By Stephen Smoot
School systems have a yearly rhythm all their own that follows a cycle of renewal every year. In early August, teachers, staff, and administrators ready themselves, their facilities, and their colleagues for the coming year. Student-athletes report to team practices. Parents buy last minute school supplies and back-to-school outfits.
The school year thus begins.
Over nine months, the school year matures. Each school, each class, takes on a unique identity that reflects what teachers, students, staff, and administrators add to it. Come May, the year winds down, the final sports teams’ performances are set in place. Graduation sends off the seniors to the rest of their lives.
Then comes the annual end-of-year banquet, the last event as the school year has closed, facilities lie dormant, and all await the coming of next year.
J. D. Wilkins, president of the Pendleton County Board of Education, as he conceived of the 2025 end of year banquet, articulated his focus in his introduction, saying, “Tonight we celebrate problem solvers.”
Wilkins introduced Chelsey Simmons of Pendleton Community Bank, thanking that institution for its sponsorship of the food and awards. She stated that “being a teacher is not an easy job” and added “thank you for giving these kids these memories.”
Attendees then sat down to a well-made meal from Buffalo Snow Catering. They provided smothered chicken and gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, fresh made rolls, and homemade desserts.
Ryan Lambert took to the podium first to honor the service person and teacher of the year for Brandywine Elementary School, which he leads as principal. He first spoke of the service person of the year, Connie Hedrick, sharing that “it speaks volumes that our staff think so highly of her.”
He spoke of the pride that she takes in doing a job completely and thoroughly, adding that “one of my favorite things is, I’ve never heard her say ‘that’s not my job.'” Furthermore, he told of how before each special event, she doesn’t wait to be told, but asks administration what she needs to do to help make it a complete success.
Hedrick’s story, like those of all honored that evening, reflects how they put themselves in position, as Wilkins continued to illustrate, to solve problems.
Finally, Lambert shared a regular maxim of Hedrick’s, that “when you come to the front of the school building, that tells you what the school inside is like.” He did not need to add that she applies that philosophy to keeping the exterior of the school in top condition.
Lambert next honored the BES Teacher of the Year, Joey Eason. Eason also earned designation as Pendleton County Teacher of the Year. The principal shared that Eason, who serves as faculty senate president, “comes to work every day with one objective, building meaningful relationships with students while maintaining high expectations.”
Later, Charles Hedrick, Pendleton County Schools superintendent, shared that he had gone to Eason’s classroom many times and praised “his ability to engage students. They want to learn.”
Lori Moore, principal of Franklin Elementary School, came forward next. She named Sherry Howard as service person of the year there. Howard serves as an educational aide in the pre-kindergarten class. Moore told those in attendance about how Howard stepped in during the long-term absence of the classroom teacher. Her support of substitute teachers called in for that class ensured continuity of instruction.
“I knew these kids would be taken care of,” remarked Moore. “I knew they would be loved.”
Moore then announced that Michelle Sites had earned teacher of the year for the school. She called her prized instructor “a unicorn. She’s so rare. She’s so spectacular.” Then added, “Our gifted students are blessed to have you.”
Leslie Bowers presented for North Fork Elementary in the absence of Lisa Roberson. She celebrated Amanda Morgan, who earned their service person of the year honor. Bowers called her “a bright light in the school,” describing her as “calm, cheerful, and ready to serve.”
Morgan’s “genuine caring for our students is something we see every day,” noted Bowers.
Nicole Hevener later shared that Morgan had earned Pendleton County Service Person of the Year as well, saying she is “always quick to offer any help” and, without prompting or direction “seeks ways to help both NFES and the Middle/High School.”
Angie Cooper earned NFES teacher of the year for her “passion, dedication, and caring for the students” that “shines through in everything she does.” Devotion to students and school extends well beyond the classroom. Cooper also organizes the annual Veterans’ Day assembly, the “highly anticipated rewards trip,” and so much else.
Hevener, the once principal of Pendleton County Middle/High School and future Pendleton County Schools superintendent, had taken her oath of office during a short meeting earlier that afternoon. She spoke to recognize Pat Alt as service person of the year.
“Her sense of humor is a bright spot in any situation,” she said of Alt, adding that, “our school district is better because of her.”
Of Hayley Craig, PCMHS teacher of the year, Hevener explained that she “brings excellent and relevant insights.” Craig, who volunteers with the Friends of the Library, also “loves her students and social studies.”
“Hayley, we appreciate all that you do,” finished Hevener.
Chuck Miller earned maintenance and transportation person of the year. Jerrica Stingo made the announcement and shared that “he’s just one of those people who do what needs to be done” and “doesn’t look for recognition.”
Stingo described how Miller, who drives a school bus, will go out in the middle of the night during inclement weather to check different routes and report on conditions.
“He’s dedicated. He’s thoughtful. He’s a kind and generous person,” said Stingo.
Hedrick came to the fore of the room next and named the central office service person of the year, Lisa Jamison, saying, “She’s one of those people who does so much. She’s kept me straight for the past nine years.”
“She’s one of those exceptional individuals in the county who goes above and beyond,” Hedrick added.
Retirees took the spotlight next. First, Moore recognized Sheila Evick and her 23 years of service to Pendleton County Schools, who has “always been kind, always advocates for her students,” and “is an absolute joy.”
Christina Bowers, who gave Pendleton County Schools seven years of service, was introduced by Hevener. This “people oriented person,” Hevener said, “without a doubt . . . is going to be missed.”
Stingo recognized the 26 years of service given by Charlotte Hoover, saying that the school bus driver was “a familiar face and a safe space for generations of students,” but “not afraid to speak her mind.”
Hedrick then recognized another outstanding 26-year employee of Pendleton County Schools, Malynda Kopp. He spoke of her “sunny disposition” and that “it means a lot to the county to have people like that” serving the school system.
Then Wilkins introduced the final retiree, an employee who until his last day on June 30, will remain the longest tenured person in the service of the school system. That man was Hedrick himself.
Wilkins shared that the theme of problem solvers that he adapted for the evening describes everyone that the school system honored that evening, but Hedrick faced “some of the hardest problems we’ve had.”
Hedrick’s leadership as principal helped to establish Pendleton County Middle/High School after the bitterly divisive fight over consolidation of Franklin and Circleville high schools. As superintendent, he captained the ship through the fog and shoals of the COVID pandemic.
As he closes out his career of service, Hedrick leaves Pendleton County Schools well on the right side of the balance sheet financially with rising metrics in academic achievement and attendance.
Wilkins listed his accomplishments, then said he is “truly gifted in a way very few people are” in that he masters both the big picture and fine details when approaching a problem requiring a solution.
Sonny O’Neil, long time board member, then rose to say that as other county school systems found themselves going the wrong direction in recent years, “we’re a shining light in the state for how we’ve handed our money,” adding that “he’s always been there” to provide “great support.”
Hedrick then rose to remind all that “nobody does anything great alone” and praised the “very supportive” board, adding “we’ve accomplished a lot together.”
The final accomplishment of the evening came to Brandywine Elementary School, winner of what Travis Heavner called “the Ivan ‘Sonny’ O’Neil Cup” awarded to the school with the best attendance percentage. “We really strived to improve attendance in the county,” Heavner said.
BES earned an attendance percentage of 94.639 percent.
Wilkins then gave the closing words, praising those who helped to bring success, saying, “It’s the parents. It’s everyone in the school system. It’s the students” who together made the 2024-25 school year both meaningful and memorable.
