Student: Ashley Darnell

Instructor: Polly Shilling

School of: Medical and Allied Health

Class: Health Exploration

Ashley Darnell is a student at Logansport High School attending classes in the Century Career Center in medical and allied health. Her plans are to attend Ivy Tech and become a registered nurse and specialize in forensics then eventually become a nurse practitioner.

What she likes most about her classes are “that all my teachers will do anything to help me succeed. I also love the job shadowing and pre-college experience that I have gained.”

She believes these classes are preparing her for her future because “all of my classes have helped me realize what it takes to work in the medical field, and now I know for sure what I see myself doing for the rest of my life.”

Ashley has earned Shilling’s Superstar of the Month.

She loves her animals, which include three dogs, three bunnies and nine cats. She also loves books and movies because they help her escape reality for a little bit. She also spends her spare time with her best friend/boyfriend, Joshua.

Her favorite teacher is Mrs. Shilling because “she makes everything fun and shows concern for all her students. I know that she’s always there for me.”

The people Ashley look up to and admire are her Grandma Bradley and Aunt Teresa because “they are strong, successful women. My parents are my inspiration and the reason I work so hard to accomplish my life goals.”

One of Ashley’s proudest moments was when her parents agreed to let her drive to Logansport to attend LHS. “I’m trying my hardest to make them proud, also.”

Advice Ashley would give to other students about career planning and preparation is “organization is really the key to success. If you’re always organized, then you are always prepared. When you decide on what you want to do as a career, make sure you know what exactly the career is and what you’ll need to do to get there.”

Polly Shilling is the instructor for the medical and allied health class at Century Career Center.

She describes Ashley’s greatest strengths as being a well-spoken, enthusiastic, fun loving and intelligent student.

“Ashley is a self-motivated student who strives to succeed in school and in life,” said Shilling.

Some major tasks Ashley is learning includes her senior project regarding blood donations.

“Ashley has learned the skills required to take vital signs. She has also learned the importance of professionalism and communication,” added Shilling.

Some goals for Ashley are that she experience as many health care professions of her choice.