STEUBENVILLE HONORS SENIORS AT BREAKFAST — The annual University Scholars Breakfast was held for Steubenville City Schools May 22. Students were recognized for their accomplishments and honors, while teachers, as well as school and district leaders, were also recognized. Approximately 200 people attended the festivities held in the Crimson Commons of Steubenville High School where guest speaker, local pharmacy owner Dr. Melissa Vostatek, addressed attendees. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Steubenville High School recognized 67 of its graduating seniors who were being honored for their accomplishments during the district’s annual University Scholars Breakfast held May 22 in the Crimson Commons area.

Approximately 200 people, including honorees, their families and educators, gathered to recognize the dedication these students have had to education throughout the year.

Those in the top of the class included: Valedictorian Kayla Biasi, Salutatorian Ellie Clark, Alivia Vostatek, Giana Bruzzese, Hayden Hicks, Owen O’Brien, Natalia Lulla, Paige Matteson, Alaina Vrable, Chandler Hoffman and Sarah Ostovich.

Among the celebrated University Scholars were Ava Antill, Gianna Barker, Jaxon Basil, Lexus Berdine, Leah Billham, Gabrielle Bodo, Sam Boni, Gianna Bracone, Jacob Burchfield, Jillian Burchfield, Ben Burgey, MacKenzie Carter, Michael Casinelli, Jayden Cooper, Myles Cooper, Ruth Deah, Elizabeth Desany, James Deveraux, Brady DiNovo, Luke DiNovo, Chloe Du, Aubrey Duggan, Gabriel Ensell, Jasmine Gregory, Maddox Gulan, Nina Holt, Adalyn Huff, Emma Jenkins, David Kuczynski, Robert Lucas, Alexis Lucacena, Logan Lynch, Sylar Malcolm, Trymia Mayo, Taylor Moss, Emma Munson, Sophia Orban, Marco Orrechio, Analesa Purdue, Cameron Petrelle, Emme Pierce, John Prokop, Kaitlyn Renforth, Jordan Ribar, Katherine Riley, Issac Rosel, Brody Saccoccia, Sophie Schuetz, Cianna Scurry, Kaitlyn Smith, Sena Smith, Brennan Sutton, Brooke Swickard, Kinsey Tucker, Gabriella Vein, Gordana Vein and Kaiden West.

The Top 10 members of the Class of 2025 led the festivities, while parent representative Dr. Melissa Vostatek served as the morning’s guest speaker.

Chandler Hoffman welcomed the crowd and thanked parents and educators for being a support system.

“Somewhere along the way you influenced our lives for the better,” Hoffman said. “Without your hard work and dedication, our success and accomplishments would not be possible. As a class, we were determined to leave a positive mark on Steubenville Big Red. We will continue in our quest to make Steubenville proud, as 100 percent of us continue our journey to be successful citizens of this community.”

He noted the class includes 80 Ohio Honor Diplomas, in addition to 64 Associate of Art degrees and 25 Associate of Science degrees from Belmont College through College Credit Plus, as well as an estimated 10,000 hours of community service.

Lulla recognized board members Ruth Anne Bruzzese, Greg Agresta, William Hendricks, Tom Timmons, Matt Davis and treasurer Robert Lamantia, for their commitment to Steubenville City Schools. She recognized Bridgette Dawson and Patrick Carbon for their work with the CCP program, and addressed district leaders, school administrators and guidance officials, thanking them for their ongoing support. Gianna Bruzzese recognized the class’s favorite teachers, which included: John Abram, Gina Arlesic, Julie Battistel, Deanna Beall, Whitney Boni, Natalie Campana, Jessica Cheslar, Jessie Clark, Amanda Coldebella, Emilee Cole, Mario Constantini, Justin Davis, Kayla DiMarzio, Adele Filtz, Rick Hicks, Cierra Jones, Eliza Kelley, Anthony Kinyo, Kaitlin Levi, Lauren Linn, Diane Mankowski, Cheryl Metcalf, Emily Miller, Bryan Mills, Katrina Morrow, Aaron Newman, Jeffrey Petrelle, Jackie Reeves, Joe Saccoccia, Ron Salvino, Kristin Taylor and Scott Wolodkin.

Alivia Vostatek introduced her mother, a pharmacist who has operated the Mingo Pharmacy and developed the pharmacy technician certification board-accredited certified pharmacy technician program at Belmont College, which she instructs.

Vostatek shared a few of her college experiences and some insight on how to maintain a path to success. She said it was not uncommon to be unsure of what one wanted to do, but eventually people would discover the answer.

“As long as you have faith in yourself, fate will guide you where you need to be,” she stated. She recalled how she originally studied engineering but found her true calling as a pharmacy major. She learned how to obtain scholarships to fund her schooling and realized how to apply her knowledge not only in her education, but in her life, as well.

“You need to know how to use the tools at hand to be an innovator,” Vostatek said. “I’ve used it throughout my life and to open new pharmacies.”

She noted she found her calling and others can, too. “Just because you are good at something, it doesn’t mean it’s what you have to do,” she added. “I did not feel fulfilled. It was not a perfect path, but I learned from it. I repurposed it.” She wished the seniors well and encouraged them to make their school and community proud.

“I wish you the best of luck,” she concluded. “Steubenville City Schools is giving you everything you need to help you be successful. The support will always be there. We’re all still here for you and we’re all still cheering you on.”

O’Brien provided encouraging words for the future, after which Ostrovich thanked those who served as support systems to guide the students to success.

Biasi, Clark and Hicks recognized the University Scholar students.

Matteson led the invocation.

Vrable gave the closing remarks.

Matteson and Vrable sought blessings as the class forged a path into the future.