SAN MARCOS -- Cindy Flores has always wanted to be a nurse and the 17-year-old Mission Hills High School student is taking an active approach to living that dream.

Cindy is a volunteer summer intern at North County Health Services in the medical records department.

"I answer phones, file paperwork and help out visitors," she said Friday.

Cindy's supervisor, Brandee Raaz, said Cindy has been an outstanding addition to the staff.

"She's been an exemplary intern," Raaz said."She's very bright and takes direction well. Personality-wise she's so young and vibrant and brings so much energy. She's just a great addition to the department."

Raaz said the internship is a great first step for Cindy on her way to a nursing career.

"Many of our employees, who have gone on (to become nurses), spent time in medical records," she said. "It gives them a way to get comfortable in a clinic setting, feel comfortable with medical terminology and see everything we do."

Cindy, who used to play nurse with her brothers and sisters when she was younger, said her interest in nursing stems from her desire to help people.

Her internship was set up by Luis Pichardo, of San Marcos Neighborhood Works, a division of the Escondido Education COMPACT.

Before Cindy first got involved in Neighborhood Works in January, her future wasn't so promising. Cindy said she was involved in gangs and spent much of her time on the streets. She said she has surprised even herself with what she has been able to do.

"What I'm doing right now, I wouldn't have expected to be doing," she said. "I feel like spending time out in the streets, not accomplishing anything, was a waste of time. I feel like by working at the clinic, I'm accomplishing a goal because it's something I actually want to do."

Pichardo said she has seen a transformation in Cindy since January.

"When I first met her I definitely saw the potential in her to turn everything around," he said. "She's an awesome student, I've really gotten to see her grow from being unsure to being a very strong young lady. She's done a lot with herself."

Cindy isn't the most outspoken girl, but Pichardo said she leads by example.

"I definitely see in her a role model for Latina girls," he said. "I perceive her being very successful in the future. Her dedication and motivation are really spectacular."

Cindy said she wants to stay in the area after earning her nursing degree.

"My hope is to stay in San Marcos and to make it a better place," she said. "It's really bad right now. There are a lot of gang members, shootings and stuff like that."

Cindy said she has already started making a change in the community by talking with her friends.

"I tell them 'You can change your life. You can change everything around you and people depend on other people so we need to help each other,' " she said.

- Contact staff writer Ezekiel Guza at (760) 761-4404 or eguza@nctimes.com. If you have a "Good Kid" suggestion, e-mail mkellogg@nctimes.com.