GTHS Student, Future Medical Leader Maria Cruz Vazquez Heads to Boston

In a few years, Grand Terrace High School will name a medical leader within the ranks of its alumni; for now, it can boast a future medical leader. Grand Terrace High School senior Maria Cruz Vazquez is that leader. Next month, Vazquez, who currently maintains a weighted 4.7 GPA, will head to Boston to participate in the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, an honors-only program for high school students who aspire to become physicians or enter medical research fields. The Congress intends to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the country's top students to follow their dreams and provide a path and resources to reach their medical career goals, said officials. Cruz explained it wasn't always in her plans to enter medicine, but the idea of helping others is one she feels is rewarding. "At first I didn't want to join medicine, but some people that are very close to me became severely ill when I was 15," recounted Cruz, a resident of Colton. "Their diseases made me interested in the medical field. Getting to see them recuperate and continue their lives after such a tragedy made me want to aspire to become a doctor. Being able to help people so much is extremely rewarding to me; as soon as the idea of becoming a doctor came to mind, it wouldn't let go." Vazquez was nominated by Dr. Connie Mariano, the medical director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, to represent California based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to help others. The three-day Congress will bring together students nationwide to hear from Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science winners, who will discuss leading medical research; learn from Ivy League medical school deans about the ins-and-outs of medical school; hear the stories of patients who are living medical miracles; learn about cutting-edge medical advances; and inspire and be inspired by other students. "This is a crucial time in America when we need more doctors and medical scientists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially," said Richard Rossi, executive director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. "Focused, bright and determined students like Maria...are our future, and she deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give her." Cruz intends to study cardiology, and will study at nearby UCR, she said. She plans to obtain a double major in both biology and computer science, and obtain a Master's degree. "I really want to challenge myself these next few years," she said. "It's a lot of work, but I'm sure that with a wonderful university under my feet that I will have everything I need to succeed." [END] Hello Ms. Jent, Thank you so much for responding, I'm very happy to hear from you! My last official GPA was 4.0 (unweighted) and a 4.7 when weighted . I am absolutely amazed by the cardiovascular system, it fascinating and I'm looking forward to working in cardiology. So cardiology is definitely a main goal for me right now, but I've been told that many people come into medical school with a specialty in mind and leave with a completely different one. I'm really open to new ideas, but I'm very happy to become a cardiologist. Actually, I'm very excited to say that I'll be attending UCR! My plan is to obtain a double major in Biology and Computer Science. I want to really challenge myself these next few years and obtain my Masters degree in the next 4 years. It's a lot of work, but I'm sure that with such a wonderful university under my feet that I will have everything I need to succeed. At first I didn't want to join medicine, but some people that are very close to me became severely ill when I was 15. Their diseases made me very interested in the medical field. Getting to see them recuperate and continue their lives after such tragedy made me want to aspire to become a doctor. Being able to help people so much is extremely rewarding to me; as soon as the idea of becoming a doctor came to mind, it wouldn't let go. I don't participate too much in extracurricular activities, but I have joined a few. My favorite of which was mock trial in which I was the prosecution attorney for a mock court case. It was challenging for me because speaking in front of crowds has always been difficult for me, but I had a lot of fun. I got to work with my favorite teacher again and I met some amazing students who loved participating; our enthusiasm really motivated me to join. I've been living in Colton for nearly 6 years and it's a very welcoming area. My neighborhood is filled with extremely friendly people that have been there with us these past few years. We moved here shortly before the end of 6th grade and we've loved living here. I'm attaching four photos, use whichever you'd like. I believe one of them is one of myself and my grandmother, Rebecca De Cruz **** Maria Cruz Vazquez, a senior at Grand Terrace High School has been nominated to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Boston, MA on June 24-26, 2015. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country who aspire to be physicians or medical scientists, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal. Maria Cruz Vazquez was nominated by Dr. Connie Mariano, the Medical Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists to represent CA based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine. During the three-day Congress, Maria Cruz Vazquez will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research;be given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what is to expect in medical school;witness stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; be inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology. “This is a crucial time in America when we need more doctors and medical scientists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially,” said Richard Rossi, Executive Director, National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. “Focused, bright and determined students like Maria Cruz Vazquez are our future and she deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give her.” The Academy offers free services and programs to students who want to be physicians or go into medical science. Some of the services and programs the Academy offers are online social networks through which future doctors and medical scientists can communicate; opportunities for students to be guided and mentored by physicians and medical students; and communications for parents and students on college acceptance and finances, skills acquisition, internships, career guidance and much more. The National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists was founded on the belief that we must identify prospective medical talent at the earliest possible age and help these students acquire the necessary experience and skills to take them to the doorstep of this vital career. Based in Washington, D.C. and with offices in Boston, MA, the Academy was chartered as a nonpartisan, taxpaying institution to help address this crisis by working to identify, encourage and mentor