WCHS students getting more opportunities to get college credit while in high school

Whitley County High School students are getting more and more opportunities to graduate from high school with college credit.

The Whitley County Board of Education recognized the Whitley County High School Skeet Shooting Team, which won a state championship in 2019.

Whitley County High School Career and Technical Education Department Chair Krysti Conlin informed the Whitley County Board of Education during its monthly meeting Thursday about some additional dual credit classes added at the high school this fall.

Students studying phlebotomy can get dual credit with Somerset Community College in three areas, including emergency procedures, medical terminology, and laboratory aid.

“Students taking those classes at the high school can also be enrolled at Somerset at the same time, and earn that credit at both institutions. That is a real bonus for our students,” Conlin noted.

The Whitley County Board of Education recognized the Whitley County High School Girl’s Softball Team, which won the district tournament this past spring.

Students in the business and marketing pathways can receive articulated credit by passing their courses with either an ‘A’ or a ‘B.’

If they enroll at the University of the Cumberlands after high school graduation, UC will award the credits at that point.

The articulated credit classes cost the students nothing.

“They do not have to buy a special book. They do not have to pay any kind of tuition fee for those classes. All of those credits are completely free as long as they go to Cumberlands,” Conlin said.

“Every pathway at the high school has articulated credit with their end of program assessment. When they pass that pathway at the end of the program, several colleges have agreed to give them at least six hours of credit. Every single pathway has articulated credit.”

She added that students in the marketing pathway could graduate high school with up to 18 hours of credit from the University of the Cumberlands.

“You add that with dual credit that they can do on our academic side and they can come out as a sophomore in college,” Conlin said.

Superintendent John Siler noted that the district has made concentrated efforts to get dual credit for students at the high school.

The Whitley County Board of Education recognized Linda Watson with the August Above and Beyond Award.

“Now we are starting to see it in our career and technical classes. It has really come a long way,” he added noting this could save students and parents an enormous amount of money in tuition costs.

In other business Thursday, the board:

• Recognized the Whitley County High School Skeet Shooting Team, which won the 2019 state championship during its first year of existence. Head Coach Steve Watson noted that last year’s team only had seven members, and he is hoping to grow participation for next year’s team up to 15-17 students. “I’ve had tons of kids come up to me wanting to be part of it,” he said adding that the team needs more girls to participate too. The 2019 team featured no seniors. Members of the championship team included: Fischer Barton, Ethan Bowlin, Jerrod Croley, Trey Lawson, Jackson Petrey, Hayden Rains, and Matthew Wright. Assistant coaches on the team were Scott Bunch and Andy Croley.

• Set the 2020 motor vehicle tax rate at 55.20 cents per $100 of assessed value. Siler noted that the rate has remained unchanged since 2003. The board will set the property tax rate for 2020 during September’s monthly meeting.
• Recognized the Whitley County High School Girl’s Softball Team, which won the district tournament last spring. Head Coach Angela Singleton noted this was the first time that the team has achieved that honor in quite some time. “We were able to put it together at the end of the season,” she added. Five seniors graduated from last year’s team. Team members included: Abby Blakley, Sarah Bolton, Jenzi Huddleston, Emily Minton, Allison Neace, Hannah Rains, Lindsey Shope, Baylee Wilson, Sarah Zachery, Katibeth Kelly, Jaycie Monhollen, Katy Powers, Malanah Faulkner, Chelsea Logan, Leslie Monhollen, Sydnee Prewitt, Kallie Housley, Kaden Johnson, Mackenzie Lunsford and Ryleigh Petrey. Tara Comer and Brittany Turner were assistant coaches on the team.

• Presented teacher Linda Watson with the Above and Beyond Award for her work in the classroom, and her work assisting the Whitley County High School Baseball Team.