Jun 18, 2025
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS — Those participating in Brooke High School’s scholarship program included, from left, Jerry Simpson, presenter of the Roger Simpson Award; Triston Stevens and Chase Hile, co-recipients of the Roger Simpson Award; Payton Adler and Maia Diserio, co-recipients of the Richard Whitehead Award; and Kasey Johnson, recipient of the Buzz Rocchio Award. Jerri Wilson received the Buzz Rocchio Award as well. — Warren Scott
WELLSBURG — More than $1.3 million in scholarships was presented to seniors at Brooke High School during the annual awards program.
Several of the scholarships were made possible through the Anthony Paesano Brooke County Schools Education Foundation, a group launched by the former Brooke principal.
During the last 35 years, the group has generated more than $9.5 million in scholarships for thousands of Brooke graduates, according to school officials.
Area residents awarded scholarships in honor or in memory of loved ones, various civic groups and businesses, including Wheeling-Nippon Steel.
This year, the steel firm awarded 21 $1,000 scholarships to students.
Those receiving a scholarship from Wheeling-Nippon Steel included: Jillian Abate, Anthony Bado, Lily Beecroft, Chanze Brozstek, Madison Burge, Hailey Buterbaugh, Saphira Dennis, Maia Diserio, Noah Doll, Brayden Farrell, Chase Hile, Alaina Horvath, Lyla Horvath, Jayla Jeter, Jania Jones, Emilee McKinney, Josie Pennybacker, Kaylie Saniga, Adison Stanley, Triston Stevens and Evan Urso.
Several scholarships were presented in honor of distinguished past Brooke County students, educators and community members, often serving to honor the spirit of those who have died.
Among those being remembered through a scholarship were the Robert “Buzz” Rocchio Award, the Roger Simpson Award and the Richard Whitehead Award.
Rocchio was a well-liked Brooke band and choir member who died in an automobile accident in 1971. The award and scholarship which carry his name is presented annually to an active and respected student in the school’s music department, officials noted. This year, the Robert “Buzz” Rocchio Award and two $500 scholarships were presented to Kasey Johnson and Jerri Wilson.
Simpson was a Follansbee High School baseball player who died in 1964 from injuries sustained when he collided with another player during a practice, officials explained. An outstanding student and athlete, Simpson lettered in three sports and was respected by his coaches and peers. Recipients of the award are selected for their strong athletic and academic records, leadership and respect earned from others. This year, the award and scholarships were presented to Stevens and Hile in the amount of $1,500 each.
The Richard Whitehead Scholarship recognizes an outstanding female athlete and student with similar qualities as those sought in the Roger Simpson Award recipient. It is named for a late former Brooke County Schools superintendent, principal and teacher, who served as a track and field official. This year, the award and two scholarships, in the amount of $1,500 each, were presented to Payton Adler and Diserio.
Two Above and Beyond Awards were presented by Principal Eric James to Stevens and Garrett Moore.
Recipients of the West Virginia P.R.O.M.I.S.E. Scholarship must have a 3.0 grade-point average or higher, attain certain scores on college entrance exams and attend an accredited West Virginia college or university upon graduation. Students included: Meah Doll, Urso, Tessa Williams, Wilson, Bado, Ruari Stoll, Burge, Pennybacker, Melesse Wiersbicki and Farrell.
Scholarships were presented to the following students named outstanding members of the school’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America: Pennybacker, Buterbaugh, Beecroft, Jones, Meah Doll, Stoll, Noah Doll and Farrell.
Scholarship recipients included: Haley Miller, Anthony Paesano Memorial Scholarship; Enzo DiMarzio, Lorraine Paesano Memorial Scholarship; Paul Higgins, Harry and Elrita Lazear Memorial Scholarship; Dawson Paugh, Bob “Weeno” Kins Memorial Scholarship; Madison Rujak, Hannah Mozingo Blue Wave Cheering Memorial Scholarship; Moore, Frank Ferguson Memorial Scholarship; Joseph Rea, John DeStefano Memorial Scholarship; Clay Wood and Henry Wood, Thomas Smarrella Golf Scholarships; Noah McMahon, Coach Ron Ujcich Memorial Golf Scholarship; Horvath, Marshall University; Slater Schroeder, Muskingum University; Owen Haught, Waynesburg University; Olivia Snyder, West Virginia University; Gracie Williams, WVU; Brielee Shaw, WVU; Sophia Cecchini, WVU; Abby Fabian, West Virginia Wesleyan University; Anthony Lallone, Wellsburg High School Alumni; Rylee Taylor and Sydney Clark, Alpha Delta Kappa; Isaac Orovic, Anthony and Ciara Paesano Scholarship; Remi Utz and Aliveah Comer, Brooke County 4-H; Taylor Powell, Sarris Candies; and Autumn Crisi, Wellsburg Lions Earl McMahon Memorial Scholarship.
Scholarships were awarded by local booster groups to the following athletes: Henry Anderson, Moore and McMahon, baseball; Darion Hilton, Paugh and Seth Schroeder, bowling; Urso and McMahon, basketball; Horvath, Stanley, Rujak, Snyder and Shaw, cheerleading; Diserio, Emma Hayman and McKinney, softball; Haught and Horvath, swimming; Adler, Brozstek and Farrell, tennis; Noah Alexander, Hile, Stevens, Comer and Utz, track; Diserio, the 2025 Legend Volleyball Award; Moore, wrestling; Buterbaugh and Brozstek, soccer; Haught and Moore, football; and Stoll, dance team.
Many students received multiple scholarships, including those presented in memory or in honor of the following: Robert Conley, William “Catfish” Hearst, Doug Jones, Doris Bird, Carlin Dodrill, William C. Hood, Dan Finell, Russ Schwertfeger for basketball, James C. Hood, James “Randy” Hood, William “Eric” Thomas, Jeff Ulrich, Helen T. Hamill, Sarah Ashley Pennbacker, Howard Corcoran, J.A. Hedmond, Louis F. Serra, Alfonse DiCostantino, Angelo and Betty Ciccolella for business students, Gayle Montgomery, Woody Baird for cheering and dance, Stacey Marie Roach, Noreen Argenta Mechling, Maryann Ciccolella for nursing students, Christie DiPino Yachini for education students, Janice Pepe and Greg Harper.
The following schools, businesses and organizations awarded scholarships to students: Duquesne University, Fairmont State University, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Marshall University, West Virginia Northern Community College, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Basil’s Sports Bar and Grill, Beech Bottom Bearcats, Brooke County Rotary, Brooke County Schools Service Personnel, Charles M. and Thelma M. Pugliese Foundation, Hancock School Employees Federal Credit Union, Josh Merriman Foundation, the PEO Sisterhood, Peter R. Marsh Foundation, Reasner Funeral Home, Tikkun Olam of Temple Beth Israel, Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival, Vitalant/Health Occupation Students of America for blood drive participation, Weirton Rotary, Wellsburg Applefest Committee and WTOV-TV for football.
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