Intelligent and talented students can be found throughout Hidden Valley High School, and senior Jacob Stewart is no exception.
Over the course of his four years, Stewart has compiled an impressive record of achievements. However, two stand out as sources of the most pride: a fourth-place finish in the 3,200-meter run at the state indoor track meet and winning regionals at the science fair.
“It was an accumulation of years of work put into the sport, and it was very gratifying to finally get a tangible reward—for all that behind-the-scenes effort,” Stewart said, reflecting on his track success.
Stewart’s award-winning science project was an automatic pill dispenser designed to manage a complete medication cycle with a fully programmed time schedule. The project took two years to complete and was inspired by his mother, a geriatrician who now works in palliative care.
“I had science fair projects that were not applicable to the real world,” Stewart said. “Something she always had to work with in patients was pill misuse, so I wanted to create a project that had real-world benefit, especially for the geriatric community.”
Carmen Oakes, Hidden Valley science teacher and head track coach, praised Stewart’s dedication and character.
“Jacob has an excellent work ethic not only in the classroom but also on the track,” Oakes said. “Jacob demonstrates outstanding leadership; he was selected as a track captain as a junior.”
Stewart is confident and excited to begin his next chapter at the University of Virginia this fall. Looking ahead, he joked that in 10 years he sees himself “hopefully rich.” Professionally, he’s leaning toward a career in medicine, though he’s also interested in physical therapy or coaching.
The Hidden Valley community wishes Jacob Stewart the best in his future pursuits. As an athlete, Titan 12 member and dedicated student, Stewart has left a lasting impression on the school. He hopes to continue those roles in college and beyond—and above all, to be remembered as someone who was easy to get along with and a good friend.
