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Going for the goal: MHS junior Amelia Becker runs toward her passions in life

By Kristen Hainkel 3 min read

Marietta High School junior Amelia Becker dreams of combining her two passions into her career: children and medicine.

"I want to be a doctor," she said. "I would possibly practice other medicine, but my dream is to be a pediatrician. I've always liked kids and knowing I am going to help them."

Becker is taking several steps to achieve that goal. Last summer, she participated in a week-long internship at Marietta Memorial Hospital. She participated in several departments.

"I learned what professions I liked and didn't like. I also noticed the community there. They work together to make sure the patients are taken care of and everything is running smoothly," she said.

While there, Becker observed a surgery being performed. She said that has been a lifelong fascination for her.

"I 've always been interested in surgery. I've always liked how it helps people get better and fix the problem," she said.

Becker is also taking classes through College Credit Plus at Washington State College of Ohio. This year she took science classes such as anatomy and physiology and medical terminology. She is grateful the classes are available to her and other students to help them prepare for college level.

"I hoped if I took these classes, it would help me in the long run and it has so far," she said.

For college, she is hoping to attend The Ohio State University. She likes the campus and medical related programs there.

Another passion in Becker's life is soccer. She has been playing the sport since age 3 and competitively since age 8. She is a three-year member of the Marietta High School Soccer team and will return next fall as one of three team captains.

"I look forward to teaching people who are new and welcoming them in. I appreciate that they trust me to be their captain," she said.

She also combines her interests in sports and kids by volunteering as a youth sports referee at the Devola Soccer Complex.

"I like the atmosphere there. I love watching parents cheering for their kids or watching the kids celebrate or do something good. We're here to have fun," she said.

Becker will referee two or three games in a weekend during the season, which takes place in the spring and fall. Becker will play with the school team in the fall but plans to referee again next spring.

She also loves to give back. The sophomore class Student Council organized a fundraiser at Applebees for classmate Ashton Harris's cancer treatment in January 2023. If someone purchased an entree on a certain menu, 50% of those proceeds went to his treatment. Becker said the class was able to raise approximately $1,500 that day.

Unfortunately, Harris passed away in the summer of 2023. Becker said she knew him from the basketball team and in social circles.

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