Paramount High’s Health Career Academy Takes Center Stage at Countywide CTE Spotlight

Paramount High School’s Health Career Academy was honored yesterday as the keynote presenter at the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Career Technical Education (CTE) spotlight event. This invitation reflected the growing recognition of the Academy’s work in preparing students for meaningful careers in the health and medical fields, and it offered a moment for the Paramount Unified School District to celebrate the strength of its pathways.

Senior Jonathan Ayala served as the keynote student speaker, offering a thoughtful reflection on how the Health Career Academy shaped his interests, confidence, and readiness for the future. His remarks were followed by contributions from Mikhael Mercado and Diana Lopez, who participated in the student panel. Each student spoke with clarity about their experiences, demonstrating how hands-on learning and strong mentorship can open doors to college, career, and life readiness.

Their accomplishments were supported by Medical Pathway teachers Beth Rogers and Laura Galvan, whose guidance has helped students deepen their knowledge and discover their voice within the field. District CTE Coordinator Jason Ito also played a key role in preparing the students and continues to lead the broader effort of expanding high-quality CTE opportunities across Paramount Unified.

The event served as another example of the district’s mission in action—empowering every student to realize their potential through innovative, supportive, and inclusive programs. It also reflected the vision of preparing learners to step forward as resilient, well-rounded individuals ready to make a positive impact in their communities.