Last November, Wheeling Park High School added nearly 200 names of veterans and active duty alumni to the eagle statue that sits at the entrance of the high school.
“We worked with our local legion and employed a lot of grassroots marketing to get the word out, and over the course of a few months, we verified 193 individuals,” states Karin Butyn, OCS Public Relations Director. The county anticipated that the first batch of names would lead to additional names as word of mouth continued to spread. “Since last year, we’ve been contacted by a few dozen individuals to add their names as well as the several active duty that recently graduated,” states Butyn.
With the help of Governor Morrisey and Senator Ryan Weld, the county received a grant to assist in the expansion of the monument and add an additional round of names as well as create a plan moving forward to continue name additions every few years.
On July 1, Ohio County Schools will release an updated website on their social media. The website houses the original list of names added as well as a form to request a new name be added. Families seeking an additional name will need to ensure they double and triple check their spelling and have some form of verification to submit to the secure form. That verification can include a redacted DD214, a military ID, or a military leave and earnings statement. That verification will be cross referenced with WPHS transcripts to ensure a minimal margin of error.
“Wheeling Park High School encourages the three ‘E’ pathways: Employment, Education, and Enlistment. Many students opt for enlistment for a variety of reasons, and this is one small way we can recognize our veterans and military members. They deserve a permanent spot of recognition in our schools,” adds Butyn.
Website: https://ocsstyleguide.my.canva.site/wphs-military-monument
