The Write Side
May 2023 Edition
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Designer Purse Bingo Event Raises Close to $10,000 for Scholarships
Washington-Nile Local Schools recently held its annual Designer Purse Bingo event to help raise money to support the UCAN Legacy Scholarship Fund. All profits go directly to our Portsmouth West students in scholarships. This year's event raised over $9,700! Pictured to the right is Miss West Kara Carter who volunteered at the event and below are two of the many winners. The winner pictured below right is Eden Cline, a former West graduate who is now a Marshall student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Communications Disorders.
Portsmouth West High School Valedictorians Abigail and Ethan Hazelbaker and Salutatorian Emily Scaff take part in WSAZ's Best of the Class 2023 activities. Please enjoy the interview linked above and the pictures found below.
Senior Class Beat Donation Goal in Blood Drive on May 5
The Senior Class would like to thank all of those who took the time to donate blood in Friday's Blood Drive. Because of the school and community's participation, they obtained 109% of their goal, and were able to award one senior the Red Cross Scholarship!
CCP American History Tours the State Capitol Building
Mrs. Callihan's CCP American History Classes toured the Ohio State Capitol Building during "Civil War Days." Particularly interesting to the students was the David N. Murray 36 Star Flag (pictured behind students below left) and its Portsmouth connection. The students learned that David Murrary was presented this flag in recognition of converting his iron foundry, now the present site of Portsmouth Cement and Lime on Third Street, for the production of cannon balls. The flag's first official usage was flying over Capitol Squire during the repose of President Lincoln on April 29, 1865. After that, Murray and his family lent the flag to be carried in Memorial Day parades in Portsmouth, as well as for homecoming ceremonies following the Spanish-American War and World War I. When the flag passed to his daughter in 1916, it was flown for Independence Day from trees near her farmhouse. In 1925, the flag was moved to Columbus and was loaned for parades, memorials, and special events, including the inaugurations of Governor John W. Bricker, and Governor Frank Lausche at the Ohio Statehouse. The Ohio GAR (Grand Army of the Republic Civil War fraternity organization) carried in it their encampment parade in Columbus in 1934. In 1945, the flag hung in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda as a memorial for President Roosevelt.
On February 26, 2016, the flag was donated to the Ohio History Connection by David N. Murrary's great-great-granddaughter LTC. Mary K. Van Tilburg and Dr. Emmalou Van Tilburg. ~ Mrs. Callihan
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Academics
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Anderson Selected as Yeager Scholar
Congratulations to Senior Brandon Anderson who was selected as one of only eight Yeager Scholars for this year's incoming class at Marshall University. A highly lucrative opportunity, Yeager Scholars earn "full scholarships to attend Marshall, where they will experience a rigorous and supportive academic environment in the school’s Honors College, the opportunity to travel the world, and leadership and personal enrichment." Anderson will take advantage of this amazing opportunity and intends to major in Computer Science. To learn more about the 37th Class of Yeager Scholars, click here.
Scaff wins DAR Essay Contest
Senior Emily Scaff was the winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Contest. She read her essay entitled “The Importance of Good Citizenship “at a monthly meeting of the DAR District 9 at the Welcome Center.
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CCP Science Classes are Learning in Lab Experiences
Athletics & Extra-Curriculars
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MAY 12 7:30PM
MAY 13 7:30PM
MAY 14 2:00PM
Eight students to receive prestigious State Award
As a true honor, eight Portsmouth West students will be awarded the prestigious FFA State Degree at the Ohio State FFA Convention to be held on May 4-5, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. Like a high school diploma, the State FFA Degree celebrates the high school FFA Career. Awarded by the Ohio FFA, this degree is a symbol to the members of the entire state FFA association that they are a chapter leader. As a State FFA Degree recipient, they have taken their FFA involvement beyond the chapter level and have a successful Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). Completion of an SAE includes rigorous out-of-school work hours, agricultural involvement, and financial success in their selected SAE endeavor. With their State FFA Degree, they are one step away from achieving the highest degree attainable in FFA, the American FFA Degree. All of these students have qualified by fulfilling many requirements.
This year’s recipients include:
Emily Scaff, Hannah Deaver, Alayna Sites, Alyvia Sites, Carter Essman, Logan Hurst, Mason Brown, and Kamryn Spriggs. The 8 outstanding FFA Members from Portsmouth West-SCCTC FFA are pictured above (not in the order mentioned).
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The FFA motto is, “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.” ~ Mrs. Sherman
Students Attend Gaming Convention
Students attended Shawnee State University’s Gaming Convention on March 10, 2023. Sessions included Game Development Workshops, Industry Speakers, and a Game Showcase where SSU students presented their senior projects. Students were able to tour the campus including the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) that houses the gaming program as well as the Clark Planetarium. Students are pictured in the Morris University Center where the sessions were held and with the pendulum located in the ATC. ~Mrs. Sites
Deaver Signs with SSU
Senior Alexia Deaver signed her letter of intent to continue her basketball and academic career at Shawnee State University. Deaver plans to earn her Associate of Science in the Physical Therapy Assistant Program and then continue on with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at SSU.
Howell Signs with SSU
Senior Maelynn Howell also signed her letter of intent to play basketball at Shawnee State University. After being able to officially call herself a Bear this Augus, Howell will enter into the Bachelor of Science Nursing program.
Girls' Basketball Ends Historic Season
The Senators ended their historic season as Regional Runner-up, District Champion, and Conference Champions!
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Tennis Clinic
Tennis players Ethan Hazelbaker and Brandon Anderson with Coach Carolyn Callihan are working with 21 students grades 3-8 to teach the basics of tennis on the new West Tennis Courts. The event is sponsored by USTA Midwest and is held each Sunday afternoon through May 14.
Meet the Team Participants
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Seniors
Juniors
Sophomores
Freshmen
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Spring Teams
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Softball
Baseball
Tennis
Track pictures were not available at the time of the publication
Portsmouth West High School
Email: kristie.copley@westsenators.org
Website: https://www.westsenators.org/o/portsmouth-west-high-school
Location: 15332 US HWY 52 West Portsmouth, OH 45663
Phone: 740-858-1103
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePWHS