Augusta Levy Learning Center students in Wheeling have received big-time attention after their ornament won a big-time statewide contest for West Virginia students.

On Tuesday, after two previously scheduled trips were delayed by snow, first lady Gayle Manchin paid the center a visit to personally congratulate the students and take a tour. In December, four Augusta Levy students represented the center in the Joyful Night Celebration in Charleston, where they "flipped the switch" on the Capitol Christmas tree and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, among other activities.

"The thing that really struck me was that it's the first time we've ever been given the chance to participate in something like that," said Kathy Shapell, founder of the center that uses a research-based education model to help children with autism transition into typical school settings. It is the only center of its kind in West Virginia. The ornament contest, which had an "Energy" theme, was open to all students, kindergarten through 12th grade, whether they attended private, parochial, public or home schools.

Shapell recalled the trip to Charleston and receiving the statewide recognition as "one of the highlights of my career at Augusta Levy."

"Our kids really rose to the occasion. They were well-behaved, engaged, excited and fully participated. ... Honestly, everybody was just so excited about being able to give our children this opportunity," Shapell said.

Manchin greeted the children and staff during her visit Tuesday and received a tour of the facility, located in North Wheeling. The school provides one-on-one intensive behavioral instruction to children on the autism spectrum, ages 18 months to 7. The model is based on 30 years of research and developed by Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas of the University of California-Los Angeles.

Six "graduates" of the Levy Center last fall transitioned successfully into regular and special education classes at local schools. The school has a long waiting list and has received inquiries from families who live as far as 300 miles away.

The Levy students' 12-inch square ornament produced for the Governor's Ornament Contest was made of quilted fabric in the spirit of Appalachia and captured the energy theme by displaying images of coal, windmill and a tree. Puzzle pieces - the symbol of autism -displayed the words: "Piece by piece saving energy counts."

"(The design) allowed all of the students to participate because it only required glueing," Shapell said.

All the winning ornaments were on display in the Governor's Mansion during the holiday season and will be part of a permanent collection at the West Virginia State Museum in Charleston.

"Not only did this contest allow our kids to participate, but it also allowed them to shine in ways they hadn't had the opportunity to do before," Shapell said.