National School Counseling Week 2023 will be observed this coming week.

The theme this year is, “School Counselors Helping Students Dream Big,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association.

The counseling week is being held to focus attention on the contribution of school counselors.

The week provides recognition for school counselors who implement comprehensive school counseling programs, “a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century,” according to Marshall County Schools Student Services, Federal Programs & State Assessment Direc-tor Casey Storm.

In a proclamation, Storm cited school counselors for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents, for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world, for focusing on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential.

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Members of the Marshall County Board of Education were recently provided with information dealing with the four main areas of technology which includes wireless, iPads, work orders, and Clever.

Director of Technology Carla Garrison stated, “We want to streamline our configuration so that all schools run on the same controller,” adding that the licensing model for access points and switches is changing to an annual, per device model.

“Our upgrade plan starts with … Moundsville Middle, and the equipment for this upgrade has been ordered and we are currently in a holding pattern.”

According to Garrison, the next step is to leverage funding to upgrade six more locations (Central, Cameron High, Cameron Elementary, Center McMechen, McNinch and John Marshall).

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Three special events will be taking place this month at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex. One is a remote presentation entitled “Heritage of the New River Gorge:” and “African American History and Beyond,” which will be held at 2 p.m. on Feb. 11.

The second one will be from noon until 4 p.m. on Feb.18. It will be an afternoon with members of Ohio County Master Gardeners, Todd Hager from the Marshall County Cooperative Extension Office, and museum volunteers. Those participating will take seeds from the museum’s Interpretive Garden to grow at home, propagate a house plant, learn about soil testing, make a “Sprout House” for germinating seeds, create a corn husk doll, and more.

The final event is titled, “David Bottom: Rare History, Valuable Lives” to be shown at 7 p.m. on Feb. 23.

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Children’s acting classes will begin on Feb. 25 at the Strand Theatre. There will be three sessions taught by Renee Storm. Session 1 (Kindergarten-Grade 2) will be from 9-9:45 a.m. Session 2 (Grades 3-5) will meet from 10-10:55 a.m. Session 3 (Grades 6-8) will meet from 11 a.m. until noon.

To register or for more information visit www.strandtheatrewv.com/event.

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“A Strand of Love” a Valentine Concert featuring the Ron Retzer Trio, will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Strand.

The concert will include favorite songs from several decades. Retzer will be accompanied by Jennifer Galownia and Bob Wolfe.

Doors will open at 6 p.m.

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Digital auditions for “Moundsville’s Got Talent” took place this past Wednesday at the Strand, with live auditions to take place from 7-8 p.m. on February 7.

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The annual John Marshall High School Pageant will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 in the school’s Center for Performing Arts.

The pageant will feature 10 senior girls competing for the crown and the honor of representing the school in the OVAC Queen of Queens Pageant in July. Participants are:

Pearl Chambers, Madelyn Cisar, Rebekah Clark, Marie Evans, Emma Felton, Lauren Riggenbach, Kieremy Riggle, Khloe Trussell, Faith Wachter, and Grey Woods.

Contestants will be scored in three categories–interview, talent and poise/presentation. Tony Summers will be the Master of Ceremonies and the Pageant Coordinator will be Tracey Filben,

There will be a fee to attend, with tickets available at the door, which will open at 6:30 p.m.

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The John Marshall High School Class of 1972 will be holding its 50th reunion on May 20 at 6 p.m., at Undo’s West in St. Clairsville.

Those members planning to attend are asked to join the JMHS 50th Reunion Class ’72 JMHS Facebook page, or send email to JMHS7250th@gmail.com. Details to follow.

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Knights of Columbus Council No. 12915, Mount Olivet, will be holding its annual Lenten fish fry starting on Ash Wednesday February 22, and on every Friday for the following six weeks.

The fish fry will take place from 3-6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace School gymnasium on Mount Olivet Road in Mount Olivet.

Meals will be available for dine-in or carry-out.