WISE COUNTY, Va. (WCYB) — A Wise County senior is making his mark through 4-H and even taking his impact abroad. News Five’s Natalea Hillen introduces us to this week’s 5 Star Student, Cole Morgan.

Cole Morgan, 17, has been in 4-H since seventh grade. Since then, he’s been growing his leadership skills, giving back to his community and now expanding his reach overseas.

4-H is an organization that empowers young leaders.

We are a positive youth development organization and we try best to encourage kids to step out of their comfort zone to become leaders now and in the future, said Wise County 4-H Program Assistant, LeAnn Hill.

Central High School student Cole Morgan first joined 4-H looking to try something new.

I started out by going to 4-H camp and then eventually I became a team counselor and now I'm in a whole bunch of different 4-H programs, said Central High Senior, Cole Morgan.

Throughout Cole's participation in 4-H, he has taken on many leadership roles.

I'm currently the Wise County team club president, but just recently I was the Southwest ambassador for the state cabinet for Virginia 4-h and I'm also in the 4-h leadership club for the Southwest, said Cole.

So Cole decided to take on a new challenge. With help from the community, he raised $2,800 to travel to the Dominican Republic with his 4-H club at the end of July.

It was the biggest dream for me. I thought this is way out of my reach, but then I got to do it, Cole said.

He spent his time serving in local communities, like doing crafts and STEM related activities with kids.

We had the day camp which lasted for 2 separate days. We also cleaned up trash. Another thing we did is before the trip, we collected school supplies to give to two schools in Punta Cana and we got to go to the library and give them the books we had, said Cole.

And learning the culture along the way. Cole said, "We went to a lot of different families' houses and we got to experience their culture and their family."

Wise County 4-H Program Assistant, LeAnn Hill said Cole's dedication sets him apart.

Cole is an awesome kid. He steps out of his comfort zone. He's always looking for extra things to do. He's a great leader at 4-H camp, said Hill.

And Cole's not slowing down anytime soon. Right nowhe’s applying to become a Virginia 4-H All Star.

Basically that’s the highest honor you can achieve in 4-H similar to an eagle scout in boy scouts, said Cole.

Cole told News Five's Natalea Hillen after graduation, he hopes to attend Virginia Tech, with plans to study public administration.

BIG STONE GAP, VA — Union High School senior quarterback Kam Bostic is this week’s Player of the Week after a dominant performance in the Bears’ win over Lee High School.

Bostic, a four-year member of the Union program, accounted for five total touchdowns Friday night — throwing four and rushing for another. His ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs helped set the tone for the Bears’ offense.

Head Coach Travis Turner said Bostic’s growth has been clear from last season to now.

“Kam’s a student of the game his leadership has gotten better this year, and his teammates love him,” Turner said. “He did a great job with his legs and his arm and was able to make some big plays.”

Bostic began his career at Union as a wide receiver before moving under center during his junior year. He says that experience has shaped the way he sees the field.

“The first two years I was playing receiver, that helped me learn concepts and coverages,” Bostic said. “Having that season at quarterback last year, plus more reps in practice, has made the transition smoother.”

Now in his senior season, Bostic is focused on big-picture goals.

“Our first goal is to win the district championship, then compete for the region, and hopefully play for a state title in December,” he said.

Union will host Daniel Boone this week for its first home game of the season, a highly anticipated matchup expected to draw a big crowd. Turner said the Bears will need to be prepared for Boone’s size, speed, and variety of looks on both sides of the ball.

With his athleticism, leadership, and command of the huddle, Bostic is ready to guide Union through a promising senior campaign.

Kenzie Oliver, a 9th grade high school student at Union High School, won second place in the high school division of the Regional SWVA Can Code Pitchfest on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at UVA-Wise.

Top medalists who attended the summer coding camp were invited to attend this regional competition. The high school division had 3 summer camps over the region and only first place students from each of the 3 camps were invited on the Main Stage to present their app design to a panel of judges from UVA-Wise. Kenzie won first place at the summer camp held at Union Middle School during the summer camp week (May 28-June 6), followed by a second place medal at the regional competition at UVA-Wise on Tuesday, August 26th. 

Mrs. Varner, an 8th grade teacher at Union Middle School, fostered this opportunity for middle and high school students. Mrs. Varner highlighted Kenzie's app function: "Her app prototype was called “Helpful Hands.” It was designed to help teenagers sign up and do odd jobs for the elderly or disabled. In turn, this would help the younger generation earn money while learning responsibility and helping others in need. It featured a calendar for users to sign up for services like lawn care and pet sitting, and a chat feature for teenagers, with parent permission, to interact with those in need of basic services."

Varner went on to state, "This opportunity served as a great exposure to the college and the idea that a computer science major is an option when they graduate high school."

Kenzie O. receives a first place medal at the SWVA Can Code Camp at Union Middle May 28 - June 6.

Kenzie O. presents her app prototype "Helpful Hands" to a panel of judges at UVA-Wise on Tuesday, August 26th at the regional competition.

Kenzie O. secures a second place medal for her app protype named "Helpful Hands," an app designed to assist elderly or disabled populations with the completion of odd jobs.

Math - 1st (Overall / 131 school divisions)
Reading - 3rd (Overall)
History - 4th (Overall)
Writing - 7th (Overall)
Science - 7th (Overall)

Special Ed. Math - 1st (Overall / 131 school divisions)
Special Ed Reading - 2nd (Overall)
Special Ed. History - 2nd (Overall)
Special Ed. Science - 4th Overall
Special Ed. Writing - 7th Overall

Ashley Mooney, SLP

Katie Scott, SLP

Brittany Garrison, SLP

Drill Type

Code Requirement

Administrative Regulation (8 VAC 20‑671‑380)

Fire Drill

2 in first 20 days; 2 more later

Same, plus posted evacuation routes

Lock-down Drill

1 in first 20 days; 1 after 60 days; 24 h notice

2 total per year—one in September, one in January

Evacuation Drill

Weekly for first 20 days, then monthly

Training & Development

Annual for staff & students

Contingency plan training reviewed annually

Records & Compliance

Maintain detailed drill logs for 3 years

Mr. Brian Mills,
Teachers for Tomorrow Instructor
Contact: bmills@wisek12.org

Quick Facts:

Entry Salary for 1st-year teachers (Wise County Public Schools): $46,400.00

Education: Dual-Enrollment offered (Foundations of Education EDU 2510-18; UVA of Wise three-hour college credit course);
Pathways to B.S. degree (four-year college or university, including UVA-Wise)

Practicum Experience: All students receive nine weeks of classroom/management experience.

Licensure Preparation & Credentialing: Praxis I & VCLA Introduction

Career Exploration: All students are able to attend a field trip to Virginia Tech (VTeach)

"Growing Our Own": J.W. Adams Combined, Wise Primary, L.F. Addington Middle, Coeburn Primary, Coeburn Middle, Union Primary, Union Middle, and St. Paul Elementary participate in sending students to our classroom for hands-on-the-job training experience.

Ms. Casey Wright
2nd Grade
Wise Primary School

Graduate of Eastside High (Class of 2021)
Attended MECC, and UVA-Wise (Class of 2024)

Mr. Elijah Mills
3rd Grade
J.W. Adams Combined

Graduate of Central High (Class of 2021)
Attended UVA-Wise (Class of 2024)

Ms. Carrie Boyd
6th Grade
L.F. Addington Middle

Graduate of Eastside High (Class of 2020)
Attended UVA-Wise (Class of 2025)

Ms. Racheal Green
8th Grade
Coeburn Middle School

Graduate of Eastside High (Class of 2020)
Attended UVA-Wise (Class of 2025; B.S. and M.Ed. in Curriculum in Instruction)

Ms. Mackenzie Stidham
5th Grade
L.F. Addington Middle

Graduate of Central High (Class of 2020)
Attended James Madison University (Class of 2024)

Ms. Lanie Collier
5th Grade, SPED
Union Middle School

Graduate of Central High (Class of 2021)
Attended Liberty University and UVA

Ms. Kayla Powers
Spanish
Union High School

Graduate of Central High (Class of 2019)
Attended UVA-Wise (Class of 2023)