The Jefferson County Board of Education (BOE) recognized 32 students and three staff members who have demonstrated excellence and made contributions to the county’s schools during the board meeting on Monday, Oct. 24. The BOE presented each with a certificate of honorable achievement.

Shepherdstown Middle School teacher, Marianne Tomasic was recognized for her recent graduation from the National Writing Project. This professional development program serves teachers across all disciplines and levels. Its primary function is to develop resources that generate research that advances the teaching of writing and learning in local schools and communities.

Jefferson High School student and Shepherdstown Middle School alumni, Juluan Plaza, spearheaded a project that provided a new basketball court at Shepherdstown Middle School. Plaza is an Eagle Scout who donated his time to work with community businesses that donated materials to move the project from conception to completion.

Jefferson High School FFA students that participated in Career Development Events were recognized for their accomplishments. The primary goal of career development is to develop individual responsibilities, foster teamwork and promote communication while recognizing the value of ethical competition and individual achievement.

These students included: Kristian Davis, Zach Svehla, Eddie Cox, Caroline Hayden, Emily Foote, Nick Chapman, Avery Younis, H.R. Hipp, David Bagent, Cara Anderson and Cassie Hargis.

Three Jefferson High School students were recognized as National Merit Scholar Semifinalists. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. This past September Zapporah Ellis, Andrew Spiker and Avery Younis were notified they qualified as Semifinalists due to their high scores.

The Jefferson High School ROTC program recognized a total of 19 students that participated in the United Way Day of Caring at South Jefferson Elementary School and for their participation in the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Independent Fire Company.

Students honored were Danny Carroll, Mariah Daffron, Kassidy Daum, Cole Devine, Kellie Fisher, Ethan Gottlieb, Marie Gray, Marianna Haugh, Michael Henriquez, Ricky Henriquez, Ben LeBlanc, Orien Lloyd, Keegan Marken, Andrew Panzarella, Taylor Pittman, Julian Pattoray, Sam Romero, Kaylin Stickman and Michelle Wunder.

Jefferson County Schools recognize a professional staff person and a serviceperson each month as a locally newspaper sponsored award winner. These nominations are fueled by colleagues, parents and other members of the community. Sara Lueck, media specialist at Jefferson High, was this month’s professional nominee and Amy Stiles, secretary at Wright Denny Intermediate, was selected as the serviceperson nominee. Lueck and Stiles were presented with certificates of appreciation, as well as a $100 check. Checks are provided each month by an anonymous donor.

The next BOE meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 28 at 110 Mordington Avenue in Charles Town.