Wetzel County Superintendent of Schools Cassie Porter addresses those in attendance at the awards ceremony.

On Thursday, April 10, the Wetzel County Board of Education held the annual Academic Awards Ceremony at the 4-H Grounds Mollohan Center to recognize county students who have achieved academic standards that place them in the top 15% of their respective schools.

Students were recognized individually with certificates of achievement. In addition, held on the prior Tuesday evening, a ceremony was held for students in grades 9-12, who have earned their place in the top 15% since their freshman year, each one will be inducted into the Wetzel County Academic Hall of Fame.

Thursday’s ceremony was opened by Christine Mace 4th grade / National Board of Certified Teachers, Paden City Elementary school.

Following Ms. Mace’s opening remarks the New Martinsville 7-8 choir under the direction of Patrick Norton performed a collection of songs for the gathering. In attendance were 400 family members and students.

The following students were recognized for their academic achievements.

Grade 5 Long Drain School: Payton Jennings, Payten Lippencott and Aireona Howard.

New Martinsville School Grade 5: Maria Bates Emma Bills, Evelynn Caneen, Zoey Colvin, Lucus Day, Leah Eakin, Finnley Goddard, Gwendolyn Hadley, Odin Hadley, Noel Headley, Jozlynn Higgins, Owen Hohman, Trey Moore, Jaxon Oates, Anel Leroy Pardo Torres, Aubrey Parsons, Korben Postlethwaite, Connor Sapp, Luke Scott, Layla Sprouse, Rilynn Thomas, Kinlee Turner, Luke Utt, Tucker Villers, Aizlynne Wilkinson, Ziheng Yang, and Adelynn Young.

Paden City Elementary 5th Grade: Sophia Flowers, Maverick Gump, Trinity Leek and Karmen Spencer.

Shortline School 5th Grade: Naomi Brown, Ryker Brown, Madilyn Burch, Aspen Dallison, Madison Greathouse, Ryleigh Moore and Lelynn White.

Long Drain 6th Grade: Casen Lough, Aubree Rickman and Kenny Howell.

New Martinsville 6th Grade: Kenzlee Anderson, Elliana Caneen, Jenna Carvoo, Zoey Castillo, Chloe Dakan, Sawyer Dillon, Lily Giovinazzo, Ava Goddard, Cash Goddard, Paxton Hale, Lanessa Hoagland, Ayla Huggins, Madilynn Nice, Koen Pilant, Joslyn Riggenbach, Payeton Smith, Ashley Stafford, Lexiann Taylor, Jayde Thomas, Hunter Wade, Brooklynn Williams.

Paden City Elementary 6th Grade: Sirinity Busch, Paislee Littell and Grace Morrison.

Short Line School 6th Grade: Samuel Fluharty, Peirce Long, Dustin Lemley, Caydence Scott, Bryar Hupp, Brantley Roberts and Taylin Wade.

Grade 7 Long Drain School: Zoey Jennings, Kai Stoneking, Braxtyn Briggs and Carson Hayhurst.

Grade 7 New Martinsville School: Grace Burke. Elise Campbell, Colby Kay, Alyssa Kelly, Jozlyn Kenndy, Tylan Knight, Mia Longwell, Kinsley McDiffitt, Caleigh McNeil, Derion Warder, Luctricia White, Kenndy Foster, Zain Snider and Chloe Anderson.

Grade 7 Paden City High School: Dailey Chen, Trenton Clark, Zackery Goddard, Jaylynn Richards and Eva Shepherd.

Grade 8 Long Drain School: Emily Conner, Rhianna Hawkins, Owen Kenndy, Jerold Fordyce, Alivia Merrill, and Damien Moore.

Grade 8 Paden City High School: Holden Amos, Coby Criss, Briley Dalrymple, Lucas Goddard, Madielyn Householder and Liliana Knisely.

Grade 8 Short Line School: Lincoln Tennant, Alexis VanDyne, Everett Fluharty, Elyza Greathouse, Mazie Harrison, Emily Postlethwait, Tripp Ice, Jailyn Brown, Aiden Feils, Sunni Irvin and Demi Long.

Grade 8 New Martinsville School: Lindsey Barcus, Mya Coker, Liam Day, James Dennis, Brookelyn Dyer, Like Eakin, Leroy Fake II, Arizona Fortney, Kaylup Hall, Ian Hedrick, Jacelyn Miller, Lorelei Morgan, Dylan Nice, Jayden Poyser, Treton Satow, Ashton Skelley, Creed Smith, Kierce Starcher, Aubrey Suter, Billy Sweeney, Willaim Valentin, Manowah Vaughn and Lillian Witt.

The following company provided services and products to support the 2024-2025 awards: Antero Resources Corporation, EQT, MPLX, Paden City Development authority, Westlake Natrium LLC, Anderson Orthodontics, Dr. Randy Zink, Sprouse Building Products, LLC, JW Tire, Bayer Heritage Federal Credit Union, Pasco’s Pizza Inc., David Harshberger OD, Daily Corporation, The Flower Basket & Gift Shop, Lisa Shepard Insurance Agency Inc., New Martinsville Parks and Recreation Commission, Riesbeck’s Food Market, inc. James S. Campbell, OD And Fahey-Leavitt Insurance Agency.