By Adam Pack
The Greenbrier County Board of Education met Tuesday, Mar. 8, to celebrate area students for their achievements in academics, writing, and music at both the county and the state level, and to honor a student who has been appointed to West Point. Sergeant Major Long announced the appointment of Tristan Deeds to West Point. Deeds’ parents were in attendance, as both Long and the Board spoke glowingly of Tristan’s commitment to the community and his country.
At the County Spelling Bee first place was awarded to Ean Hudnall of Eastern Greenbrier Middle School, and second place went to Merlin Durham of Crichton Elementary. Both boys will now go on to represent Greenbrier County at the State Spelling Bee.
Next up were the winners of the WV Young Writers Competition, which was awarded for one student per grade. Five students were honored from kindergarten all the way up to tenth grade. In order of grade, they are Lincoln Keaton, Sawyer Blankenship, Kennedy Carter, Ellie Burns, and Peyton Barker.
The Board also recognized ten students in relation to skill and excellence in music. Those students selected for All-State Choir include Kayli Depriest, Kaliyah Newsome, Jameson Vance, Heather Jones, and Lily Dense. Students selected for All-State Band include Ceili Allder (French Horn), Cedric Allder (Euphonium), and Lawson Hamilton (Trumpet). Two students were selected to be a part of the All-State Orchestra, Clara Long and Maggie Armstrong. Four students were also selected to perform State Honors Recitals; Lawson Hamilton was invited to play solos on both piano and trumpet, and the GEHS Brass Quartet, composed of Hamilton, Ceili Allder, Cedric Allder, and Noah McCutcheon, was invited to perform as well. Eastern Greenbrier Middle School’s Harrison Leatherman, 7th grade, was also invited to perform a piano solo.
On fiscal matters, CSBO David McClure requested the Board approve the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2023 Proposed Levy Rates, and Director of Operations George Brooks requested that the bid for a total roof replacement at Western Greenbrier Middle School be awarded to Five Star Commercial Roofing Inc. in the amount of $460,390. Both requests were passed unanimously.
The Greenbrier County Board of Education will meet again for a regular board meeting on Apr. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Kyle & Ann Fort Arts & Sciences Center at NRCTC.
