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

More than 200 Fred Eberle students receive diplomas at 2023 graduation ceremony

Pictured left to right: Lewis County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robin Lewis, Assistant Director of FETC Michael Murray, FETC Director Rebecca Bowers-Call, a graduate, Cosmetology Instructors Mary Hull and Crystal Moss / All photos by Beckie Boyd

WESTON – As one chapter ends another begins. More than 200 students from Fred W. Eberle Technical Center received their diplomas Tuesday, marking the honorable conclusion of their educational career at FETC while looking ahead to their futures.

Fred W. Eberle Technical Center administration, faculty, and special guests cheered on the graduates as they handed diplomas to 207 of their exceptional students. Proud families watched on as their graduate walked across the stage at the 2023 graduation ceremony, hosted at Lewis County High School in Weston.

In true SkillsUSA parliamentary procedure, the ceremony was called to order with a drop of the gavel by FETC SkillsUSA President Abby Kelley.

FETC Director Rebecca Bowers-Call then welcomed families and special guests to this ceremony.

“It is my great honor to be here this evening as you celebrate this milestone in your life,” Bowers-Call said. “You have made – and continue to make – us proud.”

Bowers-Call expressed that faculty and administration at FETC work together for the bright futures of former, current and future students, alike.

“We work together and efficiently toward a common goal and that common goal is you,” Bowers-Call told the graduates. “Getting to know you, helping you take the next step on your journey – whether it’s into the workforce or onto more training – you are the goal.”

Bowers-Call continued, “So I hope that you take your next steps with you in mind. Decide who you want to be. What difference you want to make. You are the future we are reaching for and we couldn’t be prouder to send you on your way.”

See the full list of 2023 Fred W. Eberle Technical Center graduates and the 2023 Inductees into the National Technical Honor Society below:

*National Technical Honor Society Inductee

+Governor’s Workforce Credential Recipient

Automotive Technology
Instructor – Terry Ervin

  • Gavin L. Brown
  • Deonta L. Davis II
  • Hayden L. Fultineer
  • Logan M. Groves
  • Giovonni S. Keplinger
  • Alexander M. Lynch
  • Andy G. Rexroad
  • Austin W. Suttle
  • Andrew R. Todd Jr.

Carpentry
Instructor – Randy Cunningham

  • Randy D. Beckner
  • Shawn M. Blandino
  • Shayleigh L. Bleigh
  • Daniel J. Burnside
  • Benjamin M. Cogar
  • Corbin L. George
  • Matthew R. Gibson
  • Kaden E. Jordan
  • Ethen C. Lewis
  • David W. Lowther
  • Nickelous Z. Shine
  • Kobe L. Strader

Collision Repair Technology
Instructor – Scott Currence

  • Walker R. Bush
  • Zane M. Casto
  • Isabella L. Dahman
  • Tyler J. Garver
  • Adam W. Jordan
  • Logan M. McLain
  • Gregory S. Riffle
  • Landon M. Schoonover
  • Zade T. Woody

Cosmetology – Secondary
Instructors – Mary Hull & Crystal Moss

  • Brayleigh N. Arnold*
  • Brianna F. Beavers*
  • Kaleigh K. Cutright*
  • Kimberly Escalante
  • Taylor R. Eskew
  • Rachel E. Lee*
  • Sarah M. McKamey
  • Harley R. Poling
  • Silas R. Seabolt*
  • Dreah J. Starkey
  • Brionna D. Varner

Cosmetology – Post-Secondary
Instructors – Mary Hull & Crystal Moss

  • Chloe E. Carpenter
  • Breanna R. Carr
  • Amanda M. Chidester
  • Alex B. Comer
  • Dalton R. Hamrick
  • Morgan P. Key
  • Madison R. Knight
  • Brooklynn C. Sanders
  • Brittany L. Suttle
  • Brooklyn M. Watson

Diesel Equipment Technology – Secondary
Instructor Charles Smith

  • Jayse R. Bailey
  • Carter H. Bowie
  • Drake A. Bryant
  • Hunter A. Clark
  • Elizabeth M. Elliott
  • Chance L. Gettings
  • Elijah E. Gillis
  • Jesse D. Hackett*
  • Joshua E. Hawkins
  • Bradley A. Mitchell
  • Nicholas M. Murray
  • George C. Radabaugh
  • Keldon J. Shiflett
  • Parker J. Smith

Electrical Technician
Instructor – Robert Lowther

  • Zachary G. Bennett
  • Elijah T. Bryant*
  • Joseph C. Butcher
  • Slade J. Chitester
  • Brayden T. Cole
  • Luke A. Davisson
  • Thomas A. Derico*+
  • Robert A. Holman*+
  • Dylan A. Hoover
  • Lakoda P. Lantz
  • Kemper R. Longwell
  • Shelby L. Marsh*
  • Joshua S. Nesbitt*
  • Lucas R. Queen *+
  • John L. Sanetrik
  • Brayden A. Snyder
  • Ryan Ai. Snyder *+
  • Trevor A. Waycaster

Electrical Technician – Post-Secondary
Instructor – John Marteney

  • Drexell E. Armentrout
  • Samuel L. Canter
  • Matthew S. Croston
  • Anthony R. Dahman
  • Richard L. Davis
  • Samuel R. Dodd
  • Evan D. Elbon
  • Hunter N. Gainer
  • Darrick H. Gould
  • David E. Johnson II
  • Richard L. Karnes
  • Collin B. McQuain
  • Jared W. Skinner
  • Tyler W. Strader
  • Shane B. Wamsley
  • Jonathan A. Waybright

Health Sciences – Allied Health
Instructor – Amie Hawkins

  • Elizabeth A. Ammons*
  • Lauren E. Carpenter*
  • NinaMae G. Coberly
  • Sarah J. Collins
  • Jacob H. Dodd
  • Faith A. Heater
  • Abigail E. Hurst
  • Abby M. Kelley*
  • Harley A. Linger*
  • Shania N. McCartney
  • Laurel R. Metheney*
  • Michaelyn C. Pumphrey
  • Savannah M. Reed
  • Chloe E. Richards*
  • Jenna L. Robinson*
  • Victoria E. Shanholtz
  • Ashley D. Sipe*
  • Shaelin G. Smith
  • Grace H. Snider
  • Katlyn D. Tenney*
  • Destinee R. Thomas
  • Rachael M. Thrain+
  • Kendall N. Tolliver
  • Leah E. Watson*
  • Elisabeth F. Wilfong
  • Eva R. Williams
  • Luke A. Yardley

Health Sciences – Therapeutic Services
Instructor – Jill Weese

  • Malia E. Bowers*
  • Peyton R. Butcher
  • Kassidy L. Hull
  • Hannah N. Runyon
  • Landon M. Wiant
  • Andrea D. Williams
  • Lillian K. Willits*
  • Mia I. Wooden

HVAC
Instructor – Dakota Workman

  • Richard L. Karnes
  • Dustin M. McCray
  • Isaac M. McCray
  • Jacob K. Neff
  • Andrew J. Nicholson

Information Technology – Computer Systems Repair Technology
Instructor – Chad McKisic

  • Noah S. Ashley
  • Clay W. Bolyard*
  • Isaiah T. Bowyer
  • Miles C. Harman
  • Colin R. Heavner
  • Joshua A. Johnston*
  • Cory T. Seech*
  • Joseph G. Shaver
  • Matthew K. Simmons
  • Brandon S. Taylor

Robotics
Instructor – Chad McKisic

  • Owen R. Caynor
  • Jeffery R. Collins
  • Ian J. Droppleman
  • George W. Layton
  • Tiffany G. Miller
  • Eion C. Posey
  • Benjamin R. Shafer
  • Justin A. Ward

Welding – Secondary
Instructor – Billy Poling

  • Dalton W. Atwell
  • Aydan J. Auvil
  • Jonathan H. Davisson
  • Tucker A. Hatfield
  • Kolby H. Malloy
  • Alan L. Shackleford
  • Ethan C. Sinsel
  • Talon C. Thompson
  • Zachary R. Woody
  • Maggie G. Wyatt*

Welding – Post-Secondary
Instructor – Trey Fulton

  • Sydney E. Conniff
  • Collin S. Daniels
  • Jared R. Green
  • Matthew R. Matheny
  • Anthony D. Weir

Truck Driving – Post-Secondary
Instructors – Barry Kiernan & Ron Roach

  • Chase L. Berardi
  • Matthew J. Butcher
  • Yetta N. Carr
  • Brentley Cox
  • Brian J. Cross
  • Chris R. Deusenberry
  • Richard S. Gragg
  • Tristin M. Housh
  • Jack A. Kingery
  • Stanley J. Lane
  • Jon B. Lee
  • Earl W. Maxwell
  • James K. McCartney
  • Michael S. McCartney
  • Joshua A. McCray
  • Derek S. Norris
  • Devan J. Ours
  • Jeremy V. Phillips
  • Zachary A. Poloka
  • Craig M. Proudfoot
  • Jamie L. Randolph
  • Mark A. Richards
  • Jesse L. Richter
  • Delmas J. Riffle III
  • Robert E. Siron III
  • Haley J. Smith
  • Joshua D. Smith
  • Wesley J. Tacy
  • William B. Teets
  • Jacob C. Underwood
  • Brandon M. Ware
  • Destin T. Weaver
  • Erin E. White
  • James M. Wilson
  • Anthony E. Zapata

National Technical Honor Society 2023 Inductees

  • Elizabeth A. Ammons – Allied Health
  • Clay W. Bolyard – Computer Repair
  • Malia E. Bowers – Therapeutic Services
  • Channing E. Carson – Cosmetology
  • Serenity L. Falls – Cosmetology
  • Jesse D. Hackett – Diesel Technology
  • Jayden P. Heater – Cosmetology
  • Ambrosette F. Herrod – Cosmetology
  • Jacob W. Johnson – Cosmetology
  • Joshua A. Johnston – Computer Repair
  • Abby M. Kelley – Allied Health
  • Haley N. Kennedy – Cosmetology
  • Laurel R. Metheney – Allied Health
  • Chloe E. Richards – Allied Health
  • Katherynne G. Roberts – Cosmetology
  • Makenzie J. Robinson – Cosmetology
  • Cory T. Seech – Computer Repair
  • Ashley D. Sipe – Allied Health
  • Brianna P. Stout – Cosmetology
  • Katlyn D. Tenney – Allied Health
  • Leah E. Watson – Allied Health
  • Lillian K. Willits – Therapeutic Services
  • Maggie G. Wyatt – Welding Technology

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

B-U swim teams finish up regular season

Buckhannon-Upshur’s girls won six events (four individual, two relays) and the boys one on Senior Night, then the girls placed fifth and boys sixth at a nine-team/ seven-team make-up before the Big 10 championships.

Basketball ‘Cats fall on the road to Frostburg State, 105-83

Frostburg State defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 105–83 as Frostburg’s second-half surge and efficient shooting overcame Wesleyan’s 47.8 percent offense and 21 points from Isaiah Baker.

Wesleyan women down Frostburg State, 87-76

West Virginia Wesleyan defeated Frostburg State 87-76, led by Kilah Dandridge’s season-high 25 and strong shooting and balance from Emma Witt and Sydney Baird, improving to 9-4 overall and 7-3 in MEC play.

Leadership Upshur sets three workdays to help launch new children’s museum on Main Street

Leadership Upshur is rallying volunteers and sponsors to help prepare a new children’s museum coming to Main Street in Buckhannon. The group has scheduled three workdays and is seeking donated supplies as painting and repairs get underway.

Winter storm watch issued for Upshur County as significant snow expected this weekend

A winter storm watch is in effect for Upshur County as a significant system targets the East Coast from Saturday through Monday, with Buckhannon forecast to see 6–12 inches of heavy snow.

Election Update: Latest local candidate filings as of Jan. 21

The candidate filing period is underway for West Virginia’s May 12, 2026, Primary Election. Here’s a rundown of who has filed so far for Upshur County and Buckhannon races.

Basketball Bucs move up to eighth in latest WVSACA poll

Buckhannon-Upshur moved up to eighth in the WVSACA poll at 8-3 after a 1-1 week, earning 36 points and preparing to face Class AAAA No. 6 University and Class AAA No. 6 East Fairmont.

Basketball Lady Bucs win second in a row; down Sissonvile, 57-44

Allie Key’s 16 points and 11 rebounds and strong bench play helped Buckhannon-Upshur beat Sissonville 57-44 for their second win of the season, with Madelyn Tucker and Aubrey Key adding 11 each.

Rock Cave man arrested on methamphetamine charge following traffic stop

A Rock Cave man was arrested on charges of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and conspiracy.