Ralph Petrella

STEUBENVILLE — Steubenville High School graduate Ralph Petrella will lead the school’s annual Honor America festivities Friday.

The SHS Key Club is hosting events, which include an assembly at 10 a.m. in the school auditorium that the public is invited to attend. Key Club adviser Ross Ivkovich said a full slate of activities has been planned by the student group.

“We will have breakfast in the commons at 9 a.m. and the assembly at 10 a.m. with Petrella, a former Key Club member,” Ivkovich said. “We also will have an eighth-grade essay winner read and the high school band will play.”

The program includes a welcome by Key Club President Chloe Gorman, opening prayer by vice president Bailee Beall, Pledge of Allegiance by senior representative Anna Spanovich, the national anthem and a patriotic medley by the SHS Marching Band under the direction of Rosalind Thacker, introduction of guests by program coordinator Emma Lyons, introduction of Petrella by secretary Sagan Smarrella, introduction of Harding Middle School essay winner Lucy Collaros by Beall and teacher Elizabeth Delaney, special presentations by sergeant-at-arms Laila Reed, closing prayer by Spanovich and dismissal by Principal Aaron Newman.

Ivkovich said events conclude with a luncheon in the Dan Keenan Conference Center at 11 a.m. Honor America activities recognize people in the county who have done great things and previous guests of honor include representatives of Congress, judges and community leaders.

Petrella, a city native and SHS alumnus, was a four-year member of the Key Club and a school athlete during his time at Big Red, plus he took part in school and community activities. He went on to pursue a degree at West Liberty University and became a strength and conditioning coach for Wheeling University and Bethany College. He also has been affiliated with the University of Minnesota, Virginia Commonwealth University, Robert Morris University, West Liberty University and Moon Area High School. He is the co-owner of Syna Strength and Wellness at the Blue Wave Center in Follansbee.

He continues to embrace the values of perseverance, teamwork, and community service, which ultimately motivated him to run for the office of mayor of Steubenville, school officials explained.

Petrella is a candidate for mayor in the Nov. 4 election.