BARNESVILLE-District Superintendent Randy Lucas and three school administrators informed the school board of several recognitions and achievements at the student, school and district levels during Monday's board of education meeting.
High school student Nathaniel Wehr is the Belmont County Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award winner. This award is presented by the Ohio Educational Service Association for the combination of academic achievement, leadership and community involvement. Lucas congratulated Wehr for "a job well done."
Lucas also noted a letter from Hollie and Helen Detling congratulating Coach DJ Butler and the baseball team on winning the recent Art Works Shamrock Diamond Classic.
High school Principal Jeff Crosier reported that several new students were inducted to the National Honor Society this year. The school is getting ready for their annual May Day activities to be held Friday, May 4. Dodge ball, relay races and volleyball will be topped off with the senior girls' walk in their prom gowns.
Crosier added that the Blood Bash, benefitting the Red Cross for this region, will be held on Friday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the high school. He said that it is one of the largest blood drives in the country for a school the size of BHS. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are accepted. Contact Mrs. Jill Crosier at the high school for information at (740) 425-3615.
Dr. Becky Hannahs told the board that high school student Skyler Hopton has been chosen to represent the district at the Exceptional Student Banquet on May 10. Sponsored by the Belmont County Special Education Advisory Committee, the annual banquet will celebrate the achievements of 10 students in the county.
At the middle school, Principal Julie Erwin says testing is in progress, and teachers are saying the students "are working very hard." Eighth grade graduation will be held Monday, May 21 at 7 p.m.
They've also been working on community service projects including a current campaign for the Belmont County Animal Shelter. A recent Rachel's Challenge project brought in a total of $350 that was used to assist two Barnesville families and make a donation to the Barnesville Veterinary Service. Friday, May 4, students will be "Cutting Class for a Cure" to benefit the 3 C's cancer support group. The past two years this fundraiser has garnered $1,800 each year for that organization.
Representatives from the Ohio Department of Education and the Office of the Governor visited Barnesville Elementary School because of their consistently high levels of achievement with a high rate of poverty while maintaining low costs. "This was a nice recognition," said Lucas. "I want to commend the staff and students for their hard work." The school has earned the "Excellent with Distinction" rating for the past two years, and the state offices were interested in seeing the programs and facility first hand.
Also recognized was Mrs. Jana Crawford, elementary physical education teacher. She was selected as the Barnesville Chamber of Commerce "Citizen of the Year" for 2012.
Treasurer Matt King informed the board that AEP Ohio has awarded the district a certificate of recognition for their energy efficiency program in accordance with House Bill 264. The district has also received substantial rebates from AEP's Ohio Savings program. According to King the district is now annually saving one million kilowatts of energy from their former usage and saving the carbon equivalent to removing 110 cars from the road every year.
Valenti can be reached at gvalenti@timesleaderonline.com
