KAYLA RIDER

           Robertsdale High's Science Department continues to turn out future nurses as Kayla Rider, a graduating senior, said she would be starting her nursing studies this fall at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa.

           "My plan is to do two years at Shelton and become a Registered Nurse; once I pass the state nursing exam," she said. "I would like to continue my education at the University of Alabama by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). By being a licensed RN, I would be able to do shift work, plus bring in a paycheck, in addition to going to school."

           With so many nurses from the baby boomer generation approaching retirement a severe nursing shortage is looming on the horizon.

           RHS Principal Theresa Bryant said the shortage meant opportunities for Robertsdale students to enter a career field that paid well, in addition to offering job stability.

           "Between our Science Department and Carol Smith's nursing program over at the South Baldwin Center for Technology our students are well prepared for the demands of nursing school," Bryant said.

           Because there are so many options within the field, students are encouraged to learn as much about each type of nursing, as well as what it takes to get in medical school.

           "I would really like to become a pediatric nurse," Rider said, "as I have a special affinity for babies and young children. I've been baby-sitting since I was nine-years-old. I believe the experience I've gained from babysitting my younger brother and sister, Kaden and Kamryn, has helped influence me in this direction."

           Rider said she realized that once she starts her nursing rotations she might change her mind and go in a different direction.

           "Right now I'm just enjoying spring semester by playing soccer for RHS," she said. "It seems that we're showing improvement with each game we play. I really love the game, and I had thought about going out for the team at Shelton, however, they dropped their soccer program this year due to the economy."

           Rider said she had been contacted by Huntingdon College in Montgomery about playing soccer for them.

           "By the time I heard from them, however, I had made up my mind to go to school in Tuscaloosa," she said. "I plan to share an apartment with Lindsey Strader and Ashley Swafford, two girls who graduated from Robertsdale last year. They are both at the University of Alabama."

           The daughter of Wendi Byrd and Ricky Rider, Kayla said she grew up with a bunch of neighborhood boys for friends.

           "I was a tomboy," she said. "I hated wearing dresses. In fact, my mother would have to just about sit on me to make me wear a dress to church on Sundays. All I wanted was to hang with the boys and do the things they did. I played all their games plus I competed right alongside them."

           Rider even managed to bring home two black eyes, along with various scrapes and cuts during her outings with the boys.

           "I guess they prepared me for playing soccer today," she said. "The way we play it at RHS, well, let's just say the game can become rather rough and tumble."

           Playing sports with the boys helped define who she is today, she said.

           "I know that it made me mentally and physically a lot tougher," Rider said. "I'm not squeamish when it comes to seeing blood. I've seen a lot of my own as well as that belonging to the guys. Another thing they taught me was not to be a whiner or to complain out loud. They saw that as a sign of weakness."

           Because she can stand the sight of blood she said she tended to enjoy scary movies, such as the Friday the 13^th series of films.

           Besides going to movies, Rider said she enjoyed reading.

           "I guess that Nicholas Sparks is my favorite author," she said. "He really knows how to tell a romantic story."

           Rider credits her aunt, Susan Bryant, with encouraging her to sing in the high school ensemble.

           "I sang my freshman though junior year," she said, "but due to the demands that soccer puts on you I was unable to sing this year."

           That doesn't mean that Rider isn't afraid of working.

           "This past summer I worked at both Souvenir City as well as Lulu's Homeport Restaurant," she said. "I love to work. I'm really excited that I'll be able to work at both places again this summer.

           When it comes to working Rider isn't afraid of putting her shoulder to the grindstone.

           "I know that nursing demands a lot of time and effort, but I see it as being able to live my dream," she said.