by Kate Shunney
A semi-annual student award ceremony was held by the Morgan County Board of Education on Tuesday, December 2 at Berkeley Springs High School, recognizing high student scores on state and national standardized tests and other academic and sports achievements.
The high school auditorium was full of students and their families, leading school board members to remark on the “teamwork” required for students to be successful on their tests, in their studies and in life.
“It was wonderful to sign as many awards as we did for tonight,” said school board president Aaron Close.
“We had some of the largest growth in reading and math scores in the state,” Close told families. “You students pushed us up a notch.”
School board member John Rowland, before presenting several awards, reiterated that student success is a team effort of young people, families, teachers, coaches and school staff.
“There’s no easy way to bone up on these standardized tests. You just have to keep getting better every day and that’s what we’re doing,” Rowland said.
School board member Chuck Bergen said that, as a parent, he understands how much goes into supporting students for testing, school projects and even daily school demands.
Superintendent David Banks wrapped up the awards by reminding students that their potential is unlimited.
“There is no reason to believe anyone in this room can’t succeed at anything in life they want to,” he said. “There’s nothing we can’t do.”
He asked students to thank the adults in their lives who offer help and guidance, whether a parent or aunt or older sibling.
Students who attained the highest level of achievement in at least two of three subjects on the West Virginia General Summative Assessment Test last year were honored. They included:
Paw Paw Schools
3rd grade – Zoe Clegg, Laney Lindner
4th grade – Tasha Ginevan
6th grade – Alexander White
7th grade – Madison White
8th grade – Justus Smith
Pleasant View Elementary
3rd grade – Coraline Carter, Mason Hackett
4th grade – Spencer Varga
5th grade – Alannah Dotter, Miranda Novak
Warm Springs Intermediate
3rd grade – Bethany Bowers, Raegan Bowman, Gracie Boyles, Kellan Corby, Remington Cross, Emmett Dalton, Ryan Deremer, Brooke Fournier, Serenity Gaither, Lyra Gildowan, Ivy Hall, Coral Hobday, Lily Holmes, Rylee Joiner, Lorelai Lacy, Harrison Lykins, Cooper McCumbee, Marsha Myers, Isaac Omps, Evangelene Powell, Shawn Prato, Brayden Richmond, Wyatt Schrecongost, Rylan Stotler, Aydan Sugg, Dylan Wagoner
4th grade – Harris Ahlfield, Greenlee Bergen, Nathan Close, Drake Golden, Makenna Henry, Mia Kidwell, Nicholas Kucharski, Paige Lancaster, Meredith Omps, Ava Orem, Lavya Patel, Luna Pearse, Lucy Roperts, Gunner Robinson, Jacob Saletta, Ethan Shank, Samuel Stotler, Ethan Taylor, Harmony Willis, Allen Yost
5th grade – Rosalee Allison, Korie Avey, Christopher Beall, Isabella Culp, Damien Delost, Amelia Dixon, Henley Forney, Kirra Hook, Jenna Keefer, Sydney Leach, Emma Lyda, Bryce McCusker, Evan Orem, Josephine Pennington, Jayde Rink, Stephen Saletta, Addison Slack, Aubree Sloat, Brysyn Stotler, Makenzie Topp, Daisy Wagoner, Lilli West, Hailey Whitehead
photos by Kate Shunney
Warm Springs Middle School
6th grade – Chance Austin, Jayden Bender, Piper Bergen, Blake Brown, Xander Davis, Torin Delauter, Parker Falcinelli, Iris Helmick, Peighton Higginbotham, Christopher Hurst, Zander Johns, Elias Lyda, Allison Pearce, Braden Smith, Georgia Smith, Chloe Wills
7th grade – Greyson Beckman, Bowen Chen, Jaxton Hook, Kayden King, Lucas Kucharski, Kailey Stewart, Paige Waugh, Rylee Yost
8th grade – Braelyn Hessler, Ruby Lampson, James Ruth, Shana Stotler, Payton Swink, Jayden Woods
Most improved growth from the 2024-2024 school year to 2024-2025 was recognized for Braydon Bailey of Pleasant View Elementary, Ethan Taylor of Warm Springs Intermediate School, Mia Franklin of Pleasant View, Braelynn Dokes of Warm Springs Intermediate School, Jordan Walker of Warm Springs Middle School, Taryn Ginevan of Paw Paw School, Aubrey Adkins and Natalie Clark of Warm Springs Middle School, Kara Litten and Joshua Lucas of Warm Springs Middle School and Samuel Adams of Warm Springs Middle School.
SAT & PSAT honors
Students who attained the highest level of achievement in English and Math on the SAT during school testing were: Brian Ailor, Aviona Ambrose, Savannah Burns, Mikayla Elmes, McKenzie Fisher, Austin Fraley, Brody Gloyd, Connor Johnson, Gabriel Meyers, Adam O’Brien, Gavin Rodriguez, Javan Rossignol, Camden Spade, Lilliana Stevens, Ethan Stewart and Liam Stewart.
The following students were given the Academic Hall of Fame Award for having the highest score on the SAT in Math, English or the highest combined score on the SAT School Day exam: Gabriel Meyers for English, Ethan Steward for English, Camden Spade for English, Mathematics and combined score.
The following students received the PSAT 10 Most Distinguished Award: Austin Gentile for English, Kamryn Buck for Mathematics and Austin Gentile for combined score.
Teagan Burch received the PSAT 9 Most Distinguished Award for having the highest score on the PSAT 9 in English, Math and the combined score.
Brody Gloyd and Nathanael Hill of Berkeley Springs High School were named AP Scholars for receiving scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.
Camden Spade was recognized as achieving the honor of being selected as a National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist.
Paige Waugh was honored for being named the Potomac Valley League’s Individual Low Medalist for golf on the All PVL Team. Coach Scott Wachter was also recognized.
Brooke Miller was honored for being named to the All MAC Team and the girls cross country champion. Coach Vickie Miller was recognized as well.
