🏆 UHS& UMS Student Spotlight: SWVA CanCode Pitchfest Winners! 💻
We are incredibly proud to celebrate two outstanding student innovators who represented our division at the Regional SWVA CanCode Pitchfest on Monday at UVA Wise!
🥇 Aeris Odom (UHS) earned 1st Place in the High School Division, showcasing creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking.
🥉 Tucker Mullins (UMS) earned 3rd Place in the Middle School Division, demonstrating impressive problem-solving skills and the confidence to pitch his ideas to a regional audience.
Congratulations, Aeris and Tucker! Your hard work, creativity, and willingness to think outside the box are inspiring examples of student leadership and achievement. We are proud of the way you represent your schools, families, and community!
Our tradition of excellence continues!
✨ When Teachers Find Their Voices, Students Do Too! ✨
We are incredibly proud to see the work of our teachers and students at Union Middle School recognized on a national stage!
Through a powerful partnership with the Appalachian Writing Project and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Union Middle School educators have embraced professional learning that puts teachers at the center of their own growth—and the results are making a difference for students.
The impact goes far beyond writing assignments. Teachers have reported stronger classroom relationships, increased student engagement, and greater confidence among students as they discover the power of their own voices and experiences. The work has also contributed to favorable gains in literacy and achievement scores.
As Learning Forward recently highlighted, teachers at Union Middle School found that writing and learning together created a stronger classroom culture, encouraged students to share their stories, and helped students become more confident and invested in improving their work.
This is what meaningful professional learning looks like:
Teachers growing.
Students finding their voices.
Classrooms becoming communities.
Achievement rising.
We are grateful to the Appalachian Writing Project, UVA Wise, and—most importantly—our dedicated Union Middle School educators for their commitment to helping every student find their voice and reach their potential.
This is excellence in action!
Read the Learning Forward feature, “When Teachers Find Their Voices, Students Do Too,” to learn more about the incredible work happening at Union Middle School:
https://learningforward.org/journal/teacher-voice/when-teachers-find-their-voices-students-do-too/
Amazing Students, Extraordinary Things: Reid M., from L.F. Addington Middle School
What happens when curiosity, creativity, and determination come together? You get an amazing student doing extraordinary things!
Our student spotlights celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our students and the ways they represent themselves, their families, their school, and their community. Today, we are proud to spotlight Reid M., a current fifth grader at LFA who is already making his mark in the world of technology.
Reid is the son of Jennifer and Jon Mullins, and the great-grandson of the late “Papa Joe” Smiddy, Joseph C. Smiddy, the first Chancellor of Clinch Valley College [The University of Virginia’s College at Wise]. With a family connection to an important part of our region’s educational history, Reid is continuing that tradition of excellence in his own unique way.
Reid has been coding and programming for more than two years—entirely self-taught. At an age when many students are just beginning to explore technology, Reid is already designing websites, developing interactive games, and learning what it takes to create an app for the marketplace.
One of Reid’s impressive projects is the Mountain Crest Farms website. He designed the site and manages/maintains the farm’s social media accounts. Mountain Crest Farm is a 127-acre, family-owned and operated farm founded in 1987. It is home to horses, pigs, livestock, Tilly the dog, and even a donkey named Joe.
But Reid’s creativity doesn’t stop there. He has designed multiple interactive virtual games, including his most popular creation—a fun, clicker-style hot dog game. As players click, they advance through the game and unlock more and more toppings to create their ultimate hot dog.
Reid is also setting his sights even higher. He has been working through Apple Store tutorials, learning coding, scripts, and the process behind app development. His dream is to one day develop and officially launch his very own app on the app market.
Reid is proof that you don’t have to wait until you are older to dream big, create something meaningful, or make a difference. With his talent, determination, and imagination, his future is full of possibilities!
We believe in you, Reid! Your accomplishments are truly remarkable, and we are so proud of the way you represent yourself, your family, LFA, and our community. Your story is another wonderful example of a tradition of excellence—and we can’t wait to see what you create next!
WISE COUNTY SCHOOLS DOES IT AGAIN!
We are incredibly proud to announce that Wise County Public Schools has once again finished 3rd in the Commonwealth of Virginia in Standards of Learning performance among all 131 school divisions!
This marks our FOURTH consecutive year finishing 3rd in Virginia and our 11TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR as a Top 10 school division in the Commonwealth.
Eleven consecutive years.
Students have entered kindergarten and graduated from high school during that span. Standards have changed. Assessments have changed. Expectations have increased.
And through it all, Wise County Schools has remained among the very best school divisions in Virginia.
That doesn't happen by accident.
It happens because of outstanding students, dedicated teachers, strong school leadership, committed employees, supportive families, and a community that believes in its schools.
Being in the Top 10 once is an accomplishment.
Staying there for 11 consecutive years says something about who we are.
Finishing 3rd in Virginia for four consecutive years says something about the standard our students and employees have established.
We are proud of this accomplishment. We are proud of our people. And we are especially proud of our students.
Our Tradition of Excellence continues.
🩺 NOW HIRING: SUBSTITUTE SCHOOL NURSES
WCPS is looking for caring and dependable Substitute School Nurses to support our students as needed.
Make a difference in the lives of our students!
👉 Apply here: https://wiseva.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4956093
Throughout the week of August 23rd-29th, we are celebrating our amazing school speech-language pathologists and the important role they play in helping students communicate, learn, connect, and succeed!
Our SLPs work alongside students, families, teachers, and staff to support communication and language skills across our schools. Their patience, creativity, expertise, and dedication make a lasting difference in the lives of our students every day.
Thank you to our incredible speech-language pathologists for helping every student find their voice and share their ideas with confidence!
We are incredibly grateful for the dedication, passion, and commitment of our employees who work each day to support our youngest learners and their families. Thank you for your willingness to learn, collaborate, share ideas, and continue growing professionally. Your hard work and heart make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families!
We appreciate you and all that you do to make a difference!
Student Spotlight: Honoring Friendship, Excellence, and Community at Union
Malakai is a current senior band member at Union High School. When Malakai was diagnosed with autism at three years old, his early years were marked by significant speech delays and motor skill challenges. Communication did not come easily, but through his own determination—and the dedicated guidance of key educators along the way—Malakai’s path became one of remarkable achievement.
Early Milestones and Digital Mastery
Malakai’s educational journey gained momentum at Minnick, where educator Mr. Eric Salyers provided vital early resources and support. Mr. Salyers states, “I am thrilled to see Malakai doing so well! I had Malakai at Minnick for several years. He was a joy to have as a student." In 2020, Malakai transitioned from Minnick to Union Middle School for sixth grade. There, Coach Josh Spurlock stepped in as a mentor, guiding him through school expectations and equipping him with tools for academic and personal success. Spurlock states, “Malakai is one of those students you don’t forget. When I first met him, he was shy and quiet as he adjusted to being back in the general education classroom. Over time, I had the privilege of watching him become more comfortable, build relationships, and truly find his place. The quiet young man I first met soon became someone who brought energy, laughter, smiles, and plenty of great stories. Malakai had a way of brightening the day of the people around him, and it was a joy to watch his confidence grow. I’m grateful for the time I had with Malakai and proud to have played a small role in his journey."
Outside the classroom, Malakai’s deep curiosity about computers developed into world-class technical skill. A naturally gifted typist, he achieved an astounding speed of 249 words per minute, ranking 30th out of over 5 million users on Monkey Type. His precision and speed earned him spots in competitive cash tournaments, including a second-place finish and an $800 prize on [keymaster].
Resilience in Rhythm
In eighth grade, Malakai faced a profound turning point. His closest friend, Joshua—a dedicated student, football fan, and tuba player—had often encouraged Malakai to join the school band. Malakai states, “He was one of the only close friends I had at Union. In fact, he was the only person I talked outside of school.” Following a devastating tragedy that took Joshua's life, Malakai chose to step into the band program to honor his friend's memory, taking up Joshua's instrument: the tuba and sousaphone. Through joining Union High’s band program, Malakai wanted to also honor Joshua’s love of football.
Entering the band room with no prior musical training, Malakai found an encouraging home under the direction of Mrs. Kimberly Sturgill–”Malakai refused to let any label define him, instead showing through his character, work ethic, pride, talent, and dedication that he is a stellar band member and someone we can always count on. He joined the band to honor a friend he lost, and in doing so, created a legacy of his own, touching the lives of countless students and the adults fortunate enough to work with him.” With Mrs. Sturgill’s guidance, resources, and unwavering belief in his potential, Malakai fully committed himself to the art of music.
From Beginner to Senior Soloist
Malakai’s commitment helped drive unprecedented success for the program:
2024: The band earned its first Superior rating.
2025: The ensemble achieved straight Superiors across all categories.
2026: Malakai helps lead a 120-member marching band—the largest in the school’s history in over 16 years.
From a student who started with zero musical background in middle school, this fall, Malakai now takes the field as a featured senior soloist.
Looking Ahead
As graduation approaches, Malakai is preparing for his next step, with local college options on the horizon. In addition to those aforementioned educators that played a crucial role in Malakai’s life, Malakai is supported greatly by Union High School’s Principal, Mr. Jerred Chandler, who often mentors Malakai, “Malakai approaches coming to school with an upbeat attitude, and a willingness to want to make a positive impact on the lives of others. He is a great asset to Union High School.”
The Wise County Public School Division joins the Union High School community in celebrating and taking immense pride in Malakai’s achievements. We are grateful to the educators, staff, peers, and community members who have walked alongside him throughout his journey. His story reminds us all of what is possible when student dedication is met with strong school and community support.
Join us in welcoming Tanya Odle to the team at Wise County Public Schools!
