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

Op-ed: Location in heart of downtown Buckhannon, variety of programs are the keys to three decades of SYCC success

Submitted photo / Credit Callie Cronin Sams

Editor’s note: The following editorial column was submitted to My Buckhannon for publication by Don Nestor, Stockert Youth and Community Center Board member.

By Don Nestor

When Joyce Stockert died almost 30 years ago, she added in her will, crafted by local attorney Roy Law, a provision that left $500,000 to the Upshur County Commission for the establishment of a Youth Center in Upshur County.

I served on the initial search committee, appointed by the Upshur County Commission, to select the best location in the county to serve all youth. After various locations were considered, the closed East Main Street Elementary School was selected.

The county and the Upshur County Board of Education worked together to apply the funds from Mrs. Stockert to repair the school where needed. Professor Rob Rupp’s West Virginia Wesleyan College class conducted a survey of all Upshur County secondary school students to identify what they wanted most in a youth center.

Responses included athletic activities, community events, and, most of all, a “safe” place for them to go after school or during the evenings and weekends. Stockert Youth and Community Center was taken over by the City of Buckhannon when it was agreed that the city was better positioned to manage and support its operation.

Today, it has accomplished not only the above goals but so much more. Stockert has committed to expanding and offering its programs and services to the more senior citizens of our community for regular indoor exercise and other activities during hours when the youth are in school. With its location, Stockert is also able to provide inside space for community events such as Festival Fridays and the West Virginia Strawberry Festival when outside weather conditions are not favorable.

In order to conduct many of its current programs, Stockert utilizes facilities in Upshur County Schools and at West Virginia Wesleyan College, which are not always available. This space limitation is the main reason that the construction of the new Stockert Youth and Community Center building is critical to the continued growth of current programs and for the addition of activities for Upshur County citizens of all ages.

The staff at Stockert keeps track of all activities sponsored by the center, and if you count the number of hours that are spent by our youth in a Stockert-sponsored activity each month, the average number is over 12,000 hours per month.

Anyone who visits Stockert from within our community or who visits from surrounding counties and throughout West Virginia all ask the same question, “How do you get this large number of youth to participate in Stockert?”

Having the Center located in the center of Buckhannon confirms this is the best place for Stockert. Being near Buckhannon City Hall, the Public Safety Complex, the Colonial Theatre, Jawbone Park, Gibson Library, part of the downtown area, and within walking distance of West Virginia Wesleyan’s campus confirms the location decision from 30 years ago as the best decision possible. 

The variety of programs offered by Stockert is extensive and also a key reason for the remarkable number of hours spent on its activities. The current and future gym space may be used for athletic training, birthday parties, and competitive events, including regional basketball and indoor soccer tournaments.

Plus, the many other Stockert programs will benefit from the expanded new facility. Currently, Stockert’s Youth Basketball program has approximately 425 players and from 40 to 45 staff and volunteers involved.  Its Drill Team averages 80 members and 4 to 5 assistants.

Stockert, with its location and the use of its bus, is able to offer an after-school program for over 112 students with 12 to 17 staff where students may go until their parents, grandparents, or guardians pick them up. It also offers tutoring with the assistance of WVWC students for up to 30 students.

Stockert’s Summer Camp has as many as 120 attend, with 15 staff and volunteers. Its special events, including its Haunted House, Children’s Festival, Open Gym, and Kid’s Night, will have an attendance of over 1,300 youth looking for an enjoyable time in a safe place. Currently, Stockert’s more senior activities include karate, kickboxing and Kangoo. That is Stockert Youth and Community Center!

Stockert has come a long way in the past 30 years, thanks to the wonderful staff, parents, City, County, and community support, and especially the youth who attend. Construction of the new proposed Stockert building will allow its programs to continue to grow and help shape and develop young and older lives.

A public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13 in the Stockert Youth and Community Center gym to discuss the construction of the new Stockert Youth and Community Center building. Please attend this meeting and express your thoughts about this new facility and the Stockert Youth and Community Center plans.

Your thoughts and comments are important to hear, and they will be considered.

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Baseball suffers losses to Point Pleasant and University

The Buckhannon-Upshur baseball team fell to Point Pleasant 8-5 then suffered a 16-0 shutout against University, dropping their record to 7-11.

Softball Lady Bucs take down Bearcats by an 8-3 score

Kynnedy Marple pitched a complete-game three-hitter and contributed offensively as Buckhannon-Upshur defeated Grafton 8-3 in a Big 10 Conference softball game, improving the Lady Bucs’ record to 9-7.

Highland Landscaping takes week one lead in men’s golf league standings

Highland Landscaping claimed an early lead in the Buckhannon Country Club Bob Cupp Memorial Golf League, defeating Feola’s Flowers and topping the standings after the opening week of play.

Wesleyan misses out on MEC post season lacrosse tournament as seeds and pairings announced

West Virginia Wesleyan College did not qualify for the 2025 Mountain East Conference Women’s Lacrosse Tournament as seeds and pairings were announced Thursday, with play set to begin Sunday.

Wesleyan lacrosse ends year with 23-5 loss to Charleston

West Virginia Wesleyan women’s lacrosse fell 23-5 to Charleston in their final regular season game, with Charleston dominating offensively and outshooting Wesleyan 34-12 despite standout defensive efforts from Francesca Sloan and Emma Adcock.

Lady Buc lacrosse team downs Morgantown, 9-5

The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc lacrosse team snapped a two-game losing streak with a 9-5 win over Morgantown, led by Mallory Moss’s four goals and Kylie Hull’s 16 saves.

Lacrosse Bucs cruise past St. Albans for third straight win, 12-2

The Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers won their third consecutive lacrosse game, defeating St. Albans 12-2, led by three-goal performances from Braylon Oldaker, Forest Catlin, and Tobias Marple.

Leadership Upshur to host free Community Skills Share event at Parish House

Leadership Upshur and the Upshur Parish House are inviting residents of all ages to a free Community Skills Share event on May 7, featuring practical workshops, demonstrations and door prizes to foster learning and community connection.

Middle schoolers bring Shakespearean magic to life via ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School students will bring laughter and enchantment to the stage with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” They invite the community to enjoy their free performances on April 25 and 26.

Elkins Raceway launches 73rd anniversary season honoring late track manager Jim Skidmore

Elkins Raceway begins its 73rd season of Saturday night racing, honoring late track manager Jim Skidmore with weekly events, full race divisions, and family-friendly admission in Kerens, West Virginia, through August 2025.
asphalt pavement road paving work

Reger Avenue paving project to begin Monday, April 28

The City of Buckhannon announced that J.F. Allen Company will begin paving Reger Avenue on April 28, with the work expected to finish by the end of April 29.

Waggy wins 1600 meters for Bucs in final home meet of the year

Senior Jack Waggy won the 1600 meters in 4:32.92 during the Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers’ final home track meet, where the team earned 56 points to place fifth out of seven teams.