Colton West

My name is Colton West, I am starting my second semester in the pre-nursing program as well as majoring in ethnic studies at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT. Some of my achievements include lettering in wrestling 2013-2015, State certification in Child Development, and Medical Terminology, as well as graduating high school with honors Citizen Point Average. During my first semester at the U of U I have achieved a 3.90 Grade Point Average, as well as making the Dean’s list. The reason I choose the U of U is because of how prestigious their Nursing program is. I am studying to be a nurse and work with ethnic populations. In Utah alone, there are many more Latino, Pacific Islanders, African American, Asian American and also Native Americans to name a few. I identify as a Latino and grew up in Salt Lake City and value cultural identity. I was raised by my mother and grandparents, as my father had passed away when I was very young. I wrestled in Junior High as well as High School which taught me leadership skills as Captain of the team in junior high and in high school. Wrestling helped me develop a strong work ethic, responsibility, energy and determination. I learned that a strong body and mind are important because my family needed to take care of their parents and would prefer to be treated according to their cultural needs which may be more holistic. My grandmother, at times, was treated like a number while receiving treatment at the hospital. I want to see holistic type, caring and individualistic treatment for our families in the future and plan to be a part of that.