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Come the month of March when many students are in spring break mode there’ll be one high school junior  in Almelund, who will be gearing up for just the opposite.  
Selected to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, Brooklyn Nelson will be immersed in a two day on-line experience, bringing together Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science winners, top medical school Deans and even patients sharing knowledge and real life experiences to inspire, motivate and recognize select high achieving students.

Nelson fits the description of one of those future leader delegate-students to a T.

She attended Chisago Lakes High School until as she was approaching grade 10,  when she decided to transition to on-line learning.  She enrolled in IQ Academy, a virtual education program affiliated with Fergus Falls ISD 544.  IQ Academy is powered by the state on-line K12 system.  

Nelson said she opted to do her schooling  remotely to also be able to travel and have experiences in the medical field with her father, who is a Registered Travel Nurse.   Her mother is a registered diagnostic medical sonographer.

Brooklyn says she wants to be able to have a career where she helps people just like her parents, John and Lynn, get to do.  
 
“In life we can count on front line workers and scientists to help us in time of need and so many people put their lives on the line for others, I have always wanted to help people since I was little and getting to learn from these amazing doctors (Congress speakers and session leaders) is a wonderful, once in a lifetime opportunity,” Brooklyn explained.
The 17-year-old loves outdoor activities and plays hockey and fastpitch softball.

Participating in and representing Minnesota in the virtual academy is an ideal way to gain broad understanding of what’s out there in the field of medicine, plus delegates get assistance with setting up their post secondary education plan.  They also get to showcase what they have to offer the community of medicine.  

“Balancing school and other activities during this pandemic has been a struggle,” Brooklyn wrote in her medical congress letter of introduction. “But I am very proud and honored to be nominated for this award, and to show students anything can be done when you put your mind to it...and to always do your best because you never know who is watching you.”

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