Students juggling school, homework, clubs and sports have more than enough difficulty in their schedules; adding another activity seems nearly impossible.
However, a select few have taken time out of their schedules to follow a passion by becoming  athletic training student aids.

They assist athletic trainers Allison Lane and Kathy Ayers in making sure injured athletes are taken care of and being on site at sporting events in case of an injury.
Kate Nguyen is one such student, a senior at AHS who has been working with the trainers for about three years. Not only does Nguyen assist the trainers after school, on weekends and during football practices, she also plays varsity field hockey.

“I do it because I enjoy helping people and it is something I want to pursue later in life,” says Nguyen.

This is more than just a hobby or an after school activity. Kate hopes to attend Louisiana State University next fall and major in athletic training.
On a typical school day Kate comes to school on time and attends her classes. Right after school, she goes to the training room to assist the trainers and help set everything up for football practice. She stays on the sideline of the football field with the players to help out until it is time for her to go to field hockey practice. After hockey is over, Kate returns to the field and stays late until football is over and everything is cleaned up.

Kate’s purpose is to stay alert when the athletic trainers are absent and to assist them in any way she can. By doing this she is constantly learning new things and gives herself a head start in a future career.