“Despite all that modern science and technology have revealed about the world, something in us still longs for magic and mystery.” -Mackenzie Carro from “Hunting a Monster.”
The above quote is embedded into a unit that Wheeling Middle School teacher, Trish Cronin utilizes in her ELA classes. Their school year begins with a “Myths, Legends, and Cryptids” unit that involves articles about urban legends including Bigfoot and The Kraken. Living in WV, students have a natural progression into one of WV’s favorite legends: Point Pleasant’s Mothman.
Earlier this year, the state of WV put out an opportunity for educators to apply for a “WV Tourism Grant.” This grant offers financial support to encourage the tourism of our state to students, particularly with trips that revolve around culinary opportunities. Ms. Cronin applied for the grant with the hope of taking WMS students to see Point Pleasant in person. Wheeling Middle School was 1 of 123 applicants…and 1 of 9 to receive the grant!
This Monday, 110 students and 19 chaperones will venture to Point Pleasant for a unique day filled with WV history and lore. “Students are going to be split into three groups, and they’ll check out the Riverfront Park Mural, visit Tue-Endie-Wei State Park, and check out the Mothman Museum with an interactive rootbeer making presentation,” explains Cronin. “Students also get to participate in a lunch and learn session with Village Pizza Inn, where speakers will talk about what it means to be a tourist town and the culinary business, ” she adds.
Retired Mason County teachers will serve as tour guides as well as “Mothman Guru,” Denny Bellamy. “I’m so excited to show our students a full look at a community that took a legend and made a national spotlight,” adds Cronin.
WMS would like to thank the WV Tourism Grant, Operations at Ohio County Schools, Cassidy Law, Mother Jones, St. Johns, WVU Medicine, The Murad, Berisford, Quinn, and Grosso Families, Wheeling Rubber Products. Dairy Queen, and Panhandle Restoration for making donations or supplying efforts to ensure anything above the cost of the grant is covered.
“Our students really helped to make this happen. Their investment in the curriculum and asking the community to take an active role made a huge difference,” states Cronin. “I also want to thank Mr. Turbanic and Ms Bayes from WPHS. Their students pressed over 130 sweatshirts for us so our students had a memorable takeaway from the experience. Mr. McCardle also deserves a huge shoutout for embracing the idea and helping us put a huge trip together.”
We can’t wait to see pictures of the students. Thank you to all involved! What an AMAZING #OpportunityinOCS.
