Discovering Her Place in Surg Tech
For Kaitlyn Bodily, pursuing higher education has always been a priority—along with making the most of every opportunity along the way.
Born in Salt Lake City and raised throughout Utah, Kaitlyn graduated from Bingham High School in June 2026 after an ambitious and highly accelerated academic journey. While still in high school, she enrolled in Advanced Placement and concurrent enrollment courses, quickly moving ahead of her peers. By her junior year, she was taking only one class on her high school campus, with the rest of her coursework completed at a local college. By her senior year, she was fully immersed in classes at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC).
"I did everything I could to get ahead," Kaitlyn says. "I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity available to me."
Despite her strong academic focus, Kaitlyn also made time for extracurricular involvement, participating in organizations such asthe NationalHonor Society, Hope Squad, and student leadership groups. Outside of school, she enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time with her family—an important source of support throughout her journey.
Kaitlyn had long been interested in pursuing a career in the medical field, but itwasn'tuntil she attended a career pathway event that she discovered surgical technology. Listening to an SLCC instructorspeakabout the program sparked an immediate interest. "I knew from hearing it and how passionately he spoke that, at the very least, it would be the perfect gateway for whatever else I wanted in life," she says.
As Kaitlyn progressed through the program, that initial curiosity quickly grew into something more meaningful. "I've really seen how amazing it is and how lucky I am to be in the program," she says. "I think it might be a permanent position for me now rather than just a step forward."
While she was committed to her education, balancing school and finances presented a challenge. Kaitlyn worked long hours to help pay for tuition, even as her mother contributed financially as well. "I still felt pretty guilty taking the money from her," she says.
That changed when she learned she had been awarded support through the Metallica Scholars Initiative.
"It was a huge relief," Kaitlyn says. "It took a lot of weight off my shoulders." The scholarship allowed her to reduce her work hours and focus more fully on her studies. It also meant her mother could redirect financial resources elsewhere, easing the burden on her family.
Beyond financial relief, the scholarship has had a meaningful impact on Kaitlyn's day-to-day life. "I've had a lot more time to study and be present with my family," she says. "It's taken a lot of stress off of everyday things."
Looking ahead, Kaitlyn is considering several paths within the healthcare field, including working in a trauma center, pediatric hospital, or emergency obstetrics setting—environments where she can continue to build her skills while making a difference in patients' lives.
For those who may feel uncertain about starting college, Kaitlyn emphasizes the long-term value of education. "It's scary sometimes, but you'll never regret the things that you learn," she says. "SLCC is a great place to do that because there are so many pathways and teachers who really want you to succeed."
She also expressed her appreciation for the opportunityshe's receivedthrough the Metallica Scholars Initiative. "Thank you so much for this opportunity," she says. "I'm so grateful that I no longer have to worry about funds for college and can turn my time to the things that matter most. It's also pretty cool to say that I have a scholarship through Metallica."
With a strong academic foundation and a clear sense of purpose, Kaitlyn is making the most of every opportunity—continuing to build a path toward a meaningful career in healthcare.