After giving blood in the morning, Maria participates in Senior Celebration at Clemente High School.

Maria is one of
over 100 GEAR UP students who have participated in the Children's Memorial program since 2003.

Mayra Vega, Postsecondary Coach, CPS, Maria, and Robert Valle, GEAR UP Coach.

Maria Flores is already a long way on her way to becoming a nurse practitioner. After participating in the GEAR UP Children's Memorial program, she became convinced she's found her calling. She hadn't even known there was such an occupation as nurse practitioner until she shadowed a nurse as part of the 6 week program at Children's. It was an eye opening experience for her. She had thought of becoming an RN, but realized that he work of a nurse practitioner, an RN with a master's degree and extended training would allow her to do much more than an RN with a bachelor's degree.

So she's on her way, this last year, she completed a CNA program at Wright College. In January, she passed her state exam, and now she's a Certified Nursing Assistant. That qualification will help her as she works her way through college at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. Going to Dominican will allow her to live at home, which is important to her, and find employment at a nearby hospital. She's hoping to work at Children's.