learning by providing an intensive, focused educational experience.” Students select from a curated course catalog or submit their own independent study. In her senior year, through independent study, Winterim brought Abriel Rosenvall to Colorado to shadow her uncle Val, a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist), and assist in knee replacements. Through this experience, Abriel realized that she was intrigued by the human body, the action of the surgical nurses and the OR work environment. It was this opportunity that helped Abriel solidify her dream of being a nurse — an opportunity that would not have been possible without Maeser Prep’s unique Winterim program. Abriel’s initial interest in the human body came from the anatomy unit in her general biology class. She credits the Maeser teachers with helping her see her potential and having high expectations for her — expectations that were not demoralizing, but motivating. “You could tell that they really cared. They expected us to be good citizens, good people. It really made a difference having that positive expectation,” she shared. Abriel also excelled athletically. She participated in swim, track and field, volleyball, and mountain biking for Pleasant Grove High School, as Maeser Prep doesn’t have their own mountain biking team. She appreciated the comradery of attending school and playing on teams with her classmates. “Because the school is small,” she explained, “you get to know each other very well.” As a freshman, Abriel was seated next to Sam Garrison in the Print Communications class taught by Ms. Natalie Gerber. Print Communications combines yearbook, journalism, photography and digital media. Both Abriel and Sam appreciated Ms. Gerber’s attention to their strengths and providing opportunities to grow, assigning Abriel creative work and Sam leadership and mentoring opportunities. As a senior, Sam became the editor-in-chief of the yearbook and school magazine. Ms. Gerber also 14
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