As the semester begins to pick up the pace, Independent
Study and Mentorship students are busy prepping for milestones in their
mentorships by completing projects ranging from planning a worship service to
analyzing musical theory. One student in particular has put her best foot
forward, literally. For her Original Work project, FHS Senior Brianna Heath
made a prosthetic leg from start to finish for Candy Paquette, one of her two
mentors. “It was nerve-racking, to be honest,” Brianna said when asked about
what the process was like. “My mentors would tell me what to do and then I
would do it on my own, but the pressure was on because Candy is both a
prosthetist and an amputee –she knows everything, but they were there for me
every step of the way and I learned so much.” Local prosthetists Gary
Strobeland Candy Paquette, guided her through the entire fabrication process,
from creating the mold to finalizing the adjustments. “Seeing something I made
that gave someone the ability to walk again… is amazing. As a prosthetist, I
have the opportunity to really impact people’s lives.” Brianna’s prosthetic leg
is one of the many fascinating projects being done in ISM this year, but that
diversity is exactly what ISM is all about. “It’s a year-long immersion into
something you’re truly passionate about,” Brianna said. “It doesn’t matter if
it turns out to be your future career – it’s a series of incredible
opportunities that have no limits at all. Who else can say that they’ve made a
leg for an amputee before they’ve graduated high school? Designed a building?
Planned the local news? I couldn’t have done any of this if it hadn’t been for
Coach Goff and the ISM program.”
Story written by: Brianna
Heath, 12th Grade, ISM student
