Angelica Ramos
Contributing Writer
MONTGOMERY COUNTY- Student representatives from Eastern Montgomery High School and Christiansburg High School recently updated the school board on the goings on before and after the winter break.
Two of the Student Representatives for the Montgomery County Public Schools School Board highlighted some wonderful things during the first school board meeting of the new year. Aija McHone (EMHS) and Disha Talajia (CHS), started by reading the MCPS Beliefs and then giving their reports.
McHone started her report by stating that regarding SOL’s, Eastern Montgomery High School students had a successful 90% passing rate for science and a 100% passing rate for math for the first semester.
“Before our SOL testing,” McHone said, “we had an assembly that touched base on the dangers of trafficking brought to us by the Blacksburg Rotary Club, which included members of law enforcement, including the FBI. The Rotary Club also hosted a conference at the Virginia Tech Inn where two students from our Interact Club got to work with other Interact organizations throughout the region. They got to participate in making food boxes for those in need in a foreign country. They made over 10,000 food boxes in just a little over an hour. They also learned new skills that can be brought back to their club and impact their community”
McHone also expressed that Eastern Montgomery High Schools students are saddened to say goodbye to one of the “favorite” school resource officers who is retiring, Deputy Underwood. McHone explained Deputy Underwood has served for 25 years, but 14 of those years were spent with Eastern Montgomery High School students.
She expressed that Eastern Montgomery students and staff are excited to begin a new semester now that winter break is over and start the new semester off strong.
Disha Talajia, student representative from Christiansburg High School, spoke to the board about how CHS is working hard to bring down their chronic absenteeism and student learning success.
“CHS is placing a strong emphasis,” Talajia said, “on driving down their chronic absenteeism rates which are currently lower than where we were one year ago. Today, CHS has utilized the all-in tutoring program greatly during the fall semester, having a total of nearly 50 individuals sign up and attending to receive additional support in their English and Math classes.”
Talajia highlighted how Christiansburg High School collected over 75 Thanksgiving baskets for Beta Club and the community, resulting in their school principal, Shane Guynn, dyeing his hair blue and his beard gold, to represent the Christiansburg High School colors.
“Our fall and winter athletics teams have had some notable performances,” Talajia said, “that include: the CHS volleyball team hosted its first ever class three State semi-final volleyball game in school history. They also finished with two individuals on the class three All State team. Their head coach, Morgan Taylor, was named Timesland Coach of the Year. CHS also assisted in hosting the class one, two and three cross country state championships at Virginia Tech. The cross-country team ended the season with one of its boys being named to the class three all state cross country team. CHS girls’ basketball team is off to a great start with the 7-1 record and the boys’ team as has also had a great start and is playing well with the young squad.”