By Stephen Smoot
For the concluding meeting of the year 2025, the Hardy County Board of Education invited a number of presenters to share information and updates. Prior to that, Superintendent Sheena Van Meter delivered the customary invocation, praying that “we ask for wisdom and discernment” and “ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Board President Dixie Bean then stated “everyone, welcome!” and the presentations opened in the meeting venue, this week held in the Moorefield High School library.
First came students from the hospitality and tourism program, one of the career and technical education simulated workplace programs. Simulated workplace treats students as “on the job” rather than taking a class, helping to build both hard workplace knowledge and “soft” communication and other interpersonal relationship skills.
Not only did they come to describe the benefits of their program, but also providing refreshments for all in attendance. Recognized were Annie Barth, FCLA club president, Lexi Van Meter, first vice president, and vice president of community service, Brooklyn Saville.
The next to present before the Board brought the gift of music along with them. Of course, the Moorefield High School choir has experience with performing at peak levels for distinguished audiences. Despite the informal setting, they sang Christmas favorites, such as Silent Night and Little Drummer Boy, with beautiful harmonies.
After the musical presentation came a demonstration from the Moorefield High School JackBots squad. Composed of middle and high schoolers at different levels, with only a few years of experience have emerged as powers in multi-state competition. In a recent qualifying match in Richmond, Virginia, they lost to the eventual winner of the event.
That said, the team earned a second place “Inspire Award.” Moorefield’s team’s performance and conduct in all areas “fully exemplified the meaning of FIRST,” the organization that sponsored the event.
Each team member present then explained different aspects of the team and competition, but also shared what participation meant to them. One team member stated that the experience “taught me how to speak in front of people. I don’t like to talk in front of people, but robotics helped me to over come that.”
Board members then received an update on benchmark scoring. One element drew attention in discussion, the opening examinations to determine how much each student knew of the year’s material in a subject prior to starting to learn it. One Board member inquired about the low score numbers, but it was explained that since students had not learned that part of the curriculum yet that they should be.
That said, in some areas, overall scores had risen from one year to the next.
