B-UMS turns Facebook likes into scholarship dollars

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Every like, comment and share on Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School’s Facebook page is now worth more than just engagement — it’s building a college scholarship.

The school announced that it is directing revenue from Facebook’s content monetization program toward a new B-UMS Alumni Scholarship. The award will go to a Buckhannon-Upshur High School senior who attended B-UMS for at least two of their three middle school years and plans to continue their education beyond high school.

The school earns money each time someone interacts with its Facebook page — through likes, comments, shares, reactions or video views. Those funds are collected from May through April each year to build the annual scholarship total. Monthly earnings have ranged from $3 to $30, and since May 2025 the page has earned $155.37, a 13.9% increase from the previous comparable period.

Reels have been the fastest-growing revenue source, up 165% this school year. Photos have generated $103.42 of the total, and the school’s top-earning post drew more than 102,000 views and generated $12.05 on its own.

The school is asking the community to help grow the fund — at no cost — by liking posts, leaving positive comments, sharing content and watching videos in full. More interaction increases the page’s reach, which increases what Facebook pays to the school.

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