible for me to partake in this great experience.

Tiffany Adams

April 2010

Last month, the entire student body at Christ the King Prep participated in a financial literacy program sponsored by our friends from Junior Achievement of NJ and Capital One Bank. Once the fifteen classroom sessions were completed, students went off site to “Finance Park”. (See full story here.)

Here is CtK student, Zack Jackson’s reaction to this simulated financial institution:

I loved the Junior Achievement (J.A.) trip and I am truly thankful to have had an experience with a program such as Finance Park.

The program helped give me an understanding of what life is like as an adult and as a parent, by having me do things like pay bills, budget for needs and wants, and buy food and clothes. I was given an account card, explaining a future life situation in which I was a single person with a well paying job, which is something I would like my future to look like. Some of my classmates were given account cards stating other situations in which they would be a single parent with a low or high paying job.

I was able to learn from all of our situations. Once I was given the account card, I had to make a budget for myself. This showed me how easily all of my bills can add up, especially the small items.

If I were able to go through the J.A program again, I would, for both the wonderful program and the inspirational people that work with the program. I am especially thankful that I was able to experience the J.A program because it allowed me to get an understanding of what my mom does, both at her job and for my household. In order for me to attend a private Catholic school, I know that she had to give up some of the things that she wanted. This program helped me to appreciate all of the sacrifices that she makes in her budget to allow me to attend Christ the King Prep.

Thank you Junior Achievement and Capital One Bank.

Zack Jackson

March 2010

Hello Friends of Christ the King Prep,

Monica
My overall experience here at Christ the King has been phenomenal. It has also opened my eyes to a new career. When I started three years ago, I aspired to be a nurse. During the last three years, I have been fortunate to intern at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Essex County College, and now at First Care Medical Group. From my experience at these jobs and seeing how Dr. Ambrosio treats his employees and patients, I am now interested in health care management. Three years ago, I never knew this position even existed.

This school and my supervisors have given me the opportunity to start working in the corporate world at a young age. My classmates and I know that our corporate sponsors are giving us a tremendous opportunity, not only to go to this school, but also to go to a good college. However, it is not just given to us. Because we have to work for it, we appreciate it more. If this internship program did not exist, my parents simply would not be able to afford to send me to a Catholic school. I am so thankful for this program.

I hope to change many people’s lives, just as my sponsors have done for me.

One day in the future, I would hope to have the honor of Fr. Bob asking me to speak, but not as a student, as a Corporate Sponsor.
Thank you.