HANNAN WELLNESS

New wellness center at HHS receives donations


by Delyssa Huffman, Point Pleasant Register

03.04.10 - 10:24 pm

ASHTON — Hannan Junior/Senior High School is continuing to expand and offer more for its students, including the recent addition of an athletic facility that will serve not only students, staff and faculty, but also the local community. Pleasant Valley Hospital donated $9,000 worth of fitness equipment to the new facility.

“During our renovation project, we decided to donate equipment that was still in excellent condition to a local school,” said Amy Leach, PVH director of marketing and public relations. “And Hannan was the school we chose.”

Leach added that the PVH-HealthCare of Gallipolis Ferry is just another way in which the hospital strives to give back to the community.

“We want to help out and give back to a community that is so loyal to us,” Leach said.

She continued to say that Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High School also received a leg press. Wahama Junior/Senior High School looked at the equipment, but did not need any of the items.

Reportedly, the 12 pieces of equipment were greatly appreciated by everyone at HHS. American Electric Power-River Operations, also have donated three pieces of fitness equipment, including a NordicTrack.

Amy Kammer, vice principal at HHS, has been instrumental in making the facility more available to the community. She is currently looking into grants that can help fund after school and weekend availability.

“We are not only benefiting the students, but hopefully, the community as well,” Kammer said.

Brian Booth, a faculty member, said all of the students and faculty are excited about the fitness center.
“We really appreciate what Pleasant Valley Hospital and AEP has done for us,” Booth said. “I see students striving to be a better Wildcat and in years to come, the fitness center will be a great recruiting tool for Hannan.”
According to Leach, because of the dedication of the staff and faculty at HHS, more things are being accomplished.

“You are hearing more and more about Hannan High School because of what the faculty is doing for their students,” Leach said. “They have a very professional staff.”

Hannan principal Karen Oldham said that since the opening of the facility with its new equipment two days ago, students have been pouring through the doors.

“We have 240 students enrolled here (Hannan),” Oldham said. “And for the first two evenings, we had 40 plus students utilizing the fitness center.”

During after-school hours, the athletic facility is open to sports teams and coaches. However, it also has been open in the early morning hours.

Oldham said that even the cooks at the school enjoy an early morning workout before their work day starts.

“The bottom line is that we are benefiting our students,” Kammer said.

Oldham agreed, stating that ‘academics is a stronghold that we are continuing to improve, but we also are focused on the students’ physical and emotional well-being.”
Jason Shain of Shain’s Custom Signs based out of Racine, Ohio, also will be providing the school with a huge wildcat sign to be placed on the outside of the fitness center.

The improvements and upgrades don’t stop with the fitness center. Hannan also is receiving support from delegates such as Mike Hall and Patti Schoen.

According to Oldham, the delegates are committed to helping improve the junior/senior high school, both inside and out.

The excited principal named off many updates that are in plan to take place including a new outside basketball court with an interchangeable tennis net, an outdoor trail around the school’s pond, and possibly a track.

“Wayne Richardson, our head coach for basketball, deserves recognition,” Oldham said. “He has been wonderful at getting our grants started for our sports department.”

Schoen’s plans include providing each classroom at HHS with additional laptops for the students’ needs. This would take at $15,000-$20,000 grant.