West Virginia
West Virginia begins taking applications for first-ever Governor’s School for Tourism
Although the popular summer educational camps have existed since 1984, Governor Justice is the first governor to host a school focused on tourism.
“I am just thrilled to launch the first-ever Governor’s School for Tourism,” Gov. Justice said. “With tourism exploding in West Virginia, it’s time to start working with our students to showcase all good-paying jobs available in this industry. The growth has been off the chart, and our research shows this is quickly becoming a high-demand field in our state. I can’t wait to meet with our talented students this summer as they explore the wide array of tourism attractions and jobs across this great state.”
Hosted by West Virginia University and supported by the West Virginia Department of Education’s Division of Instruction and Career Engagement, the Governor’s School for Tourism will provide students a 10-day, hands-on learning tour of the Mountain State. Additionally, these budding industry ambassadors will visit many of the state’s travel regions and meet with dozens of industry professionals who will offer a glimpse into the variety of sectors within tourism. This includes outdoor recreation, arts and culture, hospitality and lodging, and culinary arts. This program is provided at no cost to students or families.
The Governor’s School for Tourism will accept one freshman or sophomore student from each county, as well as one student from each of the state’s five charter schools and a student from the West Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind. The Governor’s Schools of West Virginia programs undergo a stringent application process to secure a spot in programs taught by esteemed college faculty. State funds provide tuition, room, board, activities, and instructional materials for each student.
“I want to thank the Governor for his leadership and for allowing us to provide this incredible opportunity to our students. Tourism is among the cornerstones of our economy, and this School is a phenomenal addition to our summer residential learning offerings,” State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt said. “The format of the Governor’s School for Tourism turns our state into a learning laboratory because industry professionals and academic leaders across the state engage students with experiential learning. Students selected will never forget this experience, and I can’t wait to get out and see them on our Country Roads.”
While on the tour, students will have the opportunity to experience their home state as visitors and help the Tourism Department develop new promotional strategies to be used in the following year. After completing the program, students will serve as the Governor’s official tourism ambassadors for the year following their participation in the School. As ambassadors, they will work throughout the year with the Department of Tourism as local content creators and liaisons to the Department’s marketing team.
“I can never thank Governor Justice enough for this incredible opportunity. With West Virginia tourism growing at a record-breaking pace, it’s vital that we start making sure students are aware of the amazing opportunities available to them right here at home. The first-ever Governor’s School for Tourism is the perfect opportunity,” West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby said. “We’ve discovered that so many students haven’t been able to explore West Virginia and aren’t aware of the employment opportunities that await them. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to showcase this firsthand to students from across the state, while also giving them an opportunity to become official tourism ambassadors.”
The curriculum and educational components will be led by West Virginia University’s esteemed Hardy Family Hospitality and Tourism Management program within the John Chambers College of Business. Academic professionals from the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative will also be integral in planning, development of curriculum, and hands-on learning.
“Tourism is a significant and growing part of our state economy,” Josh Hall, Milan Puskar Dean of WVU’s John Chambers College of Business and Economics, said. “West Virginia University is proud to partner with the Governor’s Office on a program that will expose students to the unique opportunities in the tourism industry in our state and open their minds to the possibilities of how they can contribute to it.”
Learn more or apply on the West Virginia Department of Education’s website. The deadline for applications is Friday, April 26, 2024.
They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
At this point, Paul Hardesty, President of the West Virginia Board of Education, must be on the precipice of losing his mind. During a recent call with reporters, Hardesty again emphasized the dire financial outlook for the state’s public schools. Enrollment continues to decline, and more school closures and consolidations may be coming next year.
It’s not the first time Hardesty has sounded the alarm.
Hardesty has repeatedly pointed out that public schools are withering under the current school-aid formula and burdensome regulations.
Some state lawmakers have received the message but during the 2026 60-day legislative session, while there was more discussion that legislative action is needed to address growing financial strains, ultimately, there was not enough political will for state lawmakers to take any action.
Senator Amy Nicole Grady, R-Mason, chairs the Senate Education Committee and is a public school teacher. She has spent the last three years trying to educate her fellow legislators about the frustrations teachers and school officials deal with on a daily basis.
“We know it’s nothing new. It’s something we have discussed for at least three years now, knowing that we need to move forward and change that formula in some way. But how we change it, that’s the challenge,” Grady said during an appearance on Metronews Talkline.
Grady recognizes the “how” is the major stumbling block for legislators who must make difficult decisions and must then face unhappy constituents.
“It’s very, very difficult, and this is something that’s big that really takes a lot of thinking, and it can require a lot of hard, difficult decisions, and you also have that model of self-preservation.
“A lot of people are thinking, this is hard for me to make this decision. I don’t want to make this decision because it could mean my seat. But when it’s the right thing, it’s the right thing regardless.”
House Education Committee Chairman Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, has also been on the front line trying to build a case for legislators to support major changes. Statler has repeatedly emphasized the gap in special education funding, where costs continue to outpace revenues.
The number of special education students continues to grow, now making up nearly 21 percent of the student population.
It is not only the legislature that has not found the political fortitude to address public education. It has not been a priority for the executive branch either.
Gov. Morrisey focused his political capital on accelerating the elimination of the personal income tax and preventing changes to the Hope Scholarship.
You can’t help but question whether the lack of action is due to a lack of political will or indifference to public schools’ failure. There’s no doubt that outside interest groups, many of which have supported legislative campaigns, have indicated a preference for alternative education choices.
Either way, if lawmakers continue to ignore the tidal wave of financial failures in the public education system, they will have abdicated their constitutional duty to provide West Virginia students with a “free and efficient” education system.
For the first time since the 2015-16 season, the West Virginia Mountaineers women’s basketball roster will feature a West Virginia native.
Wheeling product Alexis Bordas transfers in after having a tremendous freshman season up the road at Duquesne, where she averaged 15.5 points (ranked fifth in the A-10) and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 34.6% from beyond the arc. At season’s end, she was named to the A-10 All-Rookie Team.
Morgantown’s Olivia Seggie was the last West Virginia-born player on the women’s hoops roster.
Of course, WVU was Bordas’ dream school. Pretty much her entire family went to school here and grew up coming to Mountaineer games, so Mark Kellogg probably didn’t have to do much convincing once he made it known that they wanted her.
“Chase Harler’s from Wheeling, so I came to a lot of his games. Jevon Carter, my brother, loved him. We watched a lot more of the men back then, but Kysre Gondrezick, she was someone that I always watched.”
When asked what it’s like to finally be in a Mountaineer uniform and practicing with the group, she responded, “Yeah, it’s great to finally be here and get to meet all my teammates and become such good friends with them already. It’s been super fun, and just seeing the difference from day one to now, and how much we’ve progressed already, it’s super exciting to see.
“All the fan support last night, we had an event, and just seeing all the fans and how it’s June, and everyone’s already so excited and rallies around this team,” she added. “I know it’s extra special being from West Virginia, and I’m sure lots of little girls will look up to me and hope to be playing here one day, so it’s great to be a role model for them, too.”
Nine times last season, Bordas registered 20+ points, and of course, as a true West Virginian would, she had her best performance against the Pitt Panthers, dropping 38 on them in an 84-69 win. She went 11/22 from the field in that one, including a 10/18 day from three-point range.
Bordas is a high-volume shooter from range, as 58.8% of her attempts came from downtown last season. When you shoot 34% from there and can maybe hit the high 30s, no one will care about the shot diet being so reliant on the three-ball.
Under the new rules, Bordas will have four years of eligibility remaining.
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CLENDENIN, W.Va . (WSAZ) – Gov. Patrick Morrisey visited Clendenin West Virginia Saturday during Summerfest.
10 years ago a devastating flood swept through the community.
The governor announced $450,000 of funding for a Streetscape project during a commemoration for the June 2016 flood. The funding will go toward Clendenin’s main street – improving sidewalks, landscaping, and other pedestrian amenities.
Funding for the project comes from the Transportation Alternatives Program – a federal initiative to fund smaller scale transportation projects.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
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