Spruce Knob Astronomy Club.
This is the first part of a two-part story highlighting all the activities happening on the TCHS campus this year. Part 2 of the series will appear in the Oct. 30 issue of Tyler Star News.
Tyler Consolidated High School is off to a great start for the 2024-25 academic and athletic year. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Principal Paden Morris, who is in his fourth year at the helm of this high school. I asked him to share some of the unusual opportunities available to TCHS students. Padden said 91 percent of the 368 total students enrolled participate in some activity offered by the school. Mr. Morris went on to praise the outstanding staff of teachers and coaches who have exceeded expectations to ensure that all students have extracurricular opportunities under the school’s supervision while attending TCHS.
Principal Morris began with a review of Homecoming week. Traditionally, this day is always an exciting time for students, starting with a pep rally and powder puff football, followed by a competitive class homecoming banner contest. This year is no exception, “Enchanted Knights” As a result, the freshman class placed 4th, the junior class placed 3rd, and the sophomore class placed 2nd. 1st place was won by a senior. The action-packed week ended with the Knights’ victory over Magnolia and Miss Eva Mongold being named the 2024 Homecoming Queen.
Other exciting events that put TCHS students in the winner’s circle included the golf team qualifying for the state tournament and the TCHS Knights Marching Band winning grand championship at Ripley’s Viking Fest. Morris went on to talk about how the boys soccer team played in the LKC championship game against Braxton County at St. Mary’s, but fell just short by a score of 2-1. They are now setting their sights on sectoral action.
In addition, three senior band members reported to the school board on their accomplishments so far this year and the events they plan to participate in in the coming weeks.
In other music news, Rodney Marcellus and Big Brass came to the school and performed for the students. Later that same day, they took advantage of the new state-of-the-art auditorium to perform for the community. This event was held in collaboration with ArtsLink, who graciously hosted the performance.
A group of students recently visited the Beckley Exhibit Coal Mine on a tour, which was a unique opportunity while the Astronomy Club visited Spruce Knob and Blackwater Falls. Members of the astrology club brought their own telescopes and took great close-up photos of the moon.
On Sunday, October 13th, the school hosted the FFA Ox Roast. FFA continues to compete, resulting in members qualifying for state competitions with large tractors and zero-turn mowers. Mrs. Stallings traveled to Charleston to recognize the school as a champion of college access and success, where it was presented with a banner and plaque. This is the third consecutive year that we have received this honor.
In other sports news, volleyball is having a great year at 19-4 and is gearing up for the LKC tournament and section play. The Silver Knights football team is off to a 5-2 start with a shot at making the postseason. Winter sports are just around the corner and these teams are gearing up to compete in high numbers to make the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Wrestling is in pre-season, with 17 boys and 15 girls, the highest number ever.
The school has two heavy equipment simulators for training purposes. What is unique about the simulator is that both pieces of equipment can run on the same job and work together. Seat time in the simulator allows students to earn OHSA certification. They receive a certificate for every task they complete. Once you graduate from high school and get a job, there may be other requirements, but the experience you gain at TCHS will be very helpful to employers.
The business program is also off to a great start under the direction of Amy Yost. Castle Coffee Program provides staff with a variety of coffees and manages accounting. It’s run like a real business. Coffee will also be sold at home soccer games. With state-of-the-art embroidery machines, students have begun taking orders for T-shirts and are printing the shirts in-house. All of these products will be sold at the school’s store, located within the new gymnasium expansion. All programs within the school are displayed and available for printing. The business program offers a variety of coursework, including business and marketing, business law and ethics, and yearbook.
It was an exciting start to the new school year. Students are actively involved and take their responsibilities seriously. There’s a lot of activity within the walls of Tyler Consolidated High School.
Please stop by next week. The second half of this article will be featured in the October 30 issue of Star News.
