2023 CTE PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS OHIO NOMINEE: Jay Patel

Butler Tech - Bioscience Program

Instructors: Danielle Mink & Lisa von Haefen

By taking 16+ college classes and two capstone courses, Patel will graduate from high school with an associate’s degree in science and a phlebotomy technician certification this May. According to the staff at Butler Tech’s Bioscience Center, he is consistently a top-performing student in his classes, maintaining a 4.78 GPA while also working at his family business and being actively involved in extracurriculars. As a junior, Patel was selected for a highly competitive program that allows high school students to learn directly from healthcare professionals in the hospital setting. He was also elected U.S. High School Team Leader for the United Planet Global Health Program – an eco-activism initiative that pairs students from across the United States with students in Baghdad. His team designed a social media campaign that shared information about global warming with the citizens of both countries.

“Butler Tech has set me up to achieve my goals through resources that it has provided me such as opportunities to shadow doctors, network, and the ability for me to take college classes which have all helped me in developing my passion and allowed me to get a step in the right direction for my goals,” explained Patel. “My instructors have pushed me relentlessly, finding and serving me with a full plate of opportunities that I gladly took.”

Patel volunteers regularly with a variety of community organizations. Most notable is his work with the Spiritual Care department at a local hospital. Being multilingual, he is able to help break the communication barrier by translating for patients. In an effort to improve the care of the hospital’s growing Hindu population, he was able to connect the hospital staff with leaders of a local Hindu religious center. Patel also devotes countless hours to Butler Tech – through National Technical Honor Society activities/events, serving on the HOSA leadership team in an effort to increase student body engagement in CTSO-related activities, and as a student representative at local and district business advisory meetings. Patel also serves as a Butler Tech Student Ambassador and assists with recruitment efforts across the district. After graduation Patel plans to attend college to major in Biology or Biomedical Engineering on a premed track. He would eventually like to attend New York University for medical school.