by Kate Evans
Paw Paw High School was one of 40 West Virginia high schools that were each recognized on October 11 as a Champion of College Access and Success held by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System at the Stonewall Resort in Roanoke.
Paw Paw Schools counselor Tina Boswell-Stickley was honored at the recognition event along with principals, other school counselors and staff from the 40 Champions of College Access and Success schools.
The Champion awards are presented annually to schools that do an outstanding job to help students and their families plan for higher education after graduation
College for West Virginia (CFWV) coordinates three annual college-planning milestones to help West Virginia students plan their education and training beyond high school. Those three events are College Application & Exploration Week, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and College Decision Day.
Milestone events
College Application & Exploration Week promotes college-going with the whole school community from pre-K-12 to adults. They discuss college options and learn about colleges and careers.
The FAFSA Completion Campaign encourages all high school seniors to file their FAFSA application as early as possible to meet state financial aid deadlines. The statewide FAFSA completion goal is 60%.
West Virginia’s College Decision Day initiative celebrates seniors for their post-secondary plans and assists them and their families in enrolling in and transitioning to college. It celebrates students who plan to pursue a two-or-four-year degree, a career or technical certificate or military service.
High schools that successfully participate in all three events and meet specific criteria will be recognized as a College for West Virginia Champion of College Access and Success.
Paw Paw career events
Paw Paw High School career exploration events include visits from college representatives and military recruiters and a FAFSA day where parents and seniors can get help completing their FAFSA applications and receive tips on finding funding for college. High school students also visit college campuses.
At Paw Paw Elementary during College Application and Exploration Week students explore careers through activities and classroom lessons. Kids have lessons about careers, explore career interests and learn about different college majors. Students choose careers they are interested in, decorate a shoebox as a float and the floats are entered in the annual shoebox parade.
Paw Paw Schools Principal Melinda Kasekamp was very proud of Boswell-Stickley’s continued college-going efforts and focus with students.
Kasekamp said, “Despite a year of FAFSA setbacks in 2023-2024 with the roll out of the new form, Paw Paw Schools was still able to meet the expectation of the state. Paw Paw students completed the FAFSA at a rate high than state average. Although not all seniors will have the need for post-secondary financial support immediately upon graduation, it is the belief of the state that at some point, students might need to complete the form to further their education.”
“The senior year of high school is the perfect time to go through the process with support from the school,” she said. “If as adults they need to complete the process, they will have the familiarity needed to complete the form. We want to give students every opportunity to achieve their ambitions at any stage in their life. FAFSA can be a part of that by opening the doors to those opportunities,” Kasekamp added.
