Steubenville Assembly Focuses on America’s Opportunities | News, sports, jobs

PAST AND PRESENT — Jefferson County Commissioner Eric Timmons and former Steubenville High School Key Club advisors John Georgiafandis and Joe Biasi were among the guests at the club’s annual Honor America Assembly. With Georgiafandis, left, is current Key Club advisor Ross Ivkovich, Timmons and Biasi is Avery Zorne, an eighth-grade student at Harding Middle School who won the Honor America essay contest. –Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — Jefferson County Commissioner Eric Timmons told students and others attending the Steubenville High School Key Club’s Honor America assembly on Friday that there are many opportunities for them to succeed and learn, as Steubenville students and as American citizens.

Timmons noted that the late 19th century saw a wave of immigrants from many foreign countries entering the United States seeking religious freedom and opportunities for betterment that were often not available in their class-based countries of origin.

And those same opportunities are why so many people risk their lives to cross the southern border of the United States today, he said.

Timmons, a 1994 graduate of Steubenville High School, said he had many opportunities as a young man and his education and experience led him to a fulfilling job at WesBanco.

But he said he didn’t feel like he was using his knowledge and skills to the fullest, so when a seat on the Steubenville City Council opened up, he applied.

Timmons told those in the high school auditorium that not everyone considered him the first choice for the position, but when he was elected, he worked hard in that first term and when he ran for re-election, he won by a wide margin. .

He said after that, he was encouraged to run for county commissioner, and even though his opponent had been in office for 20 years, he won again.

Timmons said not every opportunity he has encountered in life has led to success, but he learned from all of them.

“Every opportunity I took, whether I won or lost, made me a better, stronger person.” said.

Timmons told students that opportunities can come in many forms, including athletics, academics, employment or community service.

Students also heard from Avery Zorne, an eighth-grade student at Harding Middle School and winner of Key Club’s Honor America essay contest.

In his composition, Zorne quoted the Chinese military leader and philosopher Sun Tzu, who said: “Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.”

Zorne cited her experiences in gymnastics.

She said that when her competition’s cheerleading gym closed, she was disappointed and angry, but then decided to try gymnastics.

Zorne admitted that she initially wasn’t too excited about it, but that changed when new coaches and friends welcomed her into their circle.

“I am very happy that I decided to take advantage of the opportunity, because I fell in love with the sport and met incredible people.” Zorne wrote.

“If I had passed up that opportunity, I would never have had the opportunity to improve my technique. Gaining gymnastics skills led me to where I am today as a Harding Middle School cheerleader.”

Zorne said that through gymnastics she became more confident and willing to try new things.

She advised other students, “If you have an opportunity, take advantage of it and try your best, because you never know what can happen.”

While it promoted pride in America, the assembly was also a reunion of sorts, with former teachers and students among the many attendees.

Among them were former Key Club advisors Joe Biasi and John Georgiafandis.

Biasi noted that the club was founded 75 years ago by William Croskey and applauded the efforts of current advisor Ross Ivkovich and its young leaders. Biasi said he fondly remembers the days when he was a Steubenville High School student and president of its Key Club and noted that Georgiafandis, as his advisor, history teacher and later colleague, served as an inspiration and mentor.

Georgiafandis, who launched the Honor America assembly as a Key Club advisor, said one of the greatest rewards of his 50 years in education was seeing alumni like Biasi and Timmons become community leaders.

A 1955 graduate of Steubenville High School, he highlighted the various programs and facilities, including the natatorium and, more recently, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Center, available to students.

“You should be very proud to be Steubenville High School students.” Georgiafandis told them.

He added, “You Key Clubbers are special because you are dedicated to community service and improving the lives of those less fortunate.”

Georgianfandis highlighted the role played by the Steubenville Kiwanis Club in the group’s formation and its support over the years.

Also participating in the assembly were Natalie Romanyak, president of the Key Club; Sarah Ostovich, its vice president; Ava Antill, Senior Representative; Amelia Collopy, program coordinator; Gabriella Vein, his secretary; the school’s a cappella choir under the direction of Scott Wolodkin, the school band under the direction of Rosalind Thacker; and the Tri-State Marine Corps escort.