BY DANNA BARNETT
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County Board of Education convened in celebration March 13 with a lengthy list of staff and student spotlights on the agenda.
Hot off the heels of a 15th Region boys basketball championship, the BOE took the opportunity to recognize some of its major players on and off the court.
FRYSC staff
Superintendent Larry James began by recognizing Family Resource Youth Service Center staff at each county school.
“These ladies all work extremely hard for our kids and community,” James said. “We just want to show a token of our appreciation.”
James presented certificates from the BOE to Kara Beth Marcum, Melissa Mccoy and Jodi Hall of Martin County High School; Andrea Muncy of Inez Elementary School; Amanda Stepp of Warfield Elementary School; Marlena Slone and Alisha Preece of Eden Elementary School; and Jennifer Alley of Martin County Middle School.
Guidance Counselor Appreciation
February was Guidance Counselor Appreciation Month, so the BOE recognized guidance counselors from each of the district’s schools. Martin County High School guidance counselors Krystal Wright and Kimberly Dials were recognized, along with Pete Greene and Jennifer Mccoy at Martin County Middle School, Lora Hale at Eden Elementary School, Susan Whitt at Inez Elementary School and Jeanine Raines at Warfield Elementary School.
Head Start
The board recognized Martin County Head Start teachers Michelle Chapman and Sheila Lemaster for being rated top 20 in the region for outstanding service.
Beta Club
Three Martin County High School Beta Club students received recognition for their “outstanding performance” at the Kentucky Beta Convention in January. Bradley Goble won third place in Performing Arts Solo, Wesley Rosensteel won fourth in WoodWorking for building a chess set, and Alexis Hale finished fifth in Beta Spelling Competition. The three will advance to the national competition this summer.
Goble accepted his certificate from James and drew applause after he performed “He Walked on Water” by Randy Travis for the BOE.
As Rosensteel accepted his certificate, James asked if he could beat his mom and dad playing chess.
“I could probably beat my mom, and I have beat my dad,” Rosensteel said.
James handed Hale her certificate and joked, “I thought about putting you on the spot and asking you to spell a really hard word.”
MCHS wrestling
The board recognized the Martin County High School wrestling team and coach Josh Muncy.
This season, the team won their seventh consecutive sectional duals championship, was the regional runner-up for the second year in a row and made it to the state duals semifinals, where they finished fourth overall.
According to Muncy, there were two rounds to the state wrestling tournament this year, a format adopted since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Martin County had eight state qualifiers in the first round and two who made it to the final round.
“Awesome job,” said James.
Martin County wrestling team members include Weston Jude, Parker Maynard, Jeremy Mollette, Jeremy Bentley, Brock Messer, Lafe Price, Chase Stacy, Caleb Costa, Madden Miller, Damien Cheek, Nick Harless, Julian Stafford, Jake Stafford, Braxton Smith, George Lemaster, Mikey Reynolds, Ryan Smith and Payton Massey.
MCHS girls basketball
The Martin County High School girls basketball team was recognized for a successful season.
“They had a heck of a season,” said James.
Coach Robin Harmon-Newsome could not attend the board meeting but sent word that she was proud of her team.
Assistant coaches Alison Scott and Boo Newsome accepted certificates on behalf of Harmon-Newsome, assistant coach Jason Wefenstette and themselves.
Scott spoke highly of her team that won the Smokey Mountain Classic, 57th District championship, and 57th District Conference championship and was runner-up in the Daytona Sunshine Classic.
“You really can’t find a harder working group of girls,” Scott said. “We’re so proud of them and all the things that they’ve accomplished this year.”
The board went on to recognize the full roster of the Lady Cards: Alyssa Allen, Desiree Gullett, Sophie Harless, Brooklyn Marcum, Katie Marcum, Chloe May, Alyssa Maynard, Sophia McCoy, Hallie Mills, Kennadi Mollett, Angelina Moore, Caylee Moore, Chloe Moore, Bella Muncy, Aaliyah Scott, Jane Smith, Candace Spaulding, Tessa Thompson, Laken Williams, Tamara Workman and Bella Robinson.
MCHS boys basketball
Martin County boys basketball team was recognized for being the 57th District champion, 15th Region All-A champion for the first time ever, and 15th Region champion.
Coach JJ James was on hand to accept a certificate from the BOE.
“Coming into the year we thought we were going to be pretty good,” JJ James said. “We thought we would have a really good chance to defend the district. Didn’t know we would be able to win All-A and the region again. Early in the year when we got on that win streak I knew we would have a chance. Most of those kids have grown up together, played their whole life together and are close on and off the court. They play really well together.”
Superintendent James expressed his gratitude for the community’s support of the basketball team.
The coach agreed. “It’s been unbelievable. I never dreamed they would come out like they have.”
The BOE honored assistant coaches Jaryd Crum, Joshua Penix, Phillip Harris, Wesley Hager, Mike Dingess and bookkeeper Elbert Osborne.
The board concluded the staff and student spotlight by highlighting the boys team: Matt Linville (the only senior), Luke Hill, Brayden McKenzie, Dray Duff, Peyton Davis, Jacob Sturgell, Blake Maynard, Devan Maynard, Ethan Ferrell, Brayden Estep, Bryson Dials, Eli Mills, BJ Parsley, Jerrod Haney, Connor Dials, Braxton Maynard, Jaxson Miller, Alan Moore, Hayden Mann, Connor May, Devin Stepp, Tanner Jennings, Brayden Chapman and Zander Lackey.