Dissecting an animal in science class might make some students squeamish, but it ignited a passion for graduating Moscow student Jo Hodge.
Hodge is actually finished with her required credits at Paradise Creek Regional High School. In fact, she is already enrolled at the University of Idaho and taking dual credit courses to get a jump on her college education.
She already has her eyes set on a field of study: forensic pathology.
Hodge is fascinated by how human and animal bodies work. Forensic pathologists examine bodies to determine the cause of death. She said this can be especially helpful to law enforcement, or to bring closure to families who have lost a loved one.
“It’s really interesting how you can see signs of someone’s entire life and how they’ve lived just in analyzing their body,” she said.
The science courses at Paradise Creek sparked this career interest. She dissected a pig, fish and rabbit as part of her courses and which set her on this path toward a science degree.
“It’s just really cool how anatomy works,” she said. “It’s awesome. It’s really interesting to me.”
Her teacher Matt Pollard said Hodge “has that knack” for science and math. Hodge, he said, was not afraid to explore a subject further and tackle the most challenging problems.