Local High School Students Recognized for Achievement
Holzer Health System honored outstanding local high school science graduates at its 41st Annual High School Science Awards Banquet. The scholars, their parents and school representatives were invited to attend, and each student was presented with a certificate and scholarship. A representative from each high school was also presented a check to further their efforts in their respective school’s science programs. The Science Awards Program encompasses high schools from Athens, Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, Lawrence, Pike and Vinton Counties in Ohio; and Mason County in West Virginia.
Troy Miller, Chief Strategic Officer, Holzer Health System, served as Master of Ceremonies and delivered the introductory remarks. The Science Awards Program honors a student selected by the high school, based on outstanding achievement in science and a desire to pursue a higher education. Each student received a $500 scholarship check to utilize toward higher education.
The featured speaker for the program was Nicolette Jones, MD. Her speech focused on three discussion points: always having grit and determination in any goal you set, anything worth having is worth working for, and to do your tasks afraid. Dr. Jones remarked, “Any new endeavor will bring with it fear or anxiety, but she encouraged everyone to work through those experiences and strive for personal goals.”
Dr. Jones was born in Toronto, Canada, and attended Havergal College and the University of Western Ontario. She completed medical school and residency at the University of Cincinnati. She was one of the first 50 women to become board certified in Urology in the United States. She joined Holzer in 1998, where she has served as a provider in Urology as well as Chief of Surgery/Medical Director, Director of Perioperative Services, and in 2024 was named the Chief Medical Officer for Holzer Health System.
Through the Science Awards Program, Holzer has contributed thousands of dollars to area schools and students for the betterment of education in our region. For more information, visit www.holzer.org or call 1-855-4-HOLZER.
Holzer Health System 2024 Science Awards Recipients:
Nichole Collins, Alexander High School
Helen Liu, Athens High School
Jordan Rardin, Buckeye Hills Career Center
Braley Poff, Chesapeake High School
Ashton Smith, Dawson-Bryant High School
Emma Hesson, Eastern Local (Reedsville) High School
Hope Reed, Eastern Local (Beaver) High School
Hannah Taylor, Fairland High School
Evan McPherson, Federal Hocking High School
Nathanael Baird, Gallia Academy High School
LillyAnne Nance, Hannan High School
Sascha Posch, Ironton High School
Brady Medinger, Ironton St. Joseph High School
Kyley Duncan, Jackson High School
Elizabeth “EJ” Anderson, Meigs High School
Bianca Gerity, Nelsonville-York High School
Haidyn Rife, Oak Hill High School
Jacob Simon, Ohio Valley Christian School
Cooper Tatterson, Point Pleasant High School
Luke Santos, River Valley High School
Brady Cremeans, Rock Hill High School
Tori Triplett, South Gallia High School
Andrew Craft, South Point High School
Brayden Otto, Southern High School
Chloe McCarty, Symmes Valley High School
Kennedy Kittle, Trimble High School
Michael Ramsey, Vinton County High School
Carson Gibbs, Wahama High School
Brooklyn Frisby, Wellston High School
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