At the age of 17, Angel Owen is already carving a path toward a remarkable future in healthcare. A full-time health science student at Indian River State College while dual-enrolled at Sebastian River High School, Owen is balancing a rigorous academic load with an unrelenting drive to achieve her dreams.
Last October, she seized a rare opportunity to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Medicine and Healthcare at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
“The NYLF: Medicine and Health Care is a one-week program in which I will travel to Yale University, board in the dormitories while learning skills to help prepare for my chosen career force,” Owen told Sebastian Daily.
The program offers her a chance to step into the world of medicine, working alongside healthcare professionals and engaging in hands-on medical simulations.
Owen’s excitement is palpable as she describes what lies ahead. “Some techniques I will learn are suturing, venipuncture techniques on phlebotomy trainer equipment, and conducting neurological exams. There will be seminars as well as panel discussions,” she said.
Beyond the technical skills, the program awards college credit upon completion—a bonus for the ambitious junior already juggling college coursework.
Her ultimate goal? To become a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse practitioner.
“I would ultimately like to follow that as far as a Doctor of Nursing Practice,” Owen shared. “I’m creating big aspirations for myself. Hematology/oncology is a specialty that is close to my heart. I would love to be able to give my intelligence, time, and care to this specific specialization.”
“I am excited for Angel to meet, work, and collaborate with fellow high-aspiring students from other cities and schools,” said Dr. Jan Sikorsky, Vice President of Education for Envision.
“NYLF: Medicine and Health Care is a wonderful opportunity for ambitious young students to explore their interests outside the classroom and discover how to innovate and think creatively through hands-on immersive learning.”
For Owen, the program is more than just a stepping stone—it’s a chance to bring her passion to life. Envision’s partnership with WorldStrides, the nation’s largest provider of educational travel, underscores the program’s reach, annually inspiring over 550,000 students to see the world—and themselves—in new ways.
As she prepares for her journey to Yale, Owen remains focused on the future. This Sebastian native is proving that big dreams and hard work can go hand in hand.
“Our students are challenged with real-world simulations and problems, working together to develop unique solutions and projects to bring life to their studies and career interests,” Sikorsky added.
