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Applause to all the participants in and organizers of the 81st annual American Legion Auxiliary WV Rhododendron Girls State, hosted this week at Davis & Elkins College. The American Legion Auxiliary West Virginia Rhododendron Girls State was first hosted at D&E in 2018. A total of 220 girls are attended the week-long camp at D&E, which teaches students about government, legislation and other civic responsibilities. Throughout the week participants learned about the election process with the formation of a mock government. Students had the opportunity to file for office, campaign, attend candidate speeches, vote and participate in an inauguration ceremony. On Thursday, the Girls State participants took part in a beautification project on the D&E campus and in downtown Elkins. Their efforts included touching up flower beds, and picking up trash throughout the area.
Applause to Randolph County resident Juanita Morgan, a former Rosie the Riveter, recently celebrated her 101st birthday at a family member's home in Dailey. Morgan, who currently resides at Mountain Memories Assisted Living and Retirement Center, worked at the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Factory in Baltimore, Maryland during WWII. Morgan worked alongside her sister and future sister-in-law at the facility, where she was a riveter on B-29 airplanes. Our Town, Inc. will be recognizing 14 Rosie the Riveters from Randolph County, and their families, during a special event on Aug. 10 at the Randolph County Community Arts Center. The public is invited to attend.
Applause to an Elkins Middle School student who will be heading to Florida this summer to take part in a unique academic program. Brody Vandevander, of Elkins, will join outstanding students from across America to take part in the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Explore STEM, on the campus of the University of Miami in Florida. Vandevander was nominated by his previous teacher, Trenna Robinson, of Midland Elementary. At EMS he is a member of student council and the school band. He also plays baseball, enjoys 4-H, is a Boy Scout, and an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Elkins. He also enjoys being onstage at The Old Brick Playhouse with the Apprentice Program, and tinkering with old CB radios. Officials said Vandevander is excited to attend the program because he has a love of aeronautics and engineering, and is excited to learn more about the hands-on side of STEM.
Applause to Elkins High School graduate Allyson Strother, who has been announced as the sixth recipient of the annual Austen Moore Kindness Scholarship. At EHS, Strother has been a member of Class Council, Chess Club, National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. Austen Wesley Moore, who passed away at age 27, was an Elkins native and 2009 graduate of Elkins High School who is said to have exemplified kindness, care and compassion. In his honor, the Austen Moore Kindness Scholarship was created. The EHS student selected for the scholarship does not need the highest GPA or best grades, but must be a beacon of kindness to students and the Elkins community.