{"id":10849,"date":"2026-09-10T07:01:07","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T11:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hra.org\/?p=10849"},"modified":"2026-09-16T10:10:28","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T14:10:28","slug":"authentic-real-world-experiences-lucy-lanier-28-reach-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hra.org\/authentic-real-world-experiences-lucy-lanier-28-reach-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cAuthentic, Real-World Experiences\u201d: Junior Lucy Lanier \u201928 Lays Foundation for Career in Medicine Through HRA\u2019s REACH Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"HRA

Junior Lucy Lanier \u2019<\/span>28 (right) and fellow Navigator June Hale \u2019<\/span>29 prepare to enter the operating room during a medical shadowing experience through HRA\u2019<\/span>s REACH Initiative<\/p><\/div>\n

For too many high school students, summer is an excuse to unplug from education and forget much of what they learned during the previous school year. But for Hampton Roads Academy junior Lucy Lanier \u201928, this past summer was an opportunity to apply what she had learned in the classroom across multiple pre-professional experiences and develop crucial skills for a future career in medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lanier was one of <\/span>23 HRA Upper Schoolers who completed internships, shadowed local professionals, and engaged in collegiate-level study and research through the <\/span>REACH (Real-world Experience and Academic Choice) Initiative<\/span><\/a> during summer 2026. Reflecting the Academy\u2019s commitment to applied learning beyond our campus, REACH was established in 2019 thanks to the efforts of then-Director of Upper School Karen Gillespie (who has since served as Interim Director of <\/span>Middle School<\/span><\/a>) and then-Director of <\/span>College Counseling<\/span><\/a> Ben Rous<\/span><\/a> (now Assistant Head of School and Director of Upper School), who envisioned a broader approach to college preparation at HRA. The initiative, directed by Science Department Chair Dr. Maribel Gendreau, connects students with a range of hands-on pre-professional opportunities across five fields: applied sciences and technology, environmental studies and outdoor leadership, fine arts, global studies, and health sciences.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cREACH is unique because it combines academic learning with authentic, real-world experiences not typically available to students at other schools,\u201d Gendreau said. \u201cThese experiences help students better understand their interests and strengths, solidify their college and career goals, and build the skills and confidence they need to succeed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From independent research<\/a> at universities and museums and mentorships under physicians, surgeons, and physical therapists to leadership programs in ecosystem management and performing opportunities in the old cities of Europe, this year\u2019s REACH experiences allowed Navigators to explore a wide array of disciplines. 2026 participants included:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>