All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Kaycee McCoy named next West Virginia Scholar, receives full scholarship to West Virginia Wesleyan College

Photo courtesy WVWC

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – George Washington High School rising senior Kaycee McCoy is the winner of the West Virginia Scholar Program, receiving a full tuition plus room and board scholarship to attend West Virginia Wesleyan College beginning in the fall of 2024.

“I want to thank all of the sponsors for this opportunity,” she said. “It really means a lot to my family. My brother went here so it is nice for us to share that experience. I also want to thank my parents because I wouldn’t be here without them. I’m so grateful and thankful that God put me in this position to win this scholarship. I want to say to all the finalists, a lot of applications were sent in and we were the 15 chosen. Congratulations.”

McCoy is interested in becoming a physical therapist and plans to study exercise science and play volleyball.

WVWC will also award $5,000 and $2,500 scholarships to Kyndall Perry of Nitro High School, and Ronald (Trey) Greer of Ripley High School as the first and second runner-up, respectively.

All finalists qualify to receive the Presidential Scholarship, the top academic scholarship for new students. Over the previous 15 years of the West Virginia Scholar Program, approximately two-thirds of finalists have gone on to attend WVWC. Previous winners and finalists are now enjoying successful careers in health care, law, business and education.

John Waltz ’01, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing, said, “This was the strongest group of applicants we have had for this program. The finalists are truly the best students in the State of West Virginia and exemplify initiative, service, and love of the State. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish.”

West Virginia high school juniors were eligible to apply with a transcript and an essay. Ranking of the finalists was determined by WVWC, sponsors of the West Virginia Scholar Program, and online voting. The West Virginia Scholar Program will begin accepting next year’s applications in February 2024.

Finalists also included Nicholas Albright, Hedgesville High School; Abigail Auld, Musselman High School; Lauren Cline, Wirt County High School; Sydney Deaton, Tyler Consolidated High School; Alayna Garst, Williamstown High School; Jordan Groves, Bridgeport High School; Emerson Haddix, Elkins High School; Payton Hill, Hedgesville High School; Hannah Hughes, University High School; Madolyn Long, Buckhannon-Upshur High School; Olivia Raber, Parkersburg South High School and Kendall Watcher, Musselman High School.

The Culpepper Wesleyan Scholars Award, supported by Marvin Culpepper ’51, Hon. ’06 and Elaine Karnes Culpepper ’54, Hon. ’06, provides a portion of the funding for the West Virginia Scholar Program each year. In addition to WVWC and West Virginia MetroNews, the West Virginia Scholar Program is sponsored by Greer Industries, West Virginia Hospital Association, ZMM Architects and Engineers, Friends of Coal and the West Virginia Farm Bureau.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for July 2, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local organizations plan events and clinics — including a big July 4th celebration — and several community initiatives aim to engage residents of all ages.

Emergency agencies stress need for coordinated incident plans during large events with road closures

Emergency officials emphasized the need for incident action plans and coordination with public safety agencies for large events that close major streets, citing upcoming car shows and other street-closure events to ensure fast, safe emergency responses.
BUHS Sports

B-U now in Class AAAA in all sports; moved to new South Region after WVSSAC restructuring

Buckhannon-Upshur High School will compete in Class AAAA — the highest division — for all sports and has been moved to the new South Region under a two-year realignment by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

Stockert Youth and Community Center Board Meeting Agenda: July 3, 2025

The Stockert Youth and Community Center Board will meet July 3, 2025, with an agenda set to discuss organizational matters and upcoming events.

Buckhannon Waste Board Agenda: July 3, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Waste Collection Board has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting on July 3, 2025.

Woman arrested on six felony charges after allegedly shooting at a man in Upshur County

Jocelyn M. Krum, 28, of Charleston, was arrested on six felony charges after allegedly entering a Mt. Lebanon Road residence in Upshur County with a rifle and shooting at a man before fleeing the scene.

Buckhannon man sentenced to 11 to 21 years for Bailey Ridge Road shootout

Austin W. Arbogast, 26, was sentenced to 11 to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges stemming from a March 2024 shootout on Bailey Ridge Road while attempting to retrieve his child.

Mountain East Conference extends invitation to Shawnee State University

The Mountain East Conference has approved Shawnee State University as its 12th full-time member, with the school set to join in 2026 pending NCAA Division II acceptance and expanding league competition in 19 sports.
Davis and Elkins College

Davis & Elkins College students recognized for high academic honors for Spring 2025 semester

Davis & Elkins College has announced the Spring 2025 president’s list, for students earning 4.0 GPAs, and dean’s list, for those earning 3.6 to 3.99, honoring academic excellence campus-wide.