BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Board of Education has been welcoming student representatives to participate in meetings and report on student activities, concerns and news for several years. On Tuesday, Buckhannon-Upshur High School student body president Cameron Zuliani took her place at the table during the school board’s regular meeting held at Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School.
Cameron said she found out she would be sitting in with the BOE a few weeks ago after speaking with B-UHS teacher Michael Wilson. She told board members that the start of 2022 has been fragmented by the frequent bouts of winter weather.
“With all the school delays caused by the inclement weather, it has been hard to get things done, but we are working to keep this school year as normal as possible and work to keep everyone’s spirits high,” she said.
Cameron is the daughter of Rob and Jackie Zuliani. The senior is a member of the B-UHS Student Council and is an honor student. She participates in several sports, including football, soccer, swimming and track. She is also involved in National Honor Society, the Future Business Leaders of America and Youth in Government. She served as the 2021 Buckhannon-Upshur High School Homecoming Queen and was a member of the West Virginia Association of Student Councils.
Cameron said two of her favorite teachers throughout her education were math teachers Clayton Tenney and Cheryl Reger.
“Math is not necessarily my favorite subject, but both of them made math enjoyable,” she said. “They were always willing to lend a helping hand to those struggling and they always took the time to explain things that we had additional questions about.”
Following graduation, Cameron said she really is not sure where she wants to attend college but feels sports will play a role in her decision.
“I want to look to swim in college, and hopefully throw discus,” Cameron said. “I am hoping to go to college up in the New England states, which is where my father grew up. I plan to start off my college career in nursing, but I am not really sure that is what I want to do.”
During the school board meeting, Cameron told those gathered that she and the B-UHS student body vice president served on West Virginia Association of Student Councils.
“We were nominated for and won the Dale Hawley Leadership Award at the Fall Conference,” Cameron reported. “Now we will move on to the nationals. We were two of the three in West Virginia to win that award.”
Cameron said Hank Phillips, one of the junior class officers, ran and was nominated to be the senior high representative for the West Virginia Association of Student Councils.
“We hope to have a representative from B-UHS every year,” Cameron said. “Our upcoming events – which is difficult due to Covid and snow delays – include a winter pep rally to recognize our sports and raise school spirit. We are also going to distribute senior shirts which were provided by local sponsors.”
“Basically, our goal is to do stuff that is safe but normal,” she said. “We want to make sure there are some fun activities at the high school.”