Brooke Gray is escorted onto the gym floor during senior night.

Paden City High School recently honored all its winter sports participants in a special ceremony marking a historic moment in school history. The high school hosted their final senior night at Bob Burton Gymnasium as the school faced county rivals the Hundred Hornets in their last ever meeting.

PCHS School athletes from various winter sports teams and band members were introduced to the crowd, receiving well deserved recognition for their dedication and achievements. The event was particularly emotional as it marked the last time being celebrated in front of their home supporters.

Senior PCHS students taking part in the recognition were:

Kim Burch was escorted by her mother, Rebecca Dinger. Kim has participated in four years of basketball and softball.

Brooke Gray was escorted by Barbie & Kevin Todd. Brooke participated in volleyball, basketball and softball.

Jordyn Rose was escorted by her father, Russel Rose; mother, Jennifer Gorney and Wayne Rose. She participated in volleyball and softball. Jordyn has also been a cheerleader for four years.

Rita Dani was escorted by host parents, Adam and Rene Pennell. Rita is in her exchange year from Kosovo. She has participated in cheer, archery and wrestling. She plans to run track this spring.

Paige Glover was escorted by her parents, Darren & Lisa Glover. Paige participated in football and basketball cheering as well as playing softball.

Grace Hoagland was escorted by her parents, Melonie & Steve Hoagland. She is a cheerleader and member of the PCHS Band.

Mackenzie Simpkins was escorted by Francis & Kevin Quigley and James & Jessica Simpkins. She is a member of the PCHS Band, pep band, drumline and jazz band. She also has participated in thespians, volleyball, softball, and track.

Aaron Trader was escorted by his parents, Thomas & Miranda Trader. He has participated in PCHS Band, pep band and jazz band. Aaron was selected for All State Band Honors.

Brenna Clark was escorted by her mother, Jill Clark, and sister, Hannah. She participated in PCHS Band, volleyball, cheer, basketball and track.

Evalynn Hatcher was escorted by her father, David Hatcher, and grandmother, Ida Hatcher. She participated in PCHS Band, pep band, jazz band and track.

Lakynn Billiter was escorted by her parents, Josh & Lindsay Billiter. She has participated in PCHS Band and softball.

Also honored were underclassmen in both boys and girls basketball, wrestling, pep band and cheerleading.

Junior Jessup Higgins was escorted by his mother, Angel Higgins, and his father, Chris Higgins. Jessup participated in football, basketball and baseball.

Junior Skylar Wright was escorted by his grandmother, Lisa Young, and his aunt, Kayla Henthorn. He is the son of the late Kelly Young. Skylar participated in football, basketball and baseball.

Junior Cannon Matheny was escorted by his mother, Julia Matheny. Cannon participated in basketball and track.

Junior Brayden Neff was escorted by his parents, Josh and Katrina Neff. Brayden participated in football, basketball and baseball.

Junior Jacob Billiter was escorted by his mother, Lindsay Billiter and father, Josh Billiter. Jacob participated in football, basketball and baseball.

Junior Jack Nelson, was escorted by his parents, David & Emily Nelson. Jack participated in cross country, basketball, wrestling, track and baseball.

Junior Isaiah Campbell was escorted by his mother, Amanda Robinson. Isiah participated in football, basketball and track.

Freshman Braxton Yoho was escorted by his parents, Kevin & Stacey Yoho. Braxton participated in football, basketball and baseball.

Freshman Lucas Anderson was escorted by his parents, Sephanie & Jason Rice. Lucas participated in football, basketball, track and baseball.

Freshman Jacob Goddard was escorted by his parents, Exelee & Josh Goddard. Jacob participated in band, basketball, golf, football and archery.

Freshman Remington Wade was escorted by his parents, Crystal & Tommy Wade. Remington participated in football and basketball.

Freshman Jordan Loy escorted by his parents, Maranda & Joey Loy. Jordan participated in football and basketball.

Junior Brady Pennell was escorted by his parents, Renee & Adam Pennell. Brady participated in football and wrestling.

Junior Izzy Anderson escorted by her parents, Amanda & Chris Anderson. Izzy participated in PCHS Band.

Junior Lydia Wells escorted by her mother, Stephanie Wells. Lydia participates in the PCHS Band and also theater.

Freshman Sam Thorn was escorted by his parents, Missy and Chris Thorn. Sam participated in band, wrestling, and track.

Freshman Brayden Leasure was escorted by his mother, April Clark. Brayden participated in PCHS Band and track.

Junior Haven Anderson was escorted by her parents, Stephanie and Jason Rice. Haven participated in the PCHS Band as field commander. She is also a member of thespians and participated in volleyball and track.

Junior Dalton Hayes was escorted by his parents, Tiffany and Eric Hayes. Dalton is a member of the PCHS Band and participated in baseball.

Sophomore Mike Radabaugh was escorted by his father, David Radabaugh. Mike is a member of the PCHS band, pep band, jazz band and participated in track.

Junior Kaenn Hunt was Escorted by her mother, Nikki Fletcher. Kaenn participates in volleyball, cheer, softball and track.

Freshman London Alexander was escorted by her parents, Walt and Ali Alexander. London participates in volleyball, cheerleading and track.

Freshman Piper Tennant, was escorted by her parents, Abby and Scott Tennant. Piper participates in cheerleading.

Freshman Jozie Young was escorted by her grandmother, Lisa Young, and aunt, Kayla Henthorn. Josie is the daughter of the late Kelly Young. Jozie participated in PCHS Band, volleyball, and cheerleading.

Ines Lanaj was escorted by her host parents, Amie and Chris Bowser. Inez is an exchange student from Albania and participated in cheerleading.

Sophomore Harmony Gross was escorted by her mother, Rebecca Dinger. Harmony participated in volleyball and basketball.

Junior Hopelynn Ewing was escorted by Stephanie Fritzman and Shawna Warren. Hopelynn participated in volleyball, basketball, softball, and PCHS band.

Junior Ashton Wade was escorted by her parents, Crystal and Tommy Wade. Ashton participated in basketball.

Junior Patricia Wade was escorted by her parents, Brenda and Willis Wade. Patricia participated in basketball.

Junior Linsay Leek was escorted by Savannah Duncan and her daughter, Adali Anderson. Linsay participated in volleyball and basketball and intends to play softball in the spring.

Emotions were running high at Paden City High School as it was not only the last senior night in Wildcat history but also a poignant moment shared with Hundred High School, another Wetzel County School facing closure at the end of the school year.

For nearly 75 years the Wildcats and the Hundred Hornets have been fierce rivals on the court and field, yet also friends and neighbors in the community. That shared history made the night even more significant, as both schools took a moment to recognize the end of an era.

Paden City Athletic Director Stacey Yoho addressed the crowd stating, “Tonight, not only do we recognize the athletes and band of members that make up the 2024-2025 Winter Sports season, but we also want to especially honor these two schools and teams – the Wildcats and the Hornets.”

As the athletes were introduced and the final senior night festivities played out, the atmosphere was one of both nostalgia and appreciation. While the future holds change for both schools, the legacy of their rivalry and camaraderie will remain in the hearts of those who cheered, played, and supported them through the years.