BUCKHANNON, W.Va. (WV News) – The Buckhannon-Upshur Class of 2023 will graduate at 6 pm on Friday, May 26 at the high school complex.
The preferred location is the school’s Freal “Red” Crites Stadium, but this is subject to change due to weather.
Alayna Whitehair, Ian Donnen and Hank Phillips have been chosen as commencement speakers.
Alayna Whitehair is a senior at Buckhannon-Upshur High School and will graduate in May 2023. She plans to continue her education by attending West Virginia University in the fall of 2023.
Although she is undecided about her major, she is interested in studying criminology, forensic science and psychology. Alayna spent the last 10 years swimming competitively for the high school team as well as numerous club teams.
During her high school career, she received first-team all-conference honors four years in a row and was part of two relay teams that captured high school state championships. Alayna not only excelled in the pool, but was also very successful in the classroom.
While maintaining a GPA above 4.0, she was senior class president, a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the Youth Leadership Association, and participated in Youth in Government.
In her free time, Alayna enjoys reading, spending time with her friends and family, and listening to music. She is the daughter of Shane and Aimee Whitehair, and the sister of Taylor Whitehair.
Ian Donnen is a senior at Buckhannon-Upshur High School. Ian plays varsity football and varsity baseball for Buckhannon. He is a leader on the field and in the classroom. He is a team captain for the football and baseball teams in addition to taking honors and AP classes.
He is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America club and has participated in Youth in Government in the past.
After graduation, Ian will study mechanical and aerospace engineering at West Virginia University. His dream career is to work in the aerospace field with companies like NASA and SpaceX.
Hank Phillips graduates with the honor of speaking at the BUHS 2023 commencement ceremony.
He currently serves as the Student Body President at B-UHS, where he has had the privilege of working with students and staff to continue the traditions of our school while improving the lives of students and staff.
He has also had the honor of representing the students of West Virginia through his roles as West Virginia’s former Senior High Representative to the State Student Council, West Virginia’s Delegate to the United States Senate Youth Program and interning in our nation’s capital with Senator Joe Manchin.
This fall, she plans to attend college at Columbia University in New York City, where she plans to major in Political Science and Human Rights.
After her undergraduate studies, she plans to attend law school to pursue a legal and political career.
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