YOUNG WRITER – Elijah Williamson, second grader at Wayne Elementary School, shakes hands with Wayne county Board of Education President JoAnn Hurley last week after being recognized for winning the Young Writers Contest. Williamson recently won the county first place in the first/second Grade Division and second place in the state contest. Elijah wrote his story called “The Chicken,” a true story about his pet chicken, Caca. He went to Charleston May 24th to represent Wayne County. He is the son of Phil and April Williamson and grandson of Ray and Sue Williamson and Tom Finley. Photo submitted
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Fort Gay’s new school one step closer to playground
IT TAKES A VILLAGE – Left - Fort Gay Youth Basketball League representative Zeke Dawson presents Fort Gay principal Donita Webb with a check Wednesday morning totalling $4,800 for the new school’s playground fund. The youth league has been very instrumental in helping to raise funds for the playground. So far $25,000 has been raised but is still far off of the goal set at $70,000. Dawson said the Youth League would also like to thank the volunteers who have worked so hard to make the donation and the league a possibility. Right - The site where the playground will be built once the mark is reached. With the school set to open with the new school year, time is tight to have the playground ready. The Youth League hopes that members of the community will step up and help make the playground a reality. WCN photo by Jason Perry
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Lavalette WESTEST pep rally
WESTEST WRAP UP – Students at Lavalette Elementary received incentives to do their best on the WESTEST as Principal Shawn Carey draws tickets for prizes. Three students, third grader Stanton Perry, Kathryn Dean, fourth grade and Cody Crockett, fifth grade won bicycles while Dylan Followay, Evan Smith, Brandon Smith, Mitchell Thompson, Bryce Wolfe-Browning, Craig Preece and Lori Arbogast received other prizes. WCN photo by Diane Pottorff
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WHS in Portfolio 2013 exhibit
Eight students from Wayne High School joined numerous others from across the Tri-state area in exhibiting outstanding art work for middle and high schools in Portfolio 2013. Each year the Huntington Museum of Art sponsors the Portfolio program allowing students across the Tri-state to share their work created in art classes publicly. This allows students a special opportunity they may never have had. The exhibit began April 20 and will end May 19. Please share the exhibit by visiting the Huntington Museum of Art to show your support for the Arts. Wayne High School students that had work exhibited were (Seniors) Yosef Finton, Savanna Johnson, Paige Marcum, and Alyssa Ray – (Juniors) Taylor Perry, Kaitlin Stiltner - (Sophmores) Joshua Adkins and Brandon Harless (Art Teacher Naomi Blankenship). Left to right in photo are Paige Marcum, Taylor Perry, Kaitlin Stiltner, Alyssa Ray, Savanna Johnson, Brandon Harless, Joshua Adkins, and Yosef Finton. Photo submitted
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PROMENADE – Students from Wayne High School lined up on the Third Avenue sidewalk in Huntington to take their turn walking across the stage at Pullman Square as their names were called during the 2013 Wayne Prom Promenade.
LET’S DANCE – Wayne students do one of the latest dances at the prom Saturday at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena conference room. WCN photos by Diane Pottorff
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CEDAR REGIONAL COAL FAIR – Pictured left to right are Jacob Adkins (First Place Winner), Autumn Booton (Third Place Winner), and Alesia Dingess (First Place Winner). Photo submitted
WHS students win awards at CEDAR Regional Coal Fair
Wayne High School students participated for the first time in the CEDAR Regional Coal Fair of Southern West Virginia sponsored by the Coal Education Development & Resources April 28, 2013 at Cedar Lakes.
Wayne County participated along with Boone, Logan, Mingo, McDowell, and Wyoming counties. Divisions were by grade level. Wayne High School student participants were 1st Place Winner for division 9-12 English/Literature Jacob Adkins Grade 10 (Teacher Natalie Perry), 3rd Place Winner for division 9-12 English/Literature Autumn Booton Grade 11(Teacher Natalie Perry) and 1st Place Winner for division 9-12 Art Alesia Dingess Grade 12 (Teacher Naomi Blankenship).
Congratulations to all winners and thanks to all participants and teachers. Special thanks to Mr. Robert Thompson for sponsoring Wayne High School participants.
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HOW LOW CAN YOU GO – This Spring Valley student shows how limber he is in the Limbo and gets assistance from Sherri Ross before he falls backwards. WCN photo by Diane Pottorff
SVHS kicks off WESTEST
By DIANE POTTORFF
Staff Writer
HUNTINGTON – Members of the Spring Valley High School Future Educators of America kicked off the beginning of the WESTEST with a luau on the football field Thursday.
According to sponsor Sherri Ross, the luau was a way for the students to “let off steam” prior to the test which will be given next week.
Students could participate in the limbo, cornhole, variety games, tug-of-war, watermelon eating contest, donut eating contest, jelly fish attack, Fear Factor and more.
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SPEAKING – Genoa Principal Tony Clay speaks to the students at Genoa Elementary about the donations for repaving the playground. WCN photo by Diane Pottorff
School gets help for playground
By DIANE POTTORFF
Staff Writer
GENOA – Students and staff at Genoa Elementary celebrated Thursday as they received financial assistance to repave the playground area.
Safety has been on the minds of the school’s staff as they looked upon the cracked and broken blacktop where the students walk toward the playground equipment.
According to Genoa Elementary Principal Tony Clay, the school needed financial help in getting new asphalt. That help came in the form of the Business-in-Education partner Big Sandy Peaker Plant and plant manager Chris Crotts, as well as Del. Don Perdue (D-Wayne) and
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Spring Valley Prom 2013
DANCIN’ THE NIGHT AWAY – Students from Spring Valley High School dance up a storm at the Prom Saturday at the Pullman Plaza Hotel. Before the dance began, students showed off their outfits to parents, friends, other relatives and pedestrians at Pullman Square with a promenade. They then made their way to the hotel. King of the Prom is Patrick Stewart while the Queen is Erin Fuller. WCN photos by Rob Robinson
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TEACHING SAFETY – Officer B.D. Brody with the Ceredo Police Department speaks to students at Ceredo Elementary about keeping safe, not to do drugs and other practices. Brody spoke to the students last week. Submitted photo
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Genoa Elementary recently had a field trip to the Wayne County Courthouse to conclude a long classroom study on local government. Students in grades 3-5 were given a tour of the various offices of the building by Commissioner Bob Paisley. Students were able to meet with Judge Young prior to a court hearing and then were able to see our court system in action. Magistrate Cavins also met with students and explained the process of the magistrate court system. After visiting the offices at the courthouse, students then walked across the street to the Wayne County Schools Central office to meet with Mrs. Debbie Russell, Director of Elementary Schools, who explained to the students how the board of education functions. Photo submitted
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SKILLSUSA – These Wayne High School SkillsUSA students placed at the state competition recently. They include Emily Fry, Justin Hurt, Kaitilin Keesee, Laura Ferguson, Amy Napier and Kenedi Wilson. Others who participated include Toree Wallace, Emily Elkins, Michaela Herrald, Morgan Perry and Carrie Richmond. WCN photo by Diane Pottorff
Wayne students place at Skills competition
By DIANE POTTORFF
Staff Writer
WAYNE – Emily Fry is excited about going to Kansas City, Mo., following the end of school. Fry, a junior and a member of the Wayne High School’s SkillsUSA took first place in screen printing in the state competition.
Also participating in the state competition were Justin Hurt, second place in graphic communications; Kaitilin Keesee and Laura Ferguson, second place in chapter display, graphic communications; Amy Napier, third place, prepared speech, graphic communications; Kenedi Wilson, third place in technical math; Toree Wallace, T-shirt design; Emily Elkins and Michaela Herrald, promotional bulletin board; Morgan Perry, extemporaneous speaking; Carrie Richmond, commercial baking.
“I am so excited,” Fry said. “It has been nerve racking. I feel honored in representing West Virginia. There is a lot of talent in the state.”
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Wayne High 4-H Day
The Wayne 4-H Day was held Saturday March 16 at Wayne High School. The evening featured visual presentations, public speaking, PowerPoint presentations, a talent show, a cookie cook-off, recitations of the 4-H Pledge, and a photography contest. The top presenters in the visual presentation, public speaking, and PowerPoint presentation contest areas will represent the county at the State 4-H Days in Morgantown this July. The winners from the evening include (l-r): Collin Dodgion (Talent Show - Junior Division), Olivia Dodgion (Talent Show - Senior Division), Draggon Napier (Pubic Speaking - Senior Division), Levi Napier & Chase Smith (PowerPoint Presentation - Junior Division), Chase Smith (Public Speaking - Junior Division), Ashlee Smith (Visual Presentation - Junior Division), and Mona Napier (4-H Pledge - Junior Division). Chase Smith (Junior) and Olivia Dodgion (Senior) also won first place in the photography contest and Ashlee Smith (Junior) won first place in the cookie cook-off. Photo submitted
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HISTORY BOWL BOUND – Members of the Wayne Middle School History Bowl teams include Branty Wilson, Kendal Turley, Kyle Powers, Sammy Ririti, Taylor Chafin, Hannah Castle, Anna Stamper and Desiree Roysden (not pictured). WCN photo by Diane Pottorff
Wayne students prepare for state History Bowl
By DIANE POTTORFF
Staff Writer
WAYNE – Eighth grade students at Wayne Middle School showed their knowledge of West Virginia history by winning the Regional Educational Service Agency, Region II on Feb. 23 at Milton Middle School.
Team 1 from Wayne Middle finished first in the competition over teams from RESA II counties which include Wayne, Cabell, Mingo, Lincoln and Mason for the opportunity to advance to the state History Bowl on April 30 in Charleston.
Team 2 has the opportunity to compete in an open match March 16 in Weston for a chance to also go to the state History Bowl.
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COAL PROJECT – This project was created for the Coal Fair at Wayne High School. WCN photo by Diane Pottorff
WHS hosts first Coal Fair
By DIANE POTTORFF
Staff Writer
WAYNE – Southern West Virginia schools have presented a Coal Fair for many years.
This year was the first time Wayne County was invited to participate in the regional fair which will take place in Gilbert on April 28.
On Thursday, 11 students at Wayne High School demonstrated their knowledge of coal in subjects such as social studies, English and art. Those were six students from Natalie Perry’s class, four from Naomi Blankenship’s class and one from Robert Thompson’s.
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CTE STUDENTS OF THE YEAR – Left to right front row: Kennedi Wilson and Justin Hurt, CTE Students of the Year. Back row left to right: Sydney Smith and Adam Hudson, JROTC Students of the Year. Photo submitted
CTE, JROTC students honored with luncheon
WAYNE – With the 2012-2013 school year shifting into its final stages, Wayne High School recently honored four students for outstanding performances in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) and JROTC programs.
Justin Hurt and Kennedi Wilson were selected as CTE students of the year, while Adam Hudson and Sydney Smith were chosen as JROTC students of the year.
The four seniors were honored during a luncheon ceremony on February 26. Students were chosen based on academic achievement, exhibition of leadership qualities, and service to their respective programs.
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NEW TOOLS – Kristi Gibbs, librarian at Vinson Middle School, along with the sixth grade students from Amy Dillon’s class show the new alternative learning tool available at the library, the Kindle. Students will be able to check this device out as part of the library program. WCN photo by Diane Pottorff
Digital books come to Vinson Middle library
By DIANE POTTORFF
Staff Writer
HUNTINGTON – A new way to read a book will be available Wednesday in the Vinson Middle School library.
Sixth grade students at the school received instruction on the Kindle Lending Program as part of Digital Learning Day, according to school librarian Kristi Gibbs.
Gibbs said the West Virginia Legislature had asked for a day for Digital Learning where students could learn how to use the tools as an alternative way of learning. So with Step 7 funding, Gibbs, along with Principal Tammy Forbush, purchased six Kindles and programed each to a different genre, humor, mystery/suspense/horror, realistic fiction,
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EIGHTH GRADE WINNERS – John Waugaman, director of middle schools, and Wayne County interim Superintendent Mike Ferguson stand with the eighth grade math winners Jacob Cumm, Vinson, first place; Drew Harper, Buffalo, second place; Tanner Hamilton, Buffalo, third place; Jessica Crisplip, Vinson, alternate.WCN photo by Diane Pottorff
Middle school Math Field Day
By DIANE POTTORFF
Staff Writer
HUNTINGTON – Several tied scores were reported at the middle school Math Field Day event and officials with Wayne County Schools said it was a good thing.
Students from the six Wayne County middle schools participated in Math Field Day at Vinson Middle School Thursday.
“Everyone took their time and worked the problems,” said John Waugaman, middle school director. “The students scored really well.” Waugaman said several students tied for placement and judges had to determine the tie breaker.
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FIGHTING BULLYING – Buffalo Middle School students Tara Coriell, Elizabeth Simpson, Emily Blake, Jennifer Parsons, Harley Cooper, Jamie McSweeney, Jo Webb, Taylor Ruark, Ashlee Turley and Madison Berry are part of an anti-bullying club they formed at school. Here the girls are placing the positive and negatives said of other students. WCN photo by Diane Pottorff
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Lego programers
The 3rd grade students at Prichard Elementary rang in the new year with Legos! They assembled then programmed Lego robots. Photos submitted
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GREEN CITY – Eighth grade students at Ceredo-Kenova Middle School built a green city where robots do the tasks. WCN photo by Diane Pottorff
C-K students get a taste of engineering
By DIANE POTTORFF
Staff Writer
CEREDO – There is another robotics team in Wayne County. This new team is made up of eighth-grade students and sponsored by the math and science teachers at Ceredo-Kenova Middle School, Tonji Bowen, principal, said.
The school was the site Thursday of the first CKMS Engineering Day. Students with the Wayne High School robotics team, along with four engineers from various companies and fields took part in the day Thursday, Bowen said.
“These are companies the students’ parents work for,” she said. “This is the first year to do Engineering Day.” For half the day, fifth-grade students from Ceredo and Kenova elementaries came to interact with the activities the students set up in the gym.
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Students collect treats for Little Victories
KELLOGG ELEMENTARY – Above the second grade students from Mrs. Brubeck’s, Mrs. Diamond’s, Mrs. Greene’s, and Mrs. Hurley’s classes. The “dog-gone” Christmas celebration at Kellogg Elementary with the second grade classes was a HUGE success. Other than making milk bone reindeer ornaments and eating hot “dogs” and puppy chow, the students in all four classes brought in over 650 pounds of dog food and treats for Little Victories! The students watched Santa Paws the movie and had a “paw-fect” time! Photos submitted
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FIFTH GRADE – The winners of Math Field Day for the fourth grade include Craig Spaulding, Prichard Elementary, first place; Timothy Romans, Kenova Elementary, second place; C.J. Preece, Lavalette Elementary, third place; Isaac Ross, Kellogg Elementary, alternate. The students are with interim Superintendent Mike Ferguson and Elementary Director Debbie Russell. WCN photo by Diane Pottorff
Camp-in promotes reading
By DIANE POTTORFF
Staff Writer
FORT GAY – School officials are always trying to find ways to inspire students to read. At Fort Gay Elementary, reading coach Deborah Bowen found a program that makes students think time flies when they are reading.
The inaugural Camp In at Fort Gay Elementary started Thursday with students going into a darkened classroom designed to look like the woods, with a campfire in the center and sounds of crickets and other animals in the background.
Principal Rebecca Skeens said she and Bowen are trying to find new ways of inspiring their students to read, especially boys.
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CHRISTMAS TUNES – The Fort Gay Middle School band performed a selection of holiday music for the community Tuesday afternoon. The WInter Concert has the distinction of being the final holiday performance by the band in the old school before the students move into the new one just down the street next year. WCN photo by Jason Perry.
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FIFTH GRADE – The winners of Math Field Day for the fourth grade include Craig Spaulding, Prichard Elementary, first place; Timothy Romans, Kenova Elementary, second place; C.J. Preece, Lavalette Elementary, third place; Isaac Ross, Kellogg Elementary, alternate. The students are with interim Superintendent Mike Ferguson and Elementary Director Debbie Russell. WCN photo by Diane Pottorff
Elementary Math Field Day
CEREDO – The students of Wayne County’s 12 elementary schools participated in the annual Math Field Day at Ceredo Baptist Church Tuesday.
There were 96 fourth and fifth grade students who tested their math skills in the event.
The winners will go on to the regional Math Field with date and place to be determined.
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SVHS announces Promise Scholars
