Following in Her Footsteps: Jagger Williams’ Path to the Operating Room
"I saw how much of an impact my mom made, and I just wanted to follow in her footsteps,” shares Jagger Williams, a standout student-athlete at Atherton High School.
Jagger with Dr. Anetria Swanson (Counselor) & Mrs. Meghan Harpole
For many, the path to a career is discovered late in life, but for Jagger, the inspiration started a decade ago. He vividly remembers waiting outside hospital classrooms while his mother, then a single parent, sat for her nursing exams. Today, his mother serves as a wound care nurse for the VA clinic on Dixie Highway, and Jagger is well on his way to joining her in the ranks of healthcare heroes.
Jagger was recently accepted into the Knights to Nurses Dual Enrollment Program at Bellarmine University, making him the first student from Atherton to enter this prestigious pathway. By the time he finishes high school, Jagger won’t just have a diploma; he’ll have a full year of college credits and a clear trajectory toward becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
A Childhood in the Clinic
Jagger’s journey is fueled by a legacy of service. While he initially considered roles as a firefighter or police officer, his mother’s transition into nursing provided a front-row seat to the transformative power of medicine. This early exposure led him to the Health Science Academy at Atherton, a choice driven by the school’s medical pathway and his passion for lacrosse.
Building a Medical Foundation
At Atherton, Jagger has built a professional toolkit well before graduation. He has already earned certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Stop the Bleed through his work as a lifeguard. Academically, he has navigated a rigorous sequence of courses, from Medical Terminology to Anatomy and Physiology.
He credits the supportive environment at Atherton for keeping his focus sharp, specifically highlighting teacher Meghan Harpole. "She was always super energetic and encouraging," Jagger says. It was Ms. Harpole who first introduced him to the specialized world of anesthesia, helping him refine his career goals.
"Coming to Atherton really solidified my desire for healthcare," Jagger reflects. "There were other options, like business, but meeting the great people here and taking these classes encouraged me to keep going".
The Knights to Nurses Program
The Knights to Nurses program is a unique partnership between Bellarmine University and Norton Healthcare designed to fast-track the next generation of medical professionals. As a senior next year, Jagger’s schedule will shift dramatically:
Dual Campus Life: He will take all his classes at Bellarmine University from Monday through Thursday.
The Friday Connection: On Fridays, he has the option to return to Atherton to remain connected to his high school community and the teachers who guided him.
Summer Bridge: He will begin with a "Summer Bridge" program to ease the transition into college-level nursing coursework.
To support this ambitious move, Jagger is applying for the Norton Career-Ready Program. This scholarship, valued at up to $45,000, covers the costs of his senior year dual enrollment and provides additional funding for the remainder of his degree at Bellarmine. In exchange, Jagger will commit to a five-year work obligation with Norton Healthcare after graduation—a win-win that provides him with financial stability and a guaranteed career.
The Road to the Operating Room
Jagger’s vision for the future is highly specialized. After completing his nursing degree just three years after high school, he plans to spend a year gaining critical experience in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). From there, he will pursue his ultimate goal: becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
By bridging the gap between high school and high-level medical training, Jagger is doing more than just earning a degree; he is fulfilling the same promise of service he first witnessed in his mother's eyes ten years ago.