Each week Buckhannon-Upshur High School features two Fine Arts Students of the Week to highlight the work students are doing in the art world.

Performing Arts Student of the Week: Samantha Carpenter

Samantha Carpenter is a senior student at Buckhannon-Upshur High School. She is a member of the BUHS Orchestra, where she plays violin.

Some of her favorite pieces to play over the years have included “Snow is Falling,” “Musical Passport,” “Game of Thrones,” and “Ukrainian Folk Song.”

When asked why the arts are important to her, Samantha said, “[Art has] been an outlet for me to convey emotions since sixth grade. It has connected me to people that also have a strong connection to music and helped me through a lot of troubling experiences. I don’t know where I would be without music. Music has always been a part of my life and it always will be, no matter what form.”

Samantha plans to attend Concord University for substance use studies and wants to pursue further education in stringed instruments.

Visual Arts Student of the Week: Ronin Copning

Ronin Copning is a senior student at Buckhannon-Upshur High School. He is a member of the coloring club and track team.

Outside of school, Ronin is active in his church’s youth group and seminary. Some of his favorite art mediums to work in include markers and paint, and some of his favorite projects have included painting a train engine and self portraits in different animation styles.

When asked why the arts are important to him, Ronin said, “I want to make art everywhere. I like that I can express myself.”

In the future, Ronin wants to travel to England to see Big Ben and perhaps study to become a train engineer. Either way, he plans to continue making art, like painting trains and cars.