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JCESC Recognizes ACT High Achievers

STEUBENVILLE-The Jefferson County Educational Service Center is recognizing 13 area high school seniors for their success in achieving high composite scores on their ACT exams. JCESC has held an ACT Recognition Breakfast for four years to laud soon-to-be graduates who score a 30 or higher on their ACT tests, but COVID-19 forced the cancelation of events for 2020 and 2021. Still, officials hoped to highlight the students’ accomplishments and the latest honorees represent Edison, Harrison Central, Indian Creek, Southern Local, Steubenville Catholic Central and Steubenville High Schools. Larry George, president of the JCESC Governing Board, said the students deserved the accolades and their accomplishments were a testament to the dedication of their respective school districts. “This is something the ESC is proud to sponsor. These kids are testing over and above,” said George. “In the past, we’ve had a breakfast to honor them and it’s disappointing that we can’t do that again this year because of COVID. We are proud of the students and it speaks to all of the districts preparing them for the next step in their lives.” JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said that nationwide, 1,670,497 students in the class of 2020 took the ACT and the average score was 20.6. Ohio had an average score of 20.0 in 2019. Of the 19 states that paid for student testing, Ohio tied for fourth in average composite score in the group which saw 98-to-100-percent participation. “When you begin to look at students scoring 30 or higher on the ACT, you are talking about scores in the top 94th percentile,” Dr. Kokiko added. “JCESC recognizes this outstanding achievement among our member school students and would like to congratulate both the students, their families and school systems for the years of hard work that go into this accomplishment. We wish each student success in their future endeavors.” Edison High School senior Ireland McCafferty, the daughter of Billy and Jody McCafferty of Steubenville, received a score of 31 on her ACT exam and holds a 4.0 grade point average. She has participated in Beta Club, A Capella Choir, Academic Team and Spanish Club. She plans to attend West Liberty University with a dual major in visual communication design and clinical psychology. Harrison Central High School senior Alexandra Barcroft, the daughter of Steve and Angie Barcroft of Cadiz, scored a 30 on her ACT test and holds a 4.385 GPA. She has been active with varsity football, basketball and competition cheering, the latter in which she lettered for three years and acts as senior chair captain. She also has been involved with Ohio Model United Nations for three years and participated in mock trial, National Honor Society, as school news/website editor, a baseball concession stand worker/planner for two years and 2020 Biddy Cheerleading coach. Barcroft even dressed up as the HCHS Husky mascot for schools and events, read to children and helped where needed, plus she created compost bins with her service class as a senior project and volunteered at Lancia Nursing Home prior to the COVID pandemic. She plans to attend the University of Akron for biomedical engineering. Indian Creek High School senior Vyom Dave, the son of Dharmesh and Darshita Dave of Mingo Junction, yielded a 33 on his ACT test and holds a 3.9 GPA. He has participated in tennis, Key Club, NHS, SADD, Robotics Club, Academic Club, Youth Coalition, Biology League and Future Business Leaders of America. He plans to attend Ohio State University to major in computer science and engineering. ICHS senior Matthew Hope, the son of Suzanne and David Hope Jr. of Bloomingdale, scored a 31 on his exam and holds a 4.6 GPA. He has been active in NHS, Key Club, marching band and concert band during his high school career. He plans to attend the University of Akron to study civil engineering. ICHS senior Pierce Pietro, son of Mark and Julie Pietro of Mingo Junction, scored a 30 on his ACT test and holds a 4.79 GPA. He has been active in football, swimming and track, has been a member and is currently president of Key Club, participated in NHS and served as treasurer and has worked at Lickety Splitz and Subway. He plans to attend the University of Kentucky to major in biomedical engineering with hopes of working on prosthetic devices for those in need. ICHS senior Amie Smith, the daughter of Bradley and Erica Smith of Mingo Junction, earned a 32 on her ACT test and holds a 4.69 weighted GPA. During her high school career, she has been active with track and field, cross country, softball, NHS, Key Club, SADD, Drama Club, marching band, pep band, concert band and jazz band, plus she volunteered at the Jefferson County Humane Society and assisted with fundraisers for Key Club and NHS. She plans to attend Ohio University to major in psychology and criminology. Southern Local senior Sam May, the son of Fred and Erin May of Summitville, obtained a score of 31 on his exam and holds a 4.2 GPA. He has been involved with baseball, basketball and NHS during his high school career and plans to attend Ohio State University. Steubenville Catholic Central senior Tina Dong, daughter of Qiang Zhang and Bing Dong of Steubenville, scored a 31 on her ACT composite test and holds a 4.515 GPA. She has been active in varsity basketball, tennis, Pep Club, Key Club and NHS. Outside of school, she volunteers at Trinity West and tutors elementary students in English and math. She plans to attend University of Pittsburgh and major in nursing. SCC senior Joseph Rohde, the son of Jeffrey and Bridget Rohde of Steubenville, earned a 35 on his ACT exam and holds a weighted GPA of 4.666 or an unweighted average of 4.0. He also gained 11 varsity letters in soccer, cross country, basketball and track; took part in seven OVAC championships and received one OVAC First Team Award in soccer and two OHSAA First Team District East awards in track; has volunteered for 219 hours from Boy Scouts to community service; served as an Eagle Scout and senior patrol leader for the Boy Scouts, Gonzaga household leader, NHS president, senior class secretary, Kairos leader and Armis Dei leader. He plans to study chemistry at Franciscan University. Steubenville High School senior Anthony Desany, of Wintersville, earned a 32 on his ACT exam and holds a 4.0 GPA. He has been active since middle school, where he helped volunteer at a food pantry, and spent his high school years with the Connect Ministries youth group and volunteering at the Sycamore Center. His college choice is undecided but he plans to become a computer animator. Steubenville senior Tanner Kerr, the son of Thomas and Shannon Kerr of Wintersville, scored a 31 on his ACT exam and has a 4.302 weighted GPA. He was a four-year member of Steubenville High School's marching and concert bands and said becoming involved in school functions and the community greatly contributed to his personal growth. He plans to attend Washington & Jefferson College to major in biology and then seek a career in pharmacy. SHS senior Emma Settle, the daughter of Jennifer Warner and Daniel Settle of Steubenville, received an ACT score of 31 and holds a weighted grade point average of 4.49. During her high school career, she was involved in a cappella and Jazz Choir, Drama Club, Key Club, tennis NHS and the International Thespian Society and has worked at the UPS Store. Her future plans are to attend Franciscan University of Steubenville to major in pre-med and get accepted into the physician’s assistant program. Steubenville senior Sofia Slivka is the daughter of Ronald and Kimberly Slivka of Steubenville and scored a 31 on her ACT exam. She holds a 4.56 GPA and has been active in school with Rotary-Interact Club, Key Club, choir, Art Club, Leo Club and the NHS. Both her college choice and major are currently undecided.