“The Heart of It All”  Dr. Joshua Stern, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, is a 1999 graduate of Bristol High School.  He received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Ohio State University and then completed a residency at North Carolina State University in cardiology.  Recently, he finished his PhD at Washington State University focusing his study and research on the genetics of familiar subvalvular aortic stenosis in dogs.  Josh’s primary research is studying inherited heart disease.  He has successfully identified a mutation that is responsible for the development of congenital heart disease in Newfoundland dogs, in addition to identifying another mutation responsible for the sudden death and long QT syndrome (which cause fast, chaotic heartbeats that can cause fainting spells, seizures, and death) in English springer spaniels.  Josh also conducts research using golden retrievers and Rottweilers, cats, racehorses and Alaskan sled dogs.  He has helped develop many of the current tests available for genetic heart disease.  Josh is currently an assistant professor at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in California.  He has authored or co-authored more than 40 publications.  

Bristol Class of 2002 Valedictorian Dr. Helmick serves as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Slippery Rock University. Part of his responsibilities include directing the Slippery Rock University "Marching Pride", the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, and teaching assigned courses in Instrumental Conducting, Brass Methods, Marching Band Field Charting and Design, Secondary Methods, and Applied Euphonium.

Dr. Helmick holds the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Conducting from The University of Southern Mississippi. Jonathan earned a Master in Music degree in Euphonium Performance with a cognate area in Music Theory from The University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. Both his Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree and Bachelor of Arts in Business and Organizational Communications degrees were received from the University of Akron, with honors. Prior to his college teaching career, Dr. Helmick taught in the public schools of Ohio and Mississippi, most recently the All-Superior Sweepstakes Award winning Oak Grove Band program. He has also served as Assistant Conductor and member of the Board of Trustees for the Freedom Brass Band of Northeast Ohio and performed as a member of the Brass Band of the Western Reserve on euphonium and baritone.

Prior to his position at Slippery Rock University, Dr. Helmick served as the Director of Bands and Low Brass Instructor at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, MS. At Jones, he conducted the Jones County Junior College Symphonic Band and was the Director of the "Maroon Typhoon" Marching Band. Courses he taught included applied trombone, euphonium, and tuba in addition to Music Fundamentals and Music Appreciation. During his time at Jones, the marching band gained national attention when invited to perform in the 2015 McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago, IL. Under his direction, students have had the opportunity to work in both performance and masterclass settings with national and international performing artists such as Tucker Jolly, Dr. Richard Perry, the Maniacal 4 Quartet, and Travis Scott. Most recently, he served as co-founder and site coordinator of the "Roger Bobo Festival of Brass," a summer brass symposium featuring international brass pedagogue and tubist Roger Bobo as clinician. 

Active as a musician and educator, Dr. Helmick has served as a guest clinician, artist, and adjudicator in Mississippi, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, Sicily, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Professional memberships and honors have included: The World Association of School Bands and Ensembles, The College Band Director's National Association, The National Band Association, The Mississippi Bandmasters Association, The Mississippi Junior and Community Colleges Band Association (Secretary 2014, Vice-President 2015), Pi Kappa Lambda, Tau Beta Sigma, and Honorary Membership in Kappa Kappa Psi.