Ryan Battles hails from a family of pipeliners, of whom include his father Rick Battles and his brother Reagan Battles. His family’s sacrifice and support provided the ways and means for his academic success, and this ultimately led him to his current placement as an MD Candidate at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

Initially, Ryan’s high achievement in academics garnered him a spot at the University of Chicago. There he was a member of a scholarship program that provided much inspiration and perspective for his focus on medicine, but also nurtured his connections to communities in need. These two facets informed his eventual completion of a double-major in biology and Spanish. Ryan is currently nearing the completion of his second year at Northwestern, and he plans upon graduation to use his position as an MD to attend to significant disparities within his community.

Jake Bennett has a long family history of membership in Local Union 798.  He is the grandson of W.A. “Okie” Gilbert.  He grew up in Oklahoma City in an environment where hard work was valued.  He is currently enrolled in the President’s Leadership Class at the University of Oklahoma where he is learning to better his leadership skills, particularly, how to better the community through volunteerism.  Via the President’s Leadership Class, he has volunteered at Loveworks Leadership, where volunteers help lead groups of children and empower them to follow their dreams and aspirations.  He plans on volunteering there again next year.

His educational plans include getting a bachelor’s in psychology and going to medical school.  From there, he plans on studying dermatology and becoming a dermatologist.

Alyssa Chapman is the daughter of Dewayne and Jessica Chapman. She is the granddaughter of Jesse Ayers, a 40-year Welder member of Local 798. Alyssa graduated from Nicholas County High School in Summersville, West Virginia. During high school she participated in the National Honors Society, 9-Club, Student Council, and she was captain for both the soccer and basketball teams during her senior year. She is currently attending Marshall University where she is majoring in exercise science. Her plans after graduating from Marshall University are to continue her education, and ultimately pursue a career as a Physician’s Assistant.

Tyler Childs is the son of Welder member Tommy Childs and Helper member Natalie Childs.  After graduating from Lake Hamilton High School in Pearcy, Arkansas in 2010, Tyler began his undergraduate career at Henderson State University (HSU) where he was an active member of several extra-curricular clubs and organizations including Biology Club, Spanish Club, Chemistry Club, Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Student Government Association, Alpha Chi Honor Society, Alpha Mu Gamma Foreign Language Honor Society, and Heart & Key Service Organization.  He held various positions throughout his years at HSU, including All-Greek Council Representative, Vice President of Honors Hall Council, Campus Ambassador (tour guide), and various positions within his fraternity (Junior Marshall, VP of Recruitment, VP of Programming, and President) and, in 2012, he was awarded Greek Man of the Year.  Tyler regularly supported his community through community service events with the Humane Society, local elementary schools, the Boys and Girls Club, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.  He was involved in two research projects, one especially notable for featuring the first documentation of several species of plants found in Arkansas.  He graduated from HSU in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, and three minors: chemistry, Spanish, and business.

Tyler is currently enrolled in the Physician Assistant (PA) program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) with a current GPA of 3.98.  Even though his course load is rigorous, he still tries to volunteer in the community when he can, by seeing patients at the 12^th Street Health & Wellness Center.  Recently, he was nominated to represent the UAMS PA Program at the American Academy of Physician Assistants National Conference. At this conference Tyler will compete in Challenge Bowl, a medicine-themed quiz bowl, against hundreds of other students from colleges across the country.

After graduating from UAMS in August later this year, Tyler plans to begin work as a PA.  While he hasn’t yet decided which specialty he will pursue, he is most interested in orthopedics, endocrinology, and dermatology.  He lives with his fiancée, Kate, and their 3-year-old son, Sawyer.  He attributes his hardworking nature to his parents, who have always persevered despite any obstacles that they have encountered.

Daniel Davis is originally from Searcy, Arkansas, but developed a worldly perspective at a young age by traveling to work sites across the country with his dad, Welder member Kevin Davis.  He decided to pursue his undergrad in forestry with a concentration in wildlife management at Mississippi State University.  He is involved with quite a few student organizations including the Society of American Foresters, the Ducks Unlimited Bulldog Chapter, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.  He has worked on campus as a forestry lab assistant and peer tutor, but the majority of his time is focused on his commitment to the Mississippi State University Army ROTC program.  His work with the ROTC and the Mississippi National Guard have provided a great deal of valuable experiences that are rarely found in most University extra-curricular programs.

He currently maintains a GPA of 3.94 and has received several academic awards, including consistent placement on the President’s and Dean’s list and the Forestry Sophomore Academic Excellence Award.  He was also awarded the top MS1 (freshmen) and superior MS2 (sophomore) medals for the Mississippi State Army ROTC program.

Upon completion of his degree, Daniel plans to commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Corp of Engineers.  Through the Corp of Engineers, he looks to gain a master’s degree in environmental engineering.  This should set the educational foundation needed for his return to civilian employment.  He hopes to eventually use his knowledge in forestry, wildlife biology, and environmental engineering to work in wetlands to support waterfowl ecology and conservation.

Alma Gordon is the daughter of Welder Member Christopher Gordon. She has demonstrated an eager academic prowess balanced with an active set of extracurricular interests. Her time at high school in Scottsboro, Alabama, found her on the bowling team, in the marching band (as an assistant and a color guard member), as a member of the National Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and the Interact club. She also participated in Link Crew and graduated with a 3.96 GPA.

Alma currently attends Northeast Alabama Community College where she has consistently maintained a 4.0 GPA. She plans on earning her Associate in Science to gain entry into a 4-year university biology program. She hopes to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology and eventually move on to medical school where, ultimately, she will fulfill her dream of becoming a pediatrician.

Jenny Hardy is originally from Bedford, Texas.  She is married to Nicholas Roche, who has been a Helper with Local 798 for over 10 years.  She is the daughter-in-law to Michael and Nita Roche.  Jenny graduated from the University of Tulsa in 2010 with a cumulative GPA of 3.77.  She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Medicine (DVM/PhD) from Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.  She is an active member of Alpha Psi, the Veterinary Business Management Association, and Phi Zeta.  Jenny currently volunteers with Operation Catnip-Stillwater, a non-profit that spays and neuters feral cats to reduce shelter overcrowding.  Jenny knew she wanted to become a veterinarian during an internship spent working with cattle and meat goats in Poteau, Oklahoma.  After finishing her studies, her plans include owning her own veterinary clinic and starting a small alpaca and goat farm with her husband.  She hopes to one day become a professor and inspire the next generation of young veterinarians.

Tyler Helms, born in Flint, Michigan, is the son of Helper Member Kevin Helms and the grandson of retired Welder Max Helms. He is currently a JD candidate at Stanford Law School where he is interested in labor organization, antitrust and disability law. He currently serves as senior editor for the Stanford Journal of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and as a member of the StreetLaw Pro Bono Project, which teaches incarcerated and at-risk youth about law and the legal system. He previously earned degrees in economics and political science from Arizona State University with the highest academic standing in his graduating class. During his time as an undergraduate, he helped to develop an in-home healthcare startup that provides persons with disabilities with nurses and caretakers to assist them in all aspects of life. He also conducted significant research into the economic prosperity of persons with disabilities in cities across the United States and continues to work on current legal issues facing this community in law school, such as the special education concerns raised by the massive lead exposure suffered by thousands of children, as a result of the Flint Water Crisis.

Violet Newell is the 21-year-old daughter of Carlton and Cheryl Newell of Stephenville, Texas.  She graduated from Tarleton State University in May 2018 with her Bachelor of Social Work degree.  While at Tarleton, Violet was the president of the Student Social Work Association during her senior year and a member of the Phi Alpha Honor Society.  Violet also won third place at the 2017 Texas A&M Research Symposium in the category of Humanities and Social Sciences.  Violet plans to attend University of Texas at Arlington starting the Fall 2018 semester to earn her master’s degree.  She will use this degree to become a clinical social worker and provide counseling services to children and families in the Stephenville area.

Olivia Voss is from Haworth, Oklahoma. and is the daughter of Johnny and Catherine Voss. She is the granddaughter to Mark Severn, retired Welder member of Local 798, and Ravena Severn. Olivia graduated from Haworth High School at the top of her class with a 4.21 GPA. During high school, Olivia participated in organizations such as softball, basketball, Quiz Bowl, Robotics, Sunrays Show Choir, Key Club, and Drama Club.

Olivia is currently a sophomore at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in education. During her time as a university student, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA. In the 2016-2017 school year, Olivia was selected as a member of the President’s Leadership Class. She was also named one of the Top Ten Freshmen for that year. Olivia is currently part of the Alumni Legacy Leaders group on campus and regularly communicates and connects with Alumni of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. In addition, Olivia was recently selected to be inducted into the Cardinal Key Honor Society on campus. She is also a member of the Zeta Gamma chapter of the Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and currently serves as the chapter’s Vice President of Operations. In April 2017, Olivia was selected to represent the Zeta Gamma chapter at the Dunham Women of Character Institute, a national conference attended by members of Sigma Sigma Sigma. She was also recently selected to be one of the representatives of Sigma Sigma Sigma at this summer’s Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute, which is attended by members of sororities and fraternities from around the county.

In addition to dedicating her time to organizations on campus, Olivia also works as an English tutor for both the Learning Center and the TRIO program on campus. In the Spring 2018 semester, Olivia began work as a teacher’s assistant for the Composition I Writing Lab, which serves as a zero-level English course at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She is slated to teach the Composition I Writing Lab during the Fall 2018 semester.

After graduating from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Olivia plans on achieving a master’s degree in English. Her goal is to be able to teach at the secondary level, as well as the university level.