Kennedy Jones is moving on to big things.
The Oakdale High School senior and 2023 Leo Volz Scholarship recipient leaves little doubt that she intends to not only do OHS proud, but the community as well.
The honoree intends on attending University of California Davis this fall where she plans to major in Medical and Molecular Microbiology. As a pre-med student, UC Davis was her first pick.
One of three children, as well as a twin, Kennedy shared the expense of her future education did weigh on her a bit. That weight has now been lifted.
“Davis was my number one,” the future Aggie shared, noting being a bit nervous as she didn’t apply to a lot of colleges. “That was the main place I was wanting to go.”
“Scholarship wise, I can’t even believe it,” she continued of the Volz honor. “I mean, this is amazing. This is so special. I’m just so thankful for everything.”
Each year, one student is chosen to receive the Leo Volz honor. The scholarship, the only one of its kind, was started in 1997 through an endowment established at the passing of Volz, an OHS alum. The criteria for the honor is very specific, as well as rigorous. It is reported that 60 graduating seniors were eligible to apply. Jones not only reached the final six, but captured the final honor which will result in approximately $100,000 contributed to her tuition and books over the next four years.
“The girls I was going against are all accomplished and so amazing, so I didn’t think it was going to be me,” she said of the finalists, which included her twin sister Riley.
“This has already changed my life,” she said of the scholarship award toward her college education. “My sister and I were rooting for each other.”
The four-year scholarship will be especially helpful to the family, with the twins moving on to higher education and an older sister in nursing school.
During her tenure at OHS, the soon-to-be graduate has participated in basketball, tennis for four years, tutoring on campus, as well as volunteering at the Literacy Center. She is also an accomplished violinist playing with her church worship team, as well as with the Modesto Orchestra.
Jones shared she has always had an interest and passion for biology and medicine. Choosing a path as a doctor has appealed to her since a young age. Part of her decision to pursue UC Davis followed a campus visit, “Aggie Day,” where she learned more about their extensive biology department.
“The school is beautiful and they’re so well known for their programs. It’s the perfect spot,” she explained, noting the proximity to home and family as a double bonus.
“I’ve always liked school and love learning. I know it will be challenging, but it will be good,” she said of her future. “The relationship a doctor has with their patients is so unique. I want to be a part of that.”
The specific area of medicine she hopes to explore is ophthalmology. She said having an internship with an ophthalmologist last summer gave her firsthand experience in what that career might look like.
As for her time in Oakdale schools and her OHS experience, Jones could not be happier.
“In all honesty, I’ve had a great education here. I was just reflecting on it the other day,” she stated. “Each year coming out of school, I feel like I’ve learned so much more.
“I’ve had such a great experience at this high school,” the Volz scholar continued. “All my teachers have been so great, my friends have been great, my coaches have been great. Everything has just been amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”
Now looking ahead to summer, she has plans of travel and fun before leaving her family and heading to Davis. While it will be the first time she and twin sister Riley (attending Sacramento State in the fall) will be apart, she shared she’s grateful they’re still relatively close.
“I’m just really thankful for my family and this community,” Jones shared. “I just feel so blessed in my life. All the things I’ve gotten to participate in, all the things I’ve gotten to do. My family’s just been so supportive.”