Pickaway-Ross senior is unafraid of entering a male dominated field

CHILLICOTHE— Anna Betts from the Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center will be completing the Auto Collision Repair program this year with a 4.0 GPA.

Betts is originally from the Adena High School where she is a cheerleader. Something she says many people assume is easy, but actually requires a lot of hard work.

Betts decided to attend Pickaway-Ross after a presentation instructor Brian Morrison gave during a tour for sophomores. She chose the collision repair program after realizing how much she enjoyed the customizable aspect of it. Her family has helped to influence her as she has grown up working on cars with them and watching them race.

“I've grown up around cars and stuff," said Betts. "I like the customizable aspects of painting cars and I felt like it was a good choice to go in there because I can paint, do mechanics and straighten frames."

As a cheerleader and a woman in general, some people may be surprised about Betts's decision to enter a largely male-dominated career. This however is not something that scares her as she knows she has worked hard to be where she is now and that her skills can speak for themselves. Betts enjoys being able to show up competitors who think she will not win just because she is a girl.

"I can be a girly girl," said Betts. "I can also get dirty working on cars."

Betts credits the teachers at Pickaway-Ross for a majority of her growth in recent years. She says they worked to encourage her to reach her goals and helped her to learn as much as possible.

"She has pretty much achieved everything you can achieve here," said Auto Collision Repair instructor Brian Morrison.

Morrison, who calls Betts a pleasure to have in class, said it helped that she came into the program with an interest in the topic and a want to learn more. He believes that with the skills she has learned Betts will be successful in whatever she decides to do in her future.

"Some students definitely stand out, she is one of them," said Morrison. "I'm going to miss her when she's gone.

During her time at Pickaway-Ross Betts has served as secretary for SkillsUSA. As secretary, she often has to speak in front of people from around the country. This position has helped her to become more outspoken and confident in herself.

Also as part of SkillsUSA Betts has competed in regional competitions in Collision Repair. This has given her a chance to showcase her talents to people from other schools. She has achieved all four industry certifications possible with her program. These ASE certifications help build her portfolio and show that she is qualified for repairing vehicles.

Outside of school, Betts participated in 4-H for 13 years showing her Guinea pigs. She also enjoys spending time in nature and hiking at local parks.

On top of everything Betts contracted Covid-19 during her junior year but managed to still complete all of her work and keep her grades up.

"She is at the absolute top of her game," said Director of Secondary Education Jason Vesey. "Her work is incredible."

All of her activities may seem like a lot for some students who want to get out of school as fast as possible but Betts wanted to make her senior year memorable.

"It's my senior year," said Betts. "I'm going to go out with a bang."

Betts is doing just that as she was named Student of the Year at Pickaway-Ross. With this honor, she will deliver an address to her classmates during their completion ceremony.

Betts is currently at a job placement as an assistant secretary at a body shop. After graduation, she will be attending Ohio University with the plans of studying business. This will help her with her ultimate goal of running her own business in the future.

Even though she is excited about taking the next step in her life Betts is going to miss Pickaway-Ross and all it has taught her. She even cried while thinking about leaving the school.

"All of my favorite memories have been at Pickaway-Ross," said Betts. "I've gotten so many opportunities and grown close to all the teachers, I don't want to leave them."

While Betts will miss the school and her family she is excited to start this next chapter in her life. She loves new challenges and adventures which she hopes college will provide. Betts is excited about meeting new people and making new friends while participating in student life. It helps that she won't be alone at college as some of her friends are going to OU as well, or they are already there.

The Pickaway-Ross Completion Ceremony will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19 in the Chillicothe Paints Stadium. Instead of a diploma students will receive a portfolio of the certifications they have reached, this will help them showcase their skills to future employers.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com 

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Pickaway-Ross senior is unafraid of entering a male dominated field