HARPERS FERRY — Approximately 48 of Jefferson County’s brightest and best eighth graders were honored Thursday evening when the Charles Town Kiwanis Club, supported by the Shepherdstown Kiwanis Club, recognized these students’ efforts over their middle school years.

Each of the students was selected based upon their academic achievements, having attained 4.0 grade-point averages over each of their three years at their respective schools. Also considered by school personnel who recommended the recipients were each students’ activities and involvement in their schools.

Rob Payne, vice president of the Charles Town Kiwanis Club, said that the club has been presenting the awards for the past 47 to 48 years. He also shared that it was his father who started the tradition when students from Charles Town Junior High received silver dollars rather than medals. The club later opened up the awards to Harpers Ferry Junior High students, later adding in both Wildwood Middle School and Shepherdstown Middle.

“A lot of you are going on to college,” Payne told students gathered in the auditorium at Harpers Ferry Middle for the presentation ceremony. “Eighth-grade stats start to get important. Each of you have huge potential.”

Payne also explained to the audience that club members have no part in the selection process.

Students are recommended by guidance counselors and principals who work closely with the county’s middle school coordinator, Joel Silver.

As each of the recipients came to the stage Thursday to accept their medals, they shared their goals for future careers. Jefferson County, should these young folks follow through on their plans, will produce nurses, aerospace engineers, large animal veterinarians and so much more when these students complete their education.

Harpers Ferry Middle School selected 19 students to receive the awards. They included: Paige Barrett, Piper Carlson, Brylin Carney, Abigail Daniel, Gabriella Hillman, John Kirby, Anabelle Lingg, Alexander Mancillas, Audrey Milner, Eisha Ogues, Sofia Palmer, Alyssa Plauche, Bryce Schneble, Adalyn Smith, Arenwald Smith, Samantha Thompson, McKenzie Wagoner, Amelia White and Trinity Wyndham.

Honored from Charles Town Middle School were the following 14 students: Genevieve Acosta, Wilson Brown, Francesca Cerasoli, Elizabeth Fetty, Angela Mendez, Briahna Portal, Lucille Reidnger, Camila Najar Rodriguez, Madison Smith, Savannah Steinmetz, Piper Stolipher, Tres Stoneberger and Owen Twyford.

Shepherdstown Middle School selected seven students to receive the Kiwanis honor. They included Samuel Cooper, Ainsley Gray, Colton Jones, Elsa Lamp, Emilia Merkel-Mason, Shay Oben and Lilian Wilson. Wildwood’s list of top students included Liam James, Hayden Jenkins, Zachary Jordan, Brennan Kautz, Gavin Kramer, Luke Kreger, Elliott Myers, Jillian Owens and Ethan Pearson.

Payne shared that Kiwanis is an international organization centered on helping children. He encouraged those interested in helping the youth to consider joining a Kiwanis club. He concluded with some encouraging words to those students now on the verge of their high school careers.

“All of you have unbelievable opportunity and potential. Reach in and grab it,” he encouraged. “You are the future of this world – far beyond just this area.”