TENNERTON – Members of the Upshur County Board of Education celebrated many great milestones with students who attended the meeting and were recognized for their accomplishments.
To start the evening, Upshur County Schools Director of Wellness and Child Nutrition Eddie Vincent introduced Gabby Rhodes, principal of Washington District Elementary School.
Rhodes introduced two students whom she said did a wonderful job during the science fair.
“We went to the Regional Science Fair on Feb. 12, 2022, and both of these students placed first in their division,” Rhodes said. “The first was Kacie Neal from Buckhannon Academy Elementary School and the other was Pyper Mazarek from Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School. Both of these young ladies got to represent Upshur County Schools at the WV State Science Fair in Charleston and they did a wonderful job.”
Rhodes said Pyper came away with sixth place.
“We are very proud of these students,” Rhodes said. “They represented us well.”
Next, Vincent introduced members of the Buckhannon-Upshur High School Girls Basketball Team. He said the team had a very successful season and introduced Coach Rob Kittle, whom he said was the Conference Coach of the Year.
Vincent said the Conference Player of the Year was Shelby McDaniels.
“I would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support we had this year,” Kittle said. “The gym was packed for sectionals and regionals. There was a great community outpouring for this team this year. They worked their tails off and I am very proud of them.”
Kittle introduced the junior varsity coach Chad Wilfong and players including Brooklyn Smith, Gabriella Parke, Grace Snider, Aubreyanna Mavety, Reagan McVay, NinaMae Coberly, Olivia Ellis, Kiara Woods, Rosaline Shackleford, Alyssa Abel, Kendal Currence, Casadie Lahman, Olivia Shipley, Regina Petrokouich, Shania McCartney and Kyndal Davis.
“They really worked hard,” Kittle said. “They came away with a sectional championship this year and were one step away from getting to go to Charleston. It was a great season for us and thanks to everyone.”
Angie Westfall, librarian at Buckhannon-Upshur High School, introduced Poetry Out Loud Recipient Haley Butcher. Westfall said on March 11 and 12, they traveled to Charleston where Haley represented Buckhannon-Upshur High School in the Poetry Out Loud Competition.
“This is the first competition where we have had someone make the top five,” Westfall said. “We are very proud of her and today she will recite the poems she recited in Charleston.”
Haley, who is a junior at B-UHS, recited three poems and then was presented with an Upshur Star by Upshur County Schools Superintendent Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus.
Finally, DECA students from Buckhannon-Upshur High School were recognized for their accomplishments during the State Competition. Dr. Justin Bowers introduced Gavin Allman, Asher Davis, Mauricio Menendez, Noah Nichols and Jordan Brown.
“DECA is a co-curricular club that we have at B-UHS,” Bowers said. “DECA prepares emerging entrepreneurs and leaders in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.”
Bowers said the students participated in the state competition in financial services and financial operations.
“They did a phenomenal job,” Bowers said as Stankus presented the group with Upshur Stars.
Upshur County BOE members received a student update from Student Representative Caden Andrick.
Caden briefed BOE members on B-UHS Student Council’s activities.
Caden Andrick was the student representative to the Upshur County Board of Education Tuesday during their regular meeting.
“We are preparing to attend two of our state leadership events hosted by the State Student Council with the first one being Legislature Day and the second being Super Leadership Day,” Caden said. “Both of these events are basically where member schools of the organization can come and teach kids across the state leadership skill-building.”
He said he and some other B-UHS Student Council members went to B-UMS to help with project-based learning activities and helped interview students to give them experience in that skill.
“We are preparing for graduation and for Student Council Elections where we will elect our new officers,” Caden reported.
Caden is a senior at B-UHS and is the B-UHS Student Body Vice President. He is involved in Student Council, is the Vice President of the Youth Leadership Association and is involved with Varsity Soccer and Tennis. He is the son of Jim and Paula Andrick of Buckhannon.
Following graduation from B-UHS, Caden plans to attend West Virginia University and major in biology with hopes of becoming a doctor.
