Student achievements were highlighted Thursday evening during a meeting of the Sto-Rox School Board.
Junior Isiah “Zay” Davis was honored for his accomplishments during the 2021 – 2022 school year. He was part of the inaugural 18 under Eighteen class, initiated by Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania. Davis was also a finalist in The Challenge Program’s Student of the Year program. According to 10th-12th Grade Guidance Counselor Joe Herzing, it all started with an interview about Davis’ “One Way Out” clothing brand on 93.7 FM “The Fan.”
“That was really the first time it was explained to me,” he said. “It comes with a lot of hard work and accountability. As Zay says, make yourself uncomfortable.”
In December, Davis was recognized with a community service award for his efforts with One Way Out. That’s when he made the most of a meeting with Tom Langston of Oil Services.
“I have to be his business mentor,” Langston told Herzing. Langston worked with Davis and other students, and Davis eventually applied for 18 under Eighteen. Herzing urged Davis to apply.
“Normally, when I ask kids to write something, I get a page,” he said. But with Davis?
“I got four pages, single-spaced.”
Davis used that dedication to pursue The Challenge Program’s Student of the Year award. It paid off: Davis finished in the top three, earning a $2,000 award.
“I’m extremely proud of Zay, and the year he has had,” said Herzing. “Give these young students an opportunity, and they’ll make miracles happen.”
Members of the 90/90 Club were also honored Thursday night. A’janae Monroe, Maranda Kelly, Asia Harper, Chrystal Sircely, Kacy Ann Tibby, Amaria Archie and Emma Pfenningwerth were recognized for their stellar record: A grade point average of 90 percent or more, a 90 percent attendance rate, and no suspensions.
Read more about the 90/90 club here: https://www.jrsrhs.srsd.k12.pa.us/news/9090-students-enjoy-free-lunch
School board member Ken Hohman praised the girls, who are all members of the High School Marching Band. Hohman has shepherded the program from its inception eight years ago as an outgrowth of the former alumni scholarship program. In addition, Chrystal Sircely was honored for winning Junior Achievement Student of the Year in 2021, when she was not able to be recognized.
Sircely, who is bound for Slippery Rock University this fall, praised Herzing:
“I wouldn’t have won if it wasn’t for him,” she said.
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Other Business:
Athletic Director Steve Bressler briefed the board on more than $8,000 in donations, including a $3,000 grant, from Dick’s Sporting Goods. It started with a search for proper shoes for the high school track team. Bressler’s search led him to Dick’s, who asked him to put together a wish list. Then, on the day he went to pick up more than $5,000 in equipment for various sports, a Dick’s staffer called him. “Bad news,” he was told. “You have to fill out another application, we want to give you $3,000!” The school district also received more than $1,000 in baseball equipment from Point Park University.