ATHLETIC STANDOUTS — Recognized for honors they received from the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference and others were members of the Brooke High School boys soccer team. From left are: Coach Joe Pepe, Cooper Byers, Jacob High, Jacob Johnson and Kai Bowers. Gabe Keener also was acknowledged for his honors. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — The Brooke High School Cheerleaders’ victory at the state cheering competition was among many accomplishments by Brooke County students that were recognized by the local school board on Monday.

The board also heard concerns about the future of the high school’s welding program from its current instructor.

On Nov. 19, the cheering squad brought home the high school’s 15th state title and the second consecutive title under the leadership of Coach Michelle Scherich.

It was one of eight to compete in the Class AAA division at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center after advancing from a regional competition involving the same number of squads.

The squad earned a score of 92.45 from several judges who rated each squad’s performance on various aspects, including pyramids, tumbling, jumps and other stunts.

TOP RUNNERS — The Brooke County Board of Education recognized Brooke High School cross country athletes Gavin Scott for being named OVAC First Team All Conference; and Elizabeth Edgyll for setting a new school record of 20 minutes, 12 seconds while running 3.1 miles. With them is their coach, Ed Fritz. -- Warren Scott

The squad includes Cadance DeVore, Gabriella Hornick, Sophia Sacripanti, Gianna Svokas, Kayla Easton, Karlee Hornick, Paisley Sadler, Lyla Van Horn, Marlee Ewusiak, Braya Mazeika, Addison Scherich, Ava Gatten, Raelin Stoll and Ava Scherich.

Scherich said of the group’s efforts, “We faced some bumps along the way, but we worked through them together as a team.”

Scherich was added by assistant coaches Trishann Sacripanti and Haley Bowman.

“We are incredibly grateful to the community board of education and Brooke High School for their support,” said Scherich.

It was noted the squad will compete in the OVAC Cheering Championship on Feb. 7 at Wheeling University.

ATHLETIC STANDOUTS — Recognized for honors they received from the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference and others were members of the Brooke High School girls soccer team. From left are: Coaches Jack Minger and Lonny Riggs, Emma Riggs, Aaliyah Siegel, Ivy Myers and Gianna Siegel. Maya Kusic also was acknowledged for her honors. -- Warren Scott

The board also congratulated four Brooke Middle School students for their success at the West Virginia Reading Council’s third annual Literature Fair.

Carrie Ciccolella, Brooke County Schools reading specialist, said pupils at Brooke Middle School were invited to deliver presentations and create a display about a book they have read from various categories.

After winning a competition at their school, four pupils went on to be top winners at a regional competition held in October at West Liberty State University.

Fifth graders Elizabeth Queen and Swade Walnoha placed first in the categories of realistic fiction and mystery, respectively; seventh grader Tegan Danielson placed second in biography-autobiography; and sixth grader Miles Hotlosz placed third in the graphic novel category.

Carrie Ciccolella, Brooke County Schools reading specialist, said the four advanced to the event from a competition held at their school.

LITERARY HONORS — Also recognized at Monday’s Brooke County school board meeting were winners of the West Virginia Reading Association’s Literature Fair. From left are Tegyn Danielson, Swade Walnoah and Lori McLaughlin, director of elementary and pre-kindergarten education. Elizabeth Queen and Myles Hotlosz also were winners of the competition. -- Warren Scott

As first place winners, Queen and Walnoha were invited to showcase their projects at the West Virginia Reading Association’s Reading Convention at Oglebay Park Resort in November.

The board also recognized the following fall student athletes:

�–� Brooke male soccer players Cooper Byers, who was named to the OVAC First Team All Conference and selected for the OVAC All-Star Game; Jacob High, who was named to the OVAC First Team All Conference; Gabe Keener and Jacob Johnson, who were named to the OVAC Second Team All Conference; and Kai Bowers, Byers, High, Keener and Johnson, who received All State honorable mention.

The players’ coach was Joe Pepe.

�–� Brooke female soccer players Emma Riggs and Aaliyah Siegel, who were named to the OVAC First Team All Conference; Ivy Myers and Maya Kusic, who were named to the OVAC Second Team All Conference; and Gianna Siegel who, with Riggs and Myers, received AAA All-State special mention. In addition, Aaliyah Siegel received All-State honorable mention and she, Riggs and Kusic were selected for the OVAC All-Star Classic.

STATE CHAMPS — On Monday, the Brooke County Board of Education recognized the Brooke High School Cheerleader for winning the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission’s State Cheerleading Championship. The squad includes: Cadance DeVore, Gabriella Hornick, Sophia Sacripanti, Gianna Svokas, Kayla Easton, Karlee Hornick, Paisley Sadler, Lyla Van Horn, Marlee Ewusiak, Braya Mazeika, Addison Scherich, Ava Gatten, Raelin Stoll, Ava Scherich and coaches Michelle Scherich, Trishann Sacripanti and Haley Bowman. -- Warren Scott

The players were coached by Jack Minger.

• Cross country athletes Gavin Scott, who was named to the OVAC First Team All Conference; and Elizabeth Edgyll, who set a new school record with a time of 20:12.

Their coach was Ed Fritz.

• Volleyball team members Maggie Diserio and Melia McCullough, who were named OVAC First Team All Conference; and Hanah Shaffer and Lily Clark, who were named OVAC Second Team All Conference.

Their coach was Deidra Parr.

OVAC HONORED — Acknowledged for earning OVAC honors were members of the Brooke High School volleyball team. From left are Assistant Coach Tom Diserio, Lily Clark, Hanah Shaffer, Maggie Diserio, Coach Deidra Parr and Assistant Coach Maia Diserio. Teammate Melia McCullough also was recognized. -- Warren Scott

The board also heard from Larry Jones, who had been slated to retire as welding instructor at the high school last year but remained when the board wasn’t able to find a replacement.

Jones asked what the board is doing to attract a new instructor for the program, which risks being cut after this year.

“The reason I take it to heart is I started the program,” said Jones, who estimated 30 to 40 former students have entered the profession since it began in 2012.

He said the program should be preserved because welding skills are in high demand.

“Welding is an entry level position for almost all trades today,” said Jones.

Antoinette Perkins, the board’s vice president, said there had been four candidates for the job but each withdrew because they were offered more pay in the private sector.

Jones conceded it would be difficult for the school district to match the salaries offered to welders in the workforce. He said the board’s best tactic would be to attract a welder who has retired, as he had, but still has the interest and energy to teach.

Perkins suggested some might welcome having weekends, holidays and summers off.

Board member Dr. Robert Marks asked Jones if any of his former students would be interested.

Superintendent Jeff Crook stressed the board strongly supports its career technical education program, of which welding is a part.

“CTE is very close to us and we’re very astute of its importance,” said Crook, who said about half of the high school’s graduates go on to pursue careers in skilled trades.

The board also:

• Heard from five local math teachers who have participated in the Mountaineer Mathematics Master Teachers Network.

The six were: Jami Packer, Karen Keener, Kelly Eggert, Dana Stoll and Kirsten Mazzella.

Through it, the five have received training in new instructional approaches that they have shared with their colleagues.

Superintendent Jeff Crook noted Keener delivered a presentation at the East Coast Improvement Summit on Education in Nashville, while Packer was a presenter at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference in Atlanta.

In the last six years, six Brooke math teachers attended training provided by M3T leaders and 10 others have participated in local improvement teams through the program.

The program was launched by the West Virginia Department of Education and West Virginia University, with support from the Benedum Foundation, National Science Foundation and West Virginia Legislature, to improve math skills for students across the state.

• Approved the establishment of a powerlifting club at the high school and a chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes there.

• Approved training for school resource officers Brian Beatty and David Stafford in the A.L.I.C.E. program aimed at preparing staff and students for active shooter situations. An acronym, the program’s name stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate.

The board’s next regular meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 26.