Pathways in Action

This winter, a beloved Martinsburg tradition is making a festive comeback—thanks to the collaborative efforts of Martinsburg High School’s Leadership class, Career & Technical Education programs across the county, and Mainstreet Martinsburg.

On behalf of the Leadership class at Martinsburg High School, students are excited to launch the Snowman Decorating Contest, an initiative inspired by memories of snowmen lining Queen Street during the holiday season. The goal is simple: bring creativity, school pride, and community spirit back to downtown Martinsburg—one snowman at a time.

Students in the Millwork & Cabinetry and Building Maintenance CTE programs at Hedgesville, Martinsburg, Musselman, and Spring Mills High Schools handcrafted eight wooden snowmen per school. These snowmen were delivered to local feeder schools, where students and staff will decorate them to reflect their school’s personality and creativity.

Once completed, the snowmen will return to Martinsburg and be proudly displayed along Queen Street throughout the winter season. Community members are invited to view the snowmen in person or through a digital gallery, with voting taking place online. Be on the lookout for the digital ballot shared via social media, where the community can help crown a winning design.

In the spring, the snowmen will be auctioned off at a community event, with proceeds—after the initial lumber cost is repaid—returned directly to each snowman’s home school. This project highlights the very best of Career & Technical Education: hands-on craftsmanship, student leadership, marketing, community partnerships, and real-world application—all wrapped in a festive tradition that brings the community together.

📅 Snowman Contest Timeline:

• December 17 – Snowmen finished and picked up from feeder schools

• December 20 – February 2 – Snowmen displayed on Queen Street

• January 9 – Community Voting Ends

• January 12 – Winning snowman announced

• March – Community snowman auction (date to be announced)

As Therapeutic Services students prepare to take the next step in their healthcare journey, the MedEd program at Martinsburg High School and Spring Mills High School marks an important transition—one rooted in strong partnerships and shared commitment to student success.

Throughout the fall, Steven Harris of the West Virginia Public Service Training (WVPST) served as interim instructor, laying the foundation students need to progress into clinical settings. His work included CPR and AED training, coordinating a local visit to the 911 center, providing an ambulance tour, and securing essential medical equipment for the lab. His dedication and partnership have been instrumental in preparing students for what lies ahead.

Now, Lisa Woodall joins the program to lead Therapeutic Services through the MedEd pathway. With nearly 37 years of experience in healthcare, including work in orthopedics and the operating room, she brings invaluable real-world insight to the classroom. New to education but eager for this next chapter, Ms. Woodall will guide students as they begin clinical rotations at WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center in January—attending twice weekly—with plans for paid internships during their senior year.

Ms. Woodall believes nursing is a rewarding and versatile profession, offering opportunities across clinical care, business, therapy, and beyond. She is also keenly aware of the current nursing shortage and the demands of the field—making her mentorship and perspective especially meaningful as students prepare to enter this vital workforce.

Together, this transition reflects the strength of collaboration and the shared goal of preparing students for meaningful, high-demand careers in healthcare.

Berkeley County Schools continues to make strong progress in preparing students for NOCTI assessments this school year. The National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) provides standardized assessments and industry-recognized credentials for CTE programs, validating students’ readiness for high-demand careers. All four high schools have successfully completed NOCTI pretesting, allowing teachers to assess student knowledge and intentionally reteach key skills and concepts ahead of the spring posttest.

Two high schools have already advanced to posttesting for their Career and WorkSkills Training program, with outstanding results:

• Hedgesville High School: 90.9% passing rate

• Martinsburg High School: 95.9% passing rate

These results reflect the hard work and dedication of both students and teachers, and we congratulate them on this tremendous achievement.

Looking ahead, CTE teachers will participate in a data analysis session during the January 5th Professional Learning Day. This collaborative work will focus on identifying domain-specific vocabulary and skills that need reinforcement prior to the spring posttest—ensuring instruction remains targeted, intentional, and student-centered. Together, these efforts demonstrate our shared commitment to continuous improvement, data-driven instruction, and student success across all CTE pathways.

Martinsburg High School’s Broadcasting program is expanding its weekly broadcasts to include community video highlights, giving students the opportunity to tell local stories through professional media production. One recent feature spotlights Apple Annie’s, a local eatery known for its freshly baked goods, as students captured the heart of a small business that serves the Martinsburg community.

These segments allow students to build real-world skills in filming, editing, and storytelling while strengthening connections beyond the school walls. Watch the featured video below to see how MHS Broadcasting brings community stories to life.

Members of the Hedgesville High School FFA Chapter brought the spirit of the season to the community by participating in this year’s Martinsburg Christmas Parade, proudly representing agricultural education and student leadership.

In addition to the parade, FFA students have been busy crafting festive holiday wreaths, which are available for purchase as part of their ongoing fundraising and hands-on learning efforts. These projects give students real-world experience in horticulture, design, and entrepreneurship while sharing seasonal cheer with the community.

Community members are also invited to stop by the HHS greenhouse, where students have grown Christmas cactus and poinsettias—perfect for adding a touch of holiday color to any home. Through these activities, HHS FFA continues to combine tradition, teamwork, and agricultural skill to make the season brighter for all.

Four Berkeley County Schools CTE educators recently joined Panhandle Live! on WEPM to spotlight the diverse Career & Technical Education programs available to students across the county. Representing a wide range of pathways, Sambo Teng (Hospitality & Tourism), Chief Ron Glaser (ROTC), Rachel Nauman (Baking & Pastry), and Chris VanDyne (Agriculture) shared how their programs prepare students through hands-on, student-driven learning experiences.

Throughout the broadcast, discussion centered on career readiness, cross-curricular skill development, and the importance of connecting classroom instruction to real-world applications. The conversation highlighted how CTE programs empower students to explore interests, build leadership, and gain skills that translate directly to future careers.

The appearance on Panhandle Live! provided an opportunity to showcase the impact of CTE across Berkeley County and to engage the community in conversations about education, workforce development, and student success.

As a junior at Hedgesville High School, Jackson Blakeney is on track to become a Millwork & Cabinetmaking completer by the end of this school year—an accomplishment he credits to hands-on learning, supportive instruction, and opportunities to build confidence with industry tools.

Jackson values the practical skills he’s gained in the program—skills he notes you don’t typically learn on a traditional job site. He shared that Mr. Stenzel consistently went above and beyond to support students, patiently passing down the craft of cabinetmaking and ensuring everyone felt confident operating machinery safely and correctly.

One of Jackson’s favorite projects was the wooden snake, where students used the band saw to cut, sand, and stain their designs. It’s a project he still has today and one that represents how far his skills have come. He also played a role in the annual CTE Snowman Decorating Contest, helping trace, cut, and sand pieces—including the face plates—contributing to a holiday tradition that brings CTE craftsmanship into the community.

Currently enrolled in Mr. Coleman’s class, Jackson has continued to broaden his skill set, gaining additional experience with equipment and expanding his knowledge of machine operation. Looking ahead, he plans to build on his Millwork & Cabinetmaking foundation as he transitions into electrical and carpentry, with the goal of working for a local business and staying connected to the community. For Jackson, CTE has been more than a class—it’s been a pathway to confidence, craftsmanship, and a clear vision for the future.