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Student Magazine ‘YNST’ Wins Show of Hands Prize

WHEELING -- A student magazine produced by college youths is now a grown-up winner of Wheeling Heritage's "Show of Hands" competition.

Owner Adam Payne of YNST "(You're Not Seeing Things) Magazine," took home $7,064 at the event on Wednesday.

The former Wheeling Park High School speech team champion gave a presentation highlighting his product, which highlights the work of artistic young people in Appalachia.

He started the magazine with others while a student at West Virginia University.

"I'm grateful and incredibly gobsmacked that this moment is real," Payne said after the win. "My team and I have been working really, really hard to make this moment possible, and I'm happy to be awarded this."

Those attending Show of Hands paid $5 at the door for dinner and received a ballot to vote upon which of four presenters deserved funding for a proposed business venture.

The winner received the money collected at the door, as well as the more $4,000 already donated by sponsors.

Payne said his group will use the winnings to market a new website they have created, which launches in two weeks. The funds also will help in the distribution of print copies, he added.

He thanked the creative persons who allowed themselves to be featured in the first issue of the magazine that came out in June.

"What makes this event so special is that it is all community voting and crowdfunding," Payne continued. "Because of those tangible supporters, this is special."

In his presentation, he noted that most in America "aren't seeing the work of young Appalachian artists, and fighting off the stigma is a challenge."

He asked those present what they see when they think of West Virginia? Small businesses? Community? Mothman? Pepperoni rolls? Mountains?

"Now if you were to ask that same question to someone from outside our region, you and I know they would say they see something different," Payne said. "They see 'Hillbilly Elegy,' coal mines, the opioid crisis and poverty.

"If you were to ask me... as an artist... I see color. I see music, theater and dance and fashion and poetry. And most of all, I see the young people leading the charge in redefining our region."

Other presenters stating their case at Show of Hands Wednesday night were as follows: Laura Oswalt, owner of Tacet Coffee, a new pop-up mobile coffee bar; Ashley Sutton, owner of Moonlight Intimate Apparel, a lingerie shop catering to all ages and body shapes; and Johnny Haught, owner of Ohio Valley MMA, a place for personal training, cardio classes and more.

The next Show of Hands isn't scheduled to happen until March 2024.