Submitted photo St. Agnes Knights of Columbus Shepherdstown Council members stand behind the Board of Education.

The Jefferson County Board of Education (BOE) recognized five community members, five students and two staff members who have demonstrated excellence and made contributions to the county’s schools during the board meeting on Monday, Nov. 28. The BOE presented each with a certificate of honorable achievement.

Five members of the St. Agnes Knights of Columbus Shepherdstown Council 13887 were recognized for being an asset to the community for many years. Since 2006, the organization has given over $13,000 to Jefferson County Schools for students with autism. Their most recent donation was $1,101.75 to support the program. Members present were Bill Gray, Stan Nelson, Gene Falck, Bob Rizzo and Victor Haburchak.

Rebecca Morgan, a student actively involved in the Jefferson County Work Exploration Program, was recognized for her recent accomplishment as one of six statewide recipients of a “Yes I Can” award sponsored by the Council for Exceptional Children. Morgan won in the category of extracurricular activities. The award was presented at the West Virginia Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference in Roanoke, West Virginia on Nov. 1.

Three Jefferson High School students were recognized for their acceptance in the NAfME All-National Honor Concert Ensembles. Ryan Cole, a trombone player, was part of the All-National Symphony Orchestra; Ian Livingston, a trumpet player participated in the All-National Jazz Ensemble and Ally Ward, a tuba player, participated in the All-National Concert Band. The students traveled to Grapevine, Texas, in late October to rehearse and perform with hundreds of other exceptional young musicians from across the nation. The gala concert was held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Conference Center on

Nov. 13.

Shelby Kuhn, a freshman from Washington High School, was recognized for her acceptance into an honors choir program. Over 18,000 nominations were received from across the country and even internationally, of that number, only 750 students were selected. She will travel to New York City for an intensive music study program that will be held over five days. The final performance will be held at Carnegie Hall.

Jefferson County Schools recognize a professional staff person and a serviceperson each month as a Spirit of Jefferson award winner. These nominations are fueled by colleagues, parents and other members of the community.

Charity Marstiller, agriculture teacher at Jefferson High, was this month’s professional nominee and Brian Higgs, custodian at Jefferson High, was selected as the serviceperson nominee. Marstiller and Higgs were presented with certificates of appreciation, as well as a $100 check. Checks are provided each month by an anonymous donor.

The next BOE recognition meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at 110 Mordington Avenue in Charles Town.