Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
All five schools in Pocahontas County received their official Purple Star Award certification Friday – recognizing the schools for focusing on supporting military families in the county, as well as the students who have family members currently serving in the United States Armed Forces.
School Superintendent Terrence Beam and Pocahontas County Purple Star Award Coordinator Ron Hall traveled to the schools to present banners and certificates to the administration and students.
Thirteen students at Pocahontas County High School have parents or siblings serving in the military, and they are the ones who accepted the banner, with the assistance of the school’s Purple Star Award coordinator Anita Workman.
Workman explained what the designation meant for the school and commended the students for working together to form a support club.
“Purple Star schools help military-connected students transition successfully with measures that include student-led programs to help create social connections,” Workman said. “With that being said, we’re excited to tell that we have created the Purple Star Military Pride Club here at PCHS, and these students will be taking the lead on heading up those programs and activities.”
A military page has also been added to the PCHS website to provide information for military families.
Marlinton Middle School also recognized its military-connected students and principal Nebraska Scotchie said the school has an open-door policy when it comes to communication with military families who need assistance in any way.
“Pocahontas County strives to support our active and retired military, and assist our military children in any way possible,” Scotchie said. “I wish to extend a heartfelt thank you for your service in the United States military and offer an open door invitation for any suggestions that you have that we may need to do to support your children, as well as your family.”
Marlinton Elementary School and Hillsboro Elementary School also recognized their military-connected students as they accepted the banners to hang in their schools. Green Bank Elementary-Middle School held a small ceremony with the administration to receive the recognition.
Pocahontas County is one of three West Virginia counties to be designated as having Purple Star Award schools. In addition to assisting current students in military families, the schools will also focus on reaching out to active military members from the county to send them support and care packages.
To learn more about the Purple Star Award, visit wvde.us/commonground/purplestaraward/