Patrick Holleron
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A Central High School senior at the top of his class is Ivy League-bound after being accepted into one of the top research universities in the country.
For senior Zion Pickett, it’s a feeling of joy, relief, gratification, appreciation and excitement as he prepares to attend Cornell University this fall to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering.
A native of St. Joseph, Pickett — who also scored a 35 on his ACT test — is relishing the chance to attend his dream school, a new chapter that will see him relocate to the East Coast in Ithaca, New York.
“I’m excited about going to Cornell, there’s a lot of new opportunities I’ll be presented. I will meet new students from all around the world from China, India, and obviously across the states,” he said. “It will be a different environment on the East Coast, which is a little overwhelming to be honest. But I think I’ll find a good circle to be around over there.”
Pickett’s path to Cornell was one that saw him overcome hardships to be in the position he is today. His father left early in his life, which he acknowledged was challenging for his family, including mother Ashley Mayhew and younger sister Ava Walker.
“Not having a second parent in the house to support me and be in my corner was a little, overwhelming,” Pickett said. “There were a lot of days where I thought I wasn’t going to accomplish anything or I was too tired to keep working at my goals.”
Even in tough times, his mother’s belief in him never wavered, something he is eternally grateful for and hopes to repay.
“My mom always kept pushing me and never gave up on me. Looking back, I’m all the more grateful for the effort and sacrifices she made to give both myself and my sister a good childhood,” Zion said. “I feel like it’s why have to repay her and the rest of my family. For backing me up this whole time, keeping me in a grounded emotional state and keeping me happy.”
His passion for science and math was present throughout his childhood. However, the extracurricular opportunities at Central like the Math Club and the Scholar Bowl helped him find his calling in chemical engineering, a field where he could explore environmental or pharmaceutical career avenues.
It eventually led him to taking AP Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, where he met his teacher and now mentor Josh Partridge.
“Zion was taking two of my Advanced Placement classes. Through the first few months of getting to know him, I saw a deep passion for the field of science,” Partridge said. “He’s very driven, studies a lot of great details and being a science person you always ask ‘Why?’ It was nice to see that spark in a student. One day he came to me and said ‘I think I want this to be my career.”
The “spark” Partridge witnessed would ultimately bloom into a unique research opportunity for Pickett.
At the time, Partridge was finishing graduate degrees at Northwest Missouri State University where he worked on a research project with Dr. Sarah McFall-Bogeman, a study focused on traces of metal found in samples of wine from Missouri-based vineyards.
Partridge brought McFall-Bogeman to speak to his classes, with Pickett taking a keen interest in the project. When the time came for Pickett to register for classes, the options at Central were limited, leading Partridge to explore adding him to the research project.
“I was working with Zion to find a class substitute that is a little bit more robust and could bolster his resume. I coordinated the idea of working on the project with Zion’s counselor, Katie Campbell, and Sarah,” Partridge said. “Once everybody got on board, it fell into place quickly. Fast forward to now, it’s been really cool to have Zion come to the university once a week, doing lab work and gaining real lab experience. I believe it diversifies him enough to stand alone, out of the crowd of students that we have graduating from Central.”
As Zion finishes the second half of his senior year at Central — ranked No. 1 in his class — Partridge is beyond proud and grateful to have had him in classes.
“I tell him all the time I’m his biggest fan, his biggest cheerleader. This is my seventh year as an educator, I’m still in the young part of my career and I never thought I would have this moment,” Partridge said. “I remember all the teachers who got me to where I’m at, cheering and coaching me along the way. I just feel great pride for Zion and the pride he takes in his work. He genuinely wants to learn, wants to do better and is always willing to ask for help. As an educator that’s all I ever want to do his help kids. I feel like a proud parent, I know I’m not, but theirs just no other way to describe it.”
Reflecting upon his journey to the present day, Zion acknowledges his journey from St. Joseph to an Ivy League school like Cornell doesn’t happen often, but hopes he can inspire others to strive towards their dreams.
“I know what I’ve accomplished is rare, but it doesn’t necessarily mean anything about my career prospects or that I’m smarter than anyone. There are people who can go to almost any university and find a good career,” Zion said. “It means having the right mindset to accomplish your goals. I want to inspire the younger generations of students to keep working at whatever they’re intent on. I want to show them nothing is impossible.”
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