In its annual senior recognition ceremony, Weir High School honored the Class of 2025, its 109th graduating class, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 8 a.m. in the Carl Hamill Fieldhouse before families, faculty, and eleventh grade students.
Principal Ted Arneault called the ceremony to order after which those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and Catherine Glodowski performed the National Anthem on her saxophone.
In his welcome address, Arneault told the seniors, “All of you have made an impression on the faculty and administration at Weir High School, and your hard work has not gone unnoticed.”
Next, in her opening remarks, Elle Maley, Student Body President, said, “This ceremony marks our final moment together as a class in this gym, and it stands as proof of all we’ve accomplished. Enjoy it and congratulations! I wouldn’t want to graduate with any other kids.”
To begin the awards, Arneault presented Highest Honors Students with their cords. The following students graduated with Highest Honors and a GPA of 4.0 or above: Josafina Bennett, Jenna Costello, Logan Dawson, Kylie Dean, David Defelice, Santana Diamond, Addison Duffy, Lexie Fayak, Jennifer Fidler, Catherine Glodowski, Alex Guio, Rayna Hoover, Wyatt Hostuttler, Elizabeth Jagela, Lani Johnson, Jaidyn Kelly, Marissa Mascio, Kayla Mazon, Audrey Orecchio, Domenic Osaba, Giana Paladina, Melia Palavis, Jackson Potock, Sophia Shafer, Gabriella Spickard, Makenzie Stear, Sarah Stewart, Evangeline Swearingen, Melina Upright, Kayla Velegol, Maxwell Wood and Naomi Young.
The following High Honors Students will graduate with a GPA of 3.7 to 3.99 or a 4.0 with no AP or Dual Credit Classes: Hailee Anderson, Bethany Berry, Louis Burge, John Davis, Daisy Emmerich, Maleea Faulks, Ayden Linger, Noah McLain, Katrina Napadano, Gabrielle Noel, Ryan Owen, Josh Raveaux, Katelyn Rebon, Shane Ruggie, Janai Turner, Ellie Totten, Natalia Vella and Isabella Woods.
The following Honors Students will graduate with a GPA of 3.4 to 3.69: Leanna Bissett, Angelo Figlioli, Kendra Kuster, Lucas McAllister, Samuel Oliver, Lyla Soplinski, Emma Underwood and Brandon Yoho.
Arneault then recognized the outgoing seniors of the John C. Greer Chapter of the National Honor Society, who were given a gold tassel: Hailee Anderson, Josafina Bennett, Bethany Berry, Leanna Bissett, Jenna Costello, Logan Dawson, Kylie Dean, David Defelice, Santana Diamond, Addison Duffy, Maleea Faulks, Lexie Fayak, Catherine Glodowski, Alex Guio, Rayna Hoover, Wyatt Hostutler, Elizabeth Jagela, Jaidyn Kelly, Marissa Mascio, Kayla Mazon, Noah McLain, Gabrielle Noel, Audrey Orecchio, Domenic Osaba, Ryan Owen, Giana Paladina, Melia Palavis, Jackson Potock, Joshua Raveaux, Shane Ruggie, Sophia Shafer, Makenzie Stear, Lyla Soplinski, Gabriella Spickard, Evangeline Swearingen, Ellie Totten, Janai Turner, Emma Underwood, Melina Upright, Kayla Velegol, Natalia Vella, Max Wood and Naomi Young.
Next, the students graduating as members of the National Technical Honor Society were acknowledged, including Leanna Bissett – 4th Year Member, Angelo Figlioli – 4th Year Member, Santana Diamond – 3rd Year Member, Kylie Dean – 3rd Year Member, Jaidyn Kelly – 3rd Year Member, Elle Maley – 3rd Year Member, Kayla Mazon – 3rd Year Member, Ryan Owen – 3rd Year Member, Melia Palavis – 3rd Year Member, Jackson Potock – 3rd Year Member, Shane Ruggie – 3rd Year Member, Sophia Shafer – 3rd Year Member, Gabriella Spickard – 3rd Year Member, Melina Upright – 3rd Year Member, Kendra Kuster – 2nd Year Member, Domenic Osaba – 2nd Year Member, Naomi Young – 2nd Year Member, Logan Dawson – 1st Year Member, Audrey Orecchio – 1st Year Member.
Assistant Principal Chris Hill then presented career and technical certificates of achievement to seniors who earned Career and Technology certificates and awards. 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.
Early Childhood/ECAT Education: Leanna Bissett, Makenzi Cain and Lani Johnson; Information Management: Angelo Figlioli, Jaidyn Kelly, Elle Maley, Domenic Osaba, Jackson Potock, Melia Palavis, Sophia Shaffer and Naomi Young; Accounting and Finance: Kayla Mazon and Shane Ruggie; Management and Administrative Support: Angelo Figlioli, Jaidyn Kelly, Ryan Owen, Melia Palavis, Gabriella Spickard and Melina Upright; Administrative Support: Logan Dawson, Kylie Dean, Maddyson Kingston, Kendra Kuster, Audrey Orecchio and Melina Upright; Pre-Engineering: Louis Burge and Kylie Dean.
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 include Logan Dawson, Kylie Dean, Angelo Figlioli, Jaidyn Kelly, Elle Maley, Dominic Osaba, Audrey Orecchio, Jackson Potock, Melia Palavis, Sophia Shaffer, Melina Upright, Naomi Young.
Arneault next recognized the 2025 PROMISE scholars. The PROMISE Scholarship was launched in 2002 by the West Virginia legislature, working with then Governor Bob Wise. Since then, thousands of students have benefitted from the program, which now covers up to $5,000 of tuition and fees per year at 2 and 4-year colleges in West Virginia. To qualify, students must obtain a core GPA of 3.0 or higher, an overall ACT score of 21 and a score of at least 19 in each of the four ACT subject areas or an SAT score of 1080 and a score of at least 510 in Reading and Math.
The following students met all the criteria set by the State of West Virginia to receive the PROMISE scholarship: Jenna Costello, Logan Dawson, David Defelice, Addison Duffy, Angelo Figlioli, Alex Guio, Rayna Hoover, Wyatt Hostuttler, Elizabeth Jagela, Lani Johnson, Jaidyn Kelly, Kayla Mazon, Domenic Osaba, Ryan Owen, Giana Paladina, Melia Palavis, Jackson Potock, Joshua Raveaux, Shane Ruggie, Lyla Soplinski, Gabriella Spickard, Makenzie Stear, Sarah Stewart, Evangeline Swearingen, Ellie Totten, Emma Underwood, Melina Upright, Maxell Wood, and Naomi Young.
Once the PROMISE scholars acknowledged, Hill recognized the following students, who received awards or scholarships not presented by other representatives at the ceremony: Hailee Anderson (Bowling Tournament Scholarship and Upward Bound Scholarship), Josafina Bennett (Mt. Vernon Nazarene University Founders Scholarship, Gateway Scholarship, Challenge Grant, and Cheer Scholarship; Hans Dietz Memorial Scholarship, Robert D. Pitcock Jr. Scholarship, Russell and Margaret Bailey Scholarship, and West Virginia Northern District Scholarship), Kristoffer Bunting (Fairmont State University Soar Award, WV State of Letter Carriers Association Scholarship), John Davis (Muskingum University Academic Scholarship and Muskingum Impact Scholarship), Logan Dawson (WTOV Scholar Athlete of the Week, River Network Weir High Player of the Game, SAT Distinguished in both Math and Reading), Kylie Dean (Kent State University Presidential Achievement Scholarship and Honors Distinction Award), David Defelice (Wheeling University Athletic Aid Grant and Archbishop John J. Swint Scholarship), Santana Diamond (Robert Morris University Merit Scholarship and Legacy Award), Rayna Hoover (Betty Ann Ponzo OVAC Basketball Scholarship), Elizabeth Jagela (Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship), Jaidyn Kelly (Ted and Mary Ann Stolarczyk Trust Scholarship), Audrey Orrechio (Duquesne University Academic Scholarship), Ryan Owen (Allegheny College Trust Scholarship and Grant), Joshua Raveaux (WV Hope Scholarship), Sophia Shafer (Michael and Julia Oliverio Memorial Scholarship, 2020-21 WV Golden Horseshoe Recipient, Robert Morris University Merit Scholarship, Grant and Legacy Award), Lyla Soplinski (Alpha Delta Kappa-Alpha Tau Chapter Scholarship and Sorority for Women Educators Scholarship), Gabriella Spickard (Albert Yanni Scholarship), Mackenzie Stear (Marshall University Getting Started Merit Scholarship and Achievement Tuition Grant), Sarah Stewart (Temple University Dean’s Tuition Scholarship and Ambler First-year Grant), Ellie Totten (WV Rhododendron Girls State Outstanding Citizen), Janai Turner (Fairmont State University William White Athletic Scholarship, Falcon Grant, Soar Scholarship and Columns Scholarship), Melina Upright (Duquesne University Academic Scholarship), Natalie Vella (Duquesne University Discover Grant), and Maxwell Wood (University of Michigan Grant, National Merit Scholarship Finalist and Advanced Placement Scholar).
Afterward, the following college representatives presented awards and scholarships to students who will attend their school.
Donna Gialluco and Mary Davis, representatives for West Virginia University, presented the WVU Climb Higher Scholarship Level 4 to Angelo Figlioli; Level 3 to Hailee Anderson, Lyla Soplinski and Ellie Totten; Level 2 to Jenna Costello, Logan Dawson, Addison Duffy, Catherine Glodowski, Alex Guio, Elizabeth Jagela, Jaidyn Kelly, Marissa Mascio, Dominic Osaba, Giana Paladina, Melia Palavis, Jackson Potock, Joshua Raveaux, Gabriella Spickard and Evangeline Swearingen; Level 1 to Kayla Mazon; Creative Arts Scholarship to Catherine Glodowski; and Robert Jess Deeds Natural Science Scholarship to Jackson Potock.
West Liberty University presented the WLU Black and Gold Scholarship to Leanna Bissett; Athletic Scholarship to Megan Dunmyer, Rayna Hoover and Wyatt Hostuttler; Hilltopper Access Scholarship to Lexie Fayak; Elbin Scholarship to Rayna Hoover; Institutional Scholarship to Wyatt Hostuttler; Arts and Housing Scholarship to Ayden Linger; Foundation Scholarship and Aviation Access Award to Shane Ruggie; and Presidential Scholarship and Athletic Housing Scholarship to Naomi Young.
Ida Williams from West Virginia Northern Community College, recognized Audrey Orecchio, who was the first to complete an associate’s degree in the dual credit program (Arts), as this year’s WVNCC class valedictorian and presented her with the Donald Nemanich and Sarah Bodkin Academic Excellence Award.
Following the college presentations, individual scholarships were awarded by various community members and organizations.
Deborah Mahoney presented the Chuck Mahoney Memorial Scholarship to Addison Duffy, Wyatt Hostuttler and Jaidyn Kelly.
The Mark Family presented the Butch Mark Memorial Softball Scholarship to Kylie Dean.
Tony Viola presented the Joan Bieberson and Frank McDonald Scholarhip to Kylie Dean, Kayla Mazon and Ellie Totten.
Candice Dotson presented the FBLA Scholarship to Kayla Mazon and Joshua Raveuax.
Gary Hostuttler presented the Weirton Firefighters Association Local Scholarship to Wyatt Hostuttler.
Mark Crowe and soccer coaches presented the Madison Crowe Memorial Scholarship to Lexie Fayak and Maxwell Wood.
Connie and Chip Davies presented the Aaron Davies Memorial Scholarship to Rayna Hoover.
Steve Zatezalo presented the George Zatezalo Highest Honors Math Award to Rayna Hoover.
Jennifer Fayak presented the Kristin Andrews Soccer Scholarship to Catherine Glodowski and Maxwell Wood.
Gavin Shaffer presented the Band Booster Scholarship to Hailee Anderson, Josafina Bennett, Elizabeth Flesher, Evangeline Swearingen and Natalie Vella.
Faith Magnone presented the Weir Cheer Booster Scholarship to Alivia Torres, Lyla Soplinski and Josafina Bennett.
Roger Criss presented the Chad Pickens Scholarship to Clyde Flesher and Elizabeth Flesher and the Helen T. Hamill Scholarship to Jaidyn Kelly.
Krista Diserio and Nicole Frankouser presented the WV Disability History Contest Award to Addison Duffy and Catherine Glodowski.
Zachary White presented the Hancock County 4-H Achievement Award to Leanna Bissett.
Beveral Jaskiewicz presented the Joe Jaskiewicz Memorial Scholarship to Logan Dawson.
Next, school counselor Don Wright, presented scholarships to the following students: Gabriella Spickard (Gay R. Larsen Scholarship), Leanna Bissett (Betty M. Shaw/Evabelle Catlett Scholarship), Naomi Young and Gabriella Spickard (Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival Scholarship), Jaidyn Kelly (Weirton Medical Center Staff Scholarship), Lyla Soplinski and Jaidyn Kelly (Hancock School Employees Credit Union Scholarship), Sophia Shafer (Michael and Julia Oliverio Memorial Scholarship).
Then, school counselor Natalie Charlton presented scholarships to the following students: Elle Maley (Chad Pickens Memorial Student Council Scholarship), Makenzie Stear (Judy Ann Simich Memorial Scholarship), Kylie Dean (Weirton Rotary Club), Melia Palavis (Smaltz Family Scholarship), Gabriella Spickard (Tikkum Olem Scholarship), Naomi Young (Josh Merriman Foundation Scholarship).
Assistant Principal Kelly Lawton presented scholarships to the following students: Kylie Dean (Louis F. Serra Memorial Scholarship), Meleea Faulks (Mary Green Scholarship), Marissa Mascio (Robin M. Drennan Memorial Scholarship), Jenna Costello, Aiden Linger and Lani Johnson (Charles M. and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation), Lucas McAllister (Snack Brothers Scholarship), Emma Underwood and Angelo Figlioli (Jostens Scholarship).
To round out the ceremony, Arneault presented scholarships to the following students: Gabriella Noel and Louis Burge (JC Williams Trust), Damir Mowder (WTOV9 Football Scholarship), Naomi Young and Wyatt Hostuttler (Goosen’s Cross Country Award), Domenic Osaba and Kayla Velegol (Mario Pipinos Memorial Scholarship), Naomi Young (Beaulah Meyer Scholarship; Jerome B. Schmitt Memorial Scholarship; Orrick, Herrington, Sutcliffe Global Operations Center Scholarship; and WVSSAC Scholarship).
Arneault also recognized graduating seniors who earned varsity letters in a sport, co-curricular or service by asking them to stand.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Jaidyn Kelly, Class of 2025 Vice-President, who said, “It gives me great pride to represent my classmates and Weir High School on such a joyous occasion. My best wishes go out to my classmates as they begin the next phase of their lives whether that is college, the workforce, or any other path they desire.”
Overall, members of the Weir High School Class of 2025 earned $691,552 in awards. When renewed over four years, total awards will be worth more than $1.9 million dollars.
