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To honor the accomplishments of the Class of 2023, the 107th graduating class, Weir High School held its Senior Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, May 23 for families, faculty, and underclassmen.

Principal Kristin Bissett called the ceremony to order, and seniors Matthew Jagela, John Wansack, and Callie Wood sang the National Anthem.

After opening remarks by Bissett and Madison McDonald, Student Body President, administrators presented Highest Honors Students with their cords. The following students graduated with Highest Honors and a GPA of 4.0 or above: Rylie Baker, Isabella Bernola, Kalee Cottrill, Elliana Cowden, Nektarios Dimitriou, Rylee Donaldson, Abigail Dowler, Kendall Drobish, Joshua Duffy, Anthony Earley, Lindsey Fayak, Chloe Fidler, Dominic Guiddy, Reagan Hoover, Colin Lallone, Jason Lipovich, Michael Lytle, Lydia Mascio, Haley Mazon, Hannah Moore, Rachel Ogbonna, Kiara Palavis, Elizabeth Rhodes, Patrick Slattery, Jude Smith, Justin Velegol, and John Wansack.

High Honors Students graduating with a GPA of 3.7 to 3.99: Sophia Aperfine, Shaylah Arvin, Emily Burskey, Joshua Byers, Mason Davis, Jordyn Ferguson, Emma Fierro, Kaitlyn Fortune, Summer Glasure, Julianna Glodowski, Zachary Hollister, Michael Iafrate, Matthew Jagela, Bailey Lorello, Elena Mastrantoni, Madison McDonald, Alexander Orris, Breonna Parsons, Tristan Pulver, Ethan Rauschenberg, Arissa Waugh, and Ryan Weber.

Honors graduates having graduated with a GPA of 3.4 to 3.69: Michael Anderson, Summer Ellis, Jason Emmerich, Tanner Finsley, Ri’Lynn Hayes, Adelynn Lawton, Trinity Layman, Lauren Licause, Addison Mikula, Alexis Ortiz, Even Peleskey, Bradley Price, Wellington Shriver, Owen Totten, Damarr Turner, Camden Vella, Brenden Weimer, Isabella White, Callie Wood, Nicholas Yacos, and Raymond Yang.

Bissett then recognized the outgoing seniors of the John C. Greer Chapter of the National Honor Society: Sophia Aperfine, Shalah Arvin, Rylie Baker, Isabella Bernola, Emily Burskey, Joshua Byers, Elliana Cowden, Nektarios Dimitriou, Rylee Donaldson, Abigail Dowler, Kendall Drobish, Joshua Duffy, Anthony Earley, Summer Ellis, Lindsey Fayak, Jordyn Ferguson, Emma Fierro, Tanner Finsley, Summer Glasure, Julianna Glodowski, Dominic, Guiddy, Ri’lynn Hayes, Zachary Hollister, Reagan Hoover, Michael Iafrate, Matthew Jagela, Adelynn Lawton, Jason Lipovich, Michael Lytle, Lydia Mascio, Elena Mastrantoni, Haley Mazon, Madison McDonald, Addison Mikula, Hannah Moore, Rachel Ogbonna, Alexander Orris, Alexis Ortiz, Kiara Palavis, Breonna Parsons, Elizabeth Rhodes, Patrick Slattery, Jude Smith, Damarr Turner, Justin Velegol, and John Wansack.

Next, the students graduating as members of the National Technical Honor Society were acknowledged, including Sophia Aperfine, Michael Bolinger, Nico Dimitriou, Kaiden Dodson, Rylee Donaldson, Kendall Drobish, Josh Duffy, Anthony Earley, Anthony Ensminger, Dominic Guiddy, Ashton Hill, Zachary Hollister, Adelynn Lawton, Lauren Licause, Michael Lytle, Lydia Mascio, Savannah Moore, Bradley Price, Elizabeth Rhodes, Jessie Rowland, Patrick Slattery, Madison Sims, Jude Smith, Brianna Swain, Owen Totten, Justin Velegol, Camden Vella, John Wansack, Arissa Waugh, and Brenden Weimer.

Bissett then recognized seniors who earned Career and Technology certificates. In order to be considered a completer in the Career and Technology programs, students must have taken a series of four required courses in their program of study. These courses are taken within a simulated workplace environment, and students must take the NOCTI test and complete a portfolio. These students earned Career and Technology certificates in the following programs of study: Josh Byers, Kendall Drobish, Cindy Jiang, Kiara Palavis, and Ava Taylor for Information Management; Devin Ashcraft, Alena Austin, Nektarios Dimitriou, Cameron Jones, Colin Lallone, Dani Logue, Michael Lytle, Savannah Moore, Alex Orris, John Wansack, and Arissa Waugh for Management and Administrative Support; Nico Dimitriou, Cameron Jones, Michael Lytle, and Jude Smith for Accounting and Finance; Joshua Duffy, Anthony Earley, Dominic Guiddy, Kiara Palavis, Elizabeth Rhodes, and Owen Totten for Pre-Engineering; Sophia Aperfine and Ryan Weber for Careers in Education.

After, Bisset recognized students who completed their programs at the John D. Rockefeller Career Center. The Governor’s Workforce Credential (GWC) signifies a student’s knowledge of business processes within a Simulated Workplace environment. The West Virginia Governor endorses only the top career technical education (CTE) completers in the state for their achievements in academics, technical training, and work readiness. To receive this credential, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, earn the GWC cut score on the NOCTI test, pass two voluntary drug screenings in their senior year, maintain a 95% attendance rate, earn at least one industry credential, and earn at least a 95% on their CTE portfolio.

This year’s Weir High School recipients of the Governor’s Workforce Credential are include Joshua Byers (Information Management), Joshua Duffy (Pre-Engineering), Anthony Earley (Pre-Engineering), Dominic Guiddy (Pre-Engineering), Cindy Jiang (Information Management), Michael Lytle (Accounting and Finance), and Kiara Palavis (Pre-Engineering and Information Management).

Three students completed programs and also earned their Governor’s Workforce Credential at the John D. Rockefeller Career Center. These students are Michael Bolinger (Diesel Technology and Automotive Technology), Lydia Mascio (Therapeutics), and Justin Velegol (Carpentry).

Bissett next recognized the 2023 PROMISE scholars. The following students met all the criteria set by the State of West Virginia to receive these awards: Rylie Baker, Isabella Bernola, Kalee Cottrill, Elliana Cowden, Rylee Donaldson, Kendall Drobish, Joshua Duffy, Anthony Earley, Chloe Fidler, Emma Fierro, Dominic Guiddy, Reagan Hoover, Matthew Jagela, Lauren Licause, Ty Lyon, Michael Lytle, Lydia Mascio, Elena Mastrantoni, Haley Mazon, Addison Mikula, Hannah Moore, Rachel Ogbonna, Alexander Orris, Kiara Palavis, Owen Totten, Justin Velegol, John Wansack, Callie Wood, and Nicholas Yacos.

Following Bissett’s presentations, Assistant Principal Jeanne Pellegrino recognized the following students, who received awards or scholarships not being presented by other representatives at the ceremony:

Sophia Aperfine (WLU Softball Athlete Scholarship, Hancock County Retired Employees Scholarship); Shaylah Arvin (Robert Morris University Merit Scholarship); Alena Austin (Wheeling University Dean’s Scholarship, Wheeling University Award Scholarship, Wheeling Universtiy Athletic Grant); Rylie Baker (Waynesburg University A.B. Miller Scholarship, Waynesburg University Bonner Scholarship, Waynesburg University State Scholarship, Waynesburg University Honeycomb Award, Waynesburg University Bonner Grant); Brandon Barish (Deisel Technology NAPA Award); Michael Bolinger (Skills USA Silver Medalist, Randy Green Memorial Scholarship, JDRCC Deisel Technology of the Year, JDRCC Director’s Award); Joshua Byers (University of Akron Presidential Scholarship, University of Akron Now Scholarship, University of Akron Williams Honors Scholarship, University of Akron Honors Residential Scholarship, University of Akron Endowed Scholarship, University of Akron Out of State Scholarship, Mike Adams Scholarship, Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship); Nektarios Dimitriou (Duquense University Academic Scholarship); Abigail Dowler (Case Western Reserve Performing Arts Scholarship); Anthony Earley (Perry West Baseball Scholarship); Anthony Ensminger (JDRCC Clinical Excellence Award, Weirton Geriatric Center Scholarship, JDRCC Therapeutics Student of the Year); Tanner Finsley (Point Park University Artistic Achievement Award, Point Park University Dean’s Academic Award); Summer Glasure (offered merit scholarships from Robert Morris University, Point Park University, Duquense, Cleveland State and Marietta); Dominic Guiddy (Cleveland Institute of Art Family Scholarship, Cleveland Institute of Art Grant, Cleveland Institute of Art Visit Award); R.J. Guthrie (Gold Medal Winner at Skills USA, JDRCC Auto Technology Student of the Year, 2023 Gold – Motorcycle Service Repair, 2022 Silver – Automotive Tool Identification), Reagan Hoover (WV STEM Scholarship); Jamari Hubbard-Bass (Charles Lando Scholarship); Matthew Jagela (Shepherd University Frank School of Music Scholarship, Shepherd University Director’s Scholarship, WVSSAC Academic Achievement Scholarship, John Phillips Sousa Award); Cameron Jones (James Madison University Football Scholarship); Lauren Licause (WVU Systems Connection Grant); Jason Lipovich (Fairmont State/ Margaret MacLuckie Scholarship); Ty Lyon (Carmine J. & Florence Chico Can Scholarship); Michael Lytle (Tony Ruszkowski/ Never Alone Scholarship); Lydia Mascio (Undo’s Italian Heritage Festival Scholarship); Elena Mastrantoni (Ft. Steuben Daughter of American Revolution Scholarship); Addison Mikula (WVU System Connection Grant, WVU Pledge Scholarship); Raymond Moore (JDRCC CDL Scholarship); Savanah Moore (Muskingum Muskie Award, Muskingum Impact Scholarship, Muskingum Award); Rachel Ogbonna (Charles Lando Foundation Science and Wellness Award); Kiara Palavis (Albert Yanni Scholarship); Elizabeth Rhodes (Barnard College Grant, Larsen Educational Trust Scholarship, Silent Servant Scholarship Award); Grace Smith (Goosen’s Cross Country Scholarship Award); Damarr Turner (OVAASA Future Leaders Scholarship); John Wansack (WVU Pledge Scholarship); Ryan Weber (Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship, Ladies Aid Society Scholarship, WV Teachers Grant).

Donna Gialluco, representative for West Virginia University, presented the following scholarships:

The Chambers College Scholarship to Owen Totten; the Dean’s Level 2 Scholarship to Isabella Bernola, Kendall Drobish, and Addison Mikula; the College of Business and Economics Dean’s Level 1 Scholarship to Michael Lytle and Justin Velegol; the College of Creative Arts Scholarship to Daniel Thibodeaux; the Diversity Scholarship to Haley Mazon and Rachel Ogbonna; the Go First Level 5 Scholarship to Ty Lyon and John Palmer; the Go First Level 4 Scholarship to Alauna Baker and Damarr Turner; the Go First Level 3 Scholarship or the Scholarship of Distinction Level 4 to Emma Fierro, Michael Iafrate, Owen Totten, and Nicholas Yacos; the Go First Level 2 Scholarship or the Scholarship of Distinction Level 3 to Isabella Bernola, Emily Burskey, Kendall Drobish, Jordyn Ferguson, Julianna Glodowski, Haley Mazon, Madison McDonald, Addison Mikula, Hannah Moore, and Kiara Palavis; the Go First Level 1 Scholarship or the Scholarship of Distinction Level 2 to Rylee Donaldson, Anthony Earley, Reagan Hoover, Michael Lytle, Lydia Mascio, Elena Mastrantoni, Rachel Ogbonna, Justin Velegol, and John Wansack; the Scholarship of Distinction Level 1 to Joshua Duffy.

Zachary Rhodes, admissions counselor from West Liberty University, presented a Black and Gold Scholarship to Alex Orris and a Presidential Scholarship to Kalee Cottrill.

Evan Oslund from Bethany College presented scholarships to Gage Hawkins, Alexis Ortiz, Jude Smith, and Callie Wood.

Dennis Thorn presented Kaitlyn Fortune with a full tuition scholarship from West Virginia Northern Community College.

Additional Scholarships were presented to the following students: Dominic Guiddy (The Chuck Mahoney Memorial Scholarship), Rachel Ogbonna, Ryan Weber (FBLA Scholarship), Kendall Drobish (The Judy Ann Simich Memorial Scholarship), John Wansack, Ava Taylor (the Madison Crowe Memorial Scholarship), Sophia Aperfine (The Butch Mark Memorial Softball Scholarship), Jude Smith (Aaron Davies Memorial Scholarship), Anthony Earley (George Zatezalo Memorial Scholarship), Justin Brueck, Elena Mastrantoni (Firefighters Local 948 Scholarship), Dominic Guiddy (Cove Presbyterian Church/Helen T. Hamill Scholarship), Kendall Drobish (Weirton Rotary Scholarship), Ryan Weber (Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship), Dominic Guiddy, Lindsey Fayak (Kristin Andrews Soccer Scholarship), Emily Burskey (Weirton Medical Center Medical Staff Scholarship), Riley Baker, Michael Lytle, Owen Totten (Frank/Joan Bieberson McDonald Scholarship), Kendall Drobish, Dominic Guiddy (Hancock School Employees FCU Scholarship), Jason Lipovich (Smaltz Family Scholarship), Jude Smith (Tikkun Olam Scholarship), Ryan Weber (Louis F Serra Memorial Scholarship), Rachel Ogbonna (Serra Foundation/Mary Green Scholarship), Riley Donaldson (Robin Drennan Memorial Scholarship), Kalee Cottrill, Jordyn Ferguson, Damarr Turner (Charles M and Thelma M Pugliese Charitable Foundation Scholarship), Michael Bolinger, Lindsey Fayak (Snack Brothers Scholarship), Kiara Palavis, Alexander Orris (Josten’s Scholarship), Isabella Bernola, Ryan Weber (JC Williams Scholarship), Cameron Jones (WTOV9 Football Scholarship), Nico Dimitriou, Ty Lyon (Mario Piponos Memorial Scholarship), Jason Lipovich (Beulah Meyer Scholarship), Matthew Jagela (Band Booster Scholarship), Sophia Aperfine (Jim Hanna Memorial Scholarship), Elena Mastrantoni (Bradley Max Wilcox Biology Scholarship), Alauna Baker, Haley Mazon, John Palmer, John Wansack, Arissa Waugh (Bradley Max Wilcox Science Scholarship), Ryan Weber (Betty M. Shaw/Evebelle Catlett Scholarship), Lydia Mascio (Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival Scholarship), Michael Lytle (Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation Scholarship), Elena Mastrantoni (Kinsley S. Ard Memorial Scholarship), Joshua Duffy (Goosens Award).

Sports awards were given next, with Mrs. Bissett recognizing letter winners and presenting a WVSSAC Sportsmanship Award to Elliana Cowden. The Chad Pickens Baseball Award was presented to Anthony Earley by Baseball Coach David Cowden. Frank Sisinni, WHS Football Coach, presented the Donnell award to Cameron Jones. The Cheering Award was given to Alauna Baker, Emma Fierro, and Isabella Bernola by Macey Gump.

The event concluded with closing remarks by Emma Fierro, Class of 2023 Vice-President. Overall, members of the Weir High School Class of 2023 earned more than $800,000 in awards; when renewed over four years, total awards will be worth more than 2.5 million dollars.