Shaler Area High School students, Emily Weidner and Alexandra Evans, explored health careers this summer from practicing health care professionals in the 13th Annual Summer Health Career Academy, July 20-24.

Emily Weidner and Alexandra Evans were two of 50 students selected to participate in the weeklong program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center, Southwest Region.

The students spent the week at the University of Pittsburgh's Oakland campus engaging in various health career activities and hands-on medical procedures, learning medical terminology and discussing the academic preparation necessary for various healthcare careers.

Students were selected for the Annual Summer Health Career Academy from an application process that included a one-page essay indicating their interest in the health care field, documentation of their GPA as well as letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor etc.

The Academy is designed for ninth- and tenth-grade students who are interested in future health careers and who are considered academically inclined.