Faith in Motion: Jayla Pomroy weighs career in occupational therapy
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LOWELL – Jayla Pomroy is enjoying her final high school summer before entering her senior year at the Washington County Career Center.
At 18-years-old, Pomroy will complete her final year of high school in the sports medicine and exercise science program.
"I've always been drawn to helping others, and I knew that I wanted to incorporate that in my future career," she said. "I've always had a passion for moving the body and learning about the body."
Pomroy said she plans to use the skills she's learned from the career center to apply it to a future career as an occupational therapist. Although she's not fully set on what she wants to do after graduation next spring, she's considered different occupations.
"My mind was also kind of going towards being a radiographer," she said.
Pomroy said she has learned so much at the career center from academics to collaboration. She said she found that she really enjoyed working with others.
"I found that working with others is not only easier but it's more interesting and it can be more fun," said Pomroy.
Pomroy said she's super excited for her senior year because it's the step before a full career. She said she plans to attend a two-year college like Columbus State Community College or Washington State College of Ohio to obtain her associates degree.
"I'm open to whatever's available," she said.
If she chooses to continue her education beyond those two years, she said she's open to more if she wanted to go into occupational therapy.
"I've been looking forward to my senior year ever since I was younger ... having all my work finished is going to feel really rewarding at the end," said Pomroy.
Residing with her family in Lowell, Pomroy went to Fort Frye Local Schools before transferring to the Career Center for her junior and senior year. She said she felt that the transfer to the career center would be beneficial for her career aspirations and it freed up her time so she could work after school.
"I wanted to try something new," she said.
At the Career Center, Pomroy is a student ambassador who helps incoming career center students and potential students learn more about the programs.
She has also been a member of student council at Fort Frye during her middle school years and is a student council member at the Career Center.
Pomroy was involved in sports at Fort Frye all throughout elementary, middle and high school. She played basketball and softball intermittently throughout her school career. Although she no longer participates in either sports, she said she remains active on her own time.
"I'm very active and I make sure that I still keep up with my wellness and health," she said.
Pomroy said she was a member of the student council at Fort Frye throughout her middle and high school career. She's also an active participant in the theatre program and has been since her freshman year.
"I've always had a passion for singing, acting and dancing," she said. "It's a really good group of kids trying to find themselves, and it's really nice."
Pomroy said each year they start rehearsals in November for the full show in March. She said it's a lot of work but always really rewarding.
"During my freshman year, I joined at the very last minute, they just needed a character and I didn't have very many lines," she said. "But that's how I first got into it."
She said the "Descendants" musical her sophomore year was her favorite because she enjoyed the songs and all of her character lines.
"The dances were fun, and I love being on stage, and I was on stage more for that musical," she said.
Pomroy said she has thought about continuing musical theatre after she graduates but felt it wouldn't end up as her career.
Aside from school and theatre, Pomroy has been very involved at Freedom Gate Church. She said she's been volunteering to help with the summer youth camps. She said she has been spending a lot of her time during the summer helping out as well as working a part-time job.
"I've honestly been trying to be active and hang out with my family and friends as much as possible," said Pomroy.
Pomroy resides in Lowell with her three cats, three dogs, and three sisters. She said she's the second youngest in the family and was actually adopted by her family when she was 12 years old.
"I was a foster kid for most of my life," she said. "I went into the system when I was 5 years old, involved in 11 different foster homes."
Pomroy said she is a very strong believer in God and is the person she is today because of her faith. She said she wanted to share her experience with others and spread the Word.
Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com