Submitted photo The Randolph County Association of Retired School Employees gathered for a Christmas celebration at Elkins High School. Group members include, from left, Mary Snelson, Lorrayne Corley, Penny Friddle, Luanna Moore, Margaret Taylor, Patty Gow, Judy Sinkule, Jerry Davis, Sandy DiBacco, Barb Mergenthaler, Shelley Seibert, Rosemary Markley, Marilyn Smith, Kit Phillips, Margret Skidmore and Elizabeth Pitt. Also present were Susan Lynch, Donna Auvil, Karen Boone, Christy Weese, Dianna Kerr and Mary Lou Dickerhoff.

ELKINS — The Randolph County Association of Retired School Employees gathered for a Christmas celebration at Elkins High School.

The evening was highlighted by a performance from the Elkins High School Jazz Band, who performed a complete concert for the group, which is an affiliate of the West Virginia Retired School Service Personnel Association.

Randolph County Vocational School ProStart students served a catered lunch at the conclusion of the concert. ProStart is a nationally recognized program that prepares students for high-demand careers in the culinary and food service industry through a blend of academic instruction and real-world training.

Christmas donations from the Randolph County Association of Retired School Employees were made to the Elkins High School Bands, ProStart, and the Elkins High School Tiger Express, which provides food and clothing for deserving families. Each one of the groups received $100 apiece.

“During the year, we sponsor a student for the OId Brick Playhouse Apprenticeship Program and award three $400 scholarships to graduating Randolph County Seniors,” organization member Mary Snelson told The Inter-Mountain.

“Two of the scholarships go to college-bound students and one to a student enrolled in a vocational program,” Snelson said.

Tyrand Mission is currently the organization’s Service Project and receives a cash donation, along with non-perishable food and hygiene items from the group. In 2025, Randolph County members spent 13,890 hours volunteering with youth and 29,550 hours with adults, which was 34,440 hours of positive impact on the community.

At the state level, WVARSE promotes the professional, economic, intellectual, and social well-being of its members. The state organization monitors the legislative sessions and lobbies for increased benefits for retired school personnel.

Lorrayne Corley is the president of the organization and all retired Randolph County employees are urged to join the group, which will next meet on March 27. The location and time for the next meeting will be provided at a later date and will be published in the Inter-Mountain’s community calendar section of the paper.