Virginia Tech University (VT) music department staff selected Marlinton Middle School eighth graders Katie Pennington, left, and Kayla Lester to attend the 14th annual Honor Band in Blacksburg, Virginia, during January 21-23. The students were nominated by MMS music teacher Rick McLaughlin and selected from more than 1,700 nominees. The students auditioned before a VT music professor on Friday, practiced with their assigned band on Saturday, and performed in concert on Sunday. The girls also attended music workshops and concerts by the VT wind ensemble, marching band and jazz band. More than 500 students from 170 schools attended the annual event. Pennington is the daughter of Jim and Becky Schepleng, of Marlinton; Lester is the daughter of Danny Lester and Pam Carpenter, of Marlinton.