Many scholarships awarded to Brooke seniors (2024)

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS — Among many Brooke High School seniors receiving scholarships were, from left, front, Ella McCullough, who received the Richard Whitehead Award for outstanding female athlete; Principal Eric James, Samantha McKinney, recipient of the Buzz Rocchio Award, presented to an outstanding music student; Johnny Leonard, the school’s band director; Tyler Wise, recipient of the Roger Simpson Award, which is presented to an outstanding male athlete; and Jerry Simpson, Roger’s brother. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Scholarships totaling thousands of dollars were presented at Brooke High School’s annual awards program to graduating seniors who have distinguished themselves in academics, sports and the arts.

Many of the scholarships came through the Anthony Paesano Brooke County Schools Education Foundation, a group launched by the former Brooke principal and named for him in recent years.

During the last 34 years, the group has generated more than $9.5 million in scholarships for thousands of Brooke graduates.

Many of the scholarships were given by area residents in honor or memory of loved ones, various civic groups and businesses, including Wheeling-Nippon Steel.

This year the steel firm awarded 28 $1,000 scholarships to the following students: Anthony Bachinski, Sarabeth Baker, Stephanie Barney, Jace Campinelli, Mikayla Childers, Devin Cipoletti, Nicholas Cipoletti, Brooke Cross, Elizabeth Delatore, Abigail Dillon, Benjamin Ferguson, Hannah Ferguson, Austin Gibson, Jeg Hilt, Alyssa Jezierski, Hunter Knisley, Johnna Lahita, Kirsten Lallone, Christian Packer, Austin Robinson, Olivia Rocchio, Nicholas Sagan, Kaitlyn Sauvageot, Rylee Schwertfeger, Madison Seidler, Ava Shane, Megan Sharma and Braelyn Sperringer.

There also were scholarships presented outside of the foundation’s umbrella.

Among them were 15 $1,000 scholarships presented by the Wellsburg High School Alumni Association.

Their recipients were: John Baricska III, Devin Cipoletti, Austin Robinson, Hillary Smith, Braelyn Sperringer, Nicholas Cipoletti, Colton Haught, Benjamin Ferguson, Alyssa Jezierski, Benjamin Ferguson, Hannah Ferguson, Abigail Kostival, Ava Shane, Kirsten Lallone and Rylee Schwertfeger.

Over the years many scholarships have been presented in honor of distinguished past Brooke County students, educators and community members, often serving to honor the spirit of those who have died.

Among them are the Robert “Buzz” Rocchio Award, the Roger Simpson Award and the Richard Whitehead Award.

Rocchio was a well-liked Brooke band and choir member who died in an automobile accident in 1971. The award and a scholarship in his name are presented to an active and respected student in the school’s music department.

This year’s recipient was Samantha McKinney, who received a $1,000 scholarship.

Simpson was a Follansbee High School baseball player who died in 1964 from injuries he sustained while colliding with another player during a practice. An outstanding student and athlete, Simpson lettered in three sports and was respected by his coaches and peers.

Recipients of the award are chosen for their strong athletic and academic records, leadership and respect earned from others.

This year the award and a $2,500 scholarship was presented to Tyler Wise.

In recent years the Richard Whitehead Scholarship was added to recognize an outstanding female athlete and student with similar qualities as those sought in the Roger Simpson Award recipient.

It’s named for a late former Brooke County Schools superintendent, principal and teacher who also served as a track and field official.

This year the award and a $500 scholarship were presented to Ella McCullough.

This year new scholarships were presented in honor of Dan Finell, whose extensive career in Brooke County Schools included teaching, coaching and serving as principal and athletic director; Isabella Jones, a student at Queens University in Charlotte, N.C. with ties to Brooke High School, whose students sent cards and notes of encouragement during her battle with a terminal illness prior to her death; and Greg Harper, an electronics engineer at local radio stations and volunteer and supporter of Brooke High School sports.

Two Above and Beyond Scholarships were presented by Principal Eric James to Mia Gallon and Braelyn Sperringer, while Brooke High School Special Recognition Scholarships went to Gavin Moore and Ava Estrada.

Dameon Rea’s senior honors project was named the best for his class.

Awarded West Virginia P.R.O.M.I.S.E. Scholarships were: Julia Anderson, Katherine Anderson, Stephanie Barney, Bryce Bateman, Dylan Black, Jace Campinelli, Mikayla Childers, Brooke Cross, Elizabeth Delatore, Abigail Dillon, Chase Felouzis, Benjamin Ferguson, Jeg Hilt, Grace Huntzinger, Alyssa Jesierski, Johnna Lahita, Ella McCullough, Mackenzie Mechling, Samuel Mockbee, Chrstian Packer, Owen Petrella, Olivia Rocchio, Nicholas Sagan, Kirsten Snatchko and Braelyn Sperringer.

Other scholarship recipients were: Aubrey Hileman, Johnna Lahita, Nicholas Sagan, Christian Packer, Anthony Anthony Bachinski, Nathaniel Kimball, Camiley Gagich, Kaitlyn Sauvageot, Gavin Moore, Devin Cipoletti, Alissa King, Sophie Diaz, Kirsten Lallone, Alyssa Jezierski, Nevaeh Jones, Ava Shane, Austin Robinson, Olivia Rocchio, Hunter Knisley, Jeg Hilt, Bryce Bateman, Braelyn Braelyn Sperringer, Grace Huntzinger, Sarabeth Baker, Owen Petrella, Francesca Neff, Elizabeth Delatore, Landen Frame, Logan Frame, Mikayla Childers, Garrett Hornick, Nicholas Cipoletti, ? McKinney, Ella McCullough, Tyler Wise, Stephanie Barney, Jace Campinelli,

Julia Anderson, Abigail Lawrence, Chase Felouzis, Abigail Kostival, Alaina Bilby, Abigail Dillon, Kelsey Elson, Ava Estrada, Mia Gallo, Mackenzie Mechling, Wyntar McQuiston, Lucas Neel, Alexa Foresha, Dylan Black, John Baricska III, Hilary Smith, Colton Haught, Jacob Lancaster, Dakota McMillan, John Welshhans, Logan Summers, Ella Dietrich, Mason Rees, Hunter Mozingo, Brooke Cross, Carson Lauttmus, Raymond DeFranco, Petyon Toepfer, Ryan Hill, Tegan Williams, Leyton Toepfer, Garrett Milam, Johnna Knorr, Alissa King, Madison Brown, Alexa Foresha, Aubrey Moore, Hailey Moore, Dameon Rea, Hayli Yost, Catcher Robinson, Samuel Mockbee, Isabelle Williams, Joseph Clem, Gabriella Jordan, Steven Miller III, Shaleigh Poszywak, Kirsten Snatchko.

Scholarships were presented by or in honor of: Anthony and Lorraine Paesano, Robert Conley, William “Catfish” Hearst, Doug Jones, Harry and Elrita Lazear, Doris Bird, Carlin Dodrill, William C. Hood, James C. Hood, James “Randy” Hood, William “Eric” Thomas, Bryan Fritz, Bob “Weeno” Kins, Jeff Ulrich, Helen T. Hamill, Alfonse DiCostantino, Angelo and Betty Ciccolella, Gayle Montgomery, Woody Baird. Tony Ruskowski, Stacey Marie Roach, Michael L. Ferrell, Derek “Ike” Eisenhauer, Frank Cuomo, Noreens Argenta Mechling, Frank Ferguson, John DeStefano Jr., Janice Pepe, Thomas J. Smarrella, Coach Ron Ujcich Jr., AARP Chapter 3910, Alpha Delta Kappa, Basil’s Sports Bar and Grill,

West Virginia Northern Community College, West Liberty University, West Virginia University, Wheeling University, Washington and Jefferson College, Washington and Lee University, Fairmont State University, Westminster College,

Beech Bottom Alumni Bearcat, Betty Shaw/Evabelle Catlett, Brooke County Association of Retired School Employees, Brooke County Rotary, Brooke County Schools Service Personnel, Brooke County Schools Education Foundation, Colliers Alumni and Friends, Follansbee 20th Century Club- GFWC-WV, Chick-fil-A, John Phillip Sousa, Larsen Scholarship Fund, Lou Holtz, Louis F. Serra, Reasner Funeral Home, Robert G. Lindsey/Brooke County Community PTSA, Russell Schwertfeger, Sarris Candies, Tikkun Olam of Temple Beth Israel of Steubenville, Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival, Vitalent/HOSA Blood Drive, Weirton Medical Center Staff, Weirton Rotary Club, Wells Township Haunted House, Wellsburg Applefest Committee, Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce, Wellsburg Civic League, Brooke High School Future Business Leaders of America and Albert A. Christ.

Scholarships also were presented by booster groups and other supporters to students in all of the school’s sports.