On February 5, 1972, Ms. Shannon Gilkeson was born  in Lemoore, California at the Lemoore Naval Air Station as her father was stationed there while in the Navy.  His job was working on aircraft carriers and he was on one when her mother went into labor.  Despite being flown back to the air station in a fighter jet, he still missed seeing her be born.  At 2 months old, her parents moved back to the mountain state of West Virginia and eventually settled in Fayette County where she grew up on Loops road. Miss Gilkeson attended Meadow Bridge High School where she was a cheerleader, sang alto in the school’s choir and show choir, and played clarinet in the school’s concert and marching band. She had graduated from Meadow Bridge being in the class of 1990.

          From 1990 through 1992, she attended Ohio Valley University, where she served as captain of the Fighting Scots cheer team as well as played clarinet in the university’s concert band. In 1992, she  moved back to her home town of West Virginia and attended Concord University, while working as a part time waitress at Pizza Hut. In 1995, she  moved  back to Parkersburg to continue her education by returning to Ohio Valley University part time, and working part time at a local bank.  During this time, she coached the college cheer team as well as all-star cheerleaders.  In January of 1998, Miss Gilkeson took her team to Hawaii to compete in Oahu and attended the Pro-bowl at the University of Hawaii.  In May of 1998, Ms. Gilkeson graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education, multi subject, K-8. 

          In August of 1998,  Miss Gilkeson moved to Columbus, Ohio starting her teaching career at Central Ohio Christian School, teaching 2nd and 4th grade for five  years.  While in Columbus, she enjoyed interpreting for the Deaf Ministry at her church and she also sang on the praise  and worship team.  This is also where she started pursuing one of her passions; event planning.  To date, Ms. Gilkeson has coordinated and directed over sixty weddings.  

          In 2003, Miss Gilkeson  moved back to West Virginia to be with her family.  At this time, she took a long term sub job teaching kindergarten for the 2003-04 school year at Meadow Bridge Elementary. In 2004, she took another long term sub job at Rainelle Elementary teaching Title 1 reading.  This is the same year she started coaching the Greenbrier West Cavalier Cheer team. 

          In 2005 she took the job she still currently has; teaching special education students and students with special needs. When she took the job in 2005, it was just an opportunity to get a job teaching in the Greenbrier County School system.  She planned to move into another elementary position when one became available.  However, she fell in love with the students she taught and pursued graduate school so that she could continue as the special needs teacher at Greenbrier West.  And so in 2010, Miss Gilkeson graduated from WVU with her Masters Degree in Special Education- certified in severe and multiple disabilities and multi categorical special ed with an autism endorsement.  She is still in this position and is beginning her 19th year at Greenbrier West this year!  

In 2018, Miss Gilkeson decided to take a break from coaching  cheerleading to pursue another adventure; motherhood.  Always wanting to be a mom, Miss Gilkeson decided to become a foster mother and adopt a child.  In 2020, she adopted her daughters; Victoria Elizabeth Gilkeson who is currently 10 years old and Ja’Niya Margaret Gilkeson who is 8.  She says that it really is the toughest job she’s ever loved and that she and her girls make a great team.  They enjoy traveling and experiencing new things.  Miss Gilkeson says that her daughters filled a hole in her life she didn’t even realize was there and has brought her so much love.  

          In 2020, Miss Gilkeson decided to return as cheer coach.   Since she started coaching in 2005 she has won 8 regional titles and made 8 State appearances placing as high as 3rd.  In 2022,  she  added another title to her name; choir director.  Music has always been one of Miss Gilkeson’s interests and being a choir director was a secret passion she never thought she would have the opportunity to have.   Miss Gilkeson organized and directed an amazing Christmas Concert last year and took 8 students to All-State Choir.  She says it was an amazing opportunity to watch her students join with talented singers from all over the state.  She was also amazed to find out that her choir had one of the “best auditions” the judges had ever heard.  

          When asked if Ms. Gilkeson could give some advice to students, she  said, “ I’d tell them to remember that this is the time in life when they are actually living their memories. High school is a unique time in life and in a few short years all you  have are these memories. Be deliberate to make your days positive, create good memories- don’t waste a day! Also be kind to each other and go to church…it will be good for you!” 

    Miss Gilkeson has some incredible memories of her years at West.  She has been the homecoming director for 17 years and the prom coordinator since 2007.  The best experience Miss Gilkeson has had teaching at West has been having the honor of being with her nieces and nephews (Cole Gilkeson, Kain Foley, Raelyn Palmer, Tucker Lilly, Gabbie Lilly, Hayden Ridgeway, and Mara Viars) while they attended Greenbrier West for their high school years.  She is looking forward to being a teacher at West when her daughters and younger nieces and nephews make it to high school!

          Ms. Gilkeson has led an incredible life doing so much to not only help others but affect the lives of her students in a very positive way, putting a little light in the world, creating smiles every day.  She is a good example to us all.