The 1991 students in Mrs. Pamela Atha's Third Grade Class won an essay contest sponsored by Holmes Safety Association. The essay was inscribed on the Coal Miner Statue at the Boone County Courthouse in Madison, West Virginia. The statue was unveiled September 2, 1991 by Governor Gaston Caperton. A special ceremony was held at Van Elementary with each student receiving a plaque with the essay. Pictured are: (Back Row) Tim Spratt, Pamela Atha, Teacher, Gordon Eversole, County Commissioner, Phil Kingery, Board Member, Bev Kingery, Principal, Manual Arvon, Superintendent of Boone County Schools, Toby Waller, Holmes Representative, Richard Browning, Board Member and Gene Kuhn, County Commissioner. Students: (First Row) Ryan White, Brett Wrightsman, Randy Baisden, Josh Stevenson, Darren Davis, Josh Workman, Daniel Nelson. (Second Row) Jessica Roe, Amanda Reynolds, Kelly Reynolds, John Adkins, Charles Gunnoe, Amanda Cook, Michael Workman. (Third Row) Brandy Niemic, Stacy Cook, Pam Lambert, Cassie Workman, Marka Doss, Steven Frame, Amanda Kuhn, Adam Mullins, Tara Harvey, and JaSara Spratt.
