UP: To local middle school students who participated in this week’s West Virginia History Bowl scrimmage in Vienna. Blennerhassett Middle School eighth-grader Olivia Raber said “I hope we learn a bunch from today.” Certainly everyone involved did, and is better prepared for regional events. It is fantastic to see young people learning the history of our state, as it will help them better understand its present.

UP: To Bonnie Cline, who was honored by the Ritchie County Ministerial Association for her work helping her community. Cline has worked for more than 30 years for Community Resources Inc., and says she is “always looking for ways to improve the lives of others.” We could do with a few more like Cline as our region continues to struggle in the grip of the substance abuse epidemic and economic doldrums.

UP: To those who participated in various days of service on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Volunteers of all ages took the opportunity to work together and toward doing good for others. It is an example we should carry throughout the year. As one student put it, “I’m out here to help.” That’s an attitude we should all adopt.