With the support of Atrium Health Floyd, 17 area high school graduates from northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama will seek degrees in health care through the Rise to Success program.

Atrium Health Floyd will pay their tuition, books and fees while the students earn a degree. The students will also work part time for Atrium Health Floyd to get real-life experience as they attend school.

Many of the students, who met with Floyd leaders Wednesday, will attend Georgia Highlands College or Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Upon graduation they will be asked to serve at least one year with Atrium Health Floyd.

“I wanted to go through this program because it gives me a great opportunity to further my education and my career," said Emma Elrod, a Chattooga High School graduate who hopes to be an ultrasound technologist. “I may not be where I am today, seeking a health care career, if it wasn't for this program. This is really opening a lot of doors for me."

The 17 students include:

From Cedartown High School – Andy Ortiz Perez, Deysi Segura

From Chattooga High School – Emma Elrod, Enivea London

From Coosa High School – Kiana Tapia

From Gaylesville School – Sieanna Hall, Tiffany Morris and Gabrielle West

From Model High School – Kiley Gordon, A'zyriasia Woolfork

From Rome High School – Journei Griffin, Samanta Moraga, Emylly Reyes 

From Sand Rock School – Destiny Daniell, Madden DeParlier

From Trion High School – Hanny Morales-Citalan, Kinzleigh Turner

“To see that you come from all over northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama is impressive because that is our service area," Kurt Stuenkel, Atrium Health Floyd president told the students. “We are pleased to have relationships with you, with you communities and with your high schools.

“You have an exciting journey ahead of you. Really, the doors are wide open for you to explore all the opportunities," Stuenkel added.

The students will also be assigned a career coach to help them along the path to success.

“You have tons of support, cheerleaders on the side who are supporting you, as well as a career coach," said Sheila Rawlins, workforce strategy program manager for Atrium Health.