Jones Recognized as August Work-based Learning Student of the Month

Stephens County High School has announced Kara Jones as the August 2024 Work-Based Learning Student of the Month. As a senior, Kara is currently working at PruittHealth at the Toccoa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Jones has successfully completed her pathway in Therapeutic Services/Patient Care, which includes courses Introduction to Healthcare Science, Essentials of Healthcare, and Patient Care Fundamentals. This year, she will further enhance her skills by taking the optional Patient Care Technician course. This class is designed to equip seniors with the knowledge and abilities to become proficient multi-skilled healthcare providers. Students will practice skills learned in Patient Care Fundamentals and acquire advanced patient care skills, including basic cardiology, 12-lead EKG’s, oxygen therapy, and basic phlebotomy. 

Upon completion, Jones will be eligible to sit for the Patient Care Technician Certification. 

Haley Rider, a Healthcare teacher confirms that Jones is a very hard-working, kind, patient, and dedicated student, saying Jones “strives to improve her knowledge and skills in everything she does. She is a shining light to others and her smile can brighten your day. She is a fantastic CNA and I know her future is very bright!”

In addition to her work in healthcare, Jones is also completing a Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education pathway in Veterinary Science, which encompasses Basic Agricultural Science, Animal Science and Biotechnology, and Veterinary Science classes. 

Agriculture teacher Josh Brown says, “Kara is one of my top students! She is very hardworking and always gives 110% when it is asked of her. I have seen her develop from a student who did not care much for agriculture, into a leader who encouraged others to take a leap into the world of Agriculture.” 

Jones has been a part of the PruittHealth team since July 2023. Amy Thomas, Director of Health Services at PruittHealth, commends Jones’s contributions, saying, “Kara is well-deserving of this award. She has been helping care for our residents for almost a year now. Kara shows up on time, willing to work, and with a big happy smile on her face! Our residents can’t help but smile back when they interact with her.”

In addition to her academic and work endeavors, Jones is an active member of two student organizations – Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and Future Farmers of America (FFA). She is currently a dual-enrolled student at North Georgia Technical College. And, she has plans to pursue a career as a labor and delivery nurse after college.

Jones’ Stephens County High School advisor, Timmi Shawler, praises her dedication, saying “She is a wonderful young lady who works hard in her classes and challenges herself. She balances a full work schedule with her coursework and strives to do her best. I had the privilege of working with her in Honors and AP Biology. She was an integral part of the CFA Leader Academy for the last few years, where we planned and implemented multiple community impact projects. One where she especially shined was last year’s Do Good December project, where we collected items for the Clary and Wilkinson Centers, delivered these items to the residents, and spent part of the day playing games with them as well.”