The Cabell Connection

by Dr. Ryan Saxe, Superintendent of Cabell County Schools

As your superintendent, our district team and I work hard to celebrate student, staff, and school success at Cabell County Schools. Frequently, our focus is on celebrating achievements, yet it's equally important to showcase the success of effort and teamwork, especially when overcoming obstacles. The program I'm excited to showcase today exemplifies this spirit, highlighting how overcoming barriers can significantly benefit our students.

For those of you who may not be aware, the CMHS AFJROTC program has a long, proud history and since 2017 has produced students who have achieved the following:

• 3 Private Pilots

• 4 Service Academy Appointments

• 2 Full ROTC Scholarships

• 1 Yeager Scholarship

• 1st place in WV, CyberPatriot (National High School Cyber Competition) (2019)

• 4th in the world (Drone Programming in 2023)

• Only StellarXplorer team in WV (National High School Space Competition) (2023)

• Multi-year rocket outreach to local elementary schools

• Ranked 13 of 630 teams in the JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (2023)

• Top Air Force JROTC Raider team in WV (2017-2019)

While the student achievements and experiences have been excellent, the program has struggled with the enrollment requirements established by the federal government and was facing program closure by the Air Force. Thankfully, after a collaborative effort of the program’s leaders, district leaders, and significant support from our congressional delegations, the program was recently granted an additional year to achieve its enrollment goal of at least 100 students.

I am so proud of the dedication and hard work demonstrated by both our teachers, counselors, school administration and students. While enrollment has presented a challenge, we know the quality of our program and its ability to positively impact the lives of our students.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Congresswoman Carol Miller for their vital support and advocacy. Their efforts in interceding to the Air Force on our behalf have been instrumental in securing this extension. I feel certain that if it had not been for their involvement, we would not be celebrating this opportunity.

“After learning that the Air Force was planning to deactivate the JROTC program at Cabell Midland High School, I pressed them for answers about this decision. It is welcome news that the program will remain active for an additional year, providing Cabell Midland the chance to achieve its enrollment goal and to reach more students. Additionally, this extension will allow them to continue their important work of instilling values of service and leadership in high school students,” Senator Capito said.

“I am pleased that the AFJROTC program at Cabell Midland High School will remain active for another year as they implement new recruitment strategies and promote their program,” said Congresswoman Miller. “Cabell AFJROTC is a quality program that builds character and helps students develop new skills. I am grateful to Secretary Frank Kendall of the Air Force for honoring my request and allowing this program more time to recruit students who are committed to serving the United States of America.”

Moving forward, I know the Cabell Midland AFJROTC program is committed to collaborating closely with the Air Force and educators to implement best practices aimed at increasing enrollment. This includes initiatives such as sharing opportunities at feeder middle schools and exploring various means to attract and retain students, perhaps through greater involvement in the Raider Program. The Raider program draws inspiration from the U.S. Army Rangers, emphasizing endurance, strength, and tactical skills. While the program is competitive, with teams often participating in meets and competitions, its core focus remains on fostering teamwork, discipline, and resilience among cadets. I know students would be attracted to such an amazing competitive program.

"We remain dedicated to our mission of providing students with valuable experiences and skills through our AFJROTC program," added Matt Adkins, Principal of Cabell Midland High School. "Together with our partners, we are determined to ensure the continued success and growth of our program.”

As Superintendent of Cabell County Schools, I am proud of the resilience and collaboration shown by our community to secure the future of the CMHS AFJROTC program. With the support of Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Congresswoman Carol Miller, and the dedication of our staff and students, we look forward to expanding our program's reach and impact. Together, we remain committed to fostering leadership, character, and service among our students through valuable educational experiences.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ryan Saxe

Superintendent Cabell County Schools

by Leland S. Steele, Cabell County Schools Communications

In each issue, we feature a Cabell County Schools alumnus, who is doing great things in their career and community. This month, we are pleased to feature Huntington High School basketball legend and former NBA star, Patrick Patterson.

January 31 was a special homecoming for Huntington High School graduate Patrick Patterson. That night he was honored with the retirement of his #54 Highlander jersey, before the start of the HHS vs. Riverside basketball game. Patterson, who led the Highlanders basketball team to three consecutive state championships from 2004 to 2007, went on to star at the University of Kentucky. Following a stellar career there, he was selected in the first round and the fourteenth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. In addition to the Rockets, Patterson played for the Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Clippers. Following an 11-year NBA career, he retired in 2021.

Born in Washington, DC, Patrick and his family moved to Huntington in the early 1990s. He attended the former Geneva Kent Elementary, Beverly Hills Middle School, and then Huntington High. He recalls some of the teachers and coaches who inspired him along the way. “Mrs. Bradshaw was one of my teachers at Geneva Kent. She was able to create excitement in me about coming to school each day and taught me the importance of learning and engaging. “He also talked about another favorite teacher, Mrs. Fyffe, who brought a high level of energy to class and made learning fun.

Upon arriving at Huntington High, Patrick had some special mentors. One of those was Bruce Senior, HHS Athletic Director, who was like a second father. He had high words of praise for his coach, Lloyd McGuffin. “On and off the court, Coach McGuffin was a friend and helped me learn the game of basketball. He truly believed in me as a player and a person.”

As his coach at HHS, Lloyd McGuffin recalls meeting Patterson as an incoming ninth grader from Beverly Hills Middle School. He watched him grow as a player, as a student, and as a person. “Patrick was tall and thin and loaded with raw talent. The first thing we did was get him into the weight room. He immediately started on the varsity team in the ninth grade and essentially helped turn our basketball program around.” As a student, McGuffin commented, “He was always in class, earned good grades, got along well with his teachers, and did everything that was asked of him, with no issues." McGuffin added, “If I could use one word to define Patrick Patterson as a person, it would be ‘class’. He is a great guy, with good parents, and pleasant to be around, and never let success go to his head.”

As a high school student, Patrick enjoyed all physical education-related activities. He also talked about how his World Geography class helped him engage with various cultures and gain a bigger picture of the world. “World Geography really helped me develop an appreciation for international travel. I also took three years of Japanese and enjoyed learning that language,” he said. His greatest memories from Huntington High were playing before the big crowd of students on "The Hill", known as “McGuffin’s Maniacs” and winning three consecutive state basketball championships. He is also proud of being named a McDonald’s All-American.

He was recruited aggressively by many major college basketball programs before committing to the University of Kentucky. At UK, he majored in Communications, and completed his degree in three years, before entering the NBA draft. We asked him about what it was like playing for a storied program like the University of Kentucky Wildcats. “The relationships built with my UK teammates are everlasting. It is truly a brotherhood – an unspoken bond of love and respect for one another. My classes were enjoyable, and it was awesome hanging out with fellow students who truly loved basketball.” He also has fond memories of spending time at Coach Calipari’s home, who he described as not only a great coach but a “father figure” as well.

Patterson declared for the NBA draft following his junior year at the University of Kentucky. He was a first-round lottery pick, the fourteenth overall pick, selected by the Houston Rockets. When asked what some of the highlights of his NBA career were, he remembers particularly the feeling of stepping onto the court for the first time as a professional. “As a youth, I grew up watching Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and others and will never forget what it was like to face those guys for the very first time as an NBA player.” He also remembers the excitement of going to the playoffs for the first time and getting to the Eastern Conference finals with Toronto.

He gives so much credit to his parents, Buster and Tywanna Patterson, for their inspiration in his success in life. “My parents made so many sacrifices for me to play basketball, go to camps, and do those fun things kids want to do. They were my biggest supporters and still are. My dad only missed one basketball game during my entire college career.” Patrick and his wife, Sarah, have a daughter, Aaliyah, who turned three years old on February 24. About her, he says, “I want to do the same for my kids…be their biggest supporter. We are extremely proud parents. Having a daughter and watching her grow and develop and discover her passions and personality are our proudest accomplishments as parents.”

His Cabell County Schools experience helped him prepare for success in college, but also as a professional. “During my senior year working with my teammates helped prepare me for life as a college athlete and as a professional. Our team, which featured O. J. Mayo, Bruce Senior, Michael Taylor, Jamaal Williams, and Chris Early, were looked up to as ‘rock stars’ throughout the state. That level of attention and notoriety helped prepare me for the recognition and pressures I would face as a student-athlete at the University of Kentucky, and then as a professional.”

Education played a very important role in Patrick’s life, and he shared his thoughts with students and parents. “Education was always important in our family and cannot be taken away. Sports can help get you to where to want to go, but athletic careers eventually end, but an education lasts forever. My parents instilled in many the importance of education at a very early age. Take advantage of every opportunity presented to you, believe in yourself, and surround yourself with the right support network.”

Since retiring from the NBA, Patrick and a friend he met in Toronto started a production company – Undisputed Pictures, based in Los Angeles. To date, the company has made two movies, which premiered at film festivals. He adds, “With this company, I really found my passion outside of sports.”

Having his Huntington Highlander #54 jersey retired recently meant much to Patrick. “I appreciate being recognized for my accomplishments on the court in four years. I hope this will serve as an inspiration for future Highlanders to strive for excellence in sports and the classroom. This proves that you can achieve your dreams with hard work and focus. Hopefully, this will be the first of many uniforms to be retired at HHS.”

We salute Patrick for being a great ambassador for Cabell County Schools and a shining example of how dreams can come true, on and off the court.

by Courtney Cook, Elementary Academic Specialist

The Science of Reading is a body of research that identifies the important elements of early literacy instruction​. Each month we will focus on one of the following elements :

· Phonological awareness​

· Phonics and word recognition ​

· Fluency​

· Vocabulary/oral language comprehension​

· Text comprehension

We will also provide an activity that you can use at home to help your child build these important skills for reading.

February Focus Skill: Phonemic Awareness

What is phonemic awareness? Phonemic awareness is your child’s ability to hear, identify, segment, blend, and manipulate sounds in words. Being able to blend the sounds c-a-t into the word cat or break apart the word into three individual sounds are two examples of phonemic awareness.

Having solid skills in this area is one of the best early predictors of reading success for children. Instruction and practice in phonemic awareness will provide a foundation for later success in phonics.

Try this activity from Judith Dotson’s 50 Nifty Activities to help build your child’s skills in phonemic awareness!

Activity: Sound Toss

Materials needed: Small ball that can be tossed back and forth.

How to play:

1. Stand across from your child

2. Give your child a task, such as words that rhyme with hat, words that start with the /s/ sound, words that end with a /t/ sound, or give your child the individual sounds (h-o-p) in a word and have them blend the sounds and give you the whole word (hop).

3. Toss the ball back and forth saying words that complete the given task.

We hope these tips help your children further develop their reading skills at home. Look for more tips in our next issue.

by Michael Krenzel, Coordinator of Student Support

Cabell County Schools’ Office of Student Support wants to make you aware of a valuable resource for parents and guardians: Lawyer in the School Program. Occasionally, families need legal assistance and may not have available financial resources to hire representation. The Lawyer in the School Program (LIS) offers on-site free legal help from Legal Aid attorneys as well as pro bono volunteer attorneys to student families statewide in West Virginia.

Below is a flyer, with a list of issues that LIS may be able to assist with. Locally, you may call (304) 697-2070, x2515, or email lburley@lawv.net for more information.

by Susanne Ferguson, Student Support Specialist

Several students will be representing the Career Center on March 1 at the WV State Capital. CTE Day takes place every year and our students love to speak with our senators and delegates about their programs and our school. Students from Carpentry, Coding App and Game Design, Cosmetology, and our Skills USA officers will be in attendance.

On Friday, February 16, our students competed in the Skills Challenge here at the center. That is always an exciting time, as our students have the opportunity to showcase their competencies in their chosen career programs, working against the clock.

The SkillsUSA state competition will be taking place March 21 – 23 in Fairmont, WV. The Cabell County Career Technology Center will be taking approximately 40 students and 9 instructors. Students will compete against others in the state and winners will advance to Nationals in Atlanta, GA in June.

The excitement continues to build as daily progress is made on the new Woody Williams Center for Careers and Advanced Learning at Huntington Mall.

Website: www.cabellschools.com
Location: 2850 5th Avenue, Huntington, WV, USA
Phone: (304) 528-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/cabellschools
Twitter: @cabellschools