Johntrell Bowles is a high school sophomore at 21st
Century Charter School in Gary who plans on becoming an oncologist in the
future. For now, he’s taking steps
towards making that dream a reality through his acceptance to the prestigious
International Human Cadaver Prosection Program this summer at the Indiana
University School of Medicine-Northwest.
Johntrell Bowles is the third high school student to be admitted to the
program, which typically accepts seasoned professionals or college graduates
interested in making a career out of medicine. Johntrell decided to pursue the
Human Cadaver program and the field of medicine while seeing his own mother
struggle with health issues. In his own
words, Johntrell wants to “Help people help their loved ones,” through his future
career.
Mr. Daniel Velasco, a Teach For America History teacher at
21st Century Charter School-Secondary supported Johntrell by writing
him a recommendation letter, reviewing his application essays and suggesting
edits, and coaching him on his interview skills. Mr. Velasco accompanied Johntrell to his
interview and was elated to hear the good news of Johntrell’s acceptance into
the summer program. Mr. Velasco became a
teacher to help students just like Johntrell be successful in school and pursue
opportunities that would enable them to pursue higher education at highly
competitive universities. He identifies
one teacher during high school that was the catalyst in motivating him to
pursue his undergraduate education at Princeton, and Mr. Velasco wants to be
that same catalyst in his student’s lives as well.
The Human Cadaver Prosection program will begin June 3rd
and end August 1st. During
this time, Johntrell, along with other students, will participate in an anatomy
lecture series, complete a Certification in Blood-Borne Pathogens and Laboratory
Safety, conduct medical imaging of human cadavers, and perform human cadaver
prosections. Johntrell will be trained in
preparing a human cadaver for research and study by medical students.
Johntrell is currently a straight A student and is taking AP
US History with Mr. Velasco as a sophomore. He hopes this program, and other leadership
programs he’s participated in, such as SLYCE, will help him pursue a strong undergraduate
education at an institution like Harvard or Princeton. As a Princeton alumnus, Mr. Velasco can’t
help but root for Johntrell to attend Princeton.
