Arizmendi Nominated For Breaking Traditions Award

Alva—Jesus Arizmendi, a Practical Nursing student at Northwest Technology Center has been nominated for the Oklahoma CareerTech Equity Council’s Breaking Traditions Award. Arizmendi was nominated by Daren Slater, NWTC’s Assistant Superintendent on the Alva campus. Arizmendi plans to complete the Practical Nursing program at NWTC and then enter the Nursing program at Northwestern. He would also like to eventually complete the Nurse Practitioner program at NWOSU and practice medicine in Northwest Oklahoma.
“I always wanted to be help people when I was a kid. I would perform first aid on my friend’s cuts and bruises when they were injured. It was really interesting to me.” stated Arizmendi.
According to Tara Thomas, Practical Nursing Instructor at Northwest Tech, “Jesus and his family have overcome a lot of cultural diversities. The family moved here from Las Vegas in the middle of Jesus’ freshman year for job opportunities in the local hotel industry. They wanted increased safety for their family and a stable job environment.”
Arizmendi is a 2016 graduate of Alva High School where he was active in band, FCCLA, Art Club and Spanish Club. He received an award of Merit in the Art program and graduated with Highest Honors.
During his senior year, Arizmendi was enrolled in the Health Careers Certification program at Northwest Tech. He was a member of the National Technical Honor Society, Superintendent’s Leadership Class and served as vice-president for the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) organization. His parents are Felipe and Erika Arizmendi of Alva. He has three younger siblings and is a first generation American.
Arizmendi will complete the PN program in October along with eleven other students. More information about the PN program and the Breaking Traditions Award can be found on the NWTC website at www.nwtech.edu.