Time to Focus on Schoolwork and Family Thanks to Metallica Scholars
Set to graduate from Copper Hills High School in West Jordan, Utah, on June 1st of this year, Matteo Parra found his high school experience interrupted by the pandemic. This time was especially difficult for Matteo as he loved attending school dances and hanging out with his friends. Despite the Zoom meetings and masks, Matteo did delight in his anatomy class. “My teacher Ms. Jenkins taught in such a way that it made me fall even in more love with health science,” said Matteo.
Matteo has always aspired to join the medical field with a disposition toward surgery and becoming a surgeon. Encouraged by Ms. Jenkins to join the Surgical Technology program at SLCC, Matteo said, “The program was perfect for me to get my foot in the door and hopefully pave the way for my future medical career.”
This local resident found that preparing for the program was a tall order and that his senior year was mostly filled with a rigorous workload in the Surgical Technology program. “It all worked out in the end, as I fell in love with the program,” he said. Matteo still enjoys spending time with his friends and has had fun making new friends with his surgical technology classmates. Matteo plays soccer in his spare time and enjoys dressing up his cat.
Matteo heard about the Metallica Scholars initiative from Surgical Technology Program Coordinator Greg Maughan and was encouraged to apply. Being a Metallica Scholar gave Matteo the time to focus on schoolwork. Without worrying about money, Matteo could spend more time caring for his younger brother to support his family. “The Metallica Scholarship was a remarkable gift for me,” said Matteo.
As for the future, Matteo wants to work at a level 1 trauma center at the University of Utah, where he also hopes to go to school someday. “The crazy day-to-day life and diversity in cases and procedures at a level 1 trauma center interest me to no end,” he said. “I get excited just thinking about it!”
Matteo expressed that college can be challenging, but the “number of resources and opportunities they give you is vast and tremendous.” He encourages students to use the resources that are available to them. He wants those considering college to know that “SLCC is on your side.”
Matteo is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the surgical technology program as a Metallica Scholar. “Having that support has been a saving grace,” he said. Matteo has especially enjoyed learning more about Metallica’s All Within My Hands foundation and building his career knowledge and skills. “It's truly been an honor meeting everyone and having this opportunity,” he said.