Contributed PROPS – The JCESC honors some of the area’s top achievers at the ACT Recognition Breakfast. Each student scored 30 or higher. Front row from left are Mary Rohde, Loren Chen, Ben Griffith, Gabriel Martin and Ava Christian. Back row from left are JCESC Vice President Toni Jean Dondzila, Dr. Thomas Graham, Braden Moss, Brendan Kuebler, Adelyn Johnson, Isabella Fletcher and JCESC President Barry Gullen. Not present: Cyd Davenport.

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County Educational Service Center commended some of the area’s brightest young future leaders during the 2026 ACT Recognition Breakfast May 5 at Froehlich’s Classic Corner.

This marked the 11th annual breakfast. The year’s honorees were Ben Griffith of Edison Local Schools; Braden Moss and Cyd Davenport of Harrison Hills City Schools; Ava Christian of Indian Creek Local Schools; Brendan Kuebler and Mary Rohde of Steubenville Catholic Central High School; Adelyn Johnson, Gabriel Martin and Isabella Fletcher of Steubenville City Schools; and Loren Chen of Toronto City Schools.

JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko greeted the students, their families and representatives of their schools. For the past 10 years, JCESC has honored 122 students from the three counties of Jefferson, Harrison and Columbiana and JCESC’s eight member-school districts. He said JCESC is proud to add another 10 students.

“I would like to be the first to congratulate each of you students on that achievement as well as to your support networks and families that have helped you reach that goal.”

Kokiko recounted the challenges the students took on and excelled in during the ACT test. Test takers have two hours and 55 minutes to answer the 215 questions. They also had an optional 40-minute writing test. This meant students have less than one minute per question.

Those gathered for the celebration were truly an elite group. As of the most recent statistics from 2024, about 1.38 million students took the ACT with an average score of 19.4. While a score of 23 or higher places students in the top 25% of test takers, the students honored Tuesday have scored between 30 and 34.

“That places you in the upper 95th percentile. You are in the top 5% of all test takers. To our individuals here today that earned a 34, that puts you in the top 0.86% of all test takers that take the ACT,” he said. “That means you’re a very special, select group when it comes to scoring on the ACT. I would like to be one of the first to congratulate you on that outstanding achievement.”

JCESC Board President Barry Gullen gave the invocation. He congratulated the students and thanked the parents for instilling the values that brought them this far. He told the students this was only the beginning of their journey.

“Go for your goal and even exceed that. We know you’re going to do that. The future in this room tells us how bright it’s going to be, just from you.”

Dr. Thomas Graham was the guest speaker. Determination and devotion to education have taken Graham far. He has pursued degrees in economics, sociology and theology and has written eight critical reviews for the American Educational Research Association. Belief in service has also motivated him to be a leader in the community, having served on the Toronto City Schools and JVS boards of education. He has been a safety director overseeing police and fire departments and a member of other agency boards.

Graham was a Jefferson County commissioner for 20 years and the only Jefferson County commissioner to serve on the State Board of Directors for the County Commissioners Association of Ohio. He was also the dean of academics at Eastern Gateway Community College and a professor for 30 years at Franciscan University of Steubenville with a specialty in sociological analysis of educational system and policy.

Graham began by hearkening back to the tradition of Socrates, an early martyr for education and free expression, and the example he set for the individual’s duty to think for themselves and seek the truth rather than accepting the dictates of those in authority. He said the power of education in training critical thinking has only become more important today.

Graham shared a quote from Thomas Jefferson, stating that individuals who are capable should be rendered by a liberal education worthy to receive and able to guard the sacred deposit of rights and liberties of their fellow citizens, and they should be called to that charge regardless of wealth and power.

He said the purpose of education goes beyond the important role of preparing students to prosper materially in their careers.

“I’m of the view that education should help us become critical thinkers, independent thinkers, regardless of your major,” he said.

“Democracy should be better off with people who are critical thinkers, who just do not blindly follow but choose the path that is right.”

Graham said critical thinking will help them in mastering new enterprises, and the young people present have already demonstrated a strong foundation.

“You have done what the majority of students have not done, and you and your families should be very proud of your accomplishments,” he said. “You are our future leaders in society, but remember in a humble way. Everybody learns, and learning is from living life.”

Kokiko left the students with parting advice as they head into a wider world that will prove both bigger and more competitive as they meet other high achievers. They will face challenges, but they have the gifts and the support network to succeed. He also reminded them to look to civic duties such as board membership and public office as a way to give back to the community.

“I look forward to the great things you guys accomplish.”

JCESC Governing Board President Barry Gullen and Vice President Toni Jean Dondzila presented the students with their awards.

Certificates of recognition went to:

— Ben Griffith, son of Cindy Griffith of Bergholz, earned an ACT score of 34 and holds a 4.0 GPA. He plans to attend The Ohio State University and major in accounting.

— Braden Moss, son of Woody and Julie Moss of Scio, earned an ACT score of 33 and holds a 4.517 GPA. He plans to attend The Ohio State University and major in chemical engineering.

— Cyd Davenport, son of Timothy Davenport and Anna Thobodaux of Cadiz, earned an ACT score of 30 and holds a GPA of 3.9. He plans to attend The Ohio State University and major in English to go into teaching.

— Ava Christian, daughter of Shane and Crysta Christian of Steubenville, earned an ACT score of 33 and holds a GPA of 3.991. He plans to attend The Ohio State University for pre-mechanical engineering.

— Brendan Kuebler, son of Daniel and Nellie Kuebler of Steubenville, earned an ACT score of 32 and holds a GPA of 4.0 (4.270 weighted). He will attend Franciscan University of Steubenville to study mechanical engineering.

— Mary Rohde, daughter of Jeffrey and Bridget Rohde of Steubenville, earned an ACT score of 30 and holds a GPA of 4.0. He plans to attend Franciscan University of Steubenville and work toward a doctorate in Nursing Practice.

— Adelyn Johnson, daughter of James and Janet Johnson of Toronto, earned an ACT score of 31 and holds a GPA of 4.412. He plans to attend The Ohio State University and major in psychology and English.

— Gabriel Martin, son of Shawn and Ann Martin of Steubenville, earned an ACT score of 31 and holds a GPA of 4.69. He plans to attend West Virginia University for mechanical engineering.

— Isabella Fletcher, daughter of Marlo Fletcher of Steubenville, earned an ACT score of 34 and holds a GPA of 4.7. He will attend the University of Pittsburgh for pre-med surgery.

— Loren Chen, son of Yan Chen and Qiao Hua Li of Toronto, earned an ACT score of 30 and maintains a GPA of 3.894. He plans to attend The Ohio State University for nursing and to continue his education to become a nurse anesthesiologist.