Community Bulletin
Every can of soup dropped off at Kelley Tierney State Farm in Buckhannon through Oct. 31 will be matched with a second can, as the agency's ninth annual Soup Drive stocks the Upshur County Schools Backpack Program for students' weekends and breaks. Read more →
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BUCKHANNON — Buckhannon-Upshur High School celebrated its 2026 homecoming court Wednesday, October 14, with a parade followed by coronation at the West Virginia Wesleyan College chapel.
The celebration continues Friday, October 16, when the Buccaneers host East Fairmont at 7 p.m. The court will be recognized at halftime.
The school’s homecoming introductions offer a look beyond the formalwear, with students sharing their accomplishments, interests and plans. Leading the senior court are this year’s queen and king:
Queen Alivia Jean Cogar brings leadership from the volleyball court to student government. A volleyball captain, AP Scholar and student body treasurer, she plans to become a physical therapist.
King Tobias Jacob Marple captains both the football and lacrosse teams and serves as student body vice president. His accomplishments include a lacrosse state championship; next, he plans to study chemistry in college.
Senior attendant Avery Hamer has four years of varsity volleyball behind her and a career as an ultrasound technician in mind. Her activities include student council and Mountain State Storm Volleyball Club.
Senior escort Chance Morgan stays busy with football, wrestling and track and field. The varsity letterman describes himself as persistent and motivated, with a culinary career pathway on his horizon.
Senior attendant Baylee Hurst cheers, coaches and competes through B-UHS and Mountain State Cheer Academy. The four-year varsity cheerleader plans to attend Marshall University to study sustainability management and technology.
Senior escort Gage Scott combines a lacrosse state championship and MVP honors with the job of yearbook editor in chief. He hopes to keep playing lacrosse in college while preparing to become a teacher.
Senior attendant Kyrianna Kimble describes herself as energetic, adventurous and kind. The Youth Leadership Association member has her sights set on a career in healthcare.
Senior escort Robert Smith Jr. has engineering ambitions that extend from the Marine Corps to Penn State University. The football and track athlete eventually hopes to study nuclear engineering.
Senior attendant Holly Lewis already has a taste of public office as West Virginia Youth in Government’s youth governor. The student body secretary and majorette captain hopes to become a U.S. senator.
Senior escort Braydon Wayts counts balancing school, sports, clubs and a job among his accomplishments. Golf, track, lacrosse, FFA and yearbook fill his schedule; government or law enforcement could come next.
Senior attendant Rebecca Pastorius mixes softball and volleyball with choir and Soundwaves. An AP Scholar with Honors, she plans to study exercise science and music before becoming a physical therapist.
Senior escort Theodore Williams balances basketball, track and yearbook with dual-credit chemistry and a platinum ranking in Rainbow Six Siege. His career plans point toward aviation management.
The junior court brings its own mix of interests, from the swimming pool and drumline to journalism and aviation.
Junior attendant Victoria Hamner lists landing her first job and growing more comfortable talking to strangers among her accomplishments. The Leo Club member is interested in becoming an esthetician and dental hygienist.
Junior escort Kelton Cowger has plenty to report: he hosts The Kelton Cowger Show, edits The Mountaineer Journal and leads the school newspaper, The Blue & White. Government and public service are his career interests.
Junior attendant Aubry Shay keeps time as drumline captain and makes time for swimming. A two-time state championship qualifier with a 4.1 GPA, she plans to study exercise physiology and become a physical therapist.
Junior escort Colt Metheny lists basketball, pickleball and a gold ranking in Rainbow Six Siege among his interests and accomplishments. His career plans reach beyond the court and console to aviation.
Junior attendant Lena Rose Walker combines swimming with Youth Leadership Association and Youth in Government, where she has served as an associate justice. The distinguished honor roll student hopes to teach elementary school.
Junior escort Shayden Rogers has a busy sports calendar: track and field, basketball, soccer and football. A varsity track letterman, he lists the medical field as his career interest.
The sophomore court includes four students with interests in health sciences, engineering and aircraft mechanics.
Sophomore attendant Lily Rice is a varsity soccer letterwinner, National Junior Honor Society member and student council participant. She hopes to become an optometrist.
Sophomore escort Brycen Elmore can solve a Rubik’s Cube in a minute and has reached a 1,000 Elo chess rating. The sophomore physics student plans to pursue mechanical engineering.
Sophomore attendant Braylea Squires has earned second-team all-state and first-team all-conference softball honors. She also plays volleyball and travel softball, with health sciences as her career pathway.
Sophomore escort Caiden Keener lettered in football and lacrosse as a freshman. Wrestling, weightlifting and time outdoors round out his interests, while aircraft mechanics figures in his future plans.
Representing the Class of 2030, the freshman court already has athletic accomplishments and career goals to share.
Freshman attendant Paisley Holley combines honor roll work with Youth Leadership Association and track and field. Her career goal would keep her close to sports: becoming an athletic trainer.
Freshman escort Angelo Dues lists championships in travel football, baseball and basketball among his accomplishments. His activities include B-UHS football and basketball club, with entrepreneurship and engineering among his career interests.
Freshman attendant Ella Massie arrives with two middle school lacrosse state championships and a championship MVP honor. The lacrosse and soccer captain hopes to become a pediatrician.
Freshman escort Briar Foster has qualified for the West Virginia youth wrestling state tournament 10 times and placed eight times. Away from the mat, his career interests are in the electrical field.
Crown bearer Bael Bender and flower girl Violet Davison round out the homecoming court.
The week wraps up with the Greek Garden homecoming dance from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, October 17, at B-UHS. The school says Friday is the last day to buy tickets, with none sold at the door.
