(Photo provided by Elizabeth Morrison) Elizabeth Morrison while she was at Fort Boreman with her friends on May 16.

BELPRE — As an incoming senior at Belpre High School, Elizabeth Morrison is preparing for college by gaining as many experiences she can.

Born and raised in Belpre, Morrison juggles multiple internships with her College Credit Plus courses and softball practice.

“By the time I graduate high school I’ll also be graduating with an associates in science,” said Morrison. “I do mostly online coursework and then I do my labs at Washington State (College of Ohio).”

Her goal upon graduating from high school is to pursue a career in nursing and eventually become a nurse practitioner. She said she doesn’t know for sure where she wants to apply yet, but she knows she would like to attend college in Ohio.

“Nobody tells you how to do things so I don’t really know what to expect whenever I start applying and doing all of this scholarship stuff,” she said.

(Photo provided by Elizabeth Morrison) Elizabeth Morrison, left, her dad Carlos, center, and her younger sister Isabella, right, during the induction ceremony for the National Honor Society.

When Morrison was younger, she and her brother had a few experiences in the hospital and she said the nurses had a lasting impact on her. The experience kept her relaxed during times at the hospital and she realized she wanted to be that person for someone else.

Morrison interned at Marietta Memorial Hospital the summer of 2024 and the experience solidified her passion to care and tend to others.

“It was so fun but it put into perspective and solidified that this is exactly what I want to do,” said Morrison. “That’s kind of what their internship is there for, just so if you’re interested you can actually decide if this is what you want.”

Her internship at the hospital was one of many that she would later find herself involved in. Morrison found that she had a passion for learning more and engaging with others.

She interned at the Washington County Health Department for about six months up until December 2024. She said she really enjoyed her position there but her advisor recommended she apply for an internship at the Belpre mayor’s office.

(Photo provided by Elizabeth Morrison) Elizabeth Morrison wearing a fireman’s jacket and helmet during Day 7 of Belpre’s Safetytown. Morrison was one of the many student volunteers who helped the incoming kindergarten class at the annual safety-focused program during the summer.

“My boss at the Washington County Health Department knew that I wanted to be a nurse and she said that the mayor of Belpre used to be a nurse so she thought this would be a great opportunity for me,” said Morrison.

Morrison said Mayor Susan Abdella was very interested and thought it would be a great idea to have her intern alongside her. The contract was established fairly quickly and Morrison started her six-month internship at the mayor’s office at the beginning of February.

“I believe we renewed my contract so we’re trying to keep me there as long as possible,” she said. “Susan and I were like ‘yeah let’s try and push it out a little bit.'”

Morrison recently returned from Buckeye Girls State which is a week-long program from June 8-14 and focuses on educating young women about good citizenship. She was chosen along with 600 other girls across the state to attend the program at Bowling Green State University.

“It was such a crazy experience, and I learned more about the government,” she said. “You get to play a role in this make-believe government.”

(Photo provided by Elizabeth Morrison) Elizabeth Morrison, right, hugging her friend Avery George at the softball senior night on May 13.

Morrison was elected as the mayor of the city and she said every person gets a government-related job. There were even highway patrol women who gave out tickets if the laws weren’t obeyed on the sidewalks.

“I got a ticket because I stopped in the middle of the ‘highway’ and started talking to someone,” she said. “It was funny because my punishment after court was to do the Cotton-Eyed Joe.”

Morrison joined her school’s mock trial club as a way to improve her public speaking and leadership skills. The club competes with other schools across the state and gains points based on how their team does during trial.

“We’re given a case and then each person gets a role, so I’ve played a witness before and I’ve been a cop and I had to give a testimony,” she said.

She said that even though it is a lot of fun, the experience in mock trials has provided her with useful skills that she will use in her career.

(Photo provided by Elizabeth Morrison) Elizabeth Morrison worked with Kate Salmans who is a nurse at Marietta Memorial Hospital. Morrison interned at the hospital during the summer of 2024.

Along with her many endeavors, Morrison is also a member of Belpre High School’s softball team and student council. She said all of her coaches, teachers, and advisors are really understanding about her schedule but she always finds a way to manage her time appropriately so she can attend all of the organizations she’s involved in.

“My calendar is my best friend and I have to-do lists and sticky notes everywhere so I don’t forget anything,” she said.

When Morrison isn’t interning at the mayor’s office or spending her time at the hospital, she loves to hang out with her younger sister, Isabella.

“We did make a summer bucket list so we’re trying to get out there and do things this summer so we’re not just laying in bed,” she said.

Morrison said they love to spend their time hanging out at the local Sonic or playing with their two dogs.

(Photo provided by Elizabeth Morrison) Elizabeth Morrison was announced as the mayor of the mock city during the mayor ceremony at Buckeye Girls State. Buckeye Girls State was held at Bowling Green State University from June 8-14.