TCHS Students of the Week
By Erin Cassidy
Each week the teachers of Tucker County High School hand pick students who consistently exceed academic and behavioral expectations. This week’s Students of the Week are Clay Poling and Haden Wamsley.
Clay Poling and Haden Wamsley are both sophomores and are being nominated for their amazing work methods and their eagerness to take on challenges and for demonstrating maturity, independence, and critical thinking.
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 Anna Louk
The students in Mr. Jim Marple’s 4th Block Math III class are this week’s recipients of the “Principal’s I See You Award” These students are hardworking and have shown outstanding improvement since the beginning of the second semester. Mr. Cosner would like to recognize this class for their strong work ethic and their respectful behavior.
TCHS FFA Sweetens Up Things with Maple Syrup
By Trinity Bever
Tucker County FFA is producing handmade maple syrup in the back of the TCHS greenhouse. They purchased a maple syrup evaporator from Smokey Lake Maple Syrup through a state block grant. The maple syrup evaporator was assembled by senior Will White, juniors Ethan Carr and Kevin Barb, and sophomore Nick Roth.
FFA members began the process of producing the syrup on Tuesday March 3rd, but they started to tap trees about a week before that for sap. According to Advisor Paul Pennington, it takes about forty gallons of sap for one gallon of syrup.
Kevin Barb explained that the evaporator must be first filled with sugar water. Then a fire is built underneath the evaporator to bring the sugar water to a boil to help it evaporate. The fire is maintained until the thermometer hits seven. Once the thermometer hits seven, the syrup is filtered into a pan. It is then taken to the boiler and boiled until it reaches 213 degrees Fahrenheit. The syrup is moved off the burner once it reaches 213 degrees Fahrenheit and filtered again. Then the syrup is ready to be bottled.
Kevin Barb added, “The syrup tastes excellent. It appears brown with a good texture but is a bit sticky.” The majority of FFA and agriculture students participated in the making of the maple syrup. Making maple syrup is one of the core standards for FFA members. FFA members are hoping to make more syrup in the future to sell, but as of right now, they are hoping to make enough to give everyone who helped produce it a sample of the syrup.
HOSA State Leadership Conference
By Erin Cassidy
On March 7 and 8, seven Tucker County High School HOSA students competed in the WV State Leadership Conference at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Approximately 400 attended this year’s conference.
TCHS HOSA chapter members this year are Shelby Gooden, Cheyann Gooden, Jacob Devilder, Carly Dumire, Hannah Hardy, Erin Cassidy, and Olivia Keeler.
Along with the participants, Stephanie Burns accompanied the students. Mrs. Burns has been a teacher at Tucker
County High School for thirteen years and has filled the role of an advisor of Tucker’s HOSA chapter for twelve years.
Shelia Devilder also helped chaperone.
Tucker County High School had two winners. Carly Dumire, who competed in Pathophysiology, placed second. Erin Cassidy placed third in prepared speaking. Both winners received HOSA future