In addition to being recognized by the Matewan Middle School student body during an assembly, the high achievers were treated to a ride in a stretch limousine to a pizza lunch and visit to the Southside Mall.

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Julia Roberts Goad

Staff Writer

MATEWAN - Students at Matewan Middle School were recently honored for their achievement on the WESTEST, a custom-designed assessment for West Virginia students.

The test measures a student’s levels of performance on clearly defined standards and objectives and skills. Student scores are based on test questions that have been developed and aligned to the West Virginia 21st Century objectives.

The students scored on the 90th percentile of West Virginia students, Principal Shannon Blackburn said.

“We are really proud of our students,” he said at an assembly to acknowledge the students.

Sen. H. Truman Chafin was on hand to offer congratulations and advice.

“Set yourself goals, and make them public,” Chafin said. “Write them down and put them on your refrigerator. Having people know your goals will make them easier to attain. And if people tell you that you can do it, then hit the delete button on that negativity.”

Chafin said he taught for two years at Red Jacket, and realizes how important teachers are to students’ success. He said he used the newspaper to help them learn to read and take interest in current events.

In addition to being recognized by the MMS student body at the assembly, the high achievers were treated to a ride in a stretch limousine to a pizza lunch and visit to the Southside Mall.

The students honored were:

Fifth Grade: Shaylee Collins, Kaylon Duty, Chadra Hardin, Kaeli Hatfield, Haley Murphy, Dylan Mullins, James Vance and Andrew Wolford; Sixth Grade: Seth Jude, Vincent Reprogel and Telena Steele; Seventh Grade: Derek Duty, A.J. Church and Randy Jones; Eighth Grade: Shawna Hackney and Hayley Mounts.