LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Applause flooded the Central High School auditorium on Tuesday as students from Shantel Reed's pre-med class admired one of their own.
Jocelyn Vasquez took the stage with her mentors, her teacher and one of her patients, accepting the new University of Louisville Health award for Outstanding Service in Trauma Response.
"A lot of people don't understand why Central students have so much pride in school, but it's because of moments like this," Vasquez said.
As a high school junior, she worked in the emergency room during the Old National Bank shooting. Vasquez shadowed nurse Kiara James.
"Me and Jocelyn ran through the hospital, reuniting families together, as well as directing police officers where they needed to go. And we both looked at each other and we said, 'we got this,'" James recalled through tears.
The Central High School pre-med student humbly accepted her award, crediting her teacher's instruction.
"But there's some things I cannot teach," Reed acknowledged. "I cannot teach you to be that compassionate person when a tragedy like that hits."
Although Vasquez is a straight-A student, the unteachables earned her the honor. One recognized by the hospital's emergency doctors.
"You are what medicine is looking for. You are what Central is known for. You are excellence," Dr. Edward Miller said.
And as mentors made her excellence known, Vasquez's Guatamalan parents recorded the ceremony with pride. They immigrated to the United States in 2001 after a two-week journey.
"They said, 'yes,'" Vasquez translated. "'It was worth coming here and be able to see what I am able to do here and the opportunities given for a better future.'"
A future their daughter knows is certain now.
"I feel like I can finally say that I've done something to prove that I will make it," the young woman said.
Proof everyone around Vasquez could already see.
After graduating high school, she will attend Bellarmine University and study public health. She dreams Dr. Vasquez will be her title one day.
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