West Liberty-Salem Local School District

In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first commemoration of Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day, with the following words, "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations...". In the 1970’s Congress moved to make Veterans Day the same day of the week each year to honor our veterans. It is on this day that we honor those brave men and women who served our great nation and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It is our pleasure to acknowledge our own brave service men and women who continue to serve in our WLS community. Please take a moment to say thank you to the following individuals who currently serve or have served in the US Military. Todd Lewis Dan Miller Cameron Spencer Jen Douthwaite Because of you, America remains the Home of the free, because of the brave. "We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty, though it never was. Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause." --Ronald Reagan

Six members of the West Liberty-Salem girls cross country team earned OATCCC Academic All-Ohio status this week. To be eligible, athletes must be in grades 10-12, have a GPA of 3.5 or better, and participate in the OHSAA State Cross Country Championships. This year’s recipients include seniors Megan Adams and Mandilyn Weaver and sophomores Claire Longshore, Addison McAuley, Lily Smith and Ashley Yoder. “We are proud of our student athletes’ efforts on the course and in the classroom,” said West Liberty-Salem head coach, Ann Vogel. “They are active community members at WLS, and are outstanding role models for our younger student athletes.” This is the third consecutive Academic All-Ohio award for Adams and the second for Weaver. Photo credit: John Coffman

Are you looking for an after school care option for your student? The YMCA offers aftercare at West Liberty-Salem! Students enjoy play time, arts and crafts, help with homework, and a snack while being cared for by trained staff members of the Champaign Family YMCA. If you are interested in more information, please reach out to Nicky Naylor at the YMCA today! 937-484-3564.

West Liberty-Salem is pleased to announce the first quarter middle school and high school honor roll recipients. Please help us congratulate the following students for their hard work! West Liberty-Salem MS Honor Roll 4.0 Honor Roll 6th Grade Delaney Anane-Sefah, James Brehm, Bridgette Fisher, Carter Henderson, Levi Kitchen, Emma Schmelzer, Rachel Stanford, Caydon Stir, Ashlyn Taylor, Arianna Weaver 7th Grade Casey Boyer, Alex Griffin, Conner Leichty, Kash LeVan, Noah Sarver, Mariska Smith 8th Grade Eli Christison, Geneva Estep, Brady Kauffman, Dylan King, Ava Poppe, Makayla Rowley, Emma Smith, Abbie Thoman 3.5 Honor Roll 6th Grade Samuel Myers, Nevaeh Gravely, Jenny Reprogle, Xavier Smith, Ellis Koons, Logan Zanfirov, Cohen Evans, Reagan McCullough, McKenzie Reames, Thaddeus Smith, Britton Carter, Elijah Filio, Amelia Barth, Alanee Horsley, Bennett Sutherin, Eli Gilley, Owen Hardwick, Alauna Kinchen, Kendal Carroll, Celena Cheetham, Brayden Hupp, Gavin Bell, Drew Boyer, Blaine Hughes, Kathy Roehm, Timothy Miller, Kyerah Marchal, Kylee Bell, Asher Cole, Brayan Gullett, Wyatt Shoemaker, Gussie Keller, Robert Park, Derek Wall, Gunnar Lehman, Isla Leichty, David Roberts, Josiah Thoman, Ellery Wygal, Jerome Cordrey 7th Grade Jenna Cline, Eliza Halterman, Madden Kilgore, Avery Northup, Troy Christison, Levi Yelton, Avi Lehman, Alivia Campbell, Sutton Wilcoxon, Ashlyn Pope, Carson Spencer, Brady Lightner, Audrianna Evilsizor, Xzavior Nicholl, Jill Fullenkamp, Zachary Carter, Savannah Gluckle, Grace Jones, Benjamin Wall, Kiersten Stoll, Miles Christison, Natalie Fish, Thaddeus Kitchen, Lyla Breon, Emma Liggett, Tucker Searles, Patrick Brooks, Sophia Landon, Isabelle Sarver, Zoe Carter, Braden Hershberger, Claire Ling 8th Grade Kamden Hissong, Taylor Cook, Dallas Koons, Alexa Cheetham, Kaylee Blair, Abigail Timmons, Cooper Titus, Taryn Bradley, Mason Helms, Jacob Lauck, Levi Miller, Brock Burgel, Haylee Earles, Naomi Cole, Victoria Douthwaite, Kaylee Powell, Brielle Milliron, Olivia Reichardt, Lance Campbell, Addison Hutton, Lyndee Harrison, Caleb Ling, Sadie Paul, Marisa Smith, Ava Astorino, Wyatt Bell, Dustin Bolton, Breece Gullett, Brevin Louden, Emery Longaberger 3.0 Honor Roll 6th Grade Brianna Blair, Dane Reames, Jaden Caldwell, Madisyn Hill, Zeke Longshore, Eva Decker, Abigail Dunlop, Colton Hall, Lucas Trimble, Brody Cooper, Abi Frederick, Zade Bieleski, Easton McGuire, Zayden Shafer, Braelyn Northup, Brylan Cox, Addison Farley, Delaney Borders, Sam Bradford, Danny Erne, Avery Grace Randall, Zach Cordell, Reagan Tester, Liam Barger, Savannah McClintick, Jackson Henry, McKayla Reames 7th Grade Ashlee VonDeylen, Isabelle Richards, Lilli Heminger, Sullivan Foster, Alexis Wisner, Eli Sertell, Bayleigh Deam, Maverick Reames, Braydon Thompson, Joseph Griffin, Aiden Hull, Carson Stokes, Isabella Hughes, Aubra Wiant, Garrett Hull, Ezekial Sidders, Morgan Gibson, Bayes Lapp, Colton Neeld, Reagan Winters 8th Grade Malia Miller, Marshall Sutherin, Amani Grantham, Alayna Hackley, Ella Vondenhuevel, Mylee Dooley, Cody Ferryman, Tru Maxam, Carson Poppe, Joran Mouton, Baileigh Engle, Lexi Hausler, Isaac Sertell, Caleb Larson, Landon Mitchell, Reese Oder, Bryant Eaton, Devon Jones, Gwenyth McCullough, Wyatt Longaberger, Cameron Pope, Addyson Mattox, Lydia Schmidt, Elise Longshore West Liberty-Salem HS Honor Roll 4.0 Honor Roll 9th Grade Teagan Boyd, Aaron Campbell, Connor Garman-Ferguson, Isabella Hardwick, Sophia Holland, Illa Kerns, Madeline McGill, Marley Myers, Akira Whitman, Bexley Wilcoxon 10th Grade Mallory Bostick, Lillian Weaver 11th Grade Alisa Bolton, Arianna Chapman, Ellie Cheetham, Kayla Cole, Christian Davis, Trinity Floyd, Amelia Hudson, Chandler McCafferty, Brittany Neer, Logan Phillips, Makenna Smith, Isabelle Wilson 12th Grade Megan Adams, Marissa Bailey, Kylie Burgel, Mekylie Christison, Amanda Domachowski, Jamie Gluckle, Elliott Hager, Emily Hollar, Owen Johnson, Jamo Legge, Audrey McGill, Naomi McGill, Hayden Miller, Isaac Reames, Hallie Smith, Micah Stoner, Mandilyn Weaver, Aubrey Williams, Grace Winters 3.5 Honor Roll 9th Grade Delaney Jones, Grace Hacker, Sami King, Grant Saylor, Isaiah Reminder, Aiden Taylor, Nick Shifflet, Silas King, Lincoln Henderson, Londyn Loveless, Clayton McAuley, Silas Kauffman, Greyson Horsley, Owen Barger, Teagon Miller, Samuel Peraza, Maximilian Rudolph, Rebekah Hudson, Ava Chamberlain, Audrey Collins, Caleb Hershberger, Ava Johnson, Taran Logwood, Luke McGill, Daniel Neer, Isaiah Reames, Quentin Rudolph, Craig Stanford, Kennedy Wallace, Laila Butler, Nathan Neuerman, Jessa Beard 10th Grade Gabriel McGill, Aubree Timmons, Bailey Poppe, Riggs Lapp, Zander Fahnestock, Karter Spriggs, Zoey Kaufman, Jaycee Yelton, Eli Bell, Matthew Christison, Carter Titus, Zoie Vermillion, Kendall LeVan, Malachi Christison, Leah Ropp, Alexis Helms, Kenzie Phillips, Ashley Yoder, Sophia Hardwick, Julia Wilson, Hanna Schwaderer, Chaley Wade, Abigail Miller, Joseph LaRoche, Makenzy Sandefur, Miles Hostetler, Abby Guest, Madeline Cole, Emma Bails, Kerrigan Burgel, Drake Brown, Ivy Cline, Megan Hollar, Sari Kitchen, Veronica Wall, Addison McAuley, Lily Smith 11th Grade Payton Knight, Michael Jones, Travis Cropper, Matthew Jones, James Powell, Trevor Berry, Evan Cook, Wylie Harbour, Renee Neer, Ayva Stewart, Kiersten Holtvoigt, Ava Buck, Hannah Nibert, Abbigayle Long, Max Spencer, Anika Christison, Emma Kauffman, D.J. Yoder, Lexy Lee, Kenzie Bahan, Whitney Ridenbaugh, Lena Kauffman, Tina Douthwaite, Carlee Hausler, Phillip Marr, Rylie Schultz, Anna Wintersteller, Adam Stapleton, Owen Harrison, Shae Stoner, Maggie Davis, Ezekiel Greene, Delaney Wade 12th Grade Birdie Lewis, Avery McGuire, Logan Godwin, Matthew Roach, Macy Roth, Mady Ewing, William Motzko, Gabrielle Williams, Aleah Reed, Alexandrea Caldwell, Logan Saylor, Gibson Knox, Bella Smith, Carson King, Madison Casto, Ayden Estep, Levi Shafer, Brady Forsythe, Bella Kauffman, Luke Heater, Adam LaRoche, Brandon LaRoche, Avery Davis, Ali Gault, Savannah Perdue, Natalie Hacker, Gavin Schoenleben, Dani Smith, Rebecca Vincent 3.0 Honor Roll 9th Grade Hunter Little, Mary-Jane Kimmel, Alec Putt, Lily Langhardt, Colton Gaidusek, Cody LeVan, Myla Thornburg, Troy Bradley, Kaydence Connolly, Anna Cole, Joshua Wilcoxon, Jacob Evans, Emily Hager, Reagan Simpson, John Bahan, Luke Thomas, Illya Keller, Alaina Irving, Andrea Stokes, Carson Kerns 10th Grade Abigail Harris, Taylor Kennedy, Riley Knox, Emily Asbury, Isabelle Wygal, Cale Hall, Adam Jennings, Mason Barger, Brooklyn Wilcoxon, Anna Byrd, Jane Fullenkamp, Sidney Larison, John Richards, Dylan Wing, Brooke Dunn, Xander Waldren, Cara Deam, Peyton Hull, Samuel Lauck, Whitney Strapp, Grace Tomlin, Olivia Wilcox, Abigail Scott, Xan Schmidt, Evan Fullenkamp, Izabella Meister, Payton Lightner, Clair Longshore 11th Grade Micah Smith, Jonathon Stoner, Aubrey Laing, Gaven Wilcoxon, Timothy Hobart, Andre Jones, Maddox Havens, Hailey Berry, Devin Grime, Caitlyn King, Andrew Kimball, Faith Instine, Payton Eckurd 12th Grade Lauren Kindle, Holden Shafer, Hayden King, Tate Yoder, Gage Scott, Allyson Gaver, Samuel Erne, Liberty Bloemhard, Kalieb Laing, Derek McNeely, Austin Smith, Marenna Cox, Ashley Good, Michele Smith, Kathryn Hissong, Grant Schoenleben, Jocelynn Kennaw, Dylan Lauck

Deputy Brad Jarzab, West Liberty-Salem Student Resource Officer, is doing his annual Alice Training in the elementary this week. He talks about how students and their teachers can stay safe during an emergency and illustrates different scenarios using the book ‘I’m Not Scared. I’m Prepared!” Deputy J had this to say about the book and how our younger students can relate it to realty. “ I believe that this method of training (Reading this book to the Pre-5th students) is effective because it brings it down to a level that is understood by all. It breaks the training down talking about Sheep, Shepherd, and wolves. This, to me, makes the story interesting for the elementary students. Being able to use this tool for younger students really helps when we do our safety drills and the kids have to talk about what they would do. When visiting classes after drills you always hear kids talk about who the sheep are, who the shepherd is, and what happens if there is a wolf. I enjoy being able to give all ages of students the power to think on a specific situation. Working as the SRO at WL-S has been something I would have never imagined. Having the ability to truly help the students, staff, and others while I am here is something that you don’t normally get the chance to do when working on the road. Seeing those student who come back after graduating, and still stopping to talk to you about anything and everything is truly awesome. I always tell people that I could not have been blessed with a better School, Administration, teachers, or students. This school is great, and I really enjoy being able to the SRO here.” We are incredibly thankful for Deputy J!!

This week at a glance.......

Our fourth grade “Perfect Pumpkins” celebrated Good Apple Awards on Friday! Good Apple Awards (or Perfect Pumpkins) are given to students who remain on green on their color chart each day. This means that students have homework done and turned in on time, assignment books and Friday folders are always signed and there are no behavior issues. Students who have less than four ‘clip downs’ may also participate in the Good Apple ceremony activity. They get to play games and have extra recess time. We had a great turn out again this month with so many students able to participate. Great job to all of our Perfect Pumpkins!

The West Liberty-Salem girls cross country team finished fifth at this year's OHSAA DIII State Championships. This is the fourth consecutive top five finish at state for the Big Orange. Team Scores (Top 10): 1st Minster 66, 2nd Liberty Center 108, 3rd Fort Loramie 124, 4th Gilmour Academy 167, 5th WLS 179, 6th Madeira 218, 7th Colonel Crawford 248, 8th Waynedale 249, 9th McDonald 298, 10th St. Henry 313 Senior Megan Adams became the first runner in Big Orange program history to earn All-Ohio honors four consecutive years, finishing in 2nd place with a career best time of 18:22.0. Sophomores Ashley Yoder and Addison McAuley also earned All-Ohio honors with Yoder finishing 20th (19:10.02) and McAuley finishing 29th (19:28.1) Also scoring for WLS were Taylor Kennedy 118th place (21:08.0), Claire Longshore 132nd (21:32.2), Mandilyn Weaver 14th (22:05.6), and Lily Smith 166th (22:42.1). "I'm so proud of the effort our team gave today," said WLS Coach Ann Vogel. "Qualifying for the state meet isn't easy, and we don't take for granted the hard work and true commitment it takes to get to this level. I can't say enough about Megan's gritty race. She left it all on the course in her last appearance in a Big Orange uniform. She has been a leader for us from day one and is a true gamer on race day. Ashley and Addison also had strong races and held their own in a very competitive field. To have three athletes earn All-Ohio is a testament to their dedication to our program." West Liberty-Salem finishes the season with a record of 140-8. Photo credit: Michael Lang

Our HS show choir performed at Bellefontaine High School this morning during the annual Rotary Pancake Breakfast. With many members out due to other obligations, they made the best of it and did a fantastic job! They perform next weekend in 2 Showcase performances on Friday and Saturday evening at 7 PM.

Big Orange boys finished their season today with a solid 6th place team finish at the D2 STATE Cross Country meet!! Dylan Lauck finished 16th. Congratulations on a great finish!

The West Liberty-Salem girls cross country team finished 5th in the Div. III State meet this morning. Leading the Tigers were Megan Adams who finished 2nd and Ashley Yoder finished 19th. Congratulations on a very successful season and State appearance! Photo credit: John Coffman

Congratulations to Ann Vogel, girls cross country coach!! Ann was presented with the Sportsmanship Ethics and Integrity Award at today's OHSAA state cross country championships!

Hello WL-S Families, This is Kraig hissong, Superintendent, with a reminder that tomorrow, Friday, November 5th, students will be on a two hour delay to allow for staff meetings and professional development. This will impact all students, including those that ride a bus that attend Hi-Point, Mac-A-Cheek, and Alternative school. WL-S MS and HS will start at 9:40 am and the Elementary will start at 9:45 am. Again, students will have a 2 hour delay start for tomorrow for staff professional development. Thank you and have a good evening.

Key Club is sponsoring Fun Fridays all year, but this week, it was Fun Thursday due to a scheduling conflict. Today one student from each grade level and a surprise staff member were chosen for a pie eating contest, followed by corn hole tournaments and marshmallow toss. Surprise guests included Mr. Johnson and Mr. Jake Vitt. The Fun Fridays take place in the gym during home room time and are sponsored by Key Club. After the extended virtual learning experience they wanted to boost spirits and give HS students a fun activity that involved both students and staff members. The popular event has become something that both students and staff look forward too and will continue indefinitely. Stay tuned for our next Fun Friday event!

First thru fifth grade boys and girls are invited to attend Little Dribblers basketball clinic. Sign ups are due by November 12th. Little Dribblers will learn ball handling and dribbling techniques that will be showcased in 2 performances at varsity basketball games. Details are attached and will come with your student this week. Hope to see you there!

West Liberty-Salem Middle School has awarded their October Students of the Month! Congratulations to the following students for being great students and good citizens! Students are nominated and then selected by their teachers. Left to Right: 8th Grade: Tru Maxam & Wyatt Bell 7th Grade: Aubralyn Wiant & Ezekiel Sidders 6th Grade: Rachel Stanford and Wyatt Shoemaker Students are awarded with Maries Candies, a t-shirt and certificate. Keep up the good work!

Any high school girl interested in being a part of the Tiger Track and Field program, please sign up on the following link: https://www.bornandracedinwestliberty.com/trackfield.html Go Tigers!

The Big Orange girls cross country team held its annual ‘Big Orange Bundle Up’ in October collecting socks, gloves and hats for those in need in our community. Thank you to everyone who donated and made a difference in the lives of others. The donations will be given to St. Vincent de Paul.

The West Liberty-Salem Board of Education welcomes three new members after Tuesday’s election. The Board is pleased to announce that Amy Pratt, Incumbent Tim Lamb and Doug Williams won the three open seats. We look forward to their service to our District and community.

Make sure you tune in to 98.3, WPKO, tonight at 7 to catch the girls and boys cross country teams on Chalk Talk! The girls will be on at 7 and boys at 7:20 and will talk about the season and the upcoming State Meet! If you can’t tune in, you can always listen On Demand at Peakofohio.com.