Chuck Mathena Center holds first Patriots Pledge Ceremony

PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) — The Mercer County Schools Patriots Pledge Ceremony was held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the Chuck Mathena Center to recognize high school seniors who committed to a branch of the military or have been accepted into a military academy.

Recruiters from the United States Marine Corps, the United States National Guard, and the United States Army attended the event. The recruits received a certificate, flag, and coin from the recruiters.

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The students who committed to a branch of the military or have been accepted into a military academy include:

Bluefield High School

• Noah Bailey | U.S. Army

• Catalina Dalton | U.S. Air Force

• Augustine Ozuna | U.S. National Guard

Montcalm High School

• Logan Coburn | U.S. Marine Corps

PikeView High School

• Kaden Duckworth | U.S. Army

• Joseph Maltempie | U.S. National Guard

• Ashelin Merritt | U.S. National Guard

• Michael Neal | U.S. Air Force

Princeton Senior High School

• Elijah Campbell | U.S. Air Force Academy

• Tamiriah Truckenmiller | U.S. Army

• Stanley Curry | U.S. National Guard

Guests at the event were welcomed by Superintendent Edward Toman, who also introduced the board members President Greg Prudich, Mercer County Board member Jim Bailey, and other dignitaries who were at the ceremony. He also acknowledged event coordinator, Jennifer Collis.

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A $1,000 award was given to patriotism essay contest winners by Dayton Meadows, owner of Mountain Memories Freedom Flag. The winners of the essay contest include:

Princeton Senior High School

• Cora Thornton

PikeView High School

• John Auldon Perkins

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Meadows also gave $500 award to those who won the patriotism art contest. The winners of the art contest include:

Bluefield High School

• Mandy Hancock

PikeView High School

• Destiny Robinette

Guest speaker, Bluefield City Manager Colonel Harry Cecil Marson V, gave a speech after being introduced by Dr. Amber Bowling, and talked about how his life and career was shaped by his experience in the military.

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