By Carl Holcomb, Moorefield Examiner
The love and joy of the Hive was spread into Charleston as the Yellow Jackets message was heard loud and clear at the West Virginia State Capitol from the resonating voice of Moorefield High School junior Demi Arbaugh.
Arbaugh’s mission was two fold going to Charleston.
Arbaugh is a team manager for the wrestling team and advocated for the girls wrestling programs in the Mountain State to become officially sanctioned sport.
Arbaugh participated in the West Virginia Prevention First Alliance’s Prevention Day at the State Capitol as a representative of the Potomac Highlands Guild Prevention Team and was honored as the Photovoice Project state champion for a special photograph featuring a connection as the Yellow Jackets mascot showing kindness and love during Homecoming.
“Today I attended the West Virginia Prevention First Alliance Prevention Day at the State Capitol with the Potomac Highlands Guild Prevention team,” Moorefield junior Demi Arbaugh remarked.
This was a unique mission as a member of the youth coalition in Moorefield shedding a positive light on the tremendous avenues of opportunity that is offered for youth today.
Arbaugh talked with Hardy County delegate Bryan Ward and the esteemed legislature about the vital importance of providing activities for youth, especially girls wrestling.
Arbaugh was accompanied by her mother Kathran Richardson and younger sister Isabella Sanchez-Richardson.
Arbaugh showcased a poster of the Moorefield Girls Wrestling team along with several letters petitioning for an official sanction.
The passion voiced by Arbaugh was heard and the mission of sanctioning girls wrestling as an official WVSSAC sport came to fruition on a vote that same day and she witnessed the whole legislative process from the gallery after the presentation.
“As a member of a newly formed youth coalition in Moorefield, I advocated for positive opportunities for youth, shared letters from local girls’ wrestling participants about discipline, confidence, perseverance, and teamwork, and expressed support for making girls high school wrestling a permanent sanctioned program. I also learned about legislation and the importance of youth voice in shaping policy,” Arbaugh noted.
Arbaugh is a dedicated Moorefield Cheerleader and volunteered to be the Yellow Jacket mascot this season in its debut.
During the MHS Homecoming pep rally, Arbaugh was pictured forming a heart for the Moorefield Elementary School students in the stands. She showed them how much she cared and loved them with hugs, waves and sign language.
This compassionate connection was exactly what Arbaugh desired to share with the community and they say a picture is worth 1,000 words.
Arbaugh couldn’t speak being in the mascot costume, but found ways to connect and share kindness, grace and love with the youth and more importantly expressed that they can “bee” whatever you set your mind to do – buzz, buzz.
As the mascot, she hears a lot of funny comments from the kids and how much they love the Yellow Jacket and she shows that love back forming a heart with her hands.
This was a way for her to not only engage the kids, but create a way to give back to the community.
This turned into the winning Photovoice Project contest submission and Arbaugh was recognized in Charleston and given a laptop prize.
The photo educates people on how simple it is to make someone’s day. She knows it is going to be a great day in the mascot suit, because everyone is sweet and the community she lives in is great.
“I was honored to win the 2025 Photovoice Project for a photo showing something meaningful about our community. Receiving a new laptop was incredible, and I hope to continue inspiring youth and supporting prevention efforts in Hardy County.
I want to thank my mom Kathran Richardson for bringing me into this field and encouraging me to participate in this contest. She always pushes me to my full potential. I wouldn’t be able to accomplish my goals without my amazing support group right behind me,” Arbaugh commented.
Transforming lives as a youth advocate and the Yellow Jacket mascot has become a tremendously successful mission for Arbaugh and Moorefield High School recognized her outstanding contributions.
From the desk of Moorefield High School principal Amanda Campbell and administration office through Facebook:
“We are incredibly proud to recognize one of our outstanding students. Yesterday, Demi Arbaugh attended Prevention Day at the West Virginia State Capitol with the Potomac Highlands Guild Prevention Team. Hosted by the West Virginia Prevention First Alliance, this special event brings together leaders and students from across the state to highlight the importance of prevention and investing in our communities. During the event, Demi was honored as the 2025 Photovoice Project Winner — a statewide initiative that showcases what makes our communities strong through meaningful photography. Her winning submission beautifully reflected the positive impact of prevention and the importance of investing in youth. We are so proud of her for using her voice to represent Hardy County and for sharing a powerful message about what makes our community something to be proud of. Congratulations on this incredible accomplishment.”
Arbaugh shows her compassion every time she puts on that Yellow Jacket suit and continues to be a goodwill ambassador for the Potomac Highlands Guild Prevention Team as a member of the youth coalition and championing for girls wrestling and so much more.
“I love being able to spread aware and use my voice to help others be heard, especially when it comes to supporting opportunities for girls in wrestling. It means a lot to help advocate for programs that give more girls the chance to compete and succeed,” Arbaugh concluded.
