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Twenty-three students from West Jessamine High School are among hundreds of high schools in Central Kentucky recognized in this year’s “Youth Salute.”

Students were nominated by teachers, guidance counselors and principals for this year’s Youth Salute.

To qualify, the student had to be a junior (senior class of 2021), have a 3.0 GPA or better and have held at least two  leadership roles to which they were chosen by their peers or an adult leader within the past two years in school, religious or community sponsored organizations.

The Journal will feature several students each week.

Paige Harrod

Paige is chair of the Jessamine County FFA Building Communities committee, participated in the FFA  Washington Leadership Conference and won first place in the Kentucky FFA Small Animal impromptu speaker contest. She is a member of the KMEA All State Choir, the West Jessamine Theater stage crew, stage manager for Arts and Community Theater, the Asbury University Orchestra, and is first chair for second violin in the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra. She is a Jessamine County vet assistant and a marketing team member at Chick-Fil-A.

She plans to major in animal biology and to attend veterinary school.

Palmer McNeal

Palmer enjoys singing and acting, and participated in productions at WJHS. She is a member of the chamber choir and was twice selected for KMEA All State. She also represented the class of 2021 in the Jessamine County Schools Superintendent Student Forum.

She plans to attend a state university and pursue a career in education or politics.

Riley Gibbs

Riley is assistant director of “Peter and Wendy” and a member of Dually Noted and West Side Sound. She was selected for KMEA 2020, nominated as best soloist at South Dearborn’s show choir competition and participated in the Bluegrass Choral Music Festival.

She plans to major in musical theater and seeks a career in performing or teaching.

Sean Huff

Sean is a member of the National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, an ACE lap peer pro and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He won the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists’ Award of Excellence. He participates in the gifted and talented program at WJHS, studied AP biology, chemistry, physics, U.S. History and world history, and placed in American Math Competition. He works at Keene Trace Golf Club and is a member of the youth group at Southland Christian Church.

Sienna Lyon-Baldwin

Sienna is a 4H Camp counselor and an ACE lab peer pro. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the varsity track and field team, the Jessamine County 4H Teen Council, the yearbook club and manager of the cross country team.

She hopes to major in education and become an elementary school teacher.