OVBPW gives scholarships, installs officers

The Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women presented their annual scholarships and installed officers for a two-year term during the final meeting of the 2015-16 club season.

Marie-Helene Wilson welcomed members, guests and two of the three scholarship winners to the May 17 informal business and dinner meeting held at Froehlich's Classic Corner in Steubenville. They were seniors Aisha Liberatore of Oak Glen High School, traditional scholarship recipient, who attended with her father, John Liberatore, and Maurkesha Young of Steubenville High School, Nike Club scholarship recipient. The Nike Club is an SHS organization mentored by the OVBPW. Young attended with her mother, Susan Young.

Amelia Taggart, scholarship chairman, made the official presentations, and Wilson noted there were more than 30 applicants she described as "very impressive."

Article Photos

Newly installed officers of the Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women's Club for a two-year term are, from left, Mary Lou Jones, secretary; Sara Lane, president; Marie-Helene Wilson, treasurer; and Jennifer Atchison, vice president.-- Janice Kiaski

Two of three OVBPW scholarship recipients honored at the club's May 17 meeting were Aisha Liberatore, left, Oak Glen High School, traditional scholarship, and Maurkesha Young, right, Steubenville High School, Nike Club scholarship. With them are Amelia Taggart, second from left, scholarship chair, and Marie Helene Wilson, outgoing club president.-- Janice Kiaski

Enjoying the Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women's final meeting of the 2015-16 club year at Froehlich's Classic Corner in Steubenville were, from left, Sara Mains, Deborah Puskarich and Pat Accettolo.-- Janice Kiaski

From left, Diane Pastoric, Bernice Pitcock and Jaime Halligan-- Janice Kiaski

From left, Abigail Klamert, Nicole Adamski, Tiffany Frohnapfel and Jennifer Atchison.-- Janice Kiaski

"We received some excellent applications," Wilson said, noting because of that, the selection process was an "extremely difficult" one.

Liberatore and Young expressed their appreciation for the group's generosity and shared their future education plans. Liberatore is set to attend Fairmont State University to pursue a double major in psychology and biology with an eye toward medical school in New York. Young will be off to Ohio State University to study for a nursing degree.

The club's nontraditional scholarship recipient is Jodi Goff, who earned her associate degree in accounting at Eastern Gateway Community College. She decided to further her education and change careers to nursing after witnessing the death of her grandfather. In July, Goff will graduate from Trinity School of Nursing.

Taggart said, with the support of family, Goff was able to juggle the demands of being the mother of a 3-year-old starting preschool, a full-time nursing student and a part-time employee.

Money to fund the scholarships is generated by the OVBPW's annual wine and shoe extravaganza that includes the selection of a Woman of the Year. This year's event was held April 8 at the Steubenville Country Club.

The meeting was occasion for Taggart to conduct swearing-in ceremonies for the club's officers. Sara Lane assumes the presidency with other officers including Jennifer Atchison, vice president; Wilson switching gears from president to treasurer; and Mary Lou Jones continuing as secretary.

The OVBPW holds dinner meetings May through September at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month at various locations. It connects its members with mentors, colleagues and friends for career networking and supports women through career transitions and at different levels of industry. Annual membership is $40. Its next meeting is Sept. 20 at a location to be announced.

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