TCHS Students of the Week
By Jamen Dudley
Brian Tracy said, “Make your life a masterpiece; imagine no limitations on what you can be, have, or do.” This week’s Tucker County High School Students of the Week are doing more than imagining; they are creating their masterpieces. These students have gone above and beyond academic and behavioral expectations. Students of the Week are Vanessa Schaffer, Cheyenne Brown, Ariona Plumley, Haden Smith, and Tabitha Witemore.
Vanessa Schaffer is a freshman and was nominated for always having a positive attitude.
Cheyenne Brown, a sophomore, was selected because she is a model student and always takes the initiative to do her work more efficiently and at a higher quality. She also is always kind and respectful to all around her.
Ariona Plumley, a freshman, was chosen because she is always respectful, always gives 100 percent, and usually works ahead of schedule.
Freshman Haden Smith was selected because he is always polite and attentive during his classes, always shows effort in his work, and helps his peers.
Tabitha Witemore is a sophomore and was nominated for always striving to do her best in class and for always being a caring person.
These students are to be commended for exemplifying the principles of Mountain Lion CARE: courtesy, attitude, responsibility, and engagement.
TCHS Principal’s I See You Award
By Jamen Dudley
Jacob “Jake” Phillips is the recipient of the Principal’s I See You Award. Principal Steve Cosner chose Jake for trying his very best the last few months. Jake has improved academically and behaviorally since the beginning of school.
TCHS Talent Show
By Jordan Teter
Tucker County High School is sponsoring a talent show in the auditorium on December 20th after lunch. Mrs. Anita Helmick, Mrs. Robyn Nestor, Mrs. Stephanie Burns, Mrs. Christina Dotson, Mrs. Lacey Evans, and Ms. Carrie Shahan – also known as the Salty Six – are directing the talent show and expecting five or six acts ranging from singing to magic. The show will approximately last about thirty to forty minutes. The Salty Six will be doing something special for the talent show, and several of the teachers are doing a surprise act as well.
“I believe all of the acts in the talent show will be extraordinary, including the Salty Six’s act,” commented Mrs. Helmick when asked about the acts of the talent show.
Robotics Competition
By Paige Lantz
Tucker County High School’s Robotics Team competed against eight different states at the First Tech Challenge (FTC) of the WV State Championship on December 8th at Fairmont State University. The TCHS Robotics Team won the Design Award for their exploration of a variety of designs along with thorough documentation and illustration of that process.
Team members who attended the competition were Wyatt Rose, Xzandra Ashby, Raina Burton, Alaira Hudson, Shelby Gooden, Lilly Plumley, and Kadie Colebank.
According to Dr. Jerod Caligiuri, Robotics Team Advisor, the competition consisted of two parts. Part one involved having their team-designed robot gather up large Lego blocks, transport them under a barrier, move a platform to a specific location, and then park under the barrier. The second part entailed the robot being manually driven, gathering up blocks, transporting the blocks under a barrier, and then stacking the blocks into a skyscraper-like tower on the platform. During the last 30 seconds, the robot had to place a decorated capstone on the top of the tower, move the platform to another location without the tower falling, and then park the robot in a specific location.
Dr. Caligiuri explained that several skills are needed for robotics: math skills, programing skills, design skills, critical thinking skills, mechanical skills, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, students’ record-keeping, team-working, communication, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills are strengthened because of their participation in robotics.
Dr. Caligiuri commented, “We are very lucky to have this experience for students. This is an opportunity most small rural schools do not have.” Dr. Caligiuri added, “I am really proud of how our team remained positive when frustrated and how enthusiastic the students are to move forward.”
The next competition is the FTC Maryland Mountain Regional State Qualifier on January 11th at Garret Community College.
