April marks the arrival of the Ed Kelley award — the most momentous honor a Keyser high school senior male can achieve.
Named after Sgt. Jonah Edward Kelley of Keyser, member of the U.S. Army who fought in World War II, Kelley couragously led and enabled his men into penetrating the last line of defense held by the enemy while sacrificing his life for his country.
Each year,  three students are nominated based on several qualifications such as being eligible for sports participation in grades 9-12, participation in basketball from grades 10-12,  displaying leadership qualities, patriotism, courteous disposition, sincere work, honesty, good habits and has a religious belief. 
  The students meet these criteria are voted on by head coaches who select three out of all students who meet the qualifications. These three students must write an extensive essay on why they should be chosen for the award. Selection is based on the essay, said Principal Charles Weimer.
This year, Blake Mangold, Orrin Staggers and Tyler Logsdon are the nominees selected to represent the class of 2008.
Mangold, son of Terry and Lori Mangold of New Creek, is the President of the Key Club and is a member of the honor society.  In addition, he is also a member of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), Art Cultural Enrichment Society  (ACES)., Future Farmers of America (FFA).
A wrestler and football player, Mangold said winning the Ed Kelley award would be a prestigious accomplishment.
“Only one guy from Keyser can say ‘I was an Ed Kelley winner,’” said Mangold. “It is an outstanding privilege to be nominated.”
Mangold’s post-graduation plans include attending West Liberty State College majoring in secondary education with hopes of being a math teacher and wrestling coach.
Staggers, son of Harley and Leslie Staggers of Keyser, is President of the Student Council, Hi-Y, ACES, the National Honor Society, and the Keyser Crazies – a group that  cheers at KHS sporting events.
He is also a member of the varsity football and track teams, and was a two-year member of the basketball team.
Staggers says he has wanted to win the Ed Kelley award even before he was a high school student.
“I’ve wanted this since I was in the eighth grade,” said Staggers. “It would be the greatest accomplishment of my life.”
Staggers plans to attend Glenville State College, majoring in business. He also is looking forward to playing football at GSC.
Logsdon, son of Jeff and Ena Logsdon of Fountain, is chaplain of the Hi-Y club, member of the National Honor Society, and student council and former member of the Keyser Crazies.
Logsdon is also active on the KHS football, basketball, and baseball teams, and says it is a great honor to be nominated for the Ed Kelley award.
“It would be a great honor to win this, to honor my parents, and it is a great honor just to be nominated for it,” said Logsdon.
Potomac State College is his school of choice to work on his degree in occupational therapy. Logsdon then plans to transfer to West Virginia University to complete his OT degree.
These three  students will be recognized at the annual Ed Kelley Awards Banquet held at the Keyser Moose Lodge Tuesday at 6 p.m.
The following day, the Ed Kelley program will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the Church McKee Arts Center. It is here that the winner will be announced and publicly broadcasted on local radio stations.
Bobbie L. Carpenter can be reached at bobbie@newstribune.info