WINNING PROJECT — A proposal by Brooke High School juniors Jace Campinelli and Olivia Rocchio for a teen hangout at Brooke Hills Park was the winner of the My Hometown is Cool contest held by the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, West Virginia University Extension Service and Brooke County Schools. Not only did their presentation net them a $2,500 prize from the contest’s sponsors, the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club stepped in to provide an additional $1,000 needed for the project. On hand for the Kiwanis Club’s presentation were, from left, WVU Extension Agent Norm Schwertfeger, Campinelli, Rocchio and Eric Fithyan, president of the Kiwanis Club. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Students at Brooke High School recently competed against each other not for trophies or prizes but the chance to see their community service project become a reality.

West Virginia University Extension agent Norm Schwertfeger said teams of students were asked to share things they like about their communities for what is fittingly known as the My Hometown is Cool contest while also pitching projects they could pursue to improve them in some way.

The contest is held throughout the state by the WVU Extension Service and the WVU Chambers College of Business and Economics.

But the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle teamed with the Brooke County WVU Extension office and Brooke County Schools to hold a local contest with its own winner.

As with the statewide contest, the students were required to produce a three-minute video detailing things that are appealing about their community and their ideas for projects that would improve it in some way.

NESTING HOUSES — After hearing of Ava Thompson and Madelyn Peterson’s proposal in the My Hometown is Cool competition, Chris Fox and Eric Fithyan of Wellsburg agreed to provide $900 to their project, which involves establishing nesting houses for squirrels along the Panhandle Trail. On hand for the presentation were, from left, Fox, Thompson, Peterson and Fithyan. -- Warren Scott

The local winners are Olivia Rocchio and Jace Campinelli, who suggested turning the paddleboat house at Brooke Hills Park into a safe, drug-free place where teens can hang out.

Campinelli said the two plan to repaint the boathouse, refurbish its concession stand and add ping pong tables.

Rocchio added they have considered holding fishing tournaments at the paddleboat pond, a horror movie marathon near Halloween and other special events for teens.

Impressed by their proposal, Eric Fithyan, president of the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club, suggested the group donate an additional $1,000 for the project.

Two other projects also gained Fithyan’s attention.

SPRUCING UP THE CITY — Grace Huntzinger and Alaina Bilby didn’t win the My Hometown is Cool competition, but their proposal to repaint fire hydrants in Follansbee got the attention of the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce, which agreed to provide up to $600 for the effort. On hand for the presentation were, front, from left, Bilby, Huntzinger and Chamber President Eric Fithyan; and back, Follansbee Councilman Nick Cekinovich and Norm Schwertfeger, WVU Extension agent. -- Warren Scott

He and Chris Fox agreed to donate $900 to Ava Thompson and Madelyn Peterson to establish small nesting houses for squirrels along the Panhandle Trail, which runs from Weirton through Colliers to the Pennsylvania state line.

Thompson said while they are mammals, squirrels create nests very similar to those of birds and the boxes, which will be elevated on posts, will protect them from snakes and other predators as well as hot and cold temperatures.

Peterson said they were pleased to have captured footage of a snake along the trail for their video.

She said squirrels play a vital role in the trail’s ecosystem, leaving behind the seeds and scraps of berries and nuts they eat to possibly grow into new bushes and trees as well as consuming many bugs.

Thompson said they plan also to post informative signs about squirrels, such as the fact their litters usually include three or four babies.

Grace Huntzinger and Alaina Bilby had suggested beautifying their hometown of Follansbee by repainting many of its fire hydrants.

As president of the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce, Fithyan was involved in awarding grants for beautification and the project seemed a good one for the group to support.

He said chamber members agreed to donate for the project up to $600, depending on the cost for paint, brushes and any other materials to be used by the two.

Schwertfeger expressed thanks to officials with Brooke Hills Park, the Panhandle Trail and the city of Follansbee for their support of the projects.

He added the contest wouldn’t have been possible without the involvement of Adam Haught, a career technical teacher at the high school.

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