Published: May 30, 2008 09:16 pm      

McDowell County scholars, educators honored at banquet

WELCH — The stars came out to shine early on Tom’s Mountain as the McDowell County Board of Education recognized 12 teacher of the year candidates and 90 straight-A scholars at the sixth annual Scholars and Teacher of the Year Banquet held in the Mount View High School cafeteria.

“The future is ripe for all of the students here tonight,” Suzette Cook, superintendent of McDowell County Schools said at the banquet Thursday night. “Your support group — your parents, families and your teachers — are with you. There are no doors closed to you.”

The honored students in grades six through 12 maintained a straight-A average throughout the academic year. “This accomplishment represents a great achievement,” Cook said. Former superintendent, Dr. Mark A. Manchin introduced the recognition program to recognize scholars, eventually expanding it to include students with high marks. Cook returned the program to its straight-A roots and combined the Teacher of the Year program as well.

Ingrida Barker, a language arts teacher at Sandy River Middle School was named McDowell County Teacher of the Year and received the school system’s Freida J. Riley Award, named in memory of Riley, a Big Creek High School science and math teacher who inspired students including Homer Hickam, author of “Rocket Boys,” a memoir of his adolescent years in Coalwood.

“Ms. Riley inspired students just as Ingrida inspires her students,” Peggy Freeman, assistant superintendent said when she announced Barker’s selection. Barker can converse fluently in English, French, Latin and Russian and is learning Spanish, according to biographical information in the event program. Barker was the secondary education teacher of the year.

Freeman introduced Grant T. Thompson Jr., as elementary school teacher of the year. Thompson teaches fourth grade at Welch Elementary School. He is currently enrolled in the Literary Acquisition and is interested in any new technologies. Cook also recognized Deborah Eanes, a third grade teacher at Welch Elementary School who was named “2008 Outstanding Teacher of the two Virginias” by First Century Bank and the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.

Other teacher of the year candidates honored included: Nathan Calvert, Iaeger Elementary; Alvin Cline, Fall River Elementary; Kristy A. East, Anawalt Elementary; Kathleen Kirk, Bradshaw Elementary; Patricia Ann Muncy, Southside K-4; Donna White, Kimball Elementary; Victoria Belcher, Career Technical Center; Don Smith, Iaeger High School; Rebecca G. Wilson, Big Creek High School; and Heather Woods, Mount View.

Georgia West, president of the McDowell County School Board welcomed the estimated 500 teachers, scholars and guests on behalf of herself and board members Mike Calloway, Mike Mitchem, Lynda Evans and Mark Shelton. Carolyn Falin led the “Pledge of Allegiance,” the Reverend Andrew Montgomery gave the invocation, Diane A. Straley provided music. Cook recognized Dianna G. Parks and the banquet committee for the “monumental undertaking” of putting the banquet on.

— Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com