Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus, Superintendent of Upshur County Schools, presents an Upshur Star to Brooklyn Butler and Brooks Tucker during the Jan. 11, 2022, Upshur County BOE meeting at Tennerton Elementary School. Brooklyn and Brooks are TES fourth-graders who are currently scoring in the 98 percentile in math. / All photos by Beth Christian Broschart

Upshur Schools crowns standout stars

TENNERTON – Upshur County School Administrators, school staff and Board of Education members delighted in learning about the accomplishments of all the Upshur Stars at Tennerton Elementary School during the recent regular BOE meeting.

Upshur Stars from all schools in the county are nominated, introduced and receive an Upshur Star in recognition of their efforts, which go over and above what is expected of them. Stars recipients may be students, teachers, service personnel and volunteers.

At the Jan. 11, 2022, Board of Education meeting at Tennerton Elementary School, students, staff, teachers and volunteers from the school were tapped as those going over and above and the Buckhannon-Upshur High School esports coach and team were also honored.

Read all about these Upshur Stars below:

The first Upshur Star to be recognized was Dayla Weatherholt. Tennerton Elementary School Principal Tristen Gray said Dayla was one of the sweetest kids in the school. He said he has caught her doing kind things for her classmates all the time, and one of the things she likes to do is help fellow students who have been home on quarantine. Gray said Dayla is a wonderful Tennerton Tiger. Dayla received an Upshur Star from Upshur County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus during Tuesday’s Upshur County BOE meeting held at TES.
Tennerton Elementary School Students are recognized for growth of 30 percent or more from the beginning of the academic school year in reading. These students are in first and second grade and include Jazmin Davis, Morgan Rowan, Oliver Morehead, Kinzlee Johnston, Lain Patterson, Felix Lynch, Hadley Spencer, Maci Snyder, Melody Patron, Hudsyn Orr, Mason Kessell, Jace Foster, Hannah Davis ad Bentley Curtis. These students each received an Upshur Star from Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus, Superintendent of Upshur County Schools.
Hazel Malone is recognized as an Upshur Star by Superintendent of Schools in Upshur County Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus at Tennerton Elementary School during the Upshur County Board of Education meeting. Hazel was touted as being a prenominal writer by her teacher and is a recipient of the Young Writer’s Award.
TES Principal Tristen Gray introduces the TES recyclers which includes Hayden Anderson, Shannon Cartwright, Lincoln Darnell and Kason Davis. Gray said they travel around to the classrooms and collect aluminum cans, cardboard and other recyclables and take them to the recycling area each week without fail. The group received an Upshur Star from Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus, superintendent of Upshur County Schools during the Upshur County BOE meeting held at TES.
Fifth-grade TES students Daphne Beaudry, Maggie O’Neill and Baylor Radcliff receive Upshur Stars for being ready, responsible and respectful. TES Principal Tristen Gray said the trio always goes over and above and is helpful and never gets disgruntled. Daphney, Maggie and Baylor received Upshur Stars for their stellar behavior from Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus, Upshur County School Superintendent.
Upshur County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus presents Upshur Stars to members of the TES Student Council. TES Principal Tristen Gray said the students have a huge agenda they hope to accomplish at the school. Student Council members at TES include Aaliyah Lothes, Jaxson McDaniels, Zef Bednarski, Hazel Malone, Hayden Anderson, Janessa Smith, Jackson Richards, Maggie O’Neill, Elenor Nuttall, Lily Rice, Madi Bennett and Sydney Hodges.
Lain Patterson is recognized as an Upshur Star at TES during the Upshur County BOE meeting and received an Upshur Star from Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus, Upshur County Superintendent of Schools. Principal at TES Tristen Gray said Lain is pleasant to have in class and is always willing to accept new challenges. Gray said has the playfulness of a first grader that is enthusiastic and contagious.
Tennerton Elementary School welcomed the Upshur County Board of Education to their school for the BOE meeting held Tuesday. BOE members were introduced to a huge group of TES students who all strive to go over and above to make TES a great place to attend for learning. BOE members are pictured with students who received Upshur Stars.
Amanda Ray, one of the nurses at Tennerton Elementary School, receives an Upshur Star from Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus, Superintendent of Upshur County Schools, during the BOE meeting held at TES. Principal Tristen Gray said Ray goes several extra miles including treating lice, helping wrap presents, taking families gifts or helping those in need.
Terri Egress, who is a TES literacy aide in first grade, is recognized for organizing the TES comfort closet. TES Principal Tristen Gray thanked Egress for her help and for working with the kids. Egress receives an Upshur Star from Superintendent of Upshur County Schools Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus during the BOE meeting held Tuesday.
Jane Fultz, substitute, is recognized by TES Principal Tristen Gray for being a resident substitute who saves them when they are in need. Gray said she helps while teachers are quarantined. Fultz receives an Upshur Star from Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus, superintendent of Upshur County Schools.
Christy Gaudet, Jeanie Allen, Samantha Brown, Terri Egress, Samantha Atchison and Laura O’Hara receive Upshur Stars from Superintendent of Upshur County Schools Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus for their work on literacy in first and second grades. TES Principal Tristen Gray said they are helping with growth in reading.
Samantha Bennett is recognized as an Upshur Star during the BOE meeting. TES Principal Tristen Gray said Bennett is the school secretary and said schools cannot operate without a great secretary and said everyone at TES appreciates her work. Bennett received her award from Upshur County School Superintendent Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus.
Members of the e-Sports Teams at Buckhannon-Upshur High School receive Upshur Stars and are recognized during the BOE meeting held at Tennerton Elementary School. Members of the E-Sports Team include Joshua Gregory, Eddie Burnside, Kaiden McDaniels, Cameron Ervin, Dylan Roan, Jacob Ham, Dylan Metz, Brett Mackey, Hailey Stout, Tyler Hobbs, Nathaniel Russell, Landon McLean, Robert Peterson, Ryan Cain, Chris Wetzel, Cory Seech, Deron Moffett, Payton Depew, Conner Zastawniak, Jordan James, Brody Bouscher, Zaid Scott, Brodie Triplett, Jaydon McLean, Matthew Blankenship, Isaac Mullens, Logan Murphy and Coach Anthony McDaniels. McDaniels said e-Sports began last year and said it is a fantastic program and said many of the students have been offered college scholarships because of the success of the B-UHS E-Sports team. He said one of the teams is ranked fifth in the nation.

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