Breena Bowers, Vivian Pownell and Aiden Whetzel have been named outstanding students of the month for September at Pendleton County Middle/High School.
A senior from Franklin, Bowers is the Academic Student of the Month at PCHS. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the volleyball team. She is on the homecoming and prom committee and is vice president of the class of 2026. She has been recognized for her high SAT scores and being on the A-Honor Roll. She has received an academic letter and has read to Franklin Elementary School students. She was also recently awarded Homecoming Queen 2025. She has worked at the Korner Shop and Franklin Florist. Her plans are to go to college to pursue a career to help others in a positive way. She is the daughter of Rene Hinkle and Justin Bowers.
Pownell, a senior, is the James Huffman Responsible Student of the Month at PCHS. She is the daughter of Rick Pownell and Carrie Ruddle of Franklin. She is a member of Educators Rising, National Honor Society, choir, FFA, 4-H, and West Virginia Theater East. She was an Educator’s Rising state champion and national semi-finalist, author and illustrator of the K-3 Literature Contest. She was a member of the West Virginia 4-H state champion horticulture and poultry judging teams and was a 4-H Club Congress delegate. She volunteers for Energy Express. She plans to attend Eastern Community and Technical College and Concord to finish the Grow Your Own Program and become a kindergarten teacher, as well as write and illustrate children’s books and art.
Whetzel, an eighth grader, is the Pendleton County Middle School Student of the Month. He is the son of Jared and Bethany Whetzel of Franklin. What he enjoys most about school is participating in sports with his friends. His hobbies outside of school are sports-based, and his future goal is to play a collegiate sport.
