Gayle Manchin Speaks

By Erika Westbrook
West Virginia’s First Lady, Gayle Manchin, was the honored guest at the 17th annual Partnerships in Education luncheon, held Oct. 27 in the Multipurpose Room.

“Inspiring Minds, Inspiring Lives,” was the theme of the program, sponsored by the Education Alliance, the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid Ohio Valley, and the Education and Business Foundation. The program has been matching schools with businesses since 1985. Wood County was the first in the state to have 100 percent of its schools partnered with businesses or industries.

The purpose of the luncheon was to recognize the program’s schools and partners. The partnerships provide opportunities for businesses and schools to create synergistic opportunities for volunteerism, shared projects and educational experiences.

The First Lady in her keynote address commended students and teachers. To all the students attending the luncheon she said, “You may think of yourself as only one person in a large world, but you may be the whole world to one person.”

Manchin has worked previously as a teacher in Marion County, and was a professor at Fairmont State College. She received a bachelor’s degree in language arts and education from West Virginia University and a master’s degree in educational technology leadership from Salem International University.