Washington Middle School Students Receive Honorary Junior Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Honors
Students in Stefanie Virgen’s Veterinary Medicine class at Washington Middle School participated in a “Junior Doctor of Veterinary Medicine" Honors Awards program on Tuesday, December 20.
The award is granted to students who have met and exceeded standards for growth, career-focus, and critical thinking in Virgen’s introductory to Vet Med classroom.
More than 25 students submitted intent for the Junior Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at the beginning of Vet Med. The interested students had to meet ACI class standards at an exemplary level with classwork artifacts.
Semi-finalists were chosen in November and completed an application process that included formal resumes, cover letters, and a lengthy application with artifacts of their own work demonstrating their critical thinking. The four finalists met all guidelines in the Junior Doctor of Vet Med rubric as well as leadership throughout class events and clinical exams.
The four finalists were eighth-grade students Ayden Stanley, Sophia Fitzgerald, Keyanna Littrell and Allison Sheahan.
Virgen started the program when she first began teaching Veterinary Medicine and noticed that some students, even ones who weren't necessarily headed for a medical career, were fascinated by the hands-on, authentic skills and thrived on additional challenges and increased rigor.
“I had been a part of the School District of Washington Pathways Committee prior to the Areas of Career Interest Program, and going into the community to interview and collaborate with local businesses gave me the unique perspective that helped me shape these classes, including the Vet Med class,” Virgen said. “With these things in mind, I wanted to offer all students the kind of essential skills to help them in any career while also giving interested students the ability to push themselves further. Celebrating these students is a real-world event. While they are "junior" doctors today, the sky is the limit for their future.”
Virgen awards the badge and a letter of recommendation, stating that the student has worked at an exemplary level in Veterinary Medicine in the areas of growth, critical thinking, and commitment to clinical rotations and research, and that the teacher would recommend the student to advanced class work and career-focused classes at Washington High School.
The recognized students receive:
* Name in the announcements
* Letter of recommendation from Virgen to the high school
* Certificate of honor
* Photo taken for parents.
Students in Stefanie Virgen’s Veterinary Medicine class at Washington Middle School participated in a “Junior Doctor of Veterinary Medicine" Honors Awards program on Tuesday, December 20. Recipients from left, were Ayden Stanley, Sophia Fitzgerald, Stefanie Virgen (teacher), Keyanna Littrell and Allison Sheahan.
Keyanna Littrell receives her Veterinary Medicine certificate of honor from instructor Stefanie Virgen.
Allison Sheahan receives her Veterinary Medicine certificate of honor from instructor Stefanie Virgen.
Ayden Stanley receives his Veterinary Medicine certificate of honor from instructor Stefanie Virgen.
Sophia Fitzgerald receives her Veterinary Medicine certificate of honor from instructor Stefanie Virgen.