GTHS Student, Future Medical Leader Maria Cruz Vazquez Heads to Boston

In a few years, Grand Terrace High School will name a medical leader within the ranks of its alumni; for now, it can boast a future medical leader. Grand Terrace High School senior Maria Cruz Vazquez is that leader. Next month, Vazquez, who currently maintains a weighted 4.7 GPA, will head to Boston to participate in the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, an honors-only program for high school students who aspire to become physicians or enter medical research fields. The Congress intends to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the country's top students to follow their dreams and provide a path and resources to reach their medical career goals, said officials. Cruz explained it wasn't always in her plans to enter medicine, but the idea of helping others is one she feels is rewarding. "At first I didn't want to join medicine, but some people that are very close to me became severely ill when I was 15," recounted Cruz, a resident of Colton. "Their diseases made me interested in the medical field. Getting to see them recuperate and continue their lives after such a tragedy made me want to aspire to become a doctor. Being able to help people so much is extremely rewarding to me; as soon as the idea of becoming a doctor came to mind, it wouldn't let go." Vazquez was nominated by Dr. Connie Mariano, the medical director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, to represent California based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to help others. The three-day Congress will bring together students nationwide to hear from Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science winners, who will discuss leading medical research; learn from Ivy League medical school deans about the ins-and-outs of medical school; hear the stories of patients who are living medical miracles; learn about cutting-edge medical advances; and inspire and be inspired by other students. "This is a crucial time in America when we need more doctors and medical scientists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially," said Richard Rossi, executive director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. "Focused, bright and determined students like Maria...are our future, and she deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give her." Cruz intends to study cardiology, and will study at nearby UCR, she said. She plans to obtain a double major in both biology and computer science, and obtain a Master's degree. "I really want to challenge myself these next few years," she said. "It's a lot of work, but I'm sure that with a wonderful university under my feet that I will have everything I need to succeed."