Contributed SCHOLARSHIPS PRESENTED — Taking part in the presentation of $1,500 scholarships at the May meeting of the Ohio Valley BPW were, from left, Sara Lane, BPW scholarship chair; Kamden Kinyo, recipient of the Puskarich Scholarship; Hailey Hans, recipient of the Mary Ann Donnelly Memorial Scholarship; and Chloe Gorman, recipient of the Nike Club Scholarship. Mariah Baker was the recipient of the non-traditional student scholarship.

TORONTO — The Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women’s Club held its scholarship dinner May 19 at Baby Boyz BBQ-Straka Hall in Toronto.

Treasurer Mari Ann Ohba called the meeting to order, Mary Lou Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance and Phyllis Riccadonna led the club collect. Jones offered grace before the meal.

Following dinner, members received and approved the minutes of the April meeting.

Scholarship Chair Sara Lane presented the club’s annual scholarships.

The club’s non-traditional scholarship, given to a woman who is furthering her education or re-entering the workforce, was awarded to Mariah Baker. Mariah is in the nursing program at Stark State College.

The Nike Scholarship is given to a member of the Steubenville High School Nike Club, a club that is mentored by the Ohio Valley BPW. This year’s scholarship was awarded to Chloe Gorman, who plans to study radiology technology at Youngstown State University.

The Puskarich Scholarship was awarded to Kamden Kinyo, a student at Buckeye Local High School. Kinyo plans to attend Ohio State University and major in finance. The Puskarich Scholarship is sponsored by Puskarich Accounting in Follansbee and is given annually to a student who plans to study accounting and finance.

The Mary Ann Donnelly Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Hailey Hans, a student at Weir High School. Hans plans to study elementary education at West Liberty University. The late Donnelly was a longtime member of the Ohio Valley BPW and enjoyed mentoring and working with young people.

Lane concluded by stating that each scholarship winner received $1,500.

Phyllis Riccadonna and Mari Ann Ohba gave a report on the club’s Wine and Shoe Extravaganza, the club’s major fundraiser. Several thousand dollars were raised, which will be used for next year’s scholarships and other club activities.

Riccadonna noted that the Ohio Valley BPW’s current president, Dee Kovach, is now president-elect of the Ohio Business and Professional Women’s Club. She will serve as the state president during the 2027-2028 administration. Ohba will join Kovach as the Ohio BPW treasurer during the 2027-2028 administration.

The Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women’s Club will not meet during the summer and will resume in September. Anyone who is interested in attending or joining may contact Kovach at deekovach@att.net.