West Virginia Department of Commerce Come Home to WV Essays

Living and being in West Virginia means connections to my friends and family. I've found these things are more important than anything else. After graduating from West Virginia Wesleyan in 2003, I was eager obtain my first "real" job and I didn't care where it was. I taught for a year in Virginia and moved home singing a very different tune. I crossed back into West Virginia singing "Country Roads" at the top of my lungs. I moved back in 2004 and began teaching at my alma mater, Ripley High School. Being home is more precious than money or fame.
~ Adena Barnette, Ripley, WV
(Nominates: self)

Since Dr. Hartz returned to WV, she experienced many personal tragedies, but she also opened her home to many people who needed shelter, especially before places for homeless teens and those in trouble existed. She has promoted WV all her life, as well as the work of WV people. Her credentials include appearances on every national news network in the US, having her own TV program in the 1980s, and promoting her books, as well as others. "You can return to WV or become a West Virginian by choice!" she relates, referring to friends and professionals who call WV "home."
~ Betty Lovejoy, Charleston, WV
(Nominates: Dr. Lynn R. Hartz, friend)

My sister, Lori McKinney said West Virginia is a blank canvas, paint it anyway you like and thats what shes doing! Growing up we had limited access to the arts. We left WV to broaden our creative horizons. After college abroad, Lori returned home. She opened Riff Raff Arts Collective/Llynium Entertainment and established Culturefest, a world music/arts festival. She convinced me to move my music school home and enticed an entrepreneur to open an internet café/coffee shop. With Lori at the helm of Create Mercer County, we are building a thriving arts community in Princeton with 15 artists in residence.
~ Melissa McKinney, Princeton, WV
(Nominates: Lori McKinney, sister)

Dave is a features writer for the Herald-Dispatch. He has written a book about his travels in West Virginia. I am enclosing a copy, "Dave Trippin." Dave, his wife, and two sons travel about out state every chance they get. He would make a wonderful spokesperson. He is very funny and versitile. He sings and plays several instruments. He has the look of a West Virginia homeboy.
~ Catherine Dawson, Huntington, WV
(Nominates: Dave Lavender)

As a native West Virginian who had to leave my home 20 years ago I would like to nominate Mark Bowe for the "Come Home to WV" spokesman. Mark IS WV in its best attributes, honest, resourceful and kind. When I see Mark's smile, he puts me to mind of what I miss most about my home, front porches, friendly faces and fun. As a small business owner, he was fortunate to get to choose to live and work wherever he wanted. There was no other choice for Mark. WV is the place to be for a true modern.
~ Christy Ferguson-Schultz, Stone Mountain, GA
(Nominates: Mark Bowe, friend)

West Virginia is a land of immense beauty, from within and without. The spirit of her people make living in West Virginia a blessing to those who call it home. Nowhere in this nation is there a people more willing to uplift their neighbor, their employer, their church and their community. West Virginians are ordinary people who do extraordinary things! West Virginian's come home, add your intelligence, your talents and your work ethic to making this state the absolute best place in this nation to raise children! With you we can do it all!
~ Mitch Carmichael, Ripley, WV
(Nominates: Talia Markham, friend)

My wife was coming out of her first year as a Panthers Cheerleader in the NFL. I was loving my job as a builder. Still, something was missing. We had our second child. Visits home to WV were short and our children really missed their grandparents. They loved our tales of growing up in this state, going camping and of course Marshall Games. We just never had time. One trip back we saw potential and wanted to be part of that movement. We moved and never looked back. Now our children can experience for themselves, West Virginia Wild and Wonderful!
~ Jeff Starcher, Winfield, WV
(Nominates: Melinda Starcher, wife)

Gina Simmons is a life long native of WV and she researched the history of Lavalette for several years. This is something no one else has ever done. She found so much information, that she wrote a book and is currently working on the final steps. She has traveled to several countries and all over the US and represents WV in a very positive manner. She has good integrity great work ethics and social graces. There is no one that could do a better job at promoting our state than Gina Simmons. I nominate her with great pride and admiration!
~ Renee Weber, Barboursville, WV
(Nominates: Gina Simmons, family friend)

I want to nominate my very good friend Bev because she makes me miss my Home State -- WV (Almost Heaven) every single day. Bev Is always telling me all about the wonderful things that I miss dearly like going to Pipestem, Babcock, Hawks Nest State Parks and many more. She asks me every single time I speak to her "When are you moving back home?" I moved to NC in July of 1998 and there hasn't been a single day that I haven't been Homesick for The Beautiful Mountains and People of WV! Where the people are very WARM and LOVING!
~ Bobbi Burgess, Kannapolis, NC
(Nominates: Bev Graham, friend)

Almost Heaven West Virginia. My husband and I had everything so we thought living in NC. I achieved my dream of cheering in the NFL, he loved his job as a builder. Yet we were empty there. When we saw that glorious sign "Welcome to West Virgina Wild and Wonderful" our hearts filled with joy. We moved back inspiring friends to do the same. Young people of WV are too often led to believe this isn't the place to prosper. NOT TURE! Teaching dance to children and adults, I see West Virginians reclaiming their lives and state everyday. Come Home!
~ Melinda Starcher, Winfield, WV
(Nominates: self)

A lifelong resident, you wont see this one leaving, but many have. He'll tell you theres nothing like these mountains, the people are real and hold deep substance and value in their lives. For Scott, theres no better place on earth and West Virginia holds endless treasures. Hes already promoted the state unofficially for 30 years with WV artists in the media, state parks and in any possible way to relay the magnificence of this state to draw people in. Scott even produced a CD called the Road Home about coming home to West Virginia. He may be your guy
~ Kathy Hill, Ghent, WV
(Nominates: Scott Hill, spouse)

Hannah Saunders is a very proud born and raised West Virginian. She is 9 years old and recently did an extra credit report on WV tourism. We took pictures of Hannah on a visit to Hawk's Nest and turned those pictures into a dvd with the song "Take me home country roads." She is very proud to live here. She has said she never wants to leave West Virginia. We think that since this state has left such a great impession on her as a 9 year old she would be a great spokesperson to bring people back.
~ Missi Saunders, Red House, WV
(Nominates: Hannah Saunders, daughter)

Jessica Saunders is our oldest daughter and is almost 16 years old and now starting to look at colleges. She hopes to attend here in the great state of West Virginia. She loves it here. The beauty of the scenery, to friendliness of West Virginians, to honor of our troops it is a wonderful place to grow up. She has great pride in being born and raised here. We think she would be a great reminder to those that have left here that West Virginia is a great place to live and raise a family.
~ Chris Saunders, Red House, WV
(Nominates: Jessica Saunders, daughter)

I was born here. At twelve, I journeyed with my family around the world. The world was fine but WV is my home. I'm a writer. I wrote a song about my longing to return home. Here's a ion: I flew and I knew that I'd be longing for songs of home, And for the mountains and old porch swings and Appalachian things, Its autumn leaves and family, Kale and cornbread football and dreams, Ive been all over the world and the best place I know, Is here my dear -- in West Virginia -- my mountain home"
~ Samuel Smith, Beaver, WV
(Nominates: self)