Fraternal twin sisters Kayla and Sara Aaron have shared nearly every chapter of life, but at 海角视频 Clarion, their academic paths began to diverge 鈥� each pursuing a degree aligned with her own goals.
The sisters graduated May 9, Sara with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology on the pre-veterinary track and Kayla with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing. They say their similarities are few: the blue hue of their eyes, their stubbornness, and the decision to attend Clarion, just 20 minutes from their hometown of Lucinda.
鈥淎ll of my family was still an arm鈥檚 length away, and it was very feasible to live at home while also having a college experience,鈥� Kayla said. 鈥淚t never felt like we were missing out.鈥�
Both sisters describe the last four years as academically demanding, but they say those challenges prepared them well for what comes next.
For Kayla, clinical experiences were central to her growth as a nursing student.
鈥淢y clinical experiences have played a drastic role in my confidence and compassion,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 learned critical thinking for quick decision making, patient assessment skills and effective communication with interdisciplinary teams.鈥�
Her hands-on learning began with clinical rotations in her sophomore year, experiences she credits with helping her grow into a confident and compassionate nurse. She is now working as a registered nurse on the med/surg鈥損ediatrics floor at UPMC Northwest in Seneca.
Sara鈥檚 hands-on learning proved just as influential.
鈥淭he labs 鈥� genetics, endocrinology, and cell physiology鈥攕howed what real life is like and how things will be done in practice,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he biology coursework has helped me build the skills and confidence I need for vet school by laying a strong foundation that I know will only grow from here.鈥�
Among her most meaningful experiences were her research project, Cats, Dogs, and Horses鈥� Oral Flora/Bacteria, and her endocrinology course. Kayla plans to enroll in veterinary school this fall.
鈥淚 will be a small fish in a big pond again, which is OK,鈥� she said. 鈥淎cademically, I am ready for the next step because of 海角视频.鈥�
Both sisters say 海角视频 Clarion provided the support and preparation they needed.
Kayla expressed gratitude for her nursing faculty, particularly Dr. Pamela Karg, Dr. Melanie Best, Dr. Emilie Kennedy, and Dr. Ginelle Hunsberger.
鈥淭hey have wanted the very best for each of their students,鈥� she said.
Sara echoed that sentiment about her experience in the biology program.
鈥淭he 海角视频 community has shaped my sense of direction by the pure amount of support coming from all angles,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have felt supported in many choices I have made throughout all four years.鈥�
While 海角视频 prepared them professionally, the sisters say college also helped them grow as individuals.
鈥淚t has been good for us to branch away from each other a little bit, as we have pretty much done everything together our whole lives until college,鈥� Kayla said.
Sara agreed.
鈥淲e have learned how to be our own people through college, which has been good for us.鈥�
Looking back, both sisters are happy they chose to stay close to home.
鈥淐larion has been really good to us. The nursing professors have been some of the kindest people I have ever met, and they are the reason I have learned so much over the last four years,鈥� Kayla said.
鈥淧eople have said that you can't get anywhere from a small-town school,鈥� Sara said. 鈥淏ut in reality, I am having these big graduate schools give me wonderful feedback from being at Clarion.鈥�