Central recognizes outstanding students
Several elementary and high school students were recognized during Monday’s meeting of the Central Board of Education.
First, Central Elementary Principal Tim McCoy recognized winners of the 2nd grade math poster contest including Tyrus Alley, Charleigh Duvall, Liv McCarver, Gwyneth Hahn and Juliana Kate Newsom.
Winners of the 2nd grade math poster contest at West Elementary are recognized during Monday’s meeting of the Central Board of Education.
Next, West Elementary Assistant Principal Tracie Casey recognized conference spelling bee winners, including 4th place Brodie Rinker, 3rd place Chase Warden, 2nd place Zimri Mills and winner Brady Hughes.
Central Elementary students who placed in a conference spelling bee are recognized.
Next, High School Principal Brad Coleman recognized the high school’s students of the month, Karissa Obenauer and Logan Lewis.
Central High School’s students of the month are recognized at Monday’s meeting of the Central Board of Education. From left to right, Jace Bland, Karissa Obenauer, Logan Lewis, Ashley Wehner, Angie Pallo-Monges and Kory Schweiss.
Obenauer selected Ashley Wehner as the faculty member she wished to recognize, because “she has reassured me about my decisions throughout high school. She has been an amazing role model for the last four years and has helped shape me into who I am today.”
Lewis recognized Angie Pallo-Monges, because “throughout my high school career she has pushed me to be not only a great student, but also a better individual. Whether it be in the classroom or out in the real world she has always supported me in my endeavors.”
Coleman next introduced the Mineral Area Elks Lodge Citizen of the Month, Jace Bland, who was nominated by Kory Schweiss.
“He is a role model to so many elementary students and young people in our community,” Schwess said. “Jace is a cadet teacher at the elementary where he led a week-long lesson to motivate student to become better students and citizens.
“Elementary teachers continue to request his services for students who they feel are going down the wrong path. Elementary teachers have said that he has done a tremendous job of motivating these students and he is making a difference.”
Colonel Cadet Paige Anderson (left) and Cadet Maddie Manion are recognized for their accomplishments in the JROTC program.
Next, Coleman introduced JROTC Cadet Maddie Manion and Cadet Colonel Paige Anderson for their excellence in the JROTC program.
“Let me first explain,” Coleman said. “We do not have a JROTC program at the high school. It’s unfortunate, but the federal guidelines are that you have to have 800 students in your high school to have the program. We’re not that big, but Farmignton is and they have graciously allowed some students from Central to attend and take classes through the JROTC program.”
“Maddie and Paige both are a part of that program. Maddie earned the Air Force Sergeant’s Association Award, the Leadership Award and the Aerospace Education Foundation Academic Badge.”
Coleman said Anderson, in addition to her accomplishments in JROTC, also leads the student body in the Pledge of Allegiance every day at the high school.
“Cadet Colonel Paige Anderson was selected as Farmington’s JROTC Corps Commander for next school year,” he said. “So she’s in charge. It’s an outstanding honor. Not only was she selected by her peers at Farmington to be their commander, but she’s also earned the distinguished and prestigious American Legion Scholastic Award, the Aerospace Education Foundation Academic Badge, the Kittie Hawk Honor Society Badge and the Distinguished Air Force JROTC Cadet Badge.”
High School basketball players are recognized by the Central Board of Education. From left to right: Brent Wagner, Wade Scherffius and Holden Mayberry.
Next, high school basketball players who had achieved individual accomplishments were recognized, including Wade Scherffius, who was first team all-conference, Holden Mayberry and Brent Wagner, who were both second team all-conference.
All district selections included Scherffius, who was the district player of the year and also on the J98 Dream Team for the second year, Mayberry and Brevin McMullin.
Athletic Director Chad Bradley said Scherffius had reached 1,000 career points this season.
High School Girls Basketball Coach Josh Mapes next recognized Callie Thurston, Karissa Belfield and Caitlyn Holmes.
Distinguished High School basketball players are recognized. From left to right: Karissa Belfield, Callie Thurston and Caitlyn Holmes.
“These girls are a great group of girls,” Mapes said. “They’re the hardest-working kids I’ve had, and we’ve had some really good kids.”
Mapes said Thurston was second team all-conference, Belfield was all-district and scored over 700 points in her career and Holmes was first team all-conference, first team all-district, on the J98 Dream Team and was named second in the district overall.
Head Wrestling Coach Scott Aholt next recognized wrestlers who had distinguished themselves this year, including Garrett Smith, Joshua Countryman, Kade Willis and William Mayberry.
High School wrestlers are recognized during Monday’s meeting of the Central Board of Education. From left to right: Kade Willis, William Mayberry and Joshua Countryman. (Not pictured, Garrett Smith)
“Being a young group, they took their lumps throughout the year,” Aholt said. “They did a lot of learning but all the hard work and learning paid off at the end of the year.”
Aholt said all of the recognized wrestlers were state qualifiers, with Willis being the first Central wrestler to receive all-state honors by placing fifth in the state tournament, and was also academic all-state.
Jacob Scott is a reporter with the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3616 or at jscott@dailyjournalonline.com.
