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PARKERSBURG 鈥� A student from Parkersburg has received an award for his volunteer efforts to overcome homelessness, addiction and for support of neurodiverse learning.
Moon King, the performing name of Jack Comeau, received the 2026 Governor's Service Award for Transforming Lives Through Music and Outreach in the Young Adult Category on Thursday at the Governor's Service Awards dinner at the Culture Center at the Capitol in Charleston.
The Governor's Service Awards, begun in 1995, honors dedication to volunteerism and community service in West Virginia.
King was nominated by Torie Jackson, president of West Virginia University at Parkersburg, where, in addition to being a musician, King is an engineering student.
King with his guitar will go into a homeless camp, shelters and crisis facilities where he will perform and connect individuals with available resources.
He also is a champion for neurodivergent students who face hidden barriers in traditional schools and workplaces. King has designed and proposed strategies for local schools including WVU Parkersburg, such as creating sensory-friendly learning spaces and structured support programs to help neurodiverse individuals use their strengths to build successful careers.
King, who has a 4.0 GPA as an engineering student, established a permanent fund through the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation to support rehousing efforts. His efforts are volunteer and unpaid.
The Governor's Service Awards are sponsored by Volunteer West Virginia and the state Commission for National and Community Service.
Other category recipients were: Pavan Subramani, Morgantown, youth category; Rhonda Lee, Cottageville, adult category; Theresa 鈥楽is鈥� Bruner, Elkins, and Clint Hogbin, Hedgesville, lifetime achievement; Quarter Store of Webster Springs, Cowen, group category.
Lauren Winans and Kristie Tenney, known as the Mountaineer Mile Girls, will receive the Governor's Mountaineer Spirit Award.
Nominees were Paisley Mitchell of Putnam County, Pratham Bhanushali of Monongalia County, Makenzie Gregory of Lewis County, Curtis 鈥楾riston鈥� Stevens of Brooke County, Julie Canterbury and Fayette County, Tinia Creamer of Cabell County, Benjamin Duvall of Morgan County, Don Evans of Jefferson County, Kate Marshall of Ohio County, Cheryl Quinlan of Kanawha County, Tara 鈥楤aby T鈥� Sexton of Mingo County, Sharon Werdebaugh of Harrison County, Zachary White of Hancock County, Charles Balkin of Morgan County, Rachelle Davis of Tucker County, Chris Muroski of Ohio County, Steve Ourand of Jefferson County, Vada Pennington of Monongalia County, Linda Dawson of Hampshire County, LeJay Graffious of Preston County, Kristy Jo Martin of Preston County, Clear Fork Crime Watch of Raleigh County, Harpers Ferry Job Corps of Jefferson County, High Rocks Educational Corp. of Pocahontas County, Landmark Studio for the Arts of Braxton County, Morgantown City Ambassadors of Monongalia County, O.U.R. House (One Unique Recovery) of Upshur County, The Hope Dealer of Berkeley County and Wings of Hope Food Resource Program of Summers County.