TENNERTON – The Upshur County Board of Education regularly takes time to recognize their stellar students, teachers and volunteers, and many were dubbed ‘Upshur Stars’ standouts Tuesday during the BOE’s regular meeting, held at the Buckhannon-Upshur High School.

Buckhannon-Upshur High School instructor Mike Wilson and students Cameron Zuliani and Caden Andrick received Upshur Stars. Eddie Vincent, director of wellness and child nutrition, said Wilson was named the West Virginia State Student Council Advisor of the Year.

“Cameron Zuliani has been elected as the state secretary of student council and Caden Andrick is the senior representative for high schools in West Virginia,” Vincent said as he introduced the trio. “The Student Council is very active at Buckhannon-Upshur High School and these are nice accomplishments. Mr. Wilson does a great job and it is a great honor for all three.”

Wilson said the Fall Convention for State Student Council was held virtually, and this is the second year in a row that B-UHS has had state-level officers.

“I really am proud of these two,” he said. “When we went to do graduation in the spring, these two were there to work – they didn’t have to, but as student council members, they helped out.”

Wilson said this is the fourth time he has been the recipient as the West Virginia Student Council Advisor of the Year.

“We were recognized because they heard what we did with all of the COVID restrictions going on. We were able to have Homecoming – virtually – and have everyone be able to view it,” Wilson said. “Student Council did the parade in the parking lot; sometimes, we do not think we can do things, and we let obstacles stand in our way when there are possibilities. However, if we think beyond the box and think we can do things, sometimes we can.”

Wilson said the B-UHS Student Council meets virtually by Microsoft TEAMS.

“I am so proud of this group. They really deserve the award I got because of what they did. Sometimes we need to think about what is best for the kids and the community,” he said. “We have someone who wants to run next year, too. B-UHS and the Buckhannon community are being recognized on the state level.”

Next, Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School introduced their Upshur Star Award winners beginning with the recognition of teachers who completed the self-paced Schoology training. Those included: Brian Allman, Jennifer Bennett, Brittany Brown, Sherri Butler, Amy Cale, Renee Carr, Lisa Crites, Norma Cutright, Virginia Davison, Jeffrey Ford, Zachary Fowler, Kelci Friend, Joyce Harris-Thacker, Virginia Hicks, Denise Hyre, Erika Jeran, Sarah Kesling, Autumn Knight, Michael Lane, Stacy Marteney, Terri McCann, Marisa Meadows, Caroline Nanners, Lauren Pavlic, Kandi Plymale, Johnette Radabaugh, Carolyn Rittenhouse, Jason Rock, Miranda Skidmore, Amanda Smith, David Smith, Denise Spratt, Clayton Tenney, Rose Mary Tomblyn, Sheena Westfall, Brandi Dulaney and Tanya Zickefoose.

B-UMS Principal Michael Lynch welcomed those gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of students, staff and community members.

Terri McCann nominated students who she said take an interest in their education, attend TEAMS meetings every week and complete their work. Those students included Anya Morehead, Bryce Mullens, Elizabeth Hurst, Greyson Wyland, Hadyn Davis, Holly Lewis, Paige Messenger, Kayleigh Garrido, Kylie Hull, Liam Davis, Rorie Louk, Rylen Carlyle, Karson Karickhoff, Tate Tenney, Haley Krum, Miah McCue, Jimmy Green, Kallie Perry and Aiden Squires.

Stankus congratulated the students and said everyone was very proud of them.

B-UMS teacher Caroline Crislip nominated the following for Upshur Stars including student Cheyenne Thomas, who Crislip said works hard to complete her assignments and never gives up; Rylen Carlyle, who is the first one to turn in her assignments each week; Sophia Tenney, who is a hard worker who ensures her assignments are turned in each week; Blake Osburn, who works so hard on each of his assignments and makes sure to do his best; and Dominick Castillo, who always goes the extra mile when it comes to assignments and adds creativity every week.

Crislip also nominated Sarah Kesling for an Upshur Star. Crislip shared that Kesling calls her students to get them to complete their work.

Next to be recognized were students nominated by Kristi Orr. She nominated Aidan Squires who she described as a diligent student who takes pride in education. She said he knows that his learning today will advance his education in the future in positive ways. Aidan also competed in a nationwide coding competition where he placed second in the region. Taylor Spratt was also nominated and described as a student who takes pride in her work. Orr described Taylor as a student who pushes forward in her education by taking advance study classes for math and Spanish. Orr said Taylor helps others with a happy heart and said she cares for others and their success.

B-UMS teacher Lisa Crites nominated Jim Stalnaker for an Upshur Star and wrote he goes above and beyond by keeping his hallway in tip-top shape. Crites wrote that Stalnaker will do anything asked of him without hesitation and works long hours working to improve the school in any way he can.

Crites also nominated Grant Murphy and family, a student who has been fully remote, she said. Crites wrote that Murphy’s family experienced multiple technological issues which made completing his assignments frustrating and challenging; however, she wrote his family members have gone above and beyond to be flexible.

Along with Grant and his family, Crites nominated Loyd McWhorter, Lynnzie Coe and Timothy Snyder for recognition. Crites wrote that Loyd has pushed himself to heights he did not even know he could achieve; said Lynnzie has worked very hard as a fully remote student who has not let challenges stand in her way; and said Timothy has worked hard as both an in-person learner and fully remote learner who has a great support system and is an inspiration.

Jennifer Bennett, from B-UMS, said she and David Smith, both physical education teachers, nominated one student each from each grade as Upshur Stars.

“These students have stood out and have done a wonderful job,” Bennett said.

Those nominations for an Upshur Star include sixth-graders Kaitlyn Nicholson and Johannah Reger, seventh-graders Blake Osburn and Alayna Spotloe and eighth-graders Jonas Barton and Taylor Spratt.

“Kaitlyn was the best of all of my students,” Bennett said. “I barely had the assignments out and she had it done. She did an excellent job.”

Language arts instructor Miss Roberts nominated students who turned in all their work on time. Those students include Zacharey Foster, Jacob Frye, Katilyn Nicholson, Sophie Tenney, Colton Watson, Zethyn Wiseman, Gabriel Shipman, Jaxon Cutlip, Norah Malone, Zander Wood, Joshua Thomas, Arden Carr, Declan Gowers, Abigail Radabaugh, Karli Friend, Aiden Phillips, Emma Quick, Rhyus Yoakum, Kadence Fultz, Ellanoro Hines, Kenzie Leonard, Joseph Shipman III and Samantha Shreve.

Sherry Hardy, language arts instructor at B-UMS, nominated Brandon Landis for an Upshur Star. Hardy said Brandon is a member of the Buccaneer Bites Newspaper and said he has done an amazing job.

“I am so proud of him. When a student does not know what to do, Brandon steps in and starts teaching them,” Hardy said. “You are doing great. Thank you, Brandon.”

Lynch then introduced his nominations for Upshur Stars saying the first was custodian Jim Stalnaker, who was already recognized.

“He is one of five custodians at B-UMS,” Lynch said. “I also nominated all five custodians for Upshur Stars. They have been super diligent in the disinfecting of our school building. In addition, throughout the summer and pretty much on a regular daily basis, they have been taking the lead on passing out food for our curbside distribution. They have taken the initiative to volunteer their time to make sure the food boxes were passed out. They have become leaders in our school, and they have great ideas on how to get more things done in an efficient way.”

Lynch said the final Upshur Stars would go to cook Tammy Kelley and her husband John Kelley.

“Since last March when we started with all we had to do involving the pandemic, Tammy came to me and said let’s take the lead and do what we need to do,” Lynch shared. “She has worked so hard in the kitchen and has been the leader throughout the summer and the school year. I want to publicly thank her. Then, she volunteered her husband and he came with his forklift and would spend the day unloading up to 2,000 boxes of food.”

Stankus told those gathered it was great to see the students out and offered congratulations to everyone for their hard work and recognitions.