The Washington County Career Center honors its September Students of the Month, Mattigan Ward and Christopher Copen.
Ward is a Marietta senior enrolled in the Medical College Prep program, and she is the daughter of Jason and Beth Ward of Marietta.
At the Career Center, she is a member of the SkillsUSA youth organization and student council. She was on the Career Center’s honor and merit rolls all last school year. As a student ambassador, she is responsible for acting as a liaison between the Career Center and Marietta High School. In addition, she is gaining leadership skills by promoting the Career Center during its recruitment process as well as giving tours and guidance at scheduled events and with incoming visitors. At Marietta High School, she is active on the varsity cheerleading squad as well as mentoring the youth cheerleaders.
Through College Credit Plus, Ward has earned or will earn credits in English composition, American national government, college algebra, technical writing, and medical terminology. In her technical program, she has earned industry-recognized credentials and certifications for Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid, Stop the Bleed, and the Ohio Department of Health – State Tested Nurse Assistant (STNA). She is taking course offerings and learning skills for health science & technology, medical terminology, patient centered care, and principles of allied health medicine.
Medical College Prep instructor, Robin Wright, commented, “Mattigan has a very positive attitude. She is well respected by peers and very respectful of herself and others. She is a classroom leader and never has an unkind word towards others.”
This past summer, Ward was accepted into an internship with Marietta Memorial Health Systems. She is currently employed with Waterview Pointe as an activity assistant. Upon graduation, she aspires to attend Washington State College of Ohio for nursing.
Copen is a Belpre senior enrolled in the Sports Medicine & Exercise Science program, and he is the son of Curt and Lauren Copen of Belpre.
At the Career Center, Copen is a member of the SkillsUSA youth organization and national technical honor society. He was on the Career Center’s principal list all last school year. In addition, he is a student ambassador, acting as a liaison between the Career Center and Belpre High School. At Belpre High School, he is a member of the academic excellence recognition organization, active on the basketball and baseball teams, and serves as captain for the baseball team. He received awards for all TVC basketball, all TVC baseball, all district 2nd team, all district honorable mention, teen of the week, and student athlete of the week. He has volunteered for youth basketball, career camp at the Career Center, and IBelieve.
He holds the office of president in his technical program and earned industry-recognized credentials or certifications for Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid, Stop the Bleed, and the Physical Therapy Technician Certification (PTTC). Through College Credit Plus, he has or will earn both high school and college credit for American national government, college algebra, English composition, exercise science, first aid-personal safety, health and fitness foundations, introduction to nutrition, medical terminology, psychology, resistance training, statistics, technical writing, world history, and various online courses through WSCO. Copen is taking course offerings and learning skills for athletic injuries and prevention, exercise and athletic training, nutrition and wellness, and sports exercise psychology.
Sports Medicine & Exercise Science instructor, Lauren Copen, commented, “Christopher never missed a day of class and shows great leadership skills in class and lab. He is an excellent student, always courteous, helpful, and friendly, as well as upholding an outstanding work ethic.”
Copen aspires to attend either Glenville State University or West Virginia Wesleyan College to play baseball and obtain a degree in athletic training or sports medicine.