TCHS Students of the Week
By Erin Cassidy
Each week the teachers of Tucker County High School select students who consistently go above and beyond academic and behavioral expectations. This week’s Students of the Week are Ashley Lipscomb, Lilly Calloway, London Hood, Raina Burton, and Cory Stemple.
Ashley Lipscomb, a sophomore, was nominated for always being prepared as a student and for being helpful in the classroom.
Freshman Lilly Calloway was selected for always trying her hardest and having a positive attitude.
London Hood, a sophomore, was chosen for leading by example, for her positive attitude, and for her general enthusiasm for learning.
Raina Burton, a senior, was nominated for always being thoughtful, kind, and studious.
Sophomore Cory Stemple was selected for giving one hundred percent effort every day and for always being respectful, polite, and thoughtful to both his classmates and his teachers.
These students are to be commended for exemplifying the principles of Mountain Lion CARE: courtesy, attitude, responsibility, and engagement.
TCHS YLA Club
By Tessa Jolly
The Youth Leadership Association (YLA) has been active for 153 years. YLA is founded on five principles: leadership, character, service, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. There are multiple local chapters in West Virginia and Ohio including our very own chapter at TCHS. The TCHS YLA Chapter has been active for three years.
YLA offers several programs to students from both states. These programs include various camps at Camp Horseshoe. Other YLA programs include Fall Conference, a leadership weekend during the fall; Module United Nations, where students select a country and present a resolution; and Youth in Government, a three-day weekend at each state’s capital where students have the opportunity to write and present legislation and serve in the various capacities associated with the state government.
The TCHS YLA chapter has five affiliated members and three unaffiliated members. Three of the affiliated members will be attending Youth in Government. Xzandra Ashby and Abbey Campbell will be writing a bill, and Alexis Evers will be acting as a Lobbyist.
TCHS YLA members have had several fundraisers this year. They sold candy grams during Christmas and Valentine’s Day, they hosted a paint night, and they are now selling match-maker questionnaire results. They have more fundraisers planned to help offset the cost for their trip to Youth in Government.
TCHS FFA Travels to WV Capitol
By Trinity Bever
Recently Tucker County High School FFA attended FFA Day at the Capitol to express their opinions and thoughts on how valuable FFA is to our West Virginia schools. Jasper Craun, TCHS freshman, commented, “FFA is not just about farming and animals; it’s so much more than that.” As a first-year member of FFA, Jasper said that he has learned that FFA is a great organization and that agriculture can be a lifelong position of employment.
FFA students spoke with Senator Randy Smith and Senator David Sypolt about SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experiences) and about gaining support from our state legislators. “We now know we have the support of our senators,” remarked TCHS sophomore Karlie Thompson.
The trip not only taught others how much of an asset FFA is, but also it taught the students the importance of public communication skills. Freshmen Shayla Mason and Bryson Watts said that they both learned how to properly address the legislators and gained experience in public speaking.
Sixteen FFA students attended FFA Day with advisor Paul Pennington.
Promoting Poetry
By Erin Cassidy
To celebrate National Poetry Month in April, the TCHS Broadcasting and Mountain Lion Weekly staff is sponsoring three activities: a weekly poetry broadcast in April, a poetry contest, and the compilation of a poetry booklet.
Each week in April during both lunch shifts, the broadcasting staff will be asking TCHS students and staff a question about poetry. Videotaping will be done on Mondays and broadcasts will be shown on Wednesdays.
To encourage students to write poetry, the broadcasting and news staff is sponsoring a poetry contest during the month of April. All entries must be received by May 1st. Students may submit two poems for the contest. Winners will be announced on May 8th, and their poems will be included on a broadcast during the week of May 11th. Three prizes will be awarded. The first-place winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card, the second-place winner will receive a $15 Walmart gift card, and the third-place winner will receive a writing journal. Interested students may contact Tanner Gatto, TCHS Poetry Contest Coordinator, for submission criteria.
To encourage individuals to share their poems, the broadcasting and news staff is also inviting TCHS students and staff, TCHS graduates, and former TCHS staff to submit poems they have written. Poems will be compiled into a booklet titled Foggy Mountain Poetry. Everyone who submits a poem will receive a booklet. Additionally, copies of Foggy Mountain Poetry will be donated to local libraries. Poems will be accepted beginning April 1st until May 1st. For further submission criteria, please email foggymtpoetry@gmail.com.