Schools

School Treasurer Nancy White characterized Morgan County Schools' finances as "steady" during her presentation of the year-end financial statement at the September 18 school board meeting.

White walked board members through her 16-page report, which described both the county schools' assets and financial obligations for the last fiscal year.

School officials expelled a Berkeley Springs High School student on September 10 for breaking the school's substance abuse policy. The male 16-year-old student was caught possessing and distributing over-the-counter medications at the school.

It's not just students who wait anxiously for their report cards. School administrators have to face their own evaluations when the annual West Virginia Educational Standards Test (WESTEST) scores come back from the state's Department of Education.

Morgan County's Director of Testing Terry Riley gave school board members a crash course in how to read the county's report card at their board meeting on September 4.

Beth Duvall was honored late last month as the Morgan County Schools Service Personnel of the Year. Nominated and chosen by her peers, she was presented with a plaque and an oak rocker from local furniture-maker Gat Caperton.

"I was honored and it's been a pleasure to serve the school system," Duvall said of her service award.

Anna Spencer Gordon from Berkeley Springs was one of the 424 students who took part in Bryn Mawr College's 122nd commencement exercises on May 19 and 20.

Gordon, daughter of Margaret and Peter Gordon, was awarded a bachelor of arts degree magna cum laude in mathematics/MA with honors in her major. She is a graduate of Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.

When Christine Knable learned she was chosen to receive a scholarship to a summer arts camp, she had some experience in theater. But after attending the Bauen Art Camp in Wyoming, her ideas about theater changed - dramatically.

The "Rankin Dragons" Judo Club traveled to Baltimore September 1 and entered into the Eastern Open Judo Championships for their very first competition.

"Because it was the Eastern Open with teams from several states up and down the East Coast, this would not have been my first choice for the club's initial competition," states Coach Ron Tebben. "But the team members were itching for a chance to compete. Going in to the tournament, due to the quality of the competition we were about to face, I never expected anyone to earn any medals."

Katie ZaKrzewski, daughter of Anthony and Janice of Berkeley Springs, was chosen to compete in the Miss Pre-Teen WV Academic Scholarship program on September 1, in Charleston. The program is by invitation only, and 70 girls from all over the state competed in Junior and Senior Divisions in several categories. Academics, Community Service, Personal Achievements and optional Talent and Speech.

Zakrzewski chose the subject "Why the American Family Unit is worth saving" for her speech. She also entered the talent category and performed a dramatic presentation of both Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. She was awarded second runner up overall, first runner up in talent, third runner up for her speech and was awarded for being the most expressive on stage. She received five trophies, a medal, and an academic bond, and will be in the national competition in Baton Rouge, La. in July. Zakrzewski was sponsored by: friends at Union Chapel United Methodist Church, Simple Gifts & the McDaniel family, friends at Tari's Cafe and Mike Bergen Realty.

MARTIN W. HARVEY, son of Martin R. and Tina Harvey, has been accepted to the Nashville Auto-Diesel College. He will begin classes September 19.

He is a 2007 graduate of Berkeley Springs High School and James Rumsey Vocational Technical School. He studied Diesel Technology for two years at Rumsey and was in the top of his class.

Two suspended for vandalism at Berkeley Springs High SchoolTwo female Berkeley Springs High School students were suspended Monday, September 10 for vandalizing school property.

According to Chief Deputy Vince Shambaugh, criminal charges of destruction of property and conspiracy are pending. Deputy Kevin Barney, the school's Prevention Resource Officer, said he is investigating three other persons of interest in the case.