Spelling is a family affair for Upshur County Spelling Bee champ Lila Wright
The winner of Wednesday’s Upshur County Spelling Bee, Lila Wright, works to spell the winning words, ‘crayon’ and ‘cowlick.’ Lila said she is excited to ‘bee’ the top speller. Lila said she comes from a spelling family – her brother won the Upshur County Spelling Bee two times when he was younger and mom, Daya and her team have been top spellers at the Upshur County Community Spelling Bee for the last two years. Lila is in sixth grade at Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School.
Beth Christian Broschart
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Community Bulletin
For more than 120 years, the Elkins hospital now known as Davis Medical Center has been where the Potomac Highlands turns for care. Today that includes expert kidney care close to home — sparing many patients a drive out of the region. Read more →
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TENNERTON — The sixth-grade winner of Wednesday’s 32nd annual Upshur County Bee knows a thing or two about words.
Lila Wright, who correctly spelled the words ‘crayon’ and ‘cowlick’ to capture the winning title said her older brother won the spelling bee twice when he was younger. In fact, her mom, Daya Wright, and her team ‘Highway to Spell’ have claimed the top spot in the Upshur County Arts Alliance’s now-annual adult spelling bee for the past two years.
The adult spelling bee is set for 7 p.m. tonight, Friday, Jan. 24 and the Event Center at Brushy Fork. Will Highway to Spell dominate the field for the third consecutive year? That’s yet to be determined, but s-t-a-y t-u-n-e-d.
In the meantime, Wednesday’s top five spellers (plus one alternate) will advance on to the regional spelling bee in March at Fairmont State University.
The winners and an alternate will go on to represent Upshur County at the regional spelling bee held in March at Fairmont State University. Those spellers who ‘buzzed’ to the top include first place, Lila Wright, sixth grade, B-UMS; second place, Kari Gay, eighth grade, B-UMS; third place, Gracelynn Rowan, fifth grade, Washington District; fourth place, Kaylee Cornell, eighth grade, B-UMS; fifth place Rebecca Pastorius, fifth grade, Union; and alternate Jackson Shepherd, fourth grade, Union (not pictured). Top spellers from Upshur County elementary and middle schools spelled their way to victory on Wednesday evening at Buckhannon-Upshur High School. The top 20 spellers in the 32nd Annual Upshur County Spelling Bee, sponsored by Upshur County Schools, The Record Delta and the Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur include fourth-graders Landon Cole of Buckhannon Academy, Kenton Stump of French Creek, Kaidin Wagner of Hodgesville, Samuel Beckner of Rock Cave, Bella Snyder of Tennerton, Jackson Shepherd of Union and Matthew Hawkins of Washington District. Fifth-grade spellers in Wednesday’s competition include Bailee Lowther of Buckhannon Academy, Sylas Knight of French Creek, Brooks Triplett of Hodgesville, Kallie Perry of Rock Cave, Kaleb Kowalkoski of Tennerton, Rebecca Pastorius of Union and Gracelynn Rowan of Washington District. Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School spellers include Domenick Castillo and Lila Wright, sixth grade; Amelia Griffith and Braiden McKisic, seventh grade; and Kaylee Cornell and Kari Gay, eighth grade. Participant Amelia Griffith, a seventh-grader at Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School, selects her number as she registers. Bee organizer Cynthia Nesselroade, Upshur County Schools Nutrition Director, welcomes the 20 spellers. Each Upshur County elementary school sent their winners to compete for the top five spots, plus one alternate, at the regional spelling bee which will take place in March at Fairmont State University.
Buckhannon-Upshur trailed No. 7 Philip Barbour just 14-7 at halftime, but six turnovers and depth issues fueled a 35-7 loss. Landyn Carpenter ran for 268 yards as the Colts’ power game took over, overshadowing an improved 321-yard effort by the Bucs.
The Upshur County Commission will request additional matching funds for the county park tennis court renovation. A damaged subgrade has added $83,839.35 to the project’s cost.
A veterans outreach event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Upshur County Senior Center. VA staff and American Legion Post 7 will help veterans and surviving spouses with enrollment, disability claims and earned benefits; bring a DD214.
September is National Voter Registration Month, and West Virginians are urged to register or verify and update their information. Visit your county clerk or GoVoteWV.com to ensure your voice is heard on Election Day.
West Virginia will conduct statewide high-visibility speed enforcement Sept. 4-21. Officials urge drivers to obey posted limits, noting speed contributed to 33% of the state’s fatal crashes in 2023.
Vandalia Health CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital now gives new moms bracelets identifying their postpartum status. Its POST-BIRTH program highlights nine warning signs to help providers quickly recognize complications and improve maternal safety.
