BLUE WAVES — Because Follansbee Middle School was closed, former administrators of the school were invited to be recognized at the Praise in the Park event held Saturday at Follansbee Park. Among those taking part were, from left, front: Stephanie Brown, Kim Johnson and Michaelene Mills; and back: Greg Rothwell, Nancy Deters, Joseph Starcher, Joseph Martray and Robert Guio. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — Many gathered at Follansbee Park Saturday evening to hear Christian music, enjoy some fellowship and hear from the principals who led Follansbee Middle School over a 48 year period.

In light of the school’s closing this year, Mayor David Velegol Jr. thought it would be nice to bring together several of its administrators at the Praise in the Park event held by several churches.

In its third year, the free event offered Christian music from bands from Open Door Baptist Church of Colliers, Follansbee Church of Christ and the Christian Assembly of Follansbee; and hot dogs and drinks served by city council members.

There were also crafts for children to make and a tent where people could make prayer requests.

A break from the music was taken so Velegol could call up eight former principals of the middle school: Robert Guio, Joseph Martray, Joseph Starcher, Kim Johnson, Nancy Deters, Michaelene Mills, Stephanie Brown and Greg Rothwell.

Rothwell said as assistant principal at the school for a year and head principal for two, he takes pride in being involved in introducing S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and math) objectives to the curriculum.

He directed staff and pupils to make the most of the school’s last year, dubbed The Final Wave in an allusion to the school’s Blue Wave, but also encouraged the youth to get excited about entering the new Brooke Middle School this fall with their peers from Wellsburg Middle School.

“Fifty years from now they will say, I was in the first class at that school,” Rothwell said.

As the principals reflected on their tenures at the school, change was a recurring theme.

A science teacher at the school for 27 years, Starcher was pleased by the implementation of a hands on approach to science instruction backed by the state with financial support.

Deters, who taught health at the school before becoming its assistant principal and later, principal, recalled that to help pupils in need, a clothes closet and backpack food program were started there, the latter through the efforts of the Community of Christ Church of Follansbee.

Johnson said much of her 30 years in education were spent as a teacher or principal at the school. During a tenure of nearly seven years, she saw new windows and doors installed, chalkboards replaced by computer whiteboards and the installation of an intercom for visitors and other security measures dictated by changing times.

Not unlike Johnson, Martray can attribute much of his 34 year career to years worked as assistant principal or principal of the school. Among changes recalled by him were the installation of air conditioning and the construction of an enclosed walkway from the school to the adjacent Carlin Dodrill Field House, where the school’s gym classes were held.

Guio, who followed up 13 years at the former Edgewood School with 10 as principal at Follansbee, noted some things haven’t changed.

“When kids enter middle school, they are about 10 years old, anxious and apprehensive, but as time passes, there is a major change in their body chemistry. They have boyfriends and girlfriends that can change not just day to day, but every hour,” he said.

He said for that reason, middle school faculty have the most challenging job among educators.

Guio was among many who applauded the school’s staff for their efforts and support during their administrations.

Mills noted her half year tenure as the school’s principal, her first job in Brooke County Schools though not in education, was made smoother by her staff.

Brown came to the school with 40 years’ experience, including many as principal of Hancock County Schools. She said Follansbee Middle’s staff “welcomed me with open arms. They just took me in.”