Top seniors ready to take on the world

You may have seen them walking on campus, working in laboratories or taking notes in class. These students have worked their way to the top of their classes, received awards and are days from graduation. After spending up to five years in Tucson, these students have devoted their energy to the University of Arizona.

Kimberly Brydle, medical student

No one in Kimberly Brydle's family went to college. While she was a full-time undergraduate at the UA, she worked several jobs to overcome her economical barriers.

Brydle yearned for scientific knowledge all her life, and eventually made her way into the UA School of Medicine in 1996. And now she is graduating with honors.

She has two children, Samantha and Jonathan, to look after, along with hundreds of patients she will see this summer at UMC, where she will pursue her residency.

Brydle's dreams about a future in medicine started in high school when she said she lacked role models for higher education.

Her chemistry teacher at Desert View High School, though, prompted Brydle to think about college.