Upshur County Schools’ recent retirees have a combined total of more than 410 years of experience

Beth Christian Broschart
June 14, 2022

TENNERTON – The Upshur County Board of Education recognizes students, teachers, administrators, volunteers and community members who work to make Upshur County School the best possible place for learning.

During the last two BOE meetings in May, members recognized the following for their contributions to Upshur County Schools:

The two winners for the West Virginia Safety Transportation Poster Contest are Finley Carlyle who won second place. Finley attends Union Elementary School. The first-place winner was Buckhannon Academy Elementary School student Sofi Zhu. The girls received an Upshur Star from Upshur County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus, who said the posters were still at the state and not available for viewing. / All photos by Beth Christian Broschart

Receiving recognition for their superior writing ability during the Upshur County Board of Education meeting are Young Writers Contest County Winners. They include Riley Potter from Buckhannon Academy Elementary School, Olivia Gebler from Buckhannon Academy Elementary School, Miley Tallman from Buckhannon Academy Elementary School, Lila Wright from Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School, Ella McNeish from Buckhannon-Upshur High School and Abigail Loudin from Buckhannon-Upshur High School. Ella also received second place at the state level. Each young writer received an Upshur Star from Dr. Stankus, superintendent of Upshur County Schools. Upshur County Schools Technology Systems/Digital Communications Director Kayla Yocum explained each schools send a group of writing assignments that have been selected to the county level, where they are judged and sent on to the state for the Young Writers Contest.

The next group of high-achieving students recognized were those who placed at the West Virginia State Social Studies Fair. Those winners include Carter Haney who attends Union Elementary School. Carter received a first-place award at the state level. Lila Wright attends Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School and won a first place at the W.Va. State Social Studies Fair. Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School student Sawyer Phillips received a first-place award at the W.Va. State Social Studies Fair, and Joey Nolte won a second place at state Social Studies Fair. Joey attends Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School. The group received an Upshur Star from Stankus, superintendent of Upshur County Schools.

Stankus presents Upshur Stars to Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School students who were winners in the Golden Horseshoe Contest. They include Lila Wright, Declan Gowers and Cody Hanline. Yocum explained these students were assessed on their knowledge of West Virginia history, demographics and culture to become Golden Horseshoe Contest winners.

In recognition of School Lunch Hero Week, the Upshur County Board of Education recognized and celebrated their school cooks who received Upshur Stars from Stankus. Yocum said schools could not function without the health and nutrition the Upshur County Schools cooks provide each day. “They go above and beyond to make sure students and staff have access to nutritious meals and if you have not seen pictures of the salad bars on social media, take time to check those out,” Yocum said. “We are certainly blessed to have access to those resources, many of which is locally grown.” Eddie Vincent, Upshur County Schools Director of child nutrition and wellness, introduced three of the Upshur County School Cooks including Judy Johnson from Buckhannon-Upshur High School, Nancy Sears from Buckhannon-Upshur High School and Bonnie Carpenter from French Creek Elementary School. “I cannot say enough good things about them,” Vincent shared. “I have been nutrition director since the pandemic started and our cooks have really gone above and beyond, and they always produce a great product.”

Vincent said Upshur County Schools has been working to host a Wellness & Field Day for some time, and this year, more than 800 students participated. He said everyone had a great time and they would be presenting a ‘wellness cup’ to the winning school. Vincent presented the Wellness Cup to Union Elementary School Principal Carol Clay and physical education teacher Dustin Carlyle and was joined with Stankus and Angie Heavner from St. Joseph Hospital. Stankus said thank you to the community partners who helped with the Wellness & Field Day. “St. Joseph’s Hospital purchased the Wellness cup for us,” Stankus said. “The principals really wanted this cup at their schools, and it will come back next year and go to the winner school.” Vincent said the second-place winners were at Buckhannon Academy Elementary School and third place was French Creek Elementary School.

The Upshur County Board of Education recently recognized their 2021-2022 retirees. Yocum thanked those retiring for their contribution, their dedication and integrity they dedicated to Upshur County Schools. “You bring a wealth of knowledge and your dedication allows us to thrive,” Yocum said. “Thank you for the mark you left on Upshur County Schools. It is a great pleasure to recognize you.” Stankus presented plaques, Upshur Stars and a pin for years of service to those retiring. They were: Jeanine Allen with 37 years of experience, Connie Painter with 27 years of experience, Barbara Lee with 27 years of experience, Cheryl Reger with 45 years of experience, Mary Miller with 29 years of experience, Andrea Ellis with 39 years of experience, Randall Roy with 34 years of experience, Norma Jean Cutright with 40 years of experience, Connie Riggleman with 18 years of experience, Bruce Bowman with 8 years of experience, Deborah Smith with 16 years of experience and Sherri Hoover with 32 years of experience, Ronna Smallridge with 28 years of experience and Clayton Tenney with 44 years of experience. Upshur County BOE President Dr. Tammy Samples said those retiring represent 417 combined years of experience. “That is a loss for our school system,” Samples shared.