Memories and Lessons That Will Last a Lifetime

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

Milestones in life are something to be celebrated and shared. From your first steps to your last day of school, and everything in between… these are all things to be celebrated and remembered. There is one milestone that we  have the opportunity to experience that not only provides us with some of the best memories of our lives, but also sets the foundation for who we are.

Graduating high school is perhaps the biggest milestone of anyone’s life. To walk across that stage and place that tassel from one side to the other, represents a huge accomplishment on your part. The last thirteen years you have woken up and continued to grow as a person every day and learned all that you need to have learned to face the world on your own.

For one young graduate this couldn’t be true. Jadelyn Leigh Brewer, born on November 16, 2004, recalled her first memory of school, “I was in elementary school, and I just remember throwing crayons across the room.” Over the years, Brewer has since had memorable moments. “My most favorite moment in high school was during our archery tournament this year. There were a bunch of old archery targets laying around, and we just all instantly decided that it would be a fun idea to ride them down the stairs like a roller coaster. It was a great time, and we had the best time.”

Her time spent at school provided more than just memories that she will cherish for a lifetime. Brewer believes she is the person she is today because of her experiences in high school. She credits her high school experience with shaping her into the well-mannered, smart, and compassionate young woman she is today. Brewer shared, “Not to sound too cliché, but my high school experience has been life changing. Over the course of four short years, you as a person can really change and discover who you are. I know I most certainly have.”

Brewer’s growth is nothing short of inspiring. This talented young woman has accomplished so much in such a short period of time. She has been actively involved in her school’s Key Club, Beta Club, Mu Althea Pheta, FCCLA and NJROTC.   She is a student ambassador and has participated on her high school’s tennis and archery team.  In addition to her involvement at school, Brewer is also an active member of her church’s youth group.

One thing is very clear and that is Brewer finds enjoyment in helping others. Brewer, at a young age, declared that she wanted to be a veterinarian. However, over the years, she has developed a desire to help others along this journey that we call life. “At the moment, I am undecided as to where I further my education, but one thing I know for sure is that wherever I go I want to study elementary school education,” noted Brewer.

Erin Brewer, Brewer’s mother, has been instrumental in Brewer’s decision to go into the education field. “My mother has always been such a role model to me. When she was younger, she made the decision/sacrifice to quit college and stay at home for us (Brewer and her sister). Then, after a few years had passed, my mom decided to go night school in order to get her certification to become a teacher’s aide.”

Brewer graduated from Boyd County High School as part of the class of 2023 just a few short days ago, but the lessons she learned throughout her high school experience will be with her a lifetime. One of the most things Brewer believes she has learned is, “Don’t worry so much about high school… it goes by so fast. Have the time of your life while you are there, and try not to get caught up in all the pointless drama. But most importantly, never lose sight of the path ahead.”

The path ahead is wide open for this goal-oriented graduate. Brewer shared she is very happy to have graduated from BCHS and begin the next chapter of her life. There is one thing that she will miss about high school… “I will miss the most being with my NJROTC cadets and my best friends. I have made so many exceptional relationships here, and I will miss seeing them every day.”

Impacting the World for the Better: Hannah Laney

Gwen Akers

The Ashland Beacon

An aspiring doctor graduates top of her class and sets her sights on impacting the world for the better.

Hannah Laney is set to graduate May 2023, top of her class at Paul G. Blazer High School in Ashland, Ky and an alumnus of The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science based out of Western Kentucky University.

Laney moved to Ashland the summer of her 5th grade year and has since become heavily involved in both her academics and the Ashland community. Laney was a part of the Paul Blazer High School Marching Band, Paul Blazer Track Team, Mu Alpha Theta, and several other clubs during her time at Blazer. Her sophomore year, known for her outstanding skills in STEM, she was selected as one of only 100 students to attend The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Bowling Green, Ky.

Laura Hackney, a mathematics teacher of Laney’s since the time Laney was in the seventh grade, could not speak more highly of both her accomplishments and attitude toward learning.

“Hannah came over in seventh grade and took Accelerated Algebra II. Of course, I was a little hesitant about a seventh grader showing up to take Accelerated Algebra Two, but she thrived in her classes. I was worried that it would be too academically rigorous for her, but she excelled. She was the best student in the class every year that I had her,” stated Hackney.

After taking Blazer by storm, Laney attended the residential Gatton Academy which allows for high school juniors and seniors to live on the campus of Western Kentucky University and take dual-credit college classes alongside actual college students.

“I would really have not been able to grow and learn as much if I didn't get to go to Gatton. The  friendships I've made and the interactions I've had with other students, I would not have had those opportunities if I didn't go to Gatton. To be around other kids from around the country that are just as passionate about science and math as I am–that was definitely a one of a kind experience,” commented Laney.

While at Gatton, Laney was president of the Math Club, a member of the Science Bowl Team, and key research partner in the Gatton Academy of Physics and Astronomy. Her research began her first semester, and Laney was able to obtain an internship grant, or RIG, to continue her work in the summer between her junior and senior year.

Laney’s research focused on the growing of transition metal oxides with crystal compounds. Laney primarily focused on the growing of these crystals, and her research allowed her to present at the National Pfizer Community Symposium in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she was named an honorable mention in the chemistry poster category. Laney also was named a top 300 scholar in the Regeneron student talent search competition.

Laney reiterated that her time at Gatton helped solidify her research skills and give her the necessary experience she needed to feel confident committing to the University of Kentucky next year with a Biology Major. There, Laney was awarded the full tuition Presidential Scholarship, and hopes to continue on to medical school.

“I’m going to go there, and I'm going to major in Biology. I'm looking at a double major, maybe in math.” said Laney. “And as of right now, my plan is to go on onto medical school and become a doctor.”

Leaving every teacher and friend absolutely impressed by both her skills and kindness, Laney contributes her success to the support and encouragement from her family. Her Ashland roots have both encouraged her and shaped her into the exceptional young woman she is today.

“She is without a doubt the most academically gifted student that I've had all around,” expressed Hackney. “She's exceptional.”

 Wherever she goes, she is sure to write her own story, and impact the world for the better.

Aiming for Success

Boyd County Middle School Archery Team Earns Consecutive Trips to Nationals

Deidra Bowling-Meade

Ashland Beacon

World Archery Champion Jesse Broadwater stated, “Archery is the ultimate test of skill, patience, focus and discipline.” For the last two years, Boyd County Middle School Archery team has put their skills to the test and scored high enough to complete at Nationals.  Middle school archery teams must score 3000 or higher to qualify for state and national competition, and 3050 to qualify for the Open Championship.

This month, Boyd County Middle School Archery Team scored 3075, which is their best score for the 22-23 season.

The students who participated include: Isabella Adams, Cayce Blankenship, Michael Brickey, Baylee Brown, Landon Bryan, Patrick Bryant, Kolter Christy, Ava Cobern, Claire Conly, Blake Corey, Gunner Crouch, Braedon Dotson, Lynden James, Amelia Morgan, David Osborne, Katherine Pelfrey, Gracie Richardson, Anna Salyers, Christian Sanderson, Jacy Sanderson, Riggs Sparks, Wyatt Spencer, Caleb Sullivan, and Payton Wilson.

The Boyd County Archery Team has been coached by Christi Shelton and Bill Criss the last two years. Shelton discussed how the students prepared for competition, “During our regular competition season, our team practices twice per week after school, plus a special Wednesday class during school.  We encourage every archer to set personal goals to better their highest competition score.  The foundation and focus of each practice is the 11 Steps to Archery Success:

1.  Stance                                                                          

2.  Nock                                                                                    

3.  Set Draw Hand                                                     

4.  Set Bow Hand

5.  Pre-Draw

6.  Draw

7.  Anchor

8.  Aim

9.  Shot Set Up

10.  Release

11.  Follow-Through & Reflect

When practiced correctly and consistently, these 11 steps help each archer score consistently high in competition.”

Goal setting refines a person’s outcome by giving long-term vision and motivation.  Shelton and Criss have seen growth in their players the last two years due to the team’s mindset.  Shelton remarked, “Each year we discuss individual and team goals, and then organize our practices toward reaching those goals.  Our goal each year has been for each student perform better than the year before and to qualify for state competition.  We are glad to say that our team has gone above and beyond by also qualifying for Nationals each year.  This year, our score at Nationals also qualifies for the NASP Open Championship held at Myrtle Beach, SC, in June.”

The archery program at Boyd County Middle School will continue to aim for success. Shelton commented on the future of this team, “We are very proud of our team's progress.  We anticipate that our team will grow and improve even more in years to come.”

Archery is making a difference in so many of the students’ lives.  It builds mental toughness and physical endurance.  It’s a skill that can be used a lifetime.  Shelton discussed the impact school archery programs play in students’ future, 

“Many colleges and universities are now starting to implement new archery programs.  There are numerous scholarship opportunities for students who wish to pursue archery after high school, so be sure to keep participating in archery programs in high school and beyond!”  

Move and Live Better with BodyWorx Physical Therapy

Gwen Akers

The Ashland Beacon

Feel…Move…Live…BETTER: BodyWorx Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Wellness Center is open in Russell, Ky.

The Tri-State’s only combined PT/Chiropractic clinic, BodyWorx, had its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 19. 

Opened in the hopes of providing top-notch care and opportunities to the community, BodyWorxs was envisioned by Neil Evans, Brad Profitt, and Jeremy Stephenson. They wanted to create a place that could positively impact the health of the community.

“We've really talked about this now for years, just wanting to have a facility that really practiced at the highest level of what our license would allow,” stated Neil Evans, one of three co-founders of BodyWorx.

Not only is BodyWorx meant to be your one-stop-shop for your chiropractic care and physical therapy needs, but it is also the home of the Tip Top Program, standing for “Training for Injury Prevention to Optimize Performance” and the “Limber Lab.” The Tip Top Program is targeted at athletes and is meant to help people improve their athletic performance through movement patterns and mobility in key joints throughout the body, while the Limber Lab helps enhance patients’ flexibility and movement.

“I think we bring a different version of rehab. We are one of the only physical therapy/chiropractic businesses in the tri-state area, so I think it just gives us an opportunity to provide a more well-rounded approach to provide for the people in this area,” expressed Jeremy Stephenson, a physical therapist since 2015 and co-founder of BodyWorx.

BodyWorx aims to improve the health of the community while also offering clients the screenings, help, and guidance they need to live a healthy life.

“I guess my hope would be that people would see a difference in their care,” commented Evans.  “We plan on helping people and helping them become independent, treating them until they're better and then discharged. We don't want to continue to see people time and time again. Having the level of the therapists that we have, and that we're associated with, will definitely help the community and their health.”

BodyWorx is currently by appointment only, and just like their training, is flexible to fit your schedule.

“Our motto or you could call it our mission statement is feel, move, live better, and that's really what we want to do,” proclaimed Evans.

Those interested should call them at (606) 833-2173.