Tag: Pressroom

Award-Winning Podcast, Us & Them, Celebrates 10 Years

[CHARLESTON, WV] – Us & Them, an award-winning podcast that shines a light on the issues that deeply divide Americans, celebrates 10 years of tackling some of the nation’s most challenging social issues with a retrospective.

The latest episode of Us & Them marks the show’s 10-year anniversary with Kay making a midnight presentation at Marshall University to a student group known as the “Dead Podcasters Society.” The organization is devoted to the craft of creating and listening to podcasts. For the anniversary, they invited Kay to share a retrospective sampling of Us & Them’s work over the past decade.

Professor Rob Quicke, director of Marshall’s W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications and faculty sponsor of the club, said his goal is to foster a space where students can create audio content that is “genuinely meaningful to them.”

Doing this work has helped me find my voice”, said Us & Them host, Trey Kay. “Audio storytelling through Us & Them has given my life meaning and purpose. I was glad to share what I’ve learned with the next generation of creative podcasters at Marshall, and I’m grateful to the talented team at West Virginia Public Broadcasting, our funders, and supporters who help make the program a reality.”

“West Virginia Public Broadcasting has a mission to tell the stories and have discussions that shape who we are”, added WVPB Executive Director, Eddie Isom. “Us and Them encourages conversations that let us learn a little more about ourselves and our neighbors.”

Us & Them’s 10-Year Anniversary podcast episode drops on Wednesday, May 7 and can be accessed at wvpublic.org. See all 10 years of Us & Them podcasts at: https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/us-them/

About Us & Them:

Us & Them is a podcast exploring all sides of the cultural issues that too often divide us. Peabody Award-winner Trey Kay brings us stories that may make you rethink your opinions on religion, sexuality, and other important issues. Us & Them is a joint project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting and Trey Kay Productions, with support from the West Virginia Humanities Council.

About West Virginia Public Broadcasting:

The mission of West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) is to educate, inform, and inspire people by telling West Virginia’s story. WVPB is an indispensable resource for education, news and public affairs, emergency services and economic development. Learn more at http://www.wvpublic.org or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Amanda Rogers
Marketing Manager
304-556-4911
arogers@wvpublic.org

Winners Announced For The 2025 PBS KIDS Writers Contest At WVPB

The winners of the 2025 PBS KIDS Writers Contest at West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) have been announced. Eighteen stories written and illustrated by children in grades K-5 were chosen out of close to 120 entries from across the state.

[CHARLESTON, WV ]— The winners of the 2025 PBS KIDS Writers Contest at West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) have been announced. Eighteen stories written and illustrated by children in grades K-5 were chosen out of close to 120 entries from across the state.

“We are so impressed with every one of the submissions we received,” said WVPB Director of Education, Autumn Meadows. “The creativity of the stories and illustrations from the youngest to the oldest is very entertaining and imaginative. We thank all of the teachers, caregivers, and children for their time and effort to make sure these stories had an opportunity to be told and shared!”

A celebration for the winners will be held in Charleston on June 14 with special speakers and West Virginia authors, Ashley Belote and Adeline Boggs. Check wvpublic.org soon to see this year’s winning stories and select animations.

Thank you to West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute for sponsoring the 2025 PBS KIDS Writing Contest.

The PBS KIDS Writers Contest at WVPB is an annual competition that encourages West Virginia children in grades K-5 to explore the power of creativity by writing and illustrating their own stories.

For questions, please email WVPB Education at education@wvpublic.org.

See below for our 2025 winners:

2025 Writers Contest Winners

Kindergarten

1st place: “Haymes the Knight” by Caelum Groves

2nd place: “Lazy Fruits” by Cole McAvoy

3rd place: “Beau Finds a Family” by Luca Cassiadoro

1st Grade

1st place: “Cabby’s Great Adventure” by Hazel Hagler

2nd place: “The Best Boy” by Bowen Groves

3rd place: “The Family Vacation” by Maggie Stackhouse

2nd grade

1st place: “A Hungry Little Donkey Travels the World” by Helina Goodwin

2nd place: “Ms. Pickle Toes” by Rowan Bailey

3rd place: “Toto and His Friends” by Zean-Ying Eugene Thong

3rd grade

1st place: “Ella and the Typewriter” by Avonlea Cooper

2nd place: “The Absence of Life” by Isaiah David Umbel

3rd place: “Total Solar Eclipse” by Francesca Briar Shangler

4th grade

1st place: “The Adventure at The Eastern Blue River” by Ryman Dennison

2nd place: “Duckbilled” by Jonah Neil

3rd place: “We Have a Problem: How NASA (Accidently) Launched the First Cat into Space” by Elise Silber

5th grade

1st place: “Pickle Pete 2: A Curious Quest” by Lilly Stubbs

2nd place: “Marble Run” by Theresa ‘Reese’ McGowan

3rd place: “Nora and Ultima vs. The Ice Witch” by Emma Gladwell

About West Virginia Public Broadcasting:

The mission of West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) is to educate, inform, and inspire people by telling West Virginia’s story. WVPB is an indispensable resource for education, news and public affairs, emergency services and economic development. Learn more at http://www.wvpublic.org or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Carissa Gumm Honored With West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above And Beyond Award

Carissa Gumm, a fourth-grade teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary in Calhoun County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s February 2025 Above and Beyond Award, which honors the excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers.

Carissa Gumm, a fourth-grade teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary in Calhoun County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s February 2025 Above and Beyond Award, which honors the excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers. The award was presented by WVPB’s Education team during a surprise classroom visit, where Gumm’s students and family gathered to celebrate her achievement. As part of the recognition, Gumm received a monetary award and a signature Blenko Glass blue apple paperweight. The West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office, presenter of the SMART529 college savings program, proudly sponsors this award.

Gumm is dedicated to meeting students where they are, ensuring each student receives the support they need to succeed. “Students do not come with a one-size-fits-all guide, so it is my responsibility as an educator to identify and implement strategies that allow them to succeed academically,” she said. “There is no greater reward than witnessing the moment when a student grasps a concept — when my teaching approach and their learning style align seamlessly, like puzzle pieces fitting together.”

(from left) WVPB Director of Education Autumn Meadows, Above and Beyond winner Carissa Gumm and her nominator Laura Webb.

Photo Credit: Brittany McGuire/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Gumm’s classroom is designed to be an inspiring space, featuring an outdoor adventure theme and seasonal decorations that make learning inviting. “Classrooms should be warm, welcoming spaces where students feel comfortable, supported and excited to learn,” she said.

Her hands-on approach makes learning interactive and fun. One example of her creative approach is ‘Karate Math,’ where students earn belts for mastering multiplication, turning learning into a fun, goal-oriented challenge. Her creativity in lesson planning has earned the admiration of colleagues and parents alike. “Her students enjoy learning because of the activities and methods Mrs. Gumm employs,” said Laura Webb, who nominated Gumm for the award. “She consistently provides her students with engaging projects.”

Beyond academics, Gumm instills the importance of community service. Recently, she led her students in making holiday cards and singing for nursing home residents, reinforcing the values of kindness and community involvement. She organizes events like the science fair and math field day, attends her students’ extracurricular activities and continually seeks professional growth opportunities to enhance her teaching.

Above and Beyond winner Carissa Gumm with her family and nominator.

Photo Credit: Brittany McGuire/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

“My goal is for my students to recognize the value of education as a fundamental part of their lives — one that empowers them to grow, achieve and embrace lifelong learning,” Gumm said. Gumm’s thoughtful and innovative approach to teaching equips her students with the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

Each month, WVPB has an esteemed panel of judges that select one deserving teacher who goes above and beyond for the students in West Virginia. If you know of a deserving teacher who goes “Above and Beyond,” please click here to nominate them.

WVPB Newsroom Wins Big At Virginias AP Broadcasters Awards

The WVPB Newsroom received seven first place awards, eight second place awards, with Randy Yohe, WVPB Marshall/Huntington bureau chief, receiving The West Virginia Lifetime Achievement Award.

The winners of the 2024 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters (VAPB) Awards were announced on April 5 at the Awards Luncheon and Annual Membership Meeting at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) Newsroom won 16 awards this year.

Thirty-four news organizations in Virginia and West Virginia submitted 611 entries into the contest, which featured news and sports stories from 2024.

The WVPB Newsroom received seven first place awards, eight second place awards, with Randy Yohe, WVPB Marshall/Huntington bureau chief, receiving The West Virginia Lifetime Achievement Award.

“I could not be prouder of the WVPB newsroom,” said WVPB Director of Broadcast Journalism, Eric Douglas. “The challenges of telling stories across the entire state are great, but the reporters turn out news stories each day that are important to our audience. And do it as well as anyone in a two-state region.”

“The journalists at West Virginia Public Broadcasting continue to tell stories that have impact on our local communities”, added WVPB Executive Director, Eddie Isom. “They keep West Virginians informed and are committed to the mission of WVPB to educate, inform and inspire.”

The VAPB also awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Claudia Di Lima, a student majoring in media and broadcast journalism at West Virginia University’s (WVU) Reed College of Media.

The VAPB is an independent association comprised of local members of The Associated Press, a not-for-profit news cooperative that represents thousands of newspapers and broadcast stations across the United States.

2024 Virginias AP Broadcasters Contest Awards:

The West Virginia Lifetime Achievement Award:

  • Randy Yohe, WVPB Marshall/Huntington bureau chief
Combined Division (TV/RADIO):

Best Podcast-Audio:

Radio I/Metro:

Best Spot News:

  • First, Briana Heaney, Jack Walker and Caelan Bailey, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV “De Soto Arrested”
  • Second, Julia White and Harper Emch, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Crime in the Coalfields”

Best Continuing News:

  • First, Sandy Hausman, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Red Onion”

Best Documentary or In-Depth:

  • Second, Megan Pauly, Jahd Khalil and Whittney Evans, VPM News, Richmond, VA, “Protest Policies at Virginia’s Colleges.”

Best Light Feature:

  • Second, Roxy Todd, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Afghan Refugees”

Best Serious Feature:

  • First, Katherine Hafner, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, “Researchers Look to Virginia’s Barrier Islands for Answers to Climate Change”

Best Use of Sound:

  • First Cianna Morales, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, “Restoring Voting Rights in Virginia With Fish as the Bait”

Best MMJ/One-Person Band Reporter:

  • First, Patrick Larsen, VPM News, Richmond, VA

Best Multi-Platform Story:

Best Website:

  • First, Emma Gallus, Shane Darling and John Boggess, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV

Best Newscast:

  • First, Craig Wright, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA

Best Mountain State Heritage:

Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

  • Second, Brad Kutner, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Transgender Day of Visibility.”

About West Virginia Public Broadcasting:

The mission of West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) is to educate, inform, and inspire people by telling West Virginia’s story. WVPB is an indispensable resource for education, news and public affairs, emergency services and economic development. Learn more at www.wvpublic.org or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Amanda Rogers
Marketing Manager
304-556-4911
arogers@wvpublic.org

John Quesenberry Recognized For His Dedication To History And Civics Education

John Quesenberry, a history and civics teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Raleigh County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s January 2025 Above and Beyond Award, which honors the excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers.

John Quesenberry, a history and civics teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Raleigh County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s January 2025 Above and Beyond Award, which honors the excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers. The award was presented by WVPB’s Education team during a surprise classroom visit, where Quesenberry’s students and principal celebrated his achievement. As part of the recognition, he received a monetary award and a signature Blenko Glass blue apple paperweight. The West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office, presenter of the SMART529 college savings program, proudly sponsors this award.

Quesenberry has devoted his career to educating and inspiring students for nearly four decades. He challenges high school students to think critically about the past and recognize their role in shaping the future. His approach to teaching extends beyond the classroom, prompting students to engage with their communities and become informed, responsible citizens.

A strong commitment to history and civics shines through in his teaching philosophy. “History teaches us who we are, where we’ve come from, and what ties us together as one people,” he said. He encourages students to see history as an ongoing story, urging them to “put themselves in the place of those who lived it, to consider decisions as if they were making history in real time.” He encourages students to engage with history critically, learning from both triumphs and mistakes.

Civic education is a cornerstone of Quesenberry’s teaching. “Civic engagement is the foundation of our democracy,” he said. “It’s not just about voting — it’s about being involved in your community, serving others, and making a difference.” This philosophy resonates with his students, who leave his class with a deeper understanding of their role as citizens.

Quesenberry’s nominators highlighted his ability to inspire students and his dedication to civic responsibility. One colleague noted, “His enthusiasm for history is contagious, and he teaches students to think critically about the world around them.” Another wrote, “His commitment to empowering students to become knowledgeable, engaged, and proactive citizens is truly commendable and embodies the spirit of the Above and Beyond Award.”

Through his decades of teaching and coaching, Quesenberry has made a lasting impact on his students, shaping them into thoughtful citizens and leaders. His commitment to education, civic engagement, and character development exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond.

Each month, WVPB has an esteemed panel of judges that select one deserving teacher who goes above and beyond for the students in West Virginia. If you know of a deserving teacher who goes “Above and Beyond,” please click here to nominate them.

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