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Lou Holtz/Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame honors 20

EAST LIVERPOOL — The Lou Holtz/Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame is announcing the 2018 “20 Under 20,” twenty young people under the age of 20, in conjunction with its twentieth anniversary. Those chosen represent a cross-section of outstanding young people up and down the upper Ohio valley who exemplify the qualities of future Hall of Famers, excelling in their pursuits and giving back to their communities.

Lauren Balmenti, 19, Negley, is a certified dental assistant from Ohio Valley College of Technology, has an Ohio Radiology license and volunteers with the “Jeans 2 Scrubs” program, Resource-Health Fair, OVCT Career Fair and a local animal shelter.

Emily Beck, 18, East Liverpool, a Beaver Local High School graduate, participated in volleyball, cross country, soccer, basketball and track, English Honors, Masque Club, Outdoor Adventure Club, Varsity B and Leo Club. She is a mechanical engineering student at the University of Akron and hopes to become an astronaut.

Grace Beck, 18, East Liverpool, is a graduate of Beaver Local High School and was a participant in volleyball, cross country, tennis, basketball and track, English Honors, Masque Club, Outdoor Adventure Club, Varsity B and Leo Club. She is majoring in visual communications design at Kent State University in Kent.

Antonella Brkich, 10, Beaver, formed, along with friend and fellow nominee, Gianna Zarillo, a non-profit organization called, “The Giving Girls” to make a difference in their community and the world. Some of the projects have included sending care packages to soldiers overseas, recognizing local police on Police Appreciation Day 2017, selling handmade bracelets and donating $300 to the local humane society, raising nearly $500 to donate to 2017 hurricane victims and establishing a free food pantry outside the Beaver County YMCA.

Riley Britt, 16, East Liverpool, is a student at Beaver Local High School, where she led the first ever Back to School Bash for which she raised funds to provide all 1,878 students with a backpack filled with school supplies. She is active in a variety of clubs and sports, volunteers at the hospital, NEOMED summer medical camp and contributes to weekly/monthly school video newsletter.

Luke Call, 18, Wellsville, is a student at Beaver Local High School, has received a 30 on his ACT, participates in baseball and football, Leo Club, National Honor Society, Buckeye Boys State and Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership. He has volunteered at Breakfast with Santa, assisted with landscape installation at the school’s entrance, Rotary Scholar of the month and aids in elementary classes at the school.

Jaliyah Hubbard, 17, Steubenville, is a 2018 valedictorian of Steubenville High School and a participant of softball, volleyball, cheering, basketball and swimming. She is a member of Nike Club Y-teens, drama club, Key Club, Rotary-Interact Club, OVAC Varsity Club,National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars.

Nathan Keenan, 18, Toronto, is a member of Toronto High School musicals, band, barbershop quartet, acapella choir, track, football, Beta Club, Civics Challenge Team, Weight Lifting Club, Chess Club, choir, Cub Scout and Boy Scouts, youth bowling, Steuben Striders Track Club, National Merit Scholarship Program commended student, Principal’s List every grading period, Honors Band, Close-Up Program, Buckeye Boys State, OVAC Varsity Board Representative, Scholar Athlete of the Week WTOV9, American Legion of Ohio Americanism and Government Test Award, National Honor Society, Poetry Slam Winner, Hugh O’Brien State Leadership Seminar, two-time Jefferson/Harrison Counties Regional Spelling Bee Winner, two-time Scripps National Spelling Bee participant, Gladys Waggoner Award, Gary Wilson Award, Lions Club Good Award, Salvation Army bell ringer, St. Joseph’s Church altar server, Scouting for Food, First Presbyterian Church Bible School helper, Red Cross Blood Drive volunteer, Special Olympics volunteer and tutors students in French.

Mitchell Kelly, 18, Lisbon, is a student at United Local High School and participates in varsity soccer, U & Me Mentoring National Honor Society, choir, musicals productions, community service and was a volunteer during last year’s presidential election and local elections. He has applied for the U.S. Naval Academy.

Carsyn L. Hoppel, 19, East Liverpool, is a senior at Beaver Local High School and a member of National Honor Society, Leo Club, English Honors, S.A.D.D. Club, Varsity B Club, class treasurer, student council, yearbook staff editor, golf, soccer, team, track and performed in “Oklahoma” and “Grease.” Hoppel has received several golf awards and received awards for the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Camp and attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference. She plans to attend Youngstown State University and major in nursing.

Kennedy McGeehan, 13, Newell, is a student at Oak Glen Middle School and is a member of Student Council, OGMS News Crew, held the lead role in “The Little Match Girl” and is an active member of Sacred Heart Church as well as a volunteer at Good Shepherd’s Lunch at St. Stephen’s Church and Chester Lions Club.

Marques McHaffie, 19, Chester, a graduate of Oak Glen High School, was a representative for the U.S. Attorney Advocate for Action and participated in the Youth Leadership Team, W.Va. Boys State, National Honor Society, Ohio Valley Athletic Conference All-Academic Team, Key Club, yearbook, basketball and baseball. He was selected as Lions Scholar of the Month, W.Va. Standout Athlete and recipient of the Varsity Basketball Hustle Award. He is currently majoring in exercise physiology at West Liberty University with plans to become a physician’s assistant.

Ryan Miller, 18, East Liverpool, is the 2018 valedictorian of Wellsville High School and a member of National Honor Society A Honor Roll, American Legion Boys National Finalist, Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award, George Eastman Young Leaders Award, All OVAC Academic Team, Columbiana County Youth Coalition Summit, Buckeye Boys State Delegate, Outstanding Junior Boy, Coca-Cola Scholar, president of Simple Act of Kindness Club, Academic Challenge, ACTION, Art Club, president pro tem student council, Thespians, Ebony and Ivory, Varsity W Club, Future Educators Club and participates in football, bowling, track and baseball. He is also a member of Village of Wellsville Business Grant Committee, student representative for Wellsville Board of Education Advisory Committee, Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce, director of Tiger Closet and a Wendy’s High School Heisman State Finalist, Prudential Spirit of Community Distinguished Finalist.

Anna Paterson, 17, Salem, was ranked second in graduating class at Salem High School and particpated in volleyball and softball, a member of National Honor Society, Ruriteens Club, 2nd team All-ITCL pitcher 2015, 1st team All-ITCL pitcher 2016, unanimous 1st team All-ITCL pitcher 2017, 2nd team All-District pitcher 2017, OHSAA Award for Excellence and Exemplary Display of Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Award Winner 2017.

Jacob Pittman, 18, Salem, is a 2018 valedictorian of Salem High School. He received AP Scholar with Honors and was Key Club class representative and lieutenant governor of District 21.

Samantha Riggs, 17, Salineville, graduated from high school one year early and is just 10 months away from receiving her associate’s degree in Applied Business at Ohio Valley Technical College, where she has perfect attendance and a perfect grade point average; communications manager for marketing class and serves as business ambassador for the school’s business program and mentors new students.

Cassandra Robbins, 15, East Liverpool, particpates in honors band and volunteers at the Sons of Italy fish frys and has receieved “Best in Show” in the Calcutta Art Contest and Columbiana Career Center Art Show.

Parker Sherry, 16, East Palestine, has been East Palestine High School class president for three years, incentive scholarship winner, youth sports volunteer, peer tutor, clothing and food bank volunteer and particpates in football, basketball and track. His awards include Columbiana County All-Stars – first team, All-ITCL League – first team, Quad County All-Stars – first team, NEO Inland District Team – honorable mention, WKBN Big 22 NE Ohio/Western PA selection, WFMJ Taco Bell Player of the Week, Vindictor’s Vindy Blitz Player of the Week, Max Prep/Marines Player of the Game, Max Prep/Marines Offensive Player of the Game, Under Armour All-American Camp and Under Armour Rivals Quarterback Challenge.

Jared Wilson, 17, Columbiana, is a student at Leetonia High School and participates in basketball, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was named Division III Golf State Champ, AJGA Trans-American All-American, First Team All-Conference and All-NE Ohio, All-Conference Team in basketball and set Leetonia High School record and course record at Valley Gold Club. He has received a golf scholarship to attend Wake Forest University.

Gianna Zarillo, 10, Beaver, formed a non-profit organization called The Giving Girls to make a difference in their community and the world. Some of their projects have included sending care packages to soldiers overseas, recognizing local police on Police Appreciation Day 2017, selling handmade bracelets and donating $300 to the local humane society, raising nearly $500 to donate to 2017 hurricane victims and establishing a free food pantry outside the Beaver County YMCA.

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