By KAILEE E. GALLAHAN
The Exponent Telegram
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., addressed local, state and national concerns with students at Bridgeport High School on Thursday afternoon.
In addition to stressing the importance of education, Manchin discussed the state’s opioid epidemic and employment troubles.
(Photo by Kailee Gallahan)
“We are last in the country in participation of working adults,” Manchin said. “A major contributor to this is the fact that individuals can’t pass drug tests. We have to put an end to this.”
If criminals who met those stipulations had an opportunity to clear their records by spending one year in a rehab facility and serving another year as a mentor to others in trouble, they would be motivated to keep clean and return to the workforce, the senator said.
Manchin emphasized that the drug epidemic plaguing the state must be addressed.
“The thing is that if we don’t start addressing this, we are going to lose more and more people,” he said. “We are losing generations here.”
In terms of education and job opportunities, Manchin discussed three rules for a successful life: Product, price and serviceability.
“You are competing against the entire world,” he said. “You are the product. Know your value and understand the market you’re in and be a motivated self-starter.”
Also during the assembly, Manchin recognized several students for their interest in attending a U.S. military academy.
Among those recognized were Haden Miller, Cole Amos, Zach Kimble, Fisher Rector and Notre Dame High School’s Alexander Burg.
Miller said Manchin’s message needed to be heard.
“It was especially important for kids here, because we are young and we’re going to have a chance to make a difference,” Miller said. “To have him speak with us and show his appreciation for us as the next generation was something really great to be a part of.”
Miller said he looks forward to being able to make a difference and help find solutions for the problems the state is facing.
“By having Sen. Manchin here this afternoon, he was able to bring attention to the concerns in the state and how we as the next generation will be able to help find solutions,” Amos said.
Eighth-grader Dakota Swiger was recognized by Manchin as Miss West Virginia Junior High.
“I think that we’re told the same things over and over again, and a lot of the time it goes in one ear and out the other,” Swiger said. “I think it was important for students to be able to ask questions, form opinions and get answers.”
Harrison Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin said having the senator speak to students was an opportunity to bring a different perspective into county schools.
“Students have a number of questions and concerns about issues involving our state and at the national level, and today we were able to see Sen. Manchin’s perspective, firsthand,” the superintendent said.
