CEDAR has just completed their ninth year in southern West Virginia. Over the nine-year period, CEDAR has provided 387 teachers with approximately $87,593 in grant money to utilize in their classroom teaching about the many benefits coal has to offer. 8,877 students have been involved in these coal study units in Mingo, Logan, Boone, McDowell, and Wyoming counties.
At the ninth Regional Coal Fair, 252 projects were on display from students in K-12 grades that demonstrated their understanding of how coal is formed, mined, and transported, as well as how the industry affects their daily lives. Over the nine-year period, 2,343 projects have been represented at the regional level. A total of $51,539 in cash prizes has been awarded to students for performance and $11,912 in cash prizes has been awarded to the school coal fair coordinators (teacher designated by school principal). Exhibits were entered in seven categories: Art, English/Literature, Math, Music, Science, Social Studies and Technology/Multi Media. Each category is split into three grade levels (K-4), (5-8), and (9-12). In addition to the cash prizes awarded, the students gained a hands-on education in coal and found pride in their strong coal heritage.During the week of April 26 – April 30, approximately 800 visitors toured the projects at the Harless Community Center in Gilbert. Bus tours were scheduled from the participating counties to tour the projects on display. Two winning CEDAR students, William Poe and Dustin Adkins performed for Tug Valley Mining Institute attendees. Tony Bumbico, Arch VP of Safety; John M Gallick, Alpha VP Safety & Health; and Rick Marlowe, Consol Director of Safety Awareness, addressed the Tug Valley Mining Institute meeting on Thursday night discussing safety, our industry’s top priority.
CEDAR of Southern West Virginia, Inc. is an all volunteer, not for profit corporation which began as a partnership between the Coal Industry, Business Community, and Educators, created with the purpose of improving the image of the coal industry.
CEDAR of Southern West Virginia, Inc. board members include Gary L. Bennett, John B. Earles, Chris Hamilton, Steve Hopta, Roger Lilly, Phillip G. Montague, James M. Mullins, Georgene Robertson, Wilma Zigmond, Bud Clapp, Troy Andes, Brian Varney, Mike Mitchem, JoAnne Tomblin, and Marty Petrunyak. Helen Curry is the Coal Study Unit Manager, and Debbie Mudd is the Coal Fair Manager.
CEDAR is working toward securing coal’s future TODAY by educating our leaders of TOMORROW! For additional information about CEDAR of Southern West Virginia, Inc., call Georgene Robertson at 304/792-8433.