The past week has seen two outstanding achievements for Lawrence County residents at a high level.

• First, Dr. Mike Dyer, owner of Proctorville Animal Clinic, was honored for his excellent care that many Tri-State residents have long been aware of.

Dyer was named as 2024 Veterinarian of the Year by the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association, an honor that is selected by the president of the OVMA board. The president makes inquiries of people at veterinarian schools and other those on the board and then makes an assessment.

Dyer, a 1985 graduate of Marshall University who got a master’s degree in animal science and reproductive physiology from The Ohio State University in 1989 and is a 1993 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, has run the clinic since 1994.

The clinic, which has been named as Business of the year by the county’s Chamber of Commerce, works with the Stanton Summer Externship at the OSU to place fourth-year veterinary students for summer work experience. 

Dyer is popular, not just with those who bring their pets to him for care, but is also known for being active in his community. This a well-deserved award and we congratulate him.

• And in the school district that serves Proctorville, Fairland Middle School seventh grader Meredith Dunlap added to a series of wins with her most impressive honor yet.

Dunlap, a two-time champion of the Lawrence County Spelling Bee, competed in the regional spelling bee on March 2, where she was named co-champion of the event, along with Ryan Frazee, of Wheelersburg.

As a result, both are now eligible for and will compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland, starting May 26.

Dunlap is the first from Fairland schools to do so, and only the second from Lawrence County to go to the national event (Felicity Jenkins, of Symmes Valley schools took part in that event 14 years ago).

It was no surprise to faculty at the school, who praised Dunlap’s academic performance, as well as her lengthy list of extracurricular activities

We commend Dunlap for her impressive series of wins and wish her the best of luck in May.