Wildcats leap into future: HHS makes improvements, additions

Point Pleasant Register
by Delyssa Huffman

11.25.09 - 12:57 am

ASHTON — Located in the hills of Ashton sits a school that is taking leaps and making pawprints for the future of its students.

Hannan High School has recently added to the spirit of the junior senior high school with the completion of the “Wildcats Den,” a new and improved courtyard and a school incentive program.

According to HHS principal Dr. Karen Oldham, the students at Hannan are enjoying what is now being offered to them.

“We have a great group of kids out here who are coming together in a collaborative effort to improve the atmosphere,” Dr. Oldham said.

One of the biggest additions is the school store, “Wildcats Den.” that, in its first day, brought in more than $300. The store is operated by students including Chris Mullins and Brandon Benson who are in the work program at the school.

Brian Booth, life-skills educator, and Frankie Hudnall, community work-based educator, work with the students in the program and understand how important this project is to Mullins, Benson and the other students.

“This is a great opportunity for kids that need life skills,” Booth said. “Not only are they a part of something bigger than themselves, but they are increasing their self-esteem and it has truly been amazing to see the students come to school early just to set up the store and get ready for the day.”

Booth said this creates a great link between all the students in the school.

Dr. Oldham is pleased with the results the store has shown thus far and said that the students at Hannan have a “big, tender heart” when it comes to working with the students that are in charge of running the store.

The “Wildcats Den” was named by the students and it carries everything from pens and pencils to apparel, including hoodies and beanies, and is located adjacent to the cafeteria. The store is open in the morning during breakfast and also during “grab and go.” Not only do the students and teachers shop at the store for their Wildcat items, but parents have also taken part in supporting the school.

“The store has been a great asset to the school,” Hudnall said. “Mr. Booth and his students have done a great job and I hope to see it expand throughout the school year.”

Not only do Hannan students now have their very own store to shop at, but they also have their very own courtyard in which to enjoy outdoor classes or lunch.

Several of Mr. Booth’s students in the life-skills program have come together with the Vocational-Agriculture (Vo-Ag) Department and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) to provide a great atmosphere for learning and socializing.
Jenna Meeks, a Vo-Ag teacher and FFA leader, described the construction project as being good for the kids.

“It’s a great experience for the kids to get out and be involved in a unique opportunity,” Meeks said.
Brian Chapman and Carl Mullins are two students who worked to set up the picnic tables that fill the area and assisted in laying the gravel in the space.
“It was fun to be involved,” Mullins said.
The courtyard, according to Mr. Hudnall, took about two weeks to complete. Before it was just an empty space in the middle of the high school, now it has turned into a relaxing and unique part of HHS.

“The kids took much pride in this project,” Hudnall said, “and it is great for them to see what they have accomplished in a school setting.”

Several groups are already looking forward to working on community service projects with the courtyard and Dr. Oldham is excited about the partnerships that are already forming between the community and high school.

Denita Shaw, a teacher at HHS and a 4-H volunteer, said the Go-Getter’s 4-H Club will take part in a project to bring color to the area by adding planters throughout the courtyard.

With all of the Wildcat spirit circulating throughout the school, a new school incentive program is now providing nearly half of all of the students great opportunities outside of the classroom.

On Dec. 10, 2009, 110 students out of the 230 enrolled at HHS will take a trip to the Charleston Civic Center to enjoy a showing of Scrooge.

Students are selected to participate in the program based on three “A’s:” attendance, attitude and academics. To qualify, a student must have no more than five absences, display great behavior and have a grade point average of 3.0 or better.

“I am so thrilled to be taking nearly half of the school on this trip. It really gives the students something to strive for,” Dr. Oldham said.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT - Brandon Benson - Hannan High School

Point Pleasant Register
by Delyssa Huffman

11.25.09 - 10:58 pm

ASHTON — Mr. Wildcat at Hannan High School is not only considered royalty at the school, but he is a truly, spectacular senior.

Brandon Benson, 18, is an individual with Down syndrome who has been mainstreamed in public schools throughout his years of education. He is your average teenager who enjoys sports, especially the Thundering Herd, four-wheeler riding and being with friends.



From Ashton Elementary to HHS, Benson has progressed step-for-step, right alongside his classmates.

His mother, Linda, gives much credit to her son’s educators.

“The teachers need recognition because they were there in the classroom, helping other kids understand Brandon’s situation,” Linda Benson said.

She currently assists Benson at Hannan and said that the school has been “wonderful and caring.”
Benson has two teachers that he really considers special to him, Andrea Henderson and Brian Booth.
“Mr. Booth really has a heart for kids,” Linda said.

Benson knows Booth through the work program at HHS that allows him and other special needs students to obtain life skills needed in society. This program has grown at the high school and now Benson is even involved in working at the “Wildcats Den” school store.

In the classroom, Brandon learns with his peers and receives additional attention from the special education teachers. Linda said that her son can learn anything and Brandon added that he “likes school a lot.”

Many of Benson’s friends have been with him since grade school and, according to his mother, they have always looked out for him.

Benson said some of his best friends are Larry, Curtis, Chris and Carl. He is also really good friends with Amanda Neal, Marla Nowlin, Kendra Plants and Brittney Jenkins.

Along with this group of friends, Benson has made many buddies through Special Olympics.
Benson is highly active at the Olympics and participates in all events including basketball and softball. He is also an excellent bowler, placing second and fourth at a Special Olympics tournament in Parkersburg.

In other community activities, this 18-year old is involved in the Go-Getter’s 4-H Club and he enjoyed his last year with the Special Lamb Project. His lamb’s name was “Jumper.” He is also in Boy Scout Troop #88.

Benson is involved in the annual State Buddy Walk held in Charleston every October. He enjoys going there with his friends and walking to show his support for those he knows with Down syndrome. Benson also supports the Autism Walk and all special needs children.

His mom described him as being “happy all of the time” and anyone who sees his contagious smile would know just how blessed he has been.

Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring birth defect, affecting one in every nine hundred children. Along with the common physical characteristics, individuals with Down syndrome often have heart complications and difficulties with hearing and speech along with other health-related issues. But, as in Benson’s case, individuals with Down syndrome can lead successful, productive and happy lives.

Linda said that it has been hard at times, especially when her son can’t tell her what is wrong. But with the support from friends, family, teachers and the entire education system, she is proud that her son has received a great education.

As for hobbies, Benson enjoys listening to country music and listening to his dad play the harmonica. He also likes taking trips to the beach and playing with his dog, Old Yeller.

Benson will graduate with his classmates in spring 2010 and said that he is looking forward to going to prom. He also thanks his classmates for voting him Mr. Wildcat, of which he is very proud. His future plans are to become employed at Green Acres in Lesage.

ALL STATE VOLLEYBALL

Brenda Bowman wanted to pass some "good news" along, another success at Hannan. For the third year in a row Hannan has had an all-state volleyball player chosen. This year is Jennifer Swan 2nd T...eam All-State ( top 20 in the state according to the WVSWA and WV Coaches). Thanks!

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.wvgazette.com%252F200911230935&h=ebbceb52626a83fcce7b81f47d4e72c2&ref=mf

UPGRADES. IMPROVEMENTS & DETOURS

COURTYARD

We finally are getting to use the courtyard after 3, almost 4 years.

Before the upgrade it was just an area that grew grass and was a pain to maintain. (every pun intended)

Now, after a little help from our friends and a lot of help from some students the Courtyard can now be used.  It has gravel with four new picnic tables and two new trees.

Students will be able to enjoy  fresh   air with their lunches when weather permits.

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Front Benches

Another upgrade on campus has been the addition of the benches in front of our school.

This allows someplace for the students to sit while waiting to be picked up.

The benches are Wildcat Blue and are very attractive at the school entrance.

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Press Box

Late spring, last school year, a storm swept through the community. With high-winds and heavy rains, the raging storm blew our press-box to pieces.

Community and parent volunteers have been working tirelessly to rebuilt a Press Box.

Though the project was not completed before the end of the season, there was enough completed to allow the game to be announced from the top of the structure.

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Over the bridge and through the woods

The road to Hannan High has been a rough one this year.

After a culvert collapsed, a portion of Ashton Upland Road was closed and all traffic was re-routed.

Anyone traveling to Hannan this school year has been unable to take the main road and must use an access bridge  installed beside of where the old one used to stand.

Locals are still awaiting the arrival of the new bridge and wondering if it will ever get finished.

PAW PRINT - Homecoming

Some advocate 8-man football - Prep Sports - Charleston Daily Mail - West Virginia News and Sports -

Some advocate 8-man football - Prep Sports - Charleston Daily Mail - West Virginia News and Sports -: "That's true for Class AAA and even Class AA schools. But for some schools, like Hannan High in Mason County, the sidelines are sparse.
'The numbers game is always going to be a disadvantage for us,' said Dave Barr, head football coach at Hannan, where enrollment totals less than 150 for grades nine through 12.
The Hannan Wildcats, who stand at 0-9, have played most of this football season with just 13 or 14 players on the entire team.
'It makes practice really difficult because there have been weeks when I didn't have anybody to line up across from,' Barr said.
Barr and several other coaches around West Virginia say there's a simple solution for small schools like Hannan: eight-man football.
Eight-man football is fairly common in rural areas of more than a dozen states, mostly west of the Mississippi River. It's typically played at high schools where small enrollment makes fielding a full team for traditional 11-man football a challenge.
Officials with the state chapter of the National Football Foundation think the concept could work well in areas of the Mountain State and are asking the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission to consider it."