West Virginia currently ranks 49th out of 50 when it comes to median household income. With a poverty rate 18.5 percent, many citizens hope for change. Poverty within our state has been scientifically proven to lead to a decline of health, increased blood pressure, rates of smoking, and symptoms of high stress. It is not easy for anyone to sit by and just observe this economic crisis that is affecting older citizens, middle aged citizens, and the adolescent. To address this topic that many people tend to stow away and ignore the existence of, the BHS News Crew addressed the public to hear their thoughts and solutions on the matter.

Interview with Jonathon Sammons:

1. Do you feel that poverty affects students’ efficiency in school?

           “Yes, in my opinion, it does.” 

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2. Explain what this might mean.

            “In a way, if a student has to write a paper or work at home and a student can’t afford a computer, it will affect his/her work and be detrimental to their grades.”

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3. Have any economic struggles ever impacted your behavior in school or your grades?

            “Yes, many times I have struggled financially in terms of completing schoolwork                    such as school projects. These kind of things cost money, and it’s a strain to                        purchase the materials necessary at times. This also resulted in additional stress,                and that stress causes me to lose focus on my homework and project.”

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4. What do you think could change in our town of Bluefield to solve this problem?

             “I feel as if more funding should be available for students in need.”

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5. How would we get that funding?

             “I think it’s all about the division of taxes. The state could elect to place more                        money in the adolescent and impoverished students.”

By Joel Carlos