Erica Cottrill and Hayden Hess have been named Bridgeport High School Students of the Month for April, 2019. 

 

Only seniors are eligible for this honor, said Principal Matt DeMotto. Those who have been selected were chosen by the entire staff by ballot. 

 

“We asked that teachers consider a variety of variables including character, respect for others, effort, attendance, extra-curricular participation, leadership, trustworthiness and academics,” he said. “We select 10 boys and 10 girls throughout the year and honesty, we have far more than 10 who meet the above criteria.  This is always a tough decision for our faculty we appreciate the seriousness with which they take this process.”

 

Erica Cottrill is the daughter of Brian and Anita Cottrill. She is a 2019 WVU Bucklew Scholar, an AP Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, La Societe Honoraire de Francais and has received an academic lamp and letters. In July 2018, she attended the WV Governor’s Honors Academy. She is the vice-president of Thespian Troupe 7549 and president of the Comic Book Club. She plays trumpet and is a vocalist for the BHS Jazz Band. her short story placed 3^rd in the 2017 WV Young Writers Competition.

 

Erica has been involved in BHS Theatre since middle school. She has participated in many musicals and one-act plays throughout high school as an actor or as a music director. Recently, she was named to the All-Festival Cast at the WV Thespian Festival and won Best Actress at the Region III North Thespian Festival. She has been a part of the BHS Thespian Troupe’s Top 5 One-Act Plays for the past four years, two of which were chosen as the WV Chapter Select Show to perform at the International Thespian Festival. She was named Top 5 Outstanding Musical Solo and/or Musical Duet at the WV Thespian Festival and received superior scores at the International Thespian Festival. This year, Erica and her duet partner, Jordan Kennedy Rea, were invited to perform at WV Arts Alive. She is a two-year member of the Rustic Mechanicals Apprentice Shakespeare Troupe.

 

Erica is a member of All Saints Catholic Church where she sings with the choir. She has lent her vocal talents to many events and fundraisers in the community, including Nazareth Farm and Relay for Life. She has studied voice with Pam Krall for six years.

 

Erica will attend WVU in the fall where she will pursue a BA in English and a BFA in acting.

 

Hayden Hess is the son of Jeff and Stacy Hess. He is a three-year member and varsity runner on the track and field team and during the 2018 track season, he helped his team reach the ultimate goal of winning a state title. Hayden is currently actively involved in 4-H clubs and camps and is a member of the Harrison County 4-H Shooting Sports Team. He also enjoys hanging out with friends and family and playing disc golf and basketball whenever he has the time to.

 

Hayden is a member of the National Honor Society and he plans to attend West Virginia University in the fall to major in the field of biology. He plans to earn at least a bachelor’s degree in Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Outside of the classroom and off the track, Hayden is the oldest of his two brothers.