by Kate Shunney
Morgan County’s two high schools are among 71 high schools across West Virginia to be recognized for their work to expose students to college opportunities, prepare for higher education and empower students and families to succeed at applying for college and trade schools.
Both Paw Paw High School and Berkeley Springs High School were each named a “Champion of College Access and Success” by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical College Education.
Paw Paw High School has received the award every year it’s been given since the start of the program, but this was the first year for Berkeley Springs High School to receive the honor.
Heather McChesney, of the Higher Education Policy Commission, said the annual award “recognizes schools that go above and beyond to build a culture of college and career readiness.”
Morgan County’s Board of Education members and Superintendent David Banks recognized the schools for their award at the November 4 school board meeting. Receiving the award were Berkeley Springs Guidance Counselor Candice Pennington and Paw Paw counselor Dr. Tina Stickley.
Pennington told board members that the award was the result of the school’s concerted effort to hold and promote several key events throughout the school year – a college application and exploratory week where students can find out about different colleges and schools, events and sessions that introduce and help navigate the FAFSA – the federal student aid application – and a College Decision Day, which recognizes students who have pursued higher education and committed to a school.
“FAFSA completion is the toughest part for us,” Pennington told school officials.
She said counselors have application workshops where students can apply to higher education right there, and staff can help them with that process. Organizing visits from college recruiters also helps, as students can sometimes get direct help with their entrance application, can get application fees waived and school staff can provide student transcripts directly to a college representative, rather than students having to request them by email.
Pennington said college access events and fairs are starting to expand to earlier grades in middle schools to start the conversation early.
Dr. Stickley said that can be a tough challenge.
“Colleges aren’t really ready to talk to middle schoolers,” she said.
County schools do hold career fairs and events where community members tell students about various careers and what kind of schooling is required to pursue their various positions.
Pennington said the College Access award will be expanded to schools with lower grades in the future.
School board members asked about the college application process, and learned about the Common App, which consolidates student application information for multiple colleges, letting students enter that data once and send it to multiple colleges and universities.
School board members applauded the efforts of the guidance counselors in earning the recognition.
