Schools

The Governor's Schools selection committee released the names of students chosen to attend the 2008 Governor's School for Math and Science, scheduled for this summer. More than 135 middle school students representing all 55 counties in West Virginia will be attending the School for Math and Science.

From Morgan County were; Zane Mokhiber, Timothy Pracht and Kelsey Weimer.

What do you do with a fourth grader who already knows the names of every human body part, and has authored a National Anthem of the Body?

The salutatorians are Caitlin Shambaugh and Daniel Oliver. Shambaugh is the daughter of Wade and Kathleen Shambaugh of Paw Paw. She has maintained a 3.69 grade point average throughout her high school education. Her honors have included National Honor Society, Senior Class President, Scholar Athlete and Paw Paw High School Honor Roll. Her activities include band, cheerleading, newspaper and yearbook.

Oliver is the son of Dana and Brenda Oliver of Great Cacapon. He has maintained a 3.7 grade point average throughout his high school education. His honors have included National Honor Society, Student Council Representative, Paw Paw High School Honor Roll, Scholar Athlete, Offensive and Pitching Baseball MVP, Regional Math Field Day, Placing First in State Art Contest, and Highest Batting Average Leader in the area. His activities include baseball, student council, and being a technology intern at Paw Paw High School.

Paul Truitt was chosen to be the Salutatorian of Berkeley Springs High School's Class of 2008, which graduated last Friday, May 23.

Truitt graduated with a 4.11 grade point average. He plans to attend the University of Virginia to major in Chemistry. The college awarded Truitt a number of grants and scholarships that will cover nearly all of his tuition.

Berkeley Springs High School junior Jason Fonck has a busy summer ahead of him.

In the space of one week in June, Fonck will compete in two national emergency response competitions – one for firefighting, the other for emergency response. A few weeks after that, he'll become a full member of the Berkeley Springs Volunteer Fire Company.

by Kate Shunney

Emily Hornbaker prepared her valedictory speech for the May 23 Berkeley Springs High School graduation around the theme of Expectations.

Cheryl Durst had a little trouble finding fourth grader Kelsey Morrison after the girl moved from Berkeley County to eastern Morgan County. Durst had been Morrison's PASS mentor for three years at Tuscarora Elementary, and wondered how she could stay in touch.

The 55th annual West Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair, hosted by Fairmont State University's College of Science and Technology, was held at FSU on Saturday, March 29.

Forty-one participants in ninth through 12th grades representing 14 high schools from across the state gathered to share ideas, showcase science and technology projects and compete for awards and sponsorship to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

At their May 5 meeting, the Morgan County School Board unanimously approved the purchase of four new school buses for the 2008-2009 school year, at the cost of $320,115. Three of the new vehicles are 77-passenger conventional buses and one is a 65-passenger bus equipped for special education students.

by Kate Shunney

The Morgan County School Board unanimously approved a $26.9 million budget for the 2008-2009 school year following an April 22 public hearing. The budget covers the cost of educating 2700 students in eight schools across the county.