B-U Homecoming King & Queen crowned at Coronation on Wednesday

The 2021 B-UHS Homecoming Court -- From left to right: Ellanora Hines, Ian Cornett, Sarah Gompers, Cory Harris, Malia Bowers, Ian Donnen, Reagan Knabenshue, Hank Phillips, Caroline Frye, Donovan Cutlip, Shelby McDaniels, Shelton Thropp, Clayton Ware, Cameron Zuliani, Cadence Ringer, Harrison Walker, Shaylee Hitt, Mauricio Menendez, Gaidian Adams, Caden Andrick, Madelyn Frye, Jesse Hackett, Anna Grace Lantz, Bryson Johnston, Emmalea Lipps, Daren Daugherty.

My Buckhannon
September 30, 2021

BUCKHANNON – The 2021 Buckhannon-Upshur High School Homecoming Court was honored in a special coronation ceremony at the school Wednesday afternoon.

Queen Cameron Zuliani said she was glad B-UHS was able to celebrate homecoming this year.

“I’m glad that with the circumstances this year, we’ve all been able to come together and carry on one of our school’s greatest traditions,” Zuliani said. “I would like to thank the student body for inviting me to be this year’s homecoming queen. I’m so grateful to be able to uphold this position. I wouldn’t be standing here without your kindness, love and support.”

Zuliani also thanked her mentors for helping her throughout her high school career.

“I would like to thank my coaches and teachers — thank you for helping me grow into the optimistic and caring person I am today. Without your push I wouldn’t have learned how to deal with accepting failure as an option, and pushing me to be the best student athlete I can be,” Zuliani said. “I would like to thank my friends — thank you for helping me make these last four years the most memorable years of my life. I would not trade the laughs and memories for anything.”

Homecoming Queen Cameron Zuliani and King Clayton Ware

Homecoming King Clayton Ware thanked the student body for appointing him king and sticking together during the hard times.

“I want to thank all the teachers who have taught me throughout the years, giving me an education,” Ware said. “I also really want to thank and talk about the students, and especially the Class of 2022. They’re the ones who voted and put me here today. I truly wouldn’t want to graduate with any other group. Over the years we’ve been through a lot together, like a legendary eighth grade year, teacher strikes and COVID, but I’m very glad I spent it with you, and I hope you’re glad to spend it with each other.”

Ware said he hopes his graduating class will relish the time they have left together.

“We all have a special bond with those we’ve grown up with,” he said. “I know this class has had its ups and downs with each other, and many of you may hate some people here, but soon we will graduate, and a lot of us will never see each other again — and it breaks my heart. I know it’s cliché to say, but I truly believe we should cherish this time we have together and try to get along with what little time we have left. We owe it to ourselves and our peers to be better to one another. I wish everyone here love and success, but while we’re young, we can all live it up and have some fun, because this is our time and nobody else’s.”

B-UHS principal Jonathon Pollock thanked everyone for attending the coronation.

“I’m glad that all of you could come see and witness us keeping our culture and traditions alive, so we can honor these beautiful, wonderful, intelligent and well-groomed young people, here at our high school,” Pollock said. “I want to thank the parents for what you’ve done for all of our kids. It’s nice to have this kind of student body at this school. I would like to also thank Dr. [Sara] Stankus, our superintendent, and Dr. [Debra] Harrison, our assistant superintendent, for attending today.”