Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
The gymnasium at Pocahontas County High School was filled to the brim with students, parents, family members and friends last Thursday evening for the annual Super Scholars event.
Each year, students from grades three through 12 are recognized for their achievements during the school year. To become a super scholar, students in third through eighth grade must have an overall cumulative average of 90 percent or higher in math, reading/language arts, social studies and science.
High school students must attain a 3.75 cumulative average for the first three nine weeks of the school year.
During the ceremony, Julie Shiflet, director of attendance, child nutrition, technology and secondary education, asked the students to stand if they participated in sports, the spelling bee, young writer’s contest, literature fair, battle of the books, science fair, social studies fair, math field day, honor band, band ratings, theater or 4-H.
As the students stood for their specific activities, it was evident that they do more than just attend class and get good grades – they participate in multiple extra curricular activities in and out of school.
“These questions were asked to demonstrate to you that these students are more than super scholars,” Shiflet said. “They are students that are involved in their school and the community. They are dedicated to learning and their education as they have shown in keeping up their grades while going to practices, getting home late from games and missing classes while traveling to participate in events.
“These students represent Pocahontas County Schools’ finest, and I know that we are all proud and honored to be here with them tonight.”
In addition to recognizing the super scholars, Shiflet also announced the Service Personnel and Teachers of the Year from each school.
Service Personnel of the Year are Stephane Ames, Marlinton Elementary School; Martha Friel, Pocahontas County High School; Tabby McCoy, Hillsboro Elementary School; Felicia Smith, Marlinton Middle School; and Joe Warder, Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
Teachers of the Year are Gina Hardesty, HES; Darla Huddle, GBEMS; Cammy Kesterson, PCHS; Erin Murphy, MMS; and Laura Pritt, MES.
The Pocahontas County Service Personnel of the Year is Felicia Smith.
“Mrs. Smith has dedicated many years to Pocahontas County School system,” Shiflet said. “She has worked in multiple schools in our county and has touched many lives. She is an outstanding example of being organized and efficient. She will always go above and beyond to help the students, staff and the community.
“She makes it a priority to build relationships with students and help make their learning environment appropriate and engaging,” she continued. “She is a dependable, giving and cheerful individual that brings a steadfastness to Marlinton Middle School. Mrs. Smith has always worked to further her education and will continue to do great things for us in Pocahontas County. We are proud to call Mrs. Felicia Smith our Pocahontas County Service Personnel of the Year.”
Erin Murphy was named the Pocahontas County Teacher of the Year.
“She creates a positive learning environment for all children in the building,” Shiflet said. “Ms. Murphy is available for students to approach her with any type of issues and she provides help to the best of her ability and resources. She is a powerful teacher and has much to offer to all those around her. Ms. Murphy shows dedication and has the children as her number one focus and concern.
“It is evident that teaching is a passion for Ms. Murphy,” she continued. “She makes herself available to students, staff and families. She also volunteers to be part of the children’s education in all environments. It is important for her to get to know the students, families and community members. She is a talented, hardworking, bright professional who we are proud to call our Pocahontas County Teacher of the Year.”
2023-2024 Super Scholars are:
Green Bank Elementary-Middle School
Third Grade – Madison Bosley, Mariella Boyd, Cadence Carpenter, Kylie Halterman, Joseph Rittenhouse and Evan Sharp.
Fourth Grade – Abigail Arbogast, Madalynn Brock, Jase Bryant, Caleb Moore, Rufus Morgan, Braxton Pugh, Brayden Ray, Briley Reed, Natalie Sisler, Caleb Smith, Gage Starks, Gaven Starks and Jenifer Taylor.
Fifth Grade – Halayna Blechl, Elizabeth Dickenson, Rayna Kerr, Ryan Kloeker, Abigail Markley, Madelyn Rittenhouse and Lucas Sutton.
Seventh Grade – Silas Trey Sattler.
Eighth Grade – Nadiya Kerr, Duncan Sizemore and Tristan Sizemore.
Hillsboro Elementary School
Third Grade – Bianca Arnold, Alida McNeel, Simon Scotchie, Sullivan Seldomridge and Lydia Taylor.
Fourth Grade – Symphony Aiello, Riley Ann Hamons and Kendyl Hummel.
Fifth Grade – Levi Irvine.
Marlinton Elementary School
Third Grade – Mason Albaugh, Adalyn Beverage, Garrett Broce, Anthony Burdette, Micheal Friel, Charlie Gibbons, Marcy Goldizen, Brody Hoke, Jerzie Jackson, Mason Markl, Amelia Rogers and Alayna Sharp.
Fourth Grade – Grayson Barlow, Savannah Barnes, Penelope Buzzard, Victor Dean, Brayden Diller, Crickett Gregory, Konrad Lowe, Serenity Lycans, Shelldon Maitland, Aurora Phillips, Olivia Shoemaker and Abigail Stewart.
Fifth Grade – Augustus Burdette, Jonathan Burgess, Draydon Cassell, Brysen Cox, Caleb Doss, Layne Dunbrack, Ayla Fanning, Wade Goldizen, Colton Huneycutt, Nebraska Long, Leah Macedo-Long, Ashleli Malcolm, Elizabeth McClure, Isabella McClure, Jesse McNabb, Alivia Penno, Kaidee Sewell, Chloe Williams and Makayla Woody.
Marlinton Middle School
Sixth Grade – Kya Arbogast, Jarrell Clifton, Bailey Goodwin, Sienna Hamons, Autumn Hively, Karis Lowe, James Monico, Brantlee Moore, Eva Tanner, Abigail Taylor and Ryan Withrow.
Seventh Grade – Emma Anderson, Chloe Annett, Izabella Barr, Lily Barr, Eli Beezley, Ezra Bond, Julia Brown, Madeleine Burns, Lara Canoy, Colton Cassell, Silas Dean, Bradley Dotson, Kaylah Dowling, Zara Fanning, Tyler Friel, Khloe Gainer, Hailey Goldsberry, Mallory Koerber, Joseph McClure, Sydney Slifer, Kylie Underwood, Cade Wagner, Cloe Woody and Jolene Workman.
Eighth Grade – Reeanna Alderman, Rylee Alderman, Rylynn Barlow, Lexie Burdette, Willa Hardy, Madalynn Landis, Kayla Long, Mazie Monico, Emma Sacca, Savana Sharp, Halleigh Teter and Irelyn Withers.
Pocahontas County High School
Freshmen – Nathanael Barkley, Cash Beers, Caroline Bennett, Morgan Beverage, Clair Buzzard, Kaidence Cutlip, Gavin Doolittle, Emileigh Friel, Riyan Gladwell, Charleigh Halterman, Dalton Harrell, Kaylee Hershman, Harold Moore, Sophia Murray, Baylee Nelson, Sierra Nelson, Allyson Taylor, Griffin Taylor and Benjamin Workman.
Sophomores – Lucky Cutlip, Allison Friel, Ramona Hardy, Dylan Keller, Joseph Van Meter and Cammi Warner.
Juniors – Jade Arbogast, Florian Baudler, Ellena Bauserman, Hannah Beverage, Brianna Cochran, Dillon Dunz, Rachel Felton, Madison Jordan, Shaylee Landis, Ella Markl, Easton Nelson, Garrett Nelson, William O’Ganian, Ryleigh Parker, Riley Pollack, Kaylee Pritt, Gracie Sisler, Eden Smith, Celis Tanner, Addisyn Waddell and Courtney Waugh.
Seniors – Andrea Alderman, Emily Arbogast, Jessica Armstrong, Mileya Bircher, Cameryn Boggs, Hannah Burks, Ashley Bussard, Cheyenne Dean, Elizabeth Friel, Taylor Friel, Taiylor Hoke, Katie Jack, Correanna Jordan, Benjamin Lambert, Sabina Leyzorek, Emily Loftis, Madeline Ray, Cierra Sharp, Lacey Stewart, Kimberly Underwood, Olivia Vandevender, Adelyn Warner and Kynlee Wilfong.