At the Park

Student Spotlight: Paytyn Heldreth

London Miller, Director of Photography

March 20, 2026

Paytyn combines the CTE programs to create the delicious and eye opening “Red White and Food” segment on the Patriot Connection.

Paytyn Heldreth is not only an outstanding senior academically, but an excellent cook in and outside of the school building.

The Patriot Connection has officially welcomed a new segment, Red, White & Food. While this segment is hosted by our very own Heldreth, it allows staff from all around Wheeling Park to reveal their delicious secret recipes.

While being a completer in the ProStart and Broadcasting Technology programs, this idea came to fruition.

“It was kind of a combination between me and Mrs. Dillon (Broadcasting Technology teacher), she says it’s all my idea, but we both talked about it,” said Heldreth. “I was just the one to kind of bring it up and be like ‘hey, what if we just did a cooking show?’ because I’m a completer in ProStart. I thought it would be interesting to keep that culinary thing still going.”

ProStart Technology teacher, Mrs. Hillberry, thinks very highly of Heldreth and her hard work.

“I think that Paytyn is a multifaceted student,” said Hillberry. “She started with me her sophomore year and was a completer of the ProStart program. She has continued on with broadcasting and she is just kind of getting all the angles and trying to move on with her career. I just think she is a really great student.”

One of Wheeling Park’s Broadcasting Technology teachers, Mrs. Dillon, also thinks very highly of Heldreth.

“Paytyn is wonderful, it has been so much fun to watch her grow since her freshman year,” said Dillon. “She didn’t talk that much for a while and she’s really come out of her shell. Her personality is great, it’s contagious how happy she is, what a leader she’s become, I just could not be more proud of her.”

Heldreth has been pursuing her special passion for cooking for over 4 years, while beginning when she was just 13 years old.

“I discovered it when my mom would let me help cook with her,” said Heldreth. “I eventually got more creative with it and started doing it myself.”

Red, White & Food has definitely become a hit at the Palace on the Hill, welcoming close to 10 staff members in just a few months. She suggests that she has learned so much from not just running her own show, but from the diversity of staff.

“I have learned more about different regions and how much work goes into running your own show, such as directing, producing, and editing it,” said Heldreth. “There’s a lot of teachers from other places outside of the U.S. and they have a lot of knowledge and history to share. They don’t get to share as much as they should get too.”

It’s safe to say that this segment couldn’t have been possible without our hard working host and the collaboration of these two CTE programs.

“I think it’s great, I love the idea of CTE programs coming together to make just one idea,” said Heldreth. “It’s very interesting and you wouldn’t expect something as technical as broadcasting to combine with something as hands-on as culinary, but it makes a great show.”

After high school, Heldreth plans to attend Northern Community College and major in culinary. One day, she hopes to work at a restaurant and continue to pursue her passion.

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About the Contributors

London Miller, Director of Photography

London Miller has officially entered her senior year at Wheeling Park High School. She is also heading into her second year in the Park Press as Director of Photography. London has had a love for photography ever since she was little and carried it up to the Palace on the Hill. She also has a deep passion for Broadcasting and just entered her fourth year in the Broadcasting Technology Program. When she isn’t working with the cameras or writing: you will find her listening to music, reading, working out or spending time with her family and friends. After high school, she plans on attending WVU and majoring in photojournalism. London is really looking forward to her final year of high school and can’t wait to see what it has in store!

Alexandra Glennon, Assistant Design Editor

Alexandra Glennon, a senior at Wheeling Park High School, is beginning her second year of The Park Press as Assistant Design Editor. A lover of fine arts, Alee can be found either on stage or working behind the scenes in school productions and local theatre productions. Her most recent role was Frieda in A Charlie Brown Christmas at The Strand Theatre. Also a history lover, Alee placed 3rd in the state of West Virginia in the American Legion Oratorical Contest in 2025. Once she graduates, she plans to major in music therapy, potentially minoring in political science. Alee is so excited to spend her senior year writing for the press!

Sydney Rae, Staff Writer

Sydney Rae is a senior staff writer and first year member for The Park Press. She is an avid writer and story teller. Sydney won first place for the West Virginia Young Writers competition her sophomore year of high school. When she is not writing, Sydney can be found leading The Park Players (drama club) as president. Sydney has earned multitudes of leadership awards for theatre and enjoys spending her time, not only on stage, but writing scripts as well. Sydney is a member of the National Honor Society, the International Thespian Society, and enjoys being a REAP councilor. In her free time, Sydney spends her late nights reading. She has a goal of reading 25 books this year and is soon going to surpass her goal. She plans to trudge toward a new goal of 30 books this year.