BEST PRESENTATION — Wilder Woods of Cub Scout Pack 34 of Weirton was presented the Best Show Car award for having the car with the best appearance in the local Pinewood Derby by Joe Kovaleski, the event’s chairman. More than 100 Scouts from packs in Jefferson and Belmont counties and the Northern Panhandle competed in the event, which was held Saturday by the Ohio River Valley Council of Scouting America’s Mountaineer District. -- Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — The Pinewood Derby not only brought out the competitive spirit among more than 100 area Cub Scouts who participated but also a sense of camaraderie and in the days leading to the event, creativity and teamwork.

Many parents and other supporters filled the central court area of the Fort Steuben Mall for the race, which was held by the Ohio River Valley Council of Scouting America’s Mountaineer Area District.

As the day passed, and many heats were held, cheers for the racers could be heard from their families and fellow Scouts.

Ultimately, the competition ended with six top finishers: Ezra Leasure of Cub Scout Pack 415 of Wintersville, who placed first; E.J. Toole of Pack 20 of Richmond, second place; Ellie Huggins of Pack 34 of Weirton, third place; Stella Anderson of Pack 20, fourth place; Tyler Cronin of Pack 20, fifth place; and Michael Pollock of Pack 66 of St. Clairsville, sixth place.

Asked what he enjoyed most about the race other than winning, Leasure said it was creating his car, noting he was aided by his dad, Josh. A past winner of the derby, he noted each of his cars has been blue, his favorite color.

INTO THE FINISH LINE — Several area Cub Scouts watched as their cars approached the finish line during one of many heats of the Pinewood Derby held Saturday at the Fort Steuben Mall by Scouting America’s Ohio River Valley Council. -- Warren Scott

Scouts from several counties, including Jefferson, Belmont and the upper Northern Panhandle, worked with parents and other family members to sand or shave blocks of wood into the forms they hoped would be the swiftest.

The youth applied regulation axles and wheels provided by Scouting America while having the discretion to apply various weights, provided their cars didn’t exceed the established size and weight requirements set for the competition.

Many enjoy painting and decorating their vehicles to reflect their favorite cartoon characters, superheroes or other characters from various media or other sources of inspiration.

Wilder Woods of Cub Scout Pack 34 of Weirton, the winner of this year’s Best Show Car award, shaped his car in the form of an arrow, molding a clay arrow atop it and adding feathers to its end with help from his mother, Skye.

Brant Ensminger of Colliers, a member of Pack 401 of Steubenville, said the Pinewood Derby is his favorite part of Scouting, noting he worked with his dad, Brian, to create his car.

Brian noted it’s his son’s first year in Scouting.

Hudson Russell and Leo Caprarese, who are cousins and fellow members of Pack 151 of Weirton, said they have enjoyed learning about archery since joining.

It was Russell’s first year while Caprarese is a veteran derby participating. Asked which of his cars was his favorite, he said the one inspired by Lightning McQueen.

Russell said it was fun to see everyone else’s cars.

Valerie, Hudson’s mother, said attending the derby “has become a family tradition. We come for the first rounds, have lunch together and come back for the rest. My cousin, Matt, introduced us to it last year.”

Evan Lauttamus of Weirton, also a member of Pack 151, said, “This is my first year. I love it. I’ve made a few new friends and it’s just fun being in the pack.”

Beatrice Harbin, a member of Pack 1553 of Wellsburg, said it’s exciting to participate in the event and she enjoys Scouting overall.

“I like Scouts because everyone feels like family and they’re all friends,” she said.

For some parents and Scout leaders, the races bring back memories of younger days.

Former Scouts and family members were invited on Friday evening to participate in races that helped organizers to test the track and other equipment used in the race.

Top finishers of that event were Josh Williams, first place; Buck Heldreth, second place; Matt Keller, third place; Samantha Toole, fourth place; Stacie Heldreth, fifth place; and Connor Cooper, sixth place.

Earl Smith of Wintersville was among many adult volunteers who assisted Joe Kovaleski, its coordinator, in tasks ranging from weighing the vehicles to applying super glue when a piece on them fell off.

Smith said he was 6 or 7 years old when he became a Scout and became involved again with his son, who now is 52.

He said he’s volunteered for the event for more than 30 years and recalled his church, the site of one of the preliminary derbies, using a video camera to record and play back the races when close finishes occurred.

For Saturday’s event, a timer was attached to the track to measure each car’s arrival at the finish line.

Joe Adamovich, a Scout leader of Pack 20 of Richmond, noted there wasn’t a Boy Scout troop in the village when he was a boy, but he has enjoyed seeing his son, Joey, participate and helping with the derby for 33 years.

He noted camping and other outdoor activities attract many youth to the organization.

Joey said he was 5 years old when he became a Scout six years ago and has participated in each year’s derby since.

Asked what he has enjoyed most about Scouting, he said, “You get to have a lot of fun and meet new people.”

Kovaleski said the organization also tried to instill in youth positive values, including good citizenship, and it depends on the willingness of adult volunteers to serve as leaders.

He said it takes time to work with the youth, but it’s a worthwhile effort.

“What you learn through Scouting is going to stay with you forever,” he said.