FACES for the Future Blue Coat Ceremony motivates students to look ahead

Health Scholars with FACES for the Future Founding Director, Tomas Magaña and ceremony keynote speaker, Dr. Nancy Anaya.

Family, friends and community members gathered at a recent Blue Coat Ceremony to celebrate 23 juniors from John O’Connell High School who participated in the FACES for the Future program. The purpose of the event was to acknowledge the students’ completion of training to begin their weekly work-based learning rotations in hospitals, clinics, and public health programs.

The 2-year health-focused internship and leadership development program supports entry into healthcare professions with an emphasis on career exploration, academic enrichment, wellness support, and youth leadership development.

Families and community partners expressed their excitement for the students with hopes they become part of the healthcare workforce in the future. The FACES Health Scholars beamed with pride as they recited their FACES Oath before their friends and family.

John O'Connell Assistant Principal, Vincent Toan, addresses student, family and staff.

“Receiving a blue coat is a milestone that not many young people have the opportunity to experience, and the 2019 cohort proudly earned and wore their blue coats,” said FACES for the Future San Francisco Program Coordinator Veronica Sanchez.

“The excitement and motivation among the Health Scholars was evident in the smiles on their faces,” she added “They look forward to learning more, pursuing various health professions, and are dedicated to helping their community.”

FACES for the Future began working with the Health and Behavioral Sciences Pathway at John O'Connell High School in 2015 and has expanded efforts with the Health Sciences Academy at Phillip and Sala Burton High School.

Congratulations, FACES for the Future Health Scholars!

From left to right: FACES for the Future Program Coordinator Veronica Sanchez, Health Scholar Myriana Hood, Founding Director Tomas Magaña, keynote speaker Dr. Nancy Anaya, and John O'Connell High School Assistant Principal Vincent Toan.

The FACES for the Future program is made possible through a partnership between the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the San Francisco Unified School District. Learn more about FACES for the Future here.