School Counselors

B. Marie Byers meets last time, passes her torch By TARA REILLY / Staff Writer Washington County Board of Education member B. Marie Byers passed the torch to the newly elected board members Tuesday, concluding her 30-year tenure in office. Byers attended her last meeting of the School Board, which she first joined on July 1, 1970. Her last meeting brought several awards and recognition for her service. The Maryland School Counselor's Association named her Advocate of the Year for her support of school guidance counselors.

By DON AINES Staff Writer, Martinsburg MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - In the aftermath of a tragedy such as the apparent slaying of Jessica Lynn Newell, schools in Berkeley County can look to a group of professionals to help with the emotional trauma that can result. The Berkeley County Crisis Intervention Team was created a decade ago to come into the schools and assist when a tragedy strikes. Community Relations Director Mary Jo Brown said the school system began the process Friday, the day after Newell disappeared from Pikeside Bowl.

By CLYDE FORD Staff Writer, Charles Town CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Longtime Jefferson High School choir director Harold L. "Sonny" Chamblin died Monday at his home. He was 49. "It's a tremendous, loss particularly to the young people," said former Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Judson Romine. "He did such a tremendous job with the pop singers and the chorus. He was just a tremendous asset to the school. " When Chamblin did not show up for school Monday, school officials called his home and then met a relative at the home to check on him, said Jefferson County Schools Superintendent David Markoe.

By LISA GRAYBEAL Staff Writer, Chambersburg SOUTH MOUNTAIN, Pa. - A Waynesboro Area Senior High School sophomore was killed and two other students were injured, one seriously, when the car they were in went out of control and struck a tree head-on at 7:15 a.m. Thursday on their way to school, according to Pennsylvania State Police. The driver of the Saab, Dana Lee Mentzer, 17, of 4680 Carbaugh Rd., Fayetteville, Pa., was pronounced dead at 8:18 a.m. at the scene on Old Forge Road just south of the Village of South Mountain by Franklin County Coroner Kenneth L. Peiffer Jr., police said.

The West Virginia Department of Education is reminding parents that students entering seventh and 12th grades this fall will need to visit a doctor or health clinic before school begins to update their immunizations. State law and West Virginia Board of Education policy now requires seventh-graders to receive a Tdap vaccine booster, as well as a dose of the meningococcal vaccine. High school seniors also must show proof of a single dose of Tdap and a booster dose of the meningococcal vaccine if the first dose was given before the age of 16, according to a news release from the West Virginia Department of Education.

Boonsboro renames four alleys BOONSBORO - The Boonsboro Town Council on Monday approved names for four previously unnamed alleys in town. Alley 1, which intersects with North Main Street and the Boonsboro Historical Park, is now Blecker View. Alley 2, off Knode Circle, is now Josiah Lane. Alley 10, which connects Reeders Alley and Sinnesin Drive, is now Nyman Place. Alley 11, a “walking alley” off Park Drive, is now called Sgt. Rich Poffenberger Jr. Way, in honor of the town police officer who died unexpectedly in December.

waynesboro@herald-mail.com GREENCASTLE, Pa. - Two Greencastle-Antrim High School students walked out of the building at the close of Monday's classes. As they walked the girl put her arm around the boy's shoulder. Both were laughing. The girl was black. The boy was white. Moments before, a black student riding a bicycle north on Ridge Avenue across from the school was forced from the side of the road into the traffic lane by three male high school students standing on the sidewalk when they made a threatening gesture toward him. The two incidents point to what is happening between the races in the 852-student high school.

The Maugansville Ruritan Club has announced this year's essay winners. The topic was “How Have the Events of 9/11/2001 changed America?” The winners are: First place, Elyssa Lou; second place, Luke Coulter; and third place Geraldine Betancur. All students who participated are fifth-grade students at Maugansville Elementary School. Approximately 95 students submitted essays. Teachers monitored, collected and submitted the essays to the Ruritan members before the winter break.

Letters to the Editor 9/10 Mr. Charlie's taken his last ride on Bus 346 By Jenny Belliotti The kids called him Mr. Charlie. Last year, after 10 years of driving a school bus, he took a leave of absence due to health problems. Amid rumors he would soon be returning to drive his school bus, he passed away. School counselors broke the sad news to the kids who rode Bus No. 346. Parents in the communities he served mourned his loss. Mr. Charlie.