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

Upshur Schools announces winners of county-level Young Writers Contest

BUCKHANNON — Upshur County Schools recently announced the county-level winners of the 2024 West Virginia Young Writers Contest. The nominees were selected by their respective teachers based on rigorous criteria and spanned across six levels, ranging from first to 12th grade.

The winners for each level are as follows:

  • Grades 1-2: Ravenus Fultz from Rock Cave Elementary School for their piece titled “Christmas Eve.”
  • Grades 3-4: Audra Casella from Buckhannon Academy Elementary School for their piece titled “The Hopeless Elf.”
  • Grades 5-6: Will Webb from Buckhannon Academy Elementary School for their piece titled “Taste of Victory.”
  • Grades 7-8: Roman Cuppari from Buckhannon Upshur Middle School for their piece titled “Brass.”
  • Grades 9-10: Alayna Spotloe from Buckhannon-Upshur High School for their piece titled “A Valentine of Goodbyes.”
  • Grades 11-12: Christ Wetzel from Buckhannon-Upshur High School for their piece titled “Beneath the Surface.”

These students’ pieces are set to be submitted to the state level. First-place county winners from each of the six categories will receive a commemorative certificate and be enrolled in workshops with published authors/presenters on WV Young Writers Day. State-level winners in each of the six categories will receive monetary prizes.

The West Virginia Young Writers Contest has been held since 1984 and is supported by the State of West Virginia with funds allocated to the Central West Virginia Writing Project (CWVWP) at Marshall University. The CWVWP, located at Marshall University’s South Charleston campus, organizes the contest in collaboration with the West Virginia Department of Education.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon residents asked to help guide $1 million Weyerhaeuser THRIVE investment

Weyerhaeuser is asking Upshur County residents for input on how to invest $1 million from its THRIVE program, using a community survey to identify sustainable projects and priorities for Buckhannon and surrounding areas.

Buckhannon Community Theatre partners with UCFRN for winter clothing drive during Rudolph performances

Buckhannon Community Theatre is collecting winter clothing donations during performances of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. Dec. 4-7, partnering with Upshur County Family Resource Network to help families stay warm this winter.
Grants

Local organizations among those who received $16 million in grant awards for West Virginia victims of crime

Two local organizations received funding as part of more than $16 million in grants to help victims of crime across West Virginia.

WVSSAC football semifinal schedules

The WVSSAC announced football semifinal schedules for Class AAAA, AAA, AA and A, with games set Nov. 28–29 including Morgantown vs. Jefferson and multiple matchups across all classes.

Basketball ‘Cats come up short against Seton Hill in 81-70 loss

West Virginia Wesleyan shot efficiently and led much of the first half but fell 81–70 at home after Seton Hill converted 25-of-33 free throws and scored 30 points off turnovers to pull away late.
WVWC Volleyball

Top-seeded Wesleyan volleyball falls to West Virginia State in MEC semis

Top-seeded West Virginia Wesleyan saw its season end at 20–9 after falling 3–0 (19–25, 28–30, 19–25) to West Virginia State in the Mountain East Conference semifinals.

Wesleyan nursing students collect more than 500 hygiene items and shoes for Upshur County students

A two-week drive organized by West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Nursing Department and Upshur County Schools collected more than 500 hygiene products and shoes for local students and families in need.

Charles Rodney “Rod” Godwin

Charles Rodney “Rod” Godwin, a beloved Buckhannon pharmacist, dedicated family man, avid outdoorsman, and longtime community servant known for his favorite chairs and warm hospitality, died peacefully at home November 14, 2025, aged 77.

From church to celebration space: Hampton Venue opens its doors for weddings, reunions and more

A renovated church in Hampton has reopened as the Hampton Venue, ready for weddings, reunions and other events. Owner Gary Connell held a ribbon cutting Nov. 21 and is taking bookings now — with a limited-time offer waiving rental fees if you serve food through Jaws BBQ.