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UP: To Jackson Middle School’s Tender Defenders FIRST LEGO league robotics team, which made its way to the West Virginia State championship this weekend at Fairmont State. The team thought way outside the box in tackling the challenge of powering night time safety lights or other electronics that might be needed without taking away from the batteries that power the motors that make wheelchairs mobile. “I think it is great that these kids are not only coming up with innovative ideas for this competition, but they are thinking far beyond those projects for things that will benefit everyone in the future, not just people with disabilities,” said Doug Hess, chief operating manager for The Arc of the Mid Ohio Valley. We couldn’t agree more.

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UP: To Parkersburg High Schools speech and debate team, which won individual awards in the state competition and secured at least three spots in an upcoming national tournament. PHS came in third place overall in the West Virginia Speech and Debate Association competition in Morgantown. They’ll need a little financial help from the community to get to nationals, but it sounds as though they’ll be just fine once they get there.

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UP: To the donors, organizers and volunteers who made the 28th My Mommy Mart event possible last weekend at the Washington County Junior Fair Building. Manager Molly Floding said more than 700 transactions took place during the event meant to give parents a helping hand. More than 3,200 items were donated by more than 300 families this times around, and more than 100 volunteers were involved. Well done, folks.