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Lynnett Gorman named Woman of the Year

IN GOOD COMPANY — Lynnett Gorman, third from right, principal of Pugliese West Elementary School in Steubenville, was named Woman of the Year at the Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women’s annual Wine and Shoe Extravaganza held Friday evening at the Hidden Acres Lodge and Winery in Mingo Junction. With her are other nominees, from left, Tricia Maple-Damewood, Rita Carapellotti, Mary Fran Kowalo, Amelia Taggart, Kim Weaver and Pam Thomas. Jill M. Jones also was a nominee but was unable to attend. The fundraiser generates money for the club to award scholarships and was so successful, Riccadonna said, that the club can award six scholarships instead of three. A photo page from the event will run in the Wednesday edition of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times. -- Janice Kiaski

MINGO JUNCTION — With a bouquet of flowers in hand, Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women’s Club President Phyllis Riccadonna walked by the lineup of Woman of the Year nominees Friday night to reveal the winner.

“Lynnett Gorman,” came Riccadonna’s announcement to cheers from an audience of close to 250 attendees, a delegation of them wearing special T-shirts that read “Anyone can lead the rest — the best leads at West” on the front and “Gorman’s Gals” on the back.

The principal at Pugliese West Elementary School in Steubenville who has been a teacher and administrator in the Steubenville City Schools system for 22 years was among eight area women up for the title determined by audience vote at the OVBPW’s annual Wine and Shoe Extravaganza.

The others were Rita Carapellotti, Mary Fran Kowalo, Tricia Maple-Damewood, Amelia Taggart, Pam Thomas, Kim Weaver and Jill M. Jones, who was unable to attend. Brief bios on each nominee were read during mid-evening, and each was presented a congratulatory certificate prepared by state Rep. Jack Cera, D-Bellaire.

OVBPW members Nicole Adamski and Julie Decker served as co-chairs of the event held at Hidden Acres Lodge and Winery in Mingo Junction. Other committee members were Beth Rupert-Warren, Mary Lou Jones, Stephanie Rouse and Marie Wilson. The evening included light refreshments, wine, a Chinese auction, a 50-50 drawing, male celebrity servers and a shoe competition open to anyone game.

In that case, participants were assigned a number and paraded through the audience. Ballot voting determined the shoe winners in three categories: Moleigh Pizzoferrato, glitter; Mary Fran Kowalo, classic clean; and Nicole Taylor, high royalty. Each was presented a prize.

Beyond the serious accolades for local women of achievement in their professions, communities and families and the light-hearted appreciation of fancy footwear, the event embraces an educational purpose.

Proceeds make possible the award of three scholarships — a traditional scholarship; a scholarship for a nontraditional student; and a Nike Club scholarship. The Nike Club is a Steubenville High School organization whose members are mentored by the OBBPW.

Thanks to the success of the evening, however, the OVBPW will be able to double the number of scholarships awarded, Riccadonna said.

“The evening was a huge success, and we thank all area businesses and organizations that contributed to the success of tonight’s event,” she said, “and congratulations to all the nominees and Lynnett Gorman as Woman of the Year. We hope that you all come back next year and that we have an even bigger event. We were able to double our scholarships, and this has been the most successful fundraiser that the Ohio Valley BPW has ever had.”

Added Riccadonna, “We thank everyone who attended our event at Hidden Acres Lodge and Winery.”

After the event as supporters of nominees offered congratulations and gathered for candid photos, Gorman expressed appreciation.

“I would like to thank the Ohio Valley BPW,” Gorman said. “I think it’s a wonderful organization. I think it’s a great organization that recognizes women and empowers women for the things that they’re doing in the community. I also want to thank my family who supported me my entire life, my friends and the staff at Steubenville City Schools and at Pugliese West Elementary. There is no ‘I’ in team, and everything that I have accomplished, I have done it with their support, so it’s been an honor and a pleasure,” she added.

The OVBPW’s mission is “to achieve equity in the workplace for all women through advocacy, information and knowledge” and to provide professional and personal growth opportunities. Its members meet at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month September through May.

For information about joining, contact Riccadonna at (740) 317-3868.

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