Pathways in Action

Berkeley County Schools’ Esports teams delivered an outstanding performance at the West Virginia Scholastic Esports League (WVSEL) Fall Finals in Morgantown, competing among 15 finalist schools from across the state and showcasing skill, strategy, and teamwork across multiple competitive titles.

At the championship level, the Spring Mills High School Cardinals were crowned Marvel Rivals State Champions, marking the first school in West Virginia to win multiple Esports state championships in the tournament. Spring Mills faced strong competition from Martinsburg High School, which earned second-place finishes in Super Smash Bros. and Marvel Rivals, finishing just behind Spring Mills in both events.

Martinsburg High School also celebrated a state championship win in Rainbow Six Siege and recorded Top 4 finishes in five different titles—the most of any school in attendance—including Apex Legends and Rocket League. This broad success highlights the depth and versatility of the Martinsburg program across individual, duo, and team-based competitions. Reflecting on the experience, Wyatt Gunter of Martinsburg High School shared, “It builds teamwork, communication skills, and team building.”

Beyond competition, the event opened significant postsecondary opportunities for students. Four Hedgesville High School students received collegiate Esports offers totaling more than $100,000, with scholarship packages tied to both Esports performance and academic achievement. Offers were extended from West Virginia Wesleyan College, Glenville State University, and Concord University.

Together, these achievements highlight Esports as a powerful pathway to college access, career readiness, and student engagement, demonstrating how competitive gaming develops teamwork, strategic thinking, and real-world skills.

For the past four years, Mrs. Blackford has been inspiring students in the Multimedia and Information Technology clusters, blending creativity, technology, and real-world application into every lesson. With a background in art and graphic design, she found her way to education through a desire for meaningful work, a stable schedule for her family, and a long-held goal of teaching. CTE proved to be the perfect fit—allowing her to align her professional experience with her passion for creativity and innovation.

In Mrs. Blackford’s classroom, learning is hands-on and purpose-driven. She emphasizes project-based instruction, where students design, create, and refine work that can be showcased in professional portfolios. From studio-style review days to real-world design scenarios, students gain technical skills while building confidence in presenting their ideas and giving constructive feedback—skills essential for success beyond high school.

What sets CTE apart, she explains, is its focus on authentic career preparation. Students are encouraged to explore ideas independently, collaborate, and take pride in producing work that reflects their growth. That philosophy extends beyond her classroom through cross-program collaborations, including her work supporting MedEd and Baking & Pastry classroom floor designs. These projects mirror the way professionals collaborate across industries, helping students practice communication, teamwork, and problem-solving with peers from different career pathways.

Mrs. Blackford also brings her enthusiasm to experiences beyond the school day. Teaching at CTE Summer Camp allowed her to introduce younger students to multimedia and technology in an energetic, engaging environment—an experience she describes as both inspiring and rewarding. These opportunities, she notes, are critical for building career awareness and strengthening connections between schools and the community.

The most meaningful moments, however, come after students leave her classroom. Hearing about graduates applying their skills in college and the workforce reminds her why CTE matters—and fuels her hope to one day welcome former students back to share their journeys.

To stay current in a fast-evolving field, Mrs. Blackford embraces continuous learning through professional development and, just as importantly, through her students. Her advice to aspiring designers and technologists is simple but powerful: embrace change, keep building your skills, share your work, and take pride in every step forward.

On January 5, Career & Technical Education teachers participated in a districtwide CTE Data Dive during the Professional Learning Day, focused on aligning instruction with NOCTI assessment data. The session guided teachers through a structured review of NOCTI pretesting results, celebrating early successes while identifying areas for targeted reteaching before spring posttesting

CTE Data Dive.

Working collaboratively within their clusters, teachers analyzed competency-level reports, examined trends across programs, and identified both academic and technical vocabulary and skills that require reinforcement. The day concluded with action planning centered on strengthening instruction, improving student preparation, and ensuring continued growth across all CTE pathways.

As a district, we are committed to using data to inform instruction, strengthen teaching practices, and ensure all CTE students are prepared for success on industry-recognized assessments and beyond.

Students in Martinsburg High School’s Broadcast, Photography, Marketing, and Digital Imaging classes recently welcomed guest speaker Moises Cardenas, owner of SE Studios and proud MHS alumnus, for a presentation titled Marketing That Works.

Moises shared his journey from high school graduate to successful business owner, explaining how he recognized early on that the rise of social media would increase demand for photography, videography, and digital design. Determined to stay ahead of the curve, he taught himself the skills needed to build a career capturing moments and marketing brands.

Through real-world examples—from weddings and culinary promotions to networking events and real estate—Moises highlighted the importance of adaptability, creativity, and strong employability characteristics such as professionalism, communication, and relationship-building. His message encouraged students to pursue their passions while understanding the power of networking and digital storytelling in today’s workforce.

The visit served as an inspiring reminder that MHS graduates are using CTE-related skills to build thriving careers—and coming back to help the next generation do the same.

After weeks of festive creativity lining Queen Street, the community has officially selected its favorite snowmen in the inaugural CTE Snowman Decorating Contest. Schools across Berkeley County showcased incredible artistry and school pride, bringing a beloved Martinsburg tradition back to life.

Each snowman will be featured in a community auction this March, with proceeds returning directly to the snowman’s home school after material costs are reimbursed.

This project would not have been possible without the outstanding partnership between the Martinsburg High School Leadership class, our CTE Millwork & Cabinetry programs, and Main Street Martinsburg. Together, students revived a cherished tradition while blending craftsmanship, creativity, and community engagement. Thank you to everyone who viewed, voted, and supported this winter celebration!

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

A third-year cadet from Spring Mills High School, Jazmine Gutierrez has earned the trust and respect of her peers and instructors through her leadership, maturity, and dedication within the JROTC program. She currently serves as the Executive Officer while also acting as a Teacher’s Assistant for Echo Flight’s first-year cadets—a role that carries significant responsibility.

As Executive Officer, Jazmine is the eyes and ears of the unit, advising the Group Commander and helping guide daily operations. This position is typically reserved for a fourth-year cadet, but Jazmine was selected early due to her professionalism, reliability, and readiness to lead.

In addition, Jazmine has been named a Top 3 Cadet, an honor awarded only to those who exemplify professionalism, service to the community, and dedication to both personal growth and unit success. As a Teacher’s Assistant, she plays a vital role in mentoring and shaping new cadets, modeling expectations and reinforcing standards essential to the program.

Reflecting on her experience, Jazmine shared, “The biggest thing I’ve learned through JROTC is how to communicate. When the unit is relying on your leadership, communication is essential to success.” Her impact has not gone unnoticed. Chief Glazer added, “Being a Top 3 cadet is reserved for those who truly represent the unit with professionalism, service, and dedication. Jazmine has taken on a tremendous amount of responsibility, and I am extremely proud of her.”

Through her leadership, mentorship, and strong communication skills, Jazmine exemplifies what it means to lead by example and strengthen the JROTC program.

Students in Berkeley County’s Building & Maintenance programs continue to turn classroom learning into meaningful, visible improvements across their schools.

At Hedgesville High School, students learned the safety and operational functions of a scissor lift and put their training to work by hanging athletic banners throughout the gymnasium. The project provided authentic experience using professional equipment while reinforcing the importance of workplace safety and teamwork.

Students at Musselman High School returned from winter break ready to transform their shop, spending the week refinishing the floor and incorporating school-inspired designs that showcase pride in their workspace. In addition, Musselman students utilized grant funding from the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation to enhance their lab with new industry tools, including wrenches, a table saw, pliers, and rotary hammers—equipment that will support hands-on learning for years to come.

Martinsburg High School recently celebrated the grand opening of The Paw Print, a student-run school store brought to life by students in the Marketing program. From concept to launch, students worked diligently to stock the shelves and create a space that reflects Bulldog pride and real-world business skills.

The store features student-pressed graphic T-shirts showcasing school spirit, along with a variety of food items available after lunch. Students can also cool off with two fan-favorite slushie flavors—blue raspberry and cherry limeade—as well as choose from chips, candy, beverages, and ice cream.

In addition to managing in-store operations, the Marketing class is expanding its reach by developing an online shopping platform, giving Bulldog fans the opportunity to browse merchandise and explore new styles digitally. This platform is currently in development and will further enhance students’ experience in branding, e-commerce, and customer engagement.

The Paw Print represents more than a school store—it’s a hands-on learning environment where students apply marketing, design, and business principles while building skills that translate directly to future careers.

Berkeley County’s Baking & Pastry students continue to turn their kitchens into real-world learning labs—serving their schools while expanding their culinary creativity.

At Hedgesville High School, students welcomed staff into their café for a delicious morning menu featuring freshly baked blueberry scones, hot breakfast sandwiches, and a variety of homemade sides. The experience allowed students to practice food preparation, service, timing, and professionalism in a live café setting.

Meanwhile, students in Musselman High School’s Baking & Pastry program explored the art of sourdough breadmaking, adding creative inclusions to personalize their loaves. From savory garlic and cheese to bold jalapeño and cheese, students showcased both technical skill and flavor innovation.

Together, these projects highlight how Baking & Pastry classrooms provide authentic culinary experiences while allowing students to develop creativity, confidence, and career-ready skills.