Local teacher makes sure no student goes home hungry on the weekends

MARSHALL COUNTY, W.Va. ( WTRF ) – The impact of a good mentor is life-changing, especially during high school when students begin making important decisions about their futures.

7News Anchor Annalise Murphy and Haley Wade from The Health Plan are proud to announce this month’s Golden Apple Awards winner, Kelly Pettit, who is well-known for her caring character and dedication to helping students in and out of the classroom.

“I just – I’m so excited to have this honor. As you can tell, I’m pretty shocked. And it’s just a great honor.”

Kelly Pettit | School Counselor, Cameron High School

For the last 16 years, Ms. Pettit has not only been a guidance counselor but an advocate and mentor to Cameron High School students as they create their own destinies.

Dedication to student success is driven by her ability to see a student’s personal needs.

“When she looks at a student, she looks at the whole student, because we cannot educate a student who is sitting in our classroom hungry. So, she makes sure that those students have food to take home on the weekends. Working very closely with our social worker.”

Rhonda Williams | Assistant Principal, Cameron High School

Caring for the students also means caring for their families, so Ms. Pettit spearheaded a program that helps parents in need.

“Sometimes parents will come in and say they need something. Maybe their electric is going to be shut off or something. And we find resources. We work with the family Resource Network very closely with them and make sure that we have connections so we can help our students. She does that every day.”

Rhonda Williams | Assistant Principal, Cameron High School

Ms. Pettit knows everyone by name and shows how much she cares by recognizing and supporting students through their struggles.

“She’ll go out of her way to find that student and really support them or like she sees me in the hallway, maybe I’m down a little bit, she’ll make sure to pick me up and all that stuff.”

Ashlee Dobbs | Senior, Cameron High School

On top of being a mentor, Ms. Pettit guides students as they plan their futures.

Whether a student decides to attend college, a trade school, or is looking for certification, she helps students make their dreams a reality.

Between assisting students in their applications for post-high school education and sharing various scholarship opportunities weekly, Ms. Pettit loves seeing her students succeed.

“A student can rise from poverty with absolutely no support whatsoever and be, you know, in a four-year college right now, making the president’s list, doing great things. And they’re going to continue to do great things throughout their life. So, it’s just really exciting.”

Kelly Pettit | School Counselor, Cameron High School*

She says it’s been rewarding to see students graduate and move on to accomplish all the goals they set for themselves.

“I like to know I’ve had a part in that and helped them in any way I possibly could.”

Kelly Pettit | School Counselor, Cameron High School

Ms. Pettit was awarded $500 to use for anything at the school.

From everyone here at WTRF, congratulations to Ms. Pettit.

If you’d like to nominate an educator in our community who makes a difference, follow this link .

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