Those named to the hall of fame this year were, from Tyler Consolidated High School, Sarah Campbell, Austin Carpenter, Montana Morris, Kaitlyn Neff, Adriane Rine, Keri Suter and Tara Weese; and from Paden City High School, Dominique Craft.

For 34 years, First Federal Savings Bank of Sistersville has sponsored the annual Tyler County and Paden City Schools Academic Awards Ceremony and Reception to recognize area students in grades 5-12 for academic excellence.

The first of two ceremonies was held Thursday, April 12 to honor students in grades 5-8 who rank at the top of their class. Delegate Roger Romine, a Republican who represents Tyler and Doddridge counties, served as guest speaker for the event.

“Stay the course,” Delegate Roger Romine urged top students in Tyler County and Paden City schools.

Romine noted local schools are “known for excellence,” something he sometimes brags about to his fellow legislators.

He praised First Federal for continuing to sponsor the event which, when inaugurated, was the first of its kind in the state. The bank’s officials “truly put their money where their mouths are,” Romine added.

Students present at the event were being honored “for your commitment to excellence, for your perseverance and your hard work,” Romine stressed. “You have put your priorities in order. If you keep on doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep on getting what you’re getting” in being recognized for excellence, he told them.

First Federal President Stan Kiser also praised the students, along with their parents and local educators.

He noted that during the event’s history, more than 7,000 students have been honored.

An invocation for the ceremony was presented by Samuel Price, a student at Paden City High School. Entertainment was provided by the Tyler Consolidated High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Wayne Smith.

High ranking students from the high school level were recognized on Thursday, April 19, where scores of students were recognized, but top honors went to eight who have qualified for the event every year from fifth grade through their senior years in high school.

“It’s not an easy thing to do for eight years,” First Federal President Stanley Kiser told those in a packed auditorium for the ceremony. He noted those who managed the feat are named to the Academic Hall of Fame. Plaques listing their names are displayed at their high schools.

Those named to the hall of fame this year were, from Tyler Consolidated High School, Sarah Campbell, Austin Carpenter, Montana Morris, Kaitlyn Neff, Adriane Rine, Keri Suter and Tara Weese; and from Paden City High School, Dominique Craft.

In addition to that honor, Kiser said the bank’s board of directors authorized him to present a $1,000 scholarship to one of the eight. The winner, chosen by random drawing, was Kaitlyn Neff.

The ceremony was opened with an invocation by Sarah Campbell, then a performance by the Tyler Consolidated High School Choir, under the direction of Clara Glover.

Guest speaker was J. Michael Myer, executive editor of The Intelligencer and the Wheeling News-Register. Myer told the students they should be grateful for support from their parents, classmates, educators and the community. He cited support of local taxpayers who have helped West Virginia schools avoid the financial crunches affecting those in many other states.

Myer also urged the students to go on to some form of higher education, but to do so as economically as possible. In commending students honored at the ceremony, he told them that to succeed in life, they will have to work harder than others in their classrooms and workplaces. “At one time, we told young people, ‘work hard and get ahead,'” he explained. “Now, we have to tell you, ‘work harder if you want to succeed.'”

Sarah Campbell, a senior from Tyler Consolidated High School, provided an invocation for the ceremony. Entertainment was provided by the Tyler Consolidated High School Choir, under the direction of Clara Glover.

Students at both events were recognized individually, as First Federal Senior Vice President Ann Helmick read their names and Tyler County Schools Superintendent Robin Daquilante presented them with certificates.

In addition, some of those honored won a drawing in which the bank handed out savings accounts ranging from $50 to $100.

Kiser told those present special thanks were due to several people and companies for their help in making the ceremony a reality. They include Amanda Kimble, director of child nutrition, support services and safety for Tyler County schools; Rhonda Burton, secretary for the school system; RCS Printing of New Martinsville, and the Pepsi Beverage Co.

Following the ceremony, the honorees and their parents enjoyed a reception in the commons area.

Students honored at the ceremonies included:

A.I. Boreman Elementary School

– Fifth grade – Haley Fletcher, Hunter Forester, Katlyn Griffey, Jamie Johnson, Emily Lancaster, Emily Litten, Destry Nelson, Katie Pratt, Garry Seckman, Gabriel Shepherd, Noah Smith, David Stoller, Alaina Thompson, Marie Vandruff, Megan Vandruff, JoLee Walton.

Tyler Consolidated Middle School

– Sixth grade – Andrew Booher, Colby Buchanan, Isabella Camerlin, Luke Daugherty, Kamryn Davis, Cheyenne Ferrell, Eli Henthorn, Josie McAdams, Julianna Miller, Remington Miller, Amanda Reynolds, Oceanna Smith, Rosana Smith, Megan Sole, Theodore Stackpole, Scotlynn Straight, Lynda Warner, Autumn Wells, Mark Wilson.

– Seventh grade – Hannah Ankrom, Jenna Archer, Mindy Bell, Makaila Brown, Caleigh Eidel, Shayla Griffey, Matalyn Hayes, Mya Ingram, Alexis Jenkins, Macy Long, Bailee Longwell, Jennifer Lynch, Devann McCoy, Kamron Milhoan, Megan Miller, Hannah Morris, Vanessa Templeton, Taylor Vandruff, Madison West.

– Eighth grade – Adam Cooper, Kyle Frum, Katelyn Gogan, Scott Gorby, Brannon Jones, Jasmine Kyle, Marisha Morris, Marcus Nichols, Hannah Roberts, Katlyn Seckman, Lacey Seckman, Breanna Snyder, Amber Watson, Daron Weekley, Sydney White, Julian Work.

Paden City High School

– Seventh grade – Alexandria Glover, Aaron Heasley, Hayden Hizer, Rachel Loy.

– Eighth grade – Olivia Bolen, Logan Carroll, Taylor Cosper, Akayla Kline, Shaylee Lyons, Samuel Price.

Paden City Elementary School

– Fifth grade – Hope Cooper, Paige Leonard, Hannah Loy, Matthew Rexroad.

– Sixth grade – MacKenzie Drake, Joshua Glover, Aubrey Neff, Isaac Price, Shelby Schultheis,

Sistersville Elementary School

– Fifth grade – Tori Cremona, Nicholas Gorby, Cora Grimm, Emily Jackson, Alexa Johnson, Peyton Kocher, Haiden Placer, Jacob Rice, Kassidy Starkey, Miranda Weekley.

Paden City High School

– Ninth grade – Craig Allen, Victoria Anderson, Graeson Baker, Mallory Estel, Kayla Hizer

– Tenth grade – Adam Croasmun, Josie Fox, Jennifer Hickman

– Eleventh grade – John Bates, Drew BIdwell, Samantha Lyons, Lynnsie Parsons

– Twelfth grade – Jamie Billiter, Dominique Craft, Timothy Drain, Amanda Heasley

Tyler Consolidated High School

– Ninth grade – Kimberly Boito, Elisha Brown, Aryn Carpenter, Danny Cochran, Daniel Grimm, Kaylee Hartsfield, Taylor Hess, Allison Keller, Johnathan Lancaster, Kristopher Lashbrook, David Litten, Sierra Mace, Lillian Orr, Megan Wilson, Breanna Yeater, Sydney Yoho

– Tenth grade – Caroline Bantug, Austin Blizzard, Hillary Casteel, Myah Charkawi, Amanda Dawson, Carly Fletcher, Macy Frey, Noah Garrison, Chelsea Kehrer, Sophia Kinnard, Angelica Kyle, Kali Mead, Jasmine Moore, Sydney Reed, Dylan Reynolds, Veronica Rine, Noah Warner

– Eleventh grade – Hayden Carpenter, Isaiah Casenelli, Makayla Clegg, Torrye Cline, Brandon Collins, Samantha Collins, Randall Eastham, Amber Eddy, Daniel Eddy, Jessica Fiber, Brandon Frey, Darren Heintzman, Richard Hooks, Riley Housel, Katie Hoyes, Jason Huffman, Stephani Kelley, Darrin Lemasters, Haylea Lemasters, Logann Long, Martina Parrish, Asia Richmond, Allister Seckman, Danielle Seckman, Lauren Seckman, Victoria Shepherd, Marvin Sole, Carle Stewart, Dustin Tawney, Devon Thompson, Ashley Watson, Shay Yonaley

– Twelfth grade – Sarah Campbell, Austin Carpenter, Alexis Ebert, Shannon Forrester, Michael George, Karlie Hilpert, Alaina McCoy, Montana Morris, Kaitlyn Neff, Cheyenne Parker, David Powers, Adriane Rine, McKenzie Rose, Lindsey Snider, Marley Snider, Karlie Walker, Tara Weese

Photo by Mike Myer

A plaque used to honor academic excellence in Tyler County and Paden City schools is displayed by, from left, Ann Helmick, senior vice president of First Federal Savings Bank; Stan Kiser, president of the bank; Delegate Roger Romine, R-Tyler; Tyler County schools Superintendent Robin Daquilante, and Tyler County Board of Education member Dr. Ralph Boone.