Chattahoochee Tech Student of Marietta Honored at State Conference

From Chattahoochee Tech: Driven by the desire to give back to the community, Chattahoochee Technical College student Paola Berrios of Marietta started a website that provides teenagers with information about what to expect when a loved one begins their fight against cancer.

The 17-year-old Move On When Ready student and National Technical Honor Society member recently was honored for displaying fervent civic pride and excellence at the 2017 Georgia Student Government Association and Georgia National Technical Honor Society State Conference held Feb. 10-12. As the recipient of the Georgia NTHS Outstanding Citizenship Award, Paola hopes that by spreading awareness about cancer, she can make the transition between pre-diagnosis life and treatment much smoother for everyone involved.

Paola’s affinity for helping others began in a very unique and personal way.

In April 2015, her mother, Maria Maldonado, was diagnosed with breast cancer – it was terrifying news that came with a plethora of emotions including fear and heartbreak. Paola also soon realized that there were few support systems in place for teens in similar situations. Determined to help teens struggling with a loved one’s cancer diagnosis, Paola created the website “The Shoulder to Lean On Project.” She did not want anyone else to feel alone and afraid as she felt during this horrible experience.

The website is written by teens, for teens. There is no medical jargon, and no frightening statistics, just hard-earned understanding.

Paola’s journey with her mother, who is now cancer free, has inspired her to apply to Agnes Scott College and Emory University, and eventually to medical school, to become an oncologist.

About Chattahoochee Technical College:

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Chattahoochee Technical College is the largest technical college in the state with more than 14,000 students enrolled in the past academic year. The college has eight campus locations serving the counties of Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Gilmer, Paulding, and Pickens. CTC provides a high quality, easily accessible college education at a fraction of the cost of other area colleges and universities. Chattahoochee Technical College awards more than 70 certificates, diplomas and associate degrees in 45 programs of study through traditional classroom courses as well as online training. The college also provides the community with learning opportunities, including customized workforce training, adult literacy and continuing education programs. For more information, visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu.

Photo courtesy of Chattahoochee Tech