Parkersburg South High School senior Harmony Watkins, center, was recognized by the Wood County Board of Education on Tuesday for receiving the WVSSAC Academic Achievement Award for Female Band Member. This award is given to one female band member in the state of West Virginia. The South band was also recognized for its achievements. Also pictured is South Principal Maria Francisco, left, and Superintendent Christie Willis. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

PARKERSBURG – The Parkersburg South High School marching band was celebrated Tuesday night during the Wood County Board of Education meeting after completing an undefeated 2025 season and earning grand champion honors at six West Virginia High School marching band competitions.

Randall Reid-Smith, a representative from U.S. Senator Jim Justice’s office, said he was always in awe of the South band when he was growing up in Barboursville.

“They had the most incredible, incredible sound. They had great shows, and they were just a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful program. And it’s so nice to still see that tradition going on here at Parkersburg South High School,” Reid-Smith said.

Band director Greg Myers was also honored in what he said to be his final season leading the Marching Patriots.

Reid-Smith said it was Myers’ 30 years of service and leadership that helped guide the band to their milestones this year.

“I was always told that the most noble of the arts is teaching, and nobody shows a greater example of that than you,” he said.

Feature twirler Harmony Watkins was recognized with the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission Female Band Academic Achievement Award for 2024-2025, demonstrating her ability to balance academic excellence with the demands of a feature‒twirler role.

“May this accomplishment bring pride to your family, your school and your community… may your pursuit of excellence continue to inspire others,” Reid-Smith read from a proclamation from Justice.

The board also heard about a new online pre-K registration system that will debut this year and is aimed at ending overnight lines and making sign-up more convenient for families.

“I think the key takeaway here is you do not have to spend all night out in front of a school to sign your child up for pre-K,” Board President Justin Raber said.

Registration will begin the first week of February with the online enrollment window opening at noon and document submission allowed through April 15. The district said it will release a public preview of the registration form and instructions ahead of opening day.

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Read more from Tuesday’s meeting in the Thursday edition of The News and Sentinel.