50 local high school students earn white lab coats

Fifty high school students just received their very first white lab coats as they continue to explore the field of health care and practice life skills to ensure future success.

A White Coat Ceremony was held at Coatesville Area Intermediate High School on Wednesday, where health care professionals from Tower Health-Jennersville Hospital, Coatesville VA Hospital and several long-term healthcare facilities issued the personalized lab coats and certificates to the students.

The ceremony is part of an after-school program called Career Connection Academy, an initiative of the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC). Career Connection Academy provides first-generation, collegebound students with an opportunity to learn through hands-on medical training, view a live surgery and be mentored by visiting medical and business partners. Students enter the program at level one and matriculate to level two the next year, with a goal of achieving high school graduation followed by post-secondary education or training.

Career Connection Academy is supported by CCEDC’s Health Care Connect as well as CEO Academy for Youth, and made possible through funding provided by the Chester County Workforce Development Board. For more information about CCEDC’s youth programming, including summer career camps, go to https:// steminnovationpa.org.

The Chester County

Economic Development Council is a private, nonprofit economic development organization promoting smart growth in Chester County and the surrounding region for more than 50 years.

SUBMITTED PHOTO A few of the 50high school students who received their very first white lab coats as they continue to explore the field of health care.