Eighth Grader with Lofty Goals Serves as Honorary Commissioner

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Eighth-grader with lofty goals serves as honorary commissioner

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - A Saint Joseph School eighth-grader who dreams to explore the depths of the ocean or the skies far above them served Oct. 1 as an honorary Berkeley County commissioner.

Rebecca Sharp, 13, of Inwood, told the assembly of county government leaders and members of the audience that she wants to be either a marine biologist or an astronomer. In the meantime, she swims in Winchester, Va.; is a member of Genesis, the show choir at SJS; and is in the marching band at Musselman High School.

She was sworn in by Commissioner John Hardy, who lauded her lofty goals and participation in a sport that he said requires athleticism and moxie.

“I just think you’re a real ‘sharp’ young lady,” Vice President Steve Catlett said.

President Eddie Gochenour followed Catlett’s pun with praise: “I think you’re well on your way to meeting your goals, I really do,” he said, adding that he is impressed by Sharp’s varied interests.

During her time experiencing local government firsthand, Sharp listened as several members of the public expressed concern about the area’s participation in the Section 287(g) program, which allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to grant state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform some functions of federal immigration officers.

She also listened as the commissioners provided reports from boards on which they are members and discussed purchase orders and budget revisions.

Submitted photo

Rebecca Sharp, an eighth-grader at Saint Joseph School, served as an honorary Berkeley County commissioner on Oct. 1. Pictured with her, clockwise from left, are Commissioner Jim Whitacre, Vice President Steve Catlett, President Eddie Gochenour and Commissioners H.D. Boyd and John Hardy.