Originally published on The Glendale Star on June 25, 2023
Jordin Heacock never stops. At only 16, the Glendale resident has an ambitious plan for her life and is working tirelessly to achieve her goals.
A student at Insight Academy of Arizona (ISAZ), an online charter school that serves students in seventh through 12th grades, she’s a high-achieving student who boasts more than just good grades.
At the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, Jordin enrolled in the Medical Assisting pathway at ISAZ. Insight Academy of Arizona and its sister school, Arizona Virtual Academy, are Arizona’s first and only online schools offering state-approved career and technical education (CTE) programs. Eager to expand her knowledge and connect with like-minded students, Jordin also joined ISAZ’s Health Occupation Student Organization’s (HOSA) chapter.
“I was enjoying my time in the medical assisting pathway so much,” Jordin said. “Even though ISAZ is an online school, the CTE teachers build in so many hands-on experiences, like learning how to perform eye and ear checks, take someone’s blood pressure and check patients’ vitals. I joined HOSA because I wanted more opportunities to learn and grow my skills.”
It wasn’t long before she and fellow HOSA members, Angela Sutton of Scottdale and Sarah Israel of Ahwatukee, decided they wanted to compete in the association’s Arizona State Leadership Conference, an annual event that brings together 10,000 students from across the state.
The first step was a community awareness virtual competition. After earning high scores on this test and qualifying for the state conference, Jordin and her HOSA teammates got to work on a campaign.
None of them would have guessed they would go on to win the team event in Community Awareness.
“It was our first time competing, so we were shocked when they announced our names,” Jordin said. “We did work extremely hard on our campaign and were so grateful for this acknowledgment of our work.”
The students’ project, titled “The Importance of Physical, Mental and Social Health,” launched in January and quickly gained steam. Designed to boost the health of their peers and online educators, the campaign incorporated a variety of efforts, from schoolwide assemblies and podcast interviews to yoga sessions, guided meditation, a hiking club and Health Spirit week.
As its project grew in scope and reach, the team secured interest from high-profile organizations across the Valley. Among numerous guests, Dr. Shari Brand from Mayo Clinic, Dr. Lauren Walsh from Barrow Neurological Institute and Bre’Anna Bush from Northern Arizona University shared health guidance with students and teachers during special assemblies.
In six months, the team reached nearly 5,000 students, advisers, educators, physicians and business professionals. They also were invited to present their campaign at the Charters at the Capitol event and to Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee and other state legislators.
“It has been incredible to watch this team in action,” added Dr. Erica Young-Jackson, ISAZ’s career and college prep administrator.
“Not only have they put their education to work with a comprehensive campaign that has touched thousands of students and teachers, but they have gained invaluable leadership experience that will serve them for years to come.”
For Jordin, creating the campaign and competing at the event offered learning.
“I’m a very social person,” she said. “I’ve loved the opportunity to connect with so many people through this campaign, and especially the friendships I’ve made with Sarah and Angela. We definitely worked hard, but we formed these amazing relationships along the way.”
Now through June 25, the ISAZ team is representing Arizona at HOSA’s International Leadership Conference international competition in Dallas. In addition to presenting their project for the Community Awareness competition, Jordin and her teammates — along with 12,000 students from around the world — are participating in educational seminars, workshops and exhibits and meeting other future health care professionals.
“None of us has ever been to Dallas,” Jordin said. “We have been so excited to see the city, to learn everything we can at the conference and to show the judges how much we’ve grown. I can’t wait to see how far we go.”
It’s clear Jordin will go very far in life. Though only 16, she is on track to graduate in May 2024 — a full year early. As she enters her last year of high school, she will enroll in ISAZ’s veterinary assistant program, a new CTE pathway the school will launch this fall. Following her high school graduation, Jordin hopes to work as a certified vet assistant while earning her veterinary technician associate degree from Pima Medical Institute. Then, it’s off to vet school to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
“I’ve always known I wanted to work with animals,” she said. “I’m so excited for the vet tech program at ISAZ to give me a head start in becoming a veterinarian.”
“Jordin is a bright and ambitious student who will do big things in life,” Young-Jackson said. “It is such an honor to work with someone who is so directed and determined. I can’t wait to see where she goes from here.”
Jordin added, “I am truly grateful for Dr. Young-Jackson and my academic counselors, teachers and CTE instructors. They have provided so much support and encouragement as I work to make my dreams a reality.”
Learn more about Insight Academy of Arizona at insightaz.k12.com.
