YATESVILLE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Growing up in the 21st century is not always easy, yet sometimes we find teenagers who excel both in and out of the classroom. One of them, a student who just graduated as class valedictorian, is leaving her mark in more than just her school work.
18-year-old Allison Jones has excelled in the gifted program during her time at Pittston Area High School. She can make solving a complex math problem look like child's play. You could say she has a knack for solving problems.
"My ability to just go with the flow. I'm able to take situations and take a step back and break it apart and see where's the next step. What's the best way I can tackle the situation to get it to the best solution," said Allison.
Besides being a top-ranked student, Allison is active in Junior Leadership Northeast and Pittston Area Student Council.
Her teacher and student council advisor, Jill Oliver, has taken notice.
"She's the type of kid who challenges herself, and they're rare these days who truly challenge themselves," said Oliver.
"It's hard sometimes to be able to balance going to gym, school, work. Being able to have time for your school work and studying, and then trying to have a social life too, at that point," explained Allison.
Yet somehow she finds the time, and still manages to make time for someone she calls her best friend.
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"Ever since I was little, I've always just wanted to do my best to help him and be able to limit the barriers for him in life," said Allison.
Allison has known Mikey Ash since they were both little kids. Mikey has a rare genetic disorder called Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome.
"His syndrome affects every part of his body, so he sees 20 some specialists. He's had more surgeries than birthdays. He's spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals," said Nicole Ash, Mikey's mother.
And Allison has spent a lot of time with Mikey since his mother and her mom are longtime friends.
"I'm just so grateful to have him in my life. He just inspires me to be a better person," said Allison.
Through the years, Allison has been by Mikey's side on various vacations and family get-togethers, and in recent years even served as his aide.
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"So during the summer and occasionally during the school year, when I'm needed, I'll help my 'Aunt' Nicky, his mom, with any appointments going there, sitting at the doctor's office, just being here," explained Allison.
"She sees what we go through with him and all of the things he's up against, and it just makes her fight harder to want to help him," said Nicole Ash.
So much so that Allison plans to pursue a career as an emergency medicine physician.
"Because I want to be the person who stands up for my patients and advocates for them in everything," explained Allison.
That comes as no surprise to those who know Allison best.
"She has the intellect and she has the compassion and she has the unique quality of knowing what people need," said Oliver.
"The difference she's made in our life is huge. I can't wait to see what she can do for other people and how she'll change the world," said Nicole Ash.
Allison is set to attend Penn State University's main campus for biochemistry and molecular biology on a pre-med track.
Here's to you, Allison.
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