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

WVDE doles out honors at 25th Annual Adult Education Awards Ceremony

Left to right: Sandra Glover, SPOKES Student of the Year; Landau Eugene Murphy; and Afaf Akil, ESL Student of the Year. Additional student winners were unable to be in attendance.
Left to right: Sandra Glover, SPOKES Student of the Year; Landau Eugene Murphy; and Afaf Akil, ESL Student of the Year. Additional student winners were unable to be in attendance.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Education’s (WVDE) Office of Technical and Adult Education held its 25th annual Adult Education Awards Ceremony yesterday afternoon to recognize the efforts of those committed to the success of adult learners in the state. West Virginia native and America’s Got Talent winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. made a surprise appearance to present student awards and share a message of hope and perseverance. The singer/songwriter used his COVID-19 downtime to earn his high school equivalency last year. Following the ceremony, a room divider was removed revealing Murphy’s orchestra, and he performed a concert to recognize those honored and those participating in the adult education program. 

Six students were honored in the following categories: 

Adult Education Student of the Year 

  • Adam Edens, Putnam County Adult Learning Center 
  • Gabrielle Washington, Mineral County Adult Education 

SPOKES (Strategic Planning in Occupational Knowledge for Employment and Success) Student of the Year 

  • Laura “Chelle” Ferguson, Jefferson County SPOKES 
  • Sandra Glover, Marion County SPOKES 

ESL (English as Second Language) Student of the Year  

  • Solomon Asfha, Hardy County ESL 
  • Afaf Akil, Kanawha County/Garnet Career Center ESL 

Additionally, 35 counties were recognized and granted awards for performance, innovation, facility enhancement and academic success. A full list of award winners can be found here. 

“It is so important to take time to recognize our students and counties who are dedicated to fostering productive employment, personal and family growth and dignity for adult learners,” Mendy Marshall, director of the Office of Adult Education, said. “These students are non-traditional learners who may have not had good k-12 experiences and have had to work much harder to achieve their goals. Landau is one example of how hard work and dedication can change someone’s life for the better. We are tremendously proud of their efforts, and we look forward to all they accomplish in the future.” 

To learn more about the Office of Adult Education, or to explore adult education programs throughout the state, visit http://wvadulted.com or call the hotline at 800-642-2670. 

Landau Eugene Murphy performed signature classics in true crooner style for the annual Adult Education Awards Ceremony held 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at the Charleston Marriott Town Center.
Landau Eugene Murphy performed signature classics in true crooner style for the annual Adult Education Awards Ceremony held 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at the Charleston Marriott Town Center.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Football Bucs struggle to get going in 56-0 playoff loss to Morgantown

Morgantown dominated Buckhannon-Upshur 56-0 in a first-round playoff rout as the Mohigans piled up 435 yards and five first-half touchdowns while the Bucs managed just 81 yards and five first downs.

Wesleyan women open basketball campaign with 70-67 loss to Bloomsburg

West Virginia Wesleyan rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to force a tense finish but fell 70–67 to Bloomsburg after the Huskies sank perfect late free throws in the Jim Crawley Conference Challenge.
WVWC Volleyball

Wesleyan volleyball team sweeps Davis & Elkins; earns top seed in upcoming MEC Tournament

Wesleyan swept Davis & Elkins 3–0 to finish 11–4 in MEC play, secure the conference’s top seed over Charleston, and will host the Mountain East Conference Tournament next week.

West Virginia Wesleyan to host Festival of Lessons and Carols Nov. 30

West Virginia Wesleyan College will hold its annual Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 4 p.m. in Wesley Chapel. The free event features musical performances, readings and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

St. Joseph’s Hospital introduces new Da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system

St. Joseph’s Hospital has successfully implemented the Da Vinci 5, Intuitive’s most advanced robotic surgical system, marking a major investment in innovation for the region. The hospital completed its first procedure with the new system on November 13, performed by Dr. Susan Long.

Larry Kemp Riley

Larry Kemp Riley, 50, of Crawford, WV, a hunter and Appalachian Forest Products employee, died Nov. 13, 2025; he is survived by his mother Betty Riley, son Joshua, two sisters, former wife Angela, and extended family.

Carpenter Crunch Time Week 12: Narduzzi said what?

This week, Duane talks about Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi, who drew criticism for dismissing the Notre Dame game’s importance. Also, he recaps his weekend high school and college game predictions.

Football Bucs to open playoffs at No. 1 Morgantown

Buckhannon-Upshur (2-8) enters the Class AAAA playoffs as the No. 16 seed and will visit top-seeded Morgantown (9-1) Friday night, their first trip to the playoffs in nine years.
BUHS Boys Soccer Feature Image

Five Buccaneers named to WVHSSCA All-State Soccer Team

Five Buckhannon-Upshur juniors — Coby Smith, Jimmie Green, Zack Simmons, Brady Hommema and Deacon Thorne — were named to the 2025 WVHSSCA All-State Soccer teams, with Smith leading the Buccaneers with 19 goals.