On March 2, the seniors in the biomedical science strand of the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) program received their white coats.

These seniors joined PLTW when they were either freshmen or sophomores and have completed four different courses in the program, including the principles of biomedical science, human body systems, medical interventions and biomedical innovations. These courses give students a basis for the skills they will need in college and further education.

“The skills that they learn in these classes are skills that they can take with them to college,” PLTW teacher Marie Jackson said. “We’ve heard back from previous students who have gone to college, and they say that they were a step ahead of their peers in so many different skills.”

A white coat ceremony is an event celebrating the efforts of dozens of seniors every year. Teachers Jackson and Justina Davitz both stood at one end of the stage to hand off the coats, while principal Edward Dreyer stood at the podium announcing the names of each student along with their plans after high school.

“It felt like all the work that I’ve put in these four years had finally paid off,” senior Sara Page said. “[I feel like] I’m actually getting rewarded for it.”

Walking onto the stage, every senior who received their white coat was greeted with applause from their friends, family, peers and teachers.

“I felt very excited [about getting my white coat],” Page said. “I feel professional now.”