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Ohio County Schools Administrators Get Grand Tour of ‘Viking Enterprises’ From Warwood School Students

Photo by Joselyn King Warwood School seventh grade students Jayden Hupp, left, and Tiarah Sutphin use a Cricut printer as part of the marketing sequence of “Viking Enterprises” at the school. Cricut printers have been used to print vinyl designs on T-shirts for the school.

WHEELING — Eighth grade student Audrey Ferguson is student council president at the Warwood School, and the young lady who leads the “student government” sequence of “Viking Enterprises” at the school.

And she is anxious to find more leadership opportunities.

“I like being in charge and encouraging other students,” Ferguson said. “Someday, I want to run for (U.S.) president.”

Ferguson helped organize the “simulated workplace tour” Friday at the school for members of the Ohio County Board of Education and central office administrators.

Those attending got a first-hand look at the efforts put forth by students during their school “jobs,” or classes they attend the last period of the day.

Principal Joey Subasic explained Viking Enterprises as a hybrid blend of a simulated workplace and a project-based learning model.

In short, the students have jobs in one of 13 different sequence areas at the school, ranging from health and wellness — for those who aspire to the healthcare profession — to education and helping out in the kindergarten classroom. Other students design logos for the school in the graphic design class or participate in video production, yearbook/photography or the school newspaper. There also are marketing, manufacturing and engineering and web design sequences at the school.

There is an entertainment sequence for performing arts-minded students, as well as two student government sequences — one for school planning and one for student services.

Project-based learning programs help students to feel they have a say in their school, explained Jim Rowing, assistant principal.

“Our feeling was that through this program, the students would feel empowered. And by feeling empowered, they would have a drive to want to dive deeper into themselves for learning … and they would start working on these projects, themselves, ” he said.

The school officials seemed impressed with the students’ efforts.

Superintendent Kim Miller said when the school district was seeking to launch its new app, she called on the VNN (Viking News Network) television production crew to craft a video to inform the public it was ready for download.

The students’ production featured the catchphrase, “It’s so easy, even our parents can do it.”

Miller said she received the video in her email within 24 hours of asking for it.

Viking Enterprises is a student-led organization where “we can be responsible and do everything independently,” explained Ferguson.

“This is a chance for us to take charge in our school and create an impact — which is really cool,” she said.

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