On Sunday, April 19, 2026, Wise County (and Wise County Public Schools) were well-represented at the VHSL Class of 2026 Hall of Fame Inductions.
Mrs. Hannah Light-Cress was inducted as a former VHSL Athlete (Softball, Volleyball, Basketball, and Track & Field), representing Coeburn High School, Coeburn, VA.
Hannah Light-Cress | Athlete
High School: Coeburn High School
Sports: Softball | Volleyball | Basketball | Track
Earned 16 varsity letters from 2006-10 ... 4 in softball, 4 in basketball, 4 in volleyball, 3 in track and field ... VHSL All-State Pitcher of The Year in 2010 ... Two-time 1st team and 2nd- team VHSL All-State ... Three-time All-Region and All-District pitcher of the year ...4x all district first team pitcher 4x all region first team pitcher ... 2010 All-State Female Athlete of the Year ... 2010 Wendy's High School Heisman Finalist ... Ranks top 5 in VHSL history with 1,092 career strikeouts, 15 consecutive shutouts, 8 career perfect games, 25 strikeouts in one game, and consecutive no hitters (3) ... 46 career shutouts.
Mrs. Natasha (Belcher) Holt was inducted as a former VHSL Athlete (Girls Tennis, Volleyball, and Girls Basketball), representing J.J. Kelly High School, Wise, VA.
Natasha (Belcher) Holt | Athlete
High School: J.J.Kelly High School
Sports: Girls Tennis | Volleyball
The first girls state tennis singles champion across all classifications to win three straight titles (1993-95) ... The Belcher/Kelly Dorsey doubles pair won the school's first-ever state title in 1995 ... Compiled a 4-year singles record (79-0) and doubles record (67-3) ... Never had a singles match go three sets ... Won three straight district and regional singles and doubles championships ...Led team to four consecutive state titles (1992-95) ... District and Region POY three straight years ... Coalfield Progress Athlete of the Year three consecutive years.
Mrs. Jan Thompson was inducted as a VHSL Coach in Theatre and Speech, representing J.J. Kelly High School and Central High School, Wise, VA.
Jan Thompson | Coach
School Affiliation: Central High School (Wise); J.J. Kelly
Sports: Theatre | Speech
During her 47 years in education and 21- year career Academic Activities Coach at J.J. Kelly and Centrals she has set the bar for other academic programs to reach fo, in Southwest Virginia ... She has won 11 state titles, 10 regional titles, and 15 district titles in both One Act and Speech (formerly Forensics) ... Has coached 22 All State Outstanding Actors and 75 All State Individual or Duo Award winners ... Her speech teams have won four state titles (2015-16, 2016-17, 2018-19, 2020-21 and 5 runners-up (2013-14, 2014-15, 2017-18, 2021-22, 2022-23) ... Her One-Act Theatre troupe has won 7 titles (2007-08, 2012-13, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2019-20, 2021-21, 2023-24) and 4 runners-up (2010-11, 2013-14, 2017-18, 2021-22) ... Virginia Association of Speech, Drama & Debate Virginia Teacher Director of the Year in 2014.
Coach Robin Dotson (VHSL HOF, Class of 2016) accompanied these individuals on their induction day. Please join us in congratulating these VHSL Hall of Fame inductees on an incredible day!
The WCPS April 2026 Newsletter is now available for viewing.
You may access the newsletter by clicking the following link:
https://wisecova.edurooms.com/engage/wise-county-public-schools/newsletters/april-2026-newsletter
Position: 26-27 Guidance Counselor - Central High School
Employment Link: https://wiseva.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5642992
Job Description:
Wise County Public Schools is seeking a compassionate, student-centered School Guidance Counselor to support the academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development of students in grades 9 through 12. The ideal candidate will collaborate with school staff, families, and community partners to promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that helps all students reach their full potential.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide individual and group counseling to address students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.
Support positive behavior and social skill development through proactive, preventative strategies.
Assist students in developing coping skills, self-regulation, and conflict resolution strategies.
Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and support staff to identify and respond to student needs.
Participate in the development of behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and 504 Plans when appropriate.
Provide crisis intervention and short-term support during emergencies or trauma-related incidents.
Maintain accurate and confidential student records and documentation in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Foster effective partnerships with families and connect them to school or community-based resources when needed.
Promote a culturally responsive counseling program that respects and values diverse student backgrounds.
Qualifications:
Master’s degree in School Counseling or related field from an accredited institution.
Valid Virginia Postgraduate Professional License with an endorsement in School Counseling (PreK–12).
Demonstrated knowledge of child development, counseling techniques, and current best practices in elementary school counseling.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
Experience working with young children in a school setting preferred.
Commitment to confidentiality, equity, and student advocacy.
The Wise County School Board is an equal opportunity employer, committed to nondiscrimination in recruitment, selection, hiring, pay, promotion, retention or other personnel actions affecting employees or candidates for employment. Therefore, discrimination in employment against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, status as a veteran, genetic information or disability is prohibited. Personnel decisions are based on merit and the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Terms of Employment: Full Time
Contact Information:
Mr. Elijah Helton
Principal
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
Phone: 276-328-8015
Email: ehelton@wisek12.org
Position: 26-27 Special Education Teacher Central High School
Employment Link: https://wiseva.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5642994
Job Description: Must have a current Special Education teaching license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Wise County School Board is an equal opportunity employer, committed to nondiscrimination in recruitment, selection, hiring, pay, promotion, retention or other personnel actions affecting employees or candidates for employment. Therefore, discrimination in employment against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, status as a veteran, genetic information or disability is prohibited. Personnel decisions are based on merit and the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Terms of Employment: Full Time
Contact Information:
Mr. Elijah Helton
Principal
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
Phone: 276-328-8015
Email: ehelton@wisek12.org
Position: 26-27 Business and Information Technology Teacher - Central High School
Employment Link: https://wiseva.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5642995
Job Description: Must have a Business and Information Technology License from the state of VA.
The Wise County School Board is an equal opportunity employer, committed to nondiscrimination in recruitment, selection, hiring, pay, promotion, retention or other personnel actions affecting employees or candidates for employment. Therefore, discrimination in employment against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, status as a veteran, genetic information or disability is prohibited. Personnel decisions are based on merit and the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Terms of Employment: Full Time
Contact Information:
Mr. Elijah Helton
Principal
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
Phone: 276-328-8015
Email: ehelton@wisek12.org
This week, we recognize and celebrate our amazing assistant principals for their leadership, dedication, and commitment to student success. From supporting teachers to guiding students, your impact is felt throughout our entire school community.
Thank you for all that you do—you help make our schools stronger every day!
📚🍎 April 4 is School Librarian Day! 🍎📚 (due to Spring Break, we are celebrating them early!)
Today we celebrate our incredible school librarians—the heart of our library and champions of literacy, learning, and curiosity. From helping students find the perfect book to guiding research and discovery, you make a lasting impact every day.
Thank you for inspiring a love of reading and supporting our school community!
Good afternoon students, families, faculty, and staff:
Please be reminded that Wise County Public Schools will observe Spring Break, beginning Friday, April 3rd through Friday, April 10th. Classes and normal school operations resume Monday, April 13th. Wise County Public Schools wishes all students, families, faculty, and staff a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable Spring Break.
--Wise County Public Schools
April is National Autism Awareness Month 💙
This month—and every month—we celebrate neurodiversity, promote understanding, and support inclusion for autistic individuals everywhere.
Let’s move beyond awareness and toward acceptance:
✨ Listen to autistic voices
✨ Respect different ways of thinking and communicating
✨ Create spaces where everyone belongs
Join us in celebrating the heart of our school — the library! From inspiring stories to powerful research tools, our library is a place where curiosity grows and learning never stops.
Let’s show some love to our amazing librarians and encourage everyone to:
📖 Pick up a new book
🔍 Explore new ideas
💡 Discover something exciting
Happy Occupational Therapy Month!
This April, we celebrate the incredible impact of occupational therapists who help people live life to the fullest every day. From supporting recovery to promoting independence, their work truly makes a difference.
Thank you to all the amazing OTs for your compassion, dedication, and commitment to helping others thrive! 🙌
Today we celebrate the dedicated paraprofessionals who make a difference in our schools every single day. Your support, patience, and commitment help students succeed and teachers thrive.
Thank you for all the ways you go above and beyond—you are truly appreciated!
Aria Taylor Wolford, from Central High School, is a VHSL Speech State Champion in Humorous Interpretation (Class 2)!
Congratulations to Aria, and to Central High School on this well-deserved accomplishment!
Central High Senior Hits High Note: Nolan Hylton Ranks 3rd in State
WISE, VA – Nolan Hylton, a senior at Central High School, has achieved a rare and prestigious honor by earning third chair in the All-Virginia Band and Orchestra. This placement officially recognizes Hylton as the third-best high school trumpet player in the entire state of Virginia, a distinction that transcends school size and geographic region. Nolan has been involved in band since the 5th grade, when he first began playing the trumpet. What started as an introduction to music quickly grew into a deep passion and a clear professional aspiration. His dedication and talent earned him a full scholarship to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), a top-25 school for music performance, where he hopes to become a professional orchestral musician.
With the goal of becoming a professional orchestra musician, Nolan has already gained valuable experience, including auditioning for and performing with the Symphony of the Mountains in Kingsport. These opportunities have strengthened both his performance ability and commitment to his craft.
The journey to the All-Virginia ensemble is a rigorous, multi-stage process:
District Level: Hylton first had to secure a spot in the top four of the All-District Band. He surpassed this requirement by earning second chair.
State Auditions: Moving on to James Madison University, Hylton competed against more than 70 of the elite trumpet players from across Virginia.
The Result: His performance earned him the third overall seat, a feat rarely seen in Wise County or the City of Norton.
A Rare Achievement for Southwest Virginia
Local educators note that only two or three students from the Wise County and Norton areas have earned seats in this ensemble over the past fifteen years. Upon looking at archives, Noah believes he is one of few students to have earned a seat in the “Orchestra” category. Noah’s lifelong trumpet instructor, Donald Sorah states:
"I’ve had the privilege of teaching Nolan for the past two years, and his growth has been the result of an incredible work ethic and determination. Earning third chair in the All-Virginia Band means he is one of the very best trumpet players in the entire state of Virginia, regardless of school size or division. That is an extraordinary accomplishment, and it’s especially meaningful to see a student from Wise County achieve this level of success. Nolan has worked tirelessly for this moment, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
His musical journey was inspired by his aunt, Janie Short, who passed down the instrument he still plays today. Her influence, along with her own educational path at UVA Wise, helped shape his early interest in music. Additionally, the support of his grandparents, who provided access to lessons, played a significant role in his development. Through those lessons, he built strong habits of discipline, accountability, and perseverance that continue to guide his success. Hylton’s achievement is a testament to his discipline and the high caliber of musical talent present in Southwest Virginia.
Wise County Public Schools proudly congratulates Nolan Hylton, from Central High, on this prestigious fine arts honor!
Our alumni spotlight features Emma Chandler Mullins, Class of 2020, from Central High School.
Wise County Public Schools is eager to learn about and share alumni highlights from its graduates! Please click here to complete a submission form: https://forms.gle/ADQAbVxjGmieZA6R9.
