FAIRMONT — After more than two years of extensive, ongoing renovations, Fairmont Senior High School is almost ready to unveil its improvements.
Fairmont Senior High School Fairmont, WV
1867 - 2021
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PROFILE UPDATES
| • | Candace McDonald (Springer) (1962) 3/11 |
| • | Frank Wade (1959) 12/10 |
| • | Mark Summers (Summers) (1958) 9/28 |
| • | Tammy Reese (Amos) (1979) 8/10 |
| • | Gerard Merchant (1999) 8/7 |
| • | Robert Michael Nease (1967) 7/17 |
| • | Marshall Scott Shields (1967) 7/16 |
| • | Ardella LeBlond (Cottrill) (1987) 6/27 |
| • | Lina Shone (Ingraham) (1959) 6/14 |
| • | Dave Meisel (1957) 3/21 |
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UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
| • | Janet Arthur (Frey) (1975) 3/22 |
| • | Christine Holochwost (Maine) (1987) 3/22 |
| • | Amy Tuttle (Summers) (1991) 3/22 |
| • | Cecily Urbaniak (Winchell) (1963) 3/22 |
| • | Eck Taylor (1953) 3/23 |
| • | Stephen Inghram (Shingleton) (1993) 3/24 |
| • | David L. (Dave) Offutt (1980) 3/24 |
| • | Sarah Beth Schwartz (1978) 3/24 |
| • | Mickey Ball (1950) 3/25 |
| • | Stephan Edward Vance (1974) 3/25 |
| • | Mark Calabrase (1974) 3/26 |
| • | Carmen Cavallo (1976) 3/26 |
| • | Paul Ely (1967) 3/27 |
| • | Heather Jo Ann Kuhn (Luzier) (1992) 3/28 |
| • | Dave Meisel (1957) 3/28 |
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Welcome Polar Bears to a website commemorating 93 years of exemplary education at the Loop Park campus on Oakwood Road in Fairmont WV. Free membership. Join today
Click on Foundation Scholars on the left bar for previous and current scholarship awardees.
John D. Tennant Jr., 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 2, 2023, in the same house where he was born on June 10, 1928, at the family farm in Fairview. Between those two milestones, his influence was felt far and wide by thousands of students and teachers during his 32-year career in education.
John was the son of the late John D. and Ethel Dawson Tennant. His prodigious memories included gathering around a family radio powered by a car battery to listen to the election of Franklin Roosevelt, as well as a school assembly in the 8th grade when the President declared war on Japan in 1941.
Also, as an 8th grade lad, John rode his bicycle three miles to school, arriving early to study for the West Virginia Golden Horseshoe test. His dedication paid off as he won the coveted award, representing Marion County in 1942.
During his early years of high school, because his family’s farm was considered necessary to the war effort, John could only attend school two days per week and contribute to farm work the rest of the time. He graduated in 1946 from Fairview High School.
John earned his BS from Fairmont State College in 1954 after his education was interrupted again by war. He served three years as a lieutenant in the Army as a tank commander in the Korean War.
John wed the late Rose Mary Brunetti Tennant on April 11, 1955.
Beginning his career in Marion County education John served as a teacher at Fairview HS and later a counselor and vice principal at Barrackville High School in 1955. Encouraged by his esteemed principal and mentor, Larney Gump, to pursue educational leadership, John earned a master’s degree in Guidance Counseling and then another in School Administration, all while working full-time, farming, and raising a family.
A favorite story of this period, shortly after Brown vs. BOE, was that after winning a basketball tournament, the BHS team needed a place to eat. The Palace Restaurant in Fairmont didn’t want to serve the Black basketball players except in the kitchen. Because John had known the staff since he was a youngster selling eggs there with his dad, when he insisted that all players eat together, they complied and made room in the front for everyone.
He then worked as vice and head principal at Mannington High School from 1970 to 1974. During his one-year stint as Director of Personnel at the Marion County BOE, he interviewed a young football coach looking for work and recommended Nick Saban for hire. Saban later chose to stay at Kent State.
In 1976 John became the principal at Fairmont Senior High School where he was appreciated and respected by the teachers for his consistent leadership and visionary work. He was particularly proud of instituting a special education program with specialist Sally Feltz which taught hundreds of previously underserved students to read.
Mr. Tennant was an early adopter of technology and computers in the classroom and strongly supported the arts and humanities, as well as sports. He loved portraying Shakespeare during the school’s Elizabethan Festival. The renowned Madrigal Chamber Choir was formed under Doug Bunner, the marching band under Barry Vingle appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, and Mr. Tennant advocated for theater and educational student travel programs during his tenure. In 1985 FSHS was named a School of Excellence.
Retiring in 1989, John returned full-time to his love of farming, enjoying grandchildren, traveling with Rose Mary, and watching WVU sports. He was the third-generation owner of farms designated as West Virginia Century Farms, having been worked by the same family for 100 years.
John is survived by children Chris Tennant, Steve (Sharon) Tennant, Catherine (Tony) Drown, Tim (Kimberly) Tennant of Fairview, Jonathan Tennant of Kingwood, David (Joni) Tennant of Fairview, and Natalie (Erik Wells) Tennant of Charleston, and brother-in-law Frank (Martha) Brunetti of Salem, 15 grandchildren, Kayla Tennant (Andi Burke), Stephenie (Wilford) Phenice, Justin (Haleigh) Tennant, Shawn (Megan) Tennant, Eliza Drown, Matthew (Wittlee Retton) Tennant, Tyler (Isabella Nutter) Tennant, Johnny (Ruby Fierros Espino) Drown, Peter Drown, Christian Drown, Sarah (Michael Bunch) Tennant, Delaney Wells, Triton Tennant (Cheyenne Stewart), Eva Tennant, Thaddeus Tennant and 8 great-grandchildren, Avery Tennant, Luke Tennant, Audrey Tennant, Isaiah Drown, Mattie Jo Tennant, Wyatt Phenice, Wade Tennant, Eli Bunch and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Marguerite Wilson and Fern Lloyd, and brother Beryl Tennant.
Friends may call at Ross Funeral Home, 801 Fairmont Ave., Fairmont, on Sunday, March 12 from 1-7 p.m. The funeral will be Monday, March 13, at the St. Paul’s Baptist Church, 403 Main Street, Fairview, where he was a lifelong member and deacon. The family will receive visitors at 10 am with a funeral at 11 am. A private interment service will follow at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to the Fairview Food Bank or the Tennant Memorial Museum in Monongalia County or a charity of your choice.
The FSHS Foundation has received donations of memorabilia, including Barnes, Miller and Fairmont Senior High School from the family of Darwin and Louise Brookover. We appreciate the preservation of history from Jamey and Debbie Gower Brookover. Dennis Kellison has donated his jacket and sweater as well as letters for display in the planned museum. We appreciate the donations.
Voices of Fairmont Senior High School
by Carol J. Amos and Linda Orr Morgan
Help the Voices of Fairmont Senior High School authors celebrate a successful signing season.
Please R.S.V.P. on the event site on Carol's Facebook or respond to cjamos@fairmontseniorhighschool.com
a 9 x 12 hardcover book of 160 pages with history and archival pictures, 200+, from over 100 years of Maple Leaves, Hi-Life, submitted materials, books, oral interviews, and extensive research of the history of FSHS. We hope to preserve your heritage of 150 years of education at Fairmont Senior High School and celebrate Fairmont Senior's contributions to alumni, faculty, students, and the Fairmont community.
Submit memories about FSHS, the quintessential school of excellence, which prepares students for the future while preserving the building and its rich history.
To buy a book $ 50.00 Add $5.00 if you want it mailed.
Send check to FSHS Foundation PO Box 91 Fairmont WV
26555-0091 along with the following information: name,
graduation year, address, phone number, and email as well
as the amount paid and if you want an autographed copy (no charge).
**PayPal and Venmo are now available for payment to
fshsfoundation@gmail.com If you use PayPal please designate gift so a service
charge will not be collected.
If you've purchased and are reading the book, please share the stories that it brought back from your experiences. We don't plan to write Volume II but never say never. A myriad of ways exist to celebrate the milestones.
Demonstrate your commitment to Preserve FSHS. Send check to FSHS Foundation PO Box 91 Fairmont WV 26555-0091.
Co-authors pictured above: Carol J. Amos on left and Linda Orr Morgan. BUY A BOOK: SAVE THE STONE=$50.00 earns a book and a contribution to preserve and protect the engraving. Please add $5.00 to ship.
"What we do shall be remembered." Camelot
http://www.fairmontseniorhighschool.com
Seats in the auditorium remain available for sponsorship for $200.00 each. A plate with three lines of information will commemorate the donation. See a list of donors by clicking on Auditorium in the left panel of this home page.
Reminiscing, working on my next book, and counting my blessings. XOXO
Posted by Carol Amos on Friday, December 27, 2019
Many of you seemed to enjoy the Polar Bear Band music that Mike Nease used for his video. He digitized this music several years ago using my computer and an old turntable and preamp that I had laying around the house. It's available in "the cloud" for you to download and listen to if you're interested at the following link: https://app.box.com/s/mc0ipj1uf52gr9a3oyvw Enjoy the band, under the direction of Ron Wood. The recording by the same.
Lincoln Life Membership
The FSHS Foundation recognizes its lifetime members on a plaque in the main hallway of FSHS. Please consider becoming a Lincoln Life member, by making a generous $500 donation to support the mission of the Foundation.
Mr. and Mrs. Ross Maruka
Mr. and Mrs. Edgar O Barrett
Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Morgan
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Wakefield
Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Conley
Mario J. Roman
Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Thompson
Orlando and Virginia Meffe
Virginia and Peale Davidson
Nick and Carmella Fantasia
Dr. Mohammad Roidad
Bill and Linda Furgason
Dr. Stanard and Linda Swihart
Janice, Stephanie and Megan Denison
Thomas Bradley Miller
Thomas S. Miller, M.D.
Adam S. Miller
Mrs. Carroll Ramage
William South
Drs. Prasad & Pramada Devabhaktuni
James P. Davidson III
Anne Bomar
Dr. Jack & Mary Ellen Koay
Tom & Lori Kliethermes & family
Diane Hutchinson Parker
Sara Harrold Miller
William Beckers
Jennifer Brumage Tombaugh
Becky Hoult Cassidy
Robert Petres, M.D.
Thomas Llewellyn
Gary, Bonnie, Kerry and Laurie Earp
Royal and Janice Watts
Dr. Bob and Susan Hawkins
Dr. Thomas and Sharon Dunham
Lynda Prickett Mathews
Mr. and Mrs. David G. Rogers
John McDougal & Joanne Haarstick
Andrea McElroy
If you enjoyed dancing to Pee Wee and the Prophets at the Melody Manor or other dance clubs in the area, reminisce with this recording shared on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmfdfeTqdnM
WFHS-TV of Fairmont Senior High School continues a partnership with the Times West Virginian since 1999.
FOUNDATION BROCHURE: See the new brochure under announcements below to assist with school projects supported by FSHS Foundation, interested alumni, and the community.
Fairmont Senior High School Foundation Officers and Board Members
Ginny Davidson, President
Jeff Carpenter, Vice President
Edward Cheslock, Treasurer
Darlene Boyles, Secretary
Matt Delligatti
Gina Ezelle
Jim Greene, Principal
Tom Kliethermes
Donna Metz
Eddie Parker
Carol Stephenson
Vera Sansalone
Rodney Stewart
Mike DeVault
Joanna Ross
Fairmont Senior High School Awards and Recognition
In 2010, Fairmont Senior was named a high-performing, National Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education. http://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/
2007-2010 High School That Work Pacesetter School
Benedum Professional Development School
FSU Professional Development School
West Virginia School of Excellence
PBST Exemplar School
West Virginia Exemplary School
2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12.
RENOVATION SLIDESHOWS: CLICK ON FOUNDATION Above in left banner
185,630 Can you guess what it's counting?
Fairmont Senior High School cornerstone recently cleaned with restoration of front facade
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Fairmont Senior High School Fairmont, West Virginia 1867 - 2013 |
FSHS NEWSLETTER FROM CAROL J. AMOS
Scroll to first announcement below:
Fairmont Senior High School Polar Bears group on Facebook
https://www.classcreator.com/Fairmont-WV-Fairmont-Senior-1961
FSHS Foundation, Inc. expresses appreciation to our Fairmont neighbors and supporters of Fairmont Senior High School. The FSHS Foundation, established in 1992, continues to provide opportunities for Polar Bears through scholarships, teacher grants, and major improvements such as the $350,000.00 restoration of the auditorium. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, here’s how you can help improve our school.
DONATIONS TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO FAIRMONT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL MAY BE SENT TO:
Fairmont Senior High School Foundation, Inc.
Attention: Ed Cheslock, Treasurer
PO Box 91
Fairmont WV 26555-0091
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