Each week Buckhannon-Upshur High School features two Fine Arts Students of the Week to highlight the work students are doing in the art world.

Visual Arts Student of the Week: Tucker Carpenter

Grade: 11

Student Organizations/Ensembles/Clubs/Arts Activities (in-school): National Art Honor Society.

Student Extracurriculars Arts (Community): Various NAHS activities.

Student Accolades (Academic & Fine Arts): Being featured in the Upshur County Youth Art Exhibit.

Why are the arts important to you? It’s fun.

Future Plans: I currently do not have anything planned yet.

Arts Teacher(s) Name (in school and out): Ms. Heidi Thompson, Mrs. Elaine Gum, Ms. Laura Meese.

Performing Arts Student of the Week: Madolyn Long

Grade: 12

Student Organizations/Ensembles/Clubs/Arts Activities (in-school): Orchestra

Student Accolades (Academic & Fine Arts): WV Scholar contender, active member of B-UHS career technical education courses, and former all-state orchestra participant

Favorite Roles/Pieces/Shows Performed/Etc: My favorite piece that I’ve performed with the orchestra was “Blue Ridge Rails.” It was a very active song that required a lot of practice and confidence to replicate the feeling of riding a train through Appalachia. My favorite thing that I’ve done with the performing arts in general was participating in Romeo and Juliet. Even though I played the most minor role, I enjoyed the experience of being on stage and seeing the guts of the performance.

Why are the arts important to you?  The arts to me mean cultural preservation. Playing pieces from different countries or time periods connects us with the artists that produced them. Music knows no bounds.

Future Plans: I intend to study accounting at Marshall University while continuing my musical journey through their symphony.

Arts Teacher(s) Name (in school and out): Jeremiah Smallridge and Allison Dravis