WHEELING — The Viennese Winter Ball, an important fundraiser as well as one of the most elegant social events of the season, is celebrating its 36th year. The gala takes place at Oglebay’s Glessner Auditorium on Feb. 4.

Organized by a 16-member committee, the ball serves to generate funds for the Wheeling Symphony.

A highlight of this significant social event is the participation of the Cotillion, featuring 10 young women and 10 young men, all of whom are seniors at local schools. Drs. Heather and Michael Wayt are sponsors of the 2017 Cotillion.

The Cotillion members are officially introduced at the ball’s Patron Party held at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center on Jan. 28.

The young women chosen for the 2017 Cotillion are as follows:

Emma Kaye Blair of Wheeling. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David and Karen Blair. Emma is a senior at Wheeling Park High School, where she serves as senior class vice president, student council vice president, secretary of the National Honor Society and vice president of the International Thespian Society. She is the captain of WPHS soccer team and flute section leader of the WPHS marching band/symphonic winds. Emma is a member of Key Club and is Park Players Paint Crew Head. She plans to pursue a degree in athletic training in the fall.

Sarah Lorraine Butler of St. Clairsville. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernie and Stacey Butler. Sarah is a senior at St. Clairsville High School, where she is a member of the marching band. She is currently earning an associates of Science degree through Belmont College. Sarah plans to major in biology and pre-med with hopes of becoming an oncologist.

Veronica Chapman Casey of Wheeling. She is the daughter of Ms. Sandra M. Chapman and Mr. Patrick S. Casey. Veronica is a senior at Wheeling Park High School, where she serves as field commander for the marching band and is a member of the jazz band, steel band and orchestra. She plans to major in music education with a minor in jazz studies.

Hannah Marie Dieffenbaugher of Wheeling. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac and Kathleen Dieffenbaugher. Hannah is a senior at Wheeling Park High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Drug Free Club and Student Council. She is also a member of the WPHS soccer team. Hannah volunteers in peer ministry, Teens for Life youth group and Peterson Hospital. She is a cantor for St. Michael’s Church. Hannah plans to major in pre-med with the goal of being an oncologist.

Grace Elizabeth George of Wheeling. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. and Renee George III. Grace is a senior at The Linsly School, where she is a four-year letterman, two-year starter and two-year captain of the Linsly soccer team and a three-year letterman for the Linsly track team. She serves as a Senior Prefect and is president of the Key Club, a member of the National Honor Society and the German National Honor Society. She volunteers for the Appalachian Prison Book Project. Grace plans to major in political science and German in college.

Kacie Renee Griffin of Wheeling. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Renee Griffin. Kacie is a senior at Wheeling Park High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Drug Free Club, Park Players, Radio-TV Club and Wellness Club. She serves as WPHS Thespian Troupe’s secretary and is a member of the International Thespian Society. She also participated in Rhododendron Girls State. Kacie volunteers as a freshman mentor and REAP counselor. She plans to pursue a degree in the medical field.

Amelia Lee Jones of Wheeling. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and Linda Jones. She is a Senior Prefect at The Linsly School and a member of the National Honor Society, Varsity Speech team, German Honor Society and German Club. She serves as an officer for the Key Club and SADD. Amelia is the head editor of The Linsly Line student newspaper. She served as manager of the Linsly football team for five years and lettered on Linsly’s softball team. Amelia won the crown of Miss Ohio Valley’s Outstanding Teen in 2016. She plans to major in English and pursue a degree in secondary education with a minor in theatre.

Kalista J’lyse Kafana of St. Clairsville. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jay and Kimberlee Kafana. She is a senior at Ohio Connections Academy and attends the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s High School pre-professional program. J’lyse has choreographed and performed pieces throughout the Ohio Valley and Pittsburgh and has danced and trained in New York City. She teaches at the Oglebay Institute School of Dance, where she is a member of their pre-professional program. J’lyse plans to become a professional dancer and choreographer.

Mariah Elizabeth Nickoles of Wheeling. She is the daughter of Dr. Eleisha and Mr. Todd Nickoles. Mariah is a senior at The Linsly School, where she is a member of the Linsly swim team. She is involved in Linsly’s theatre productions and the Linsly Extravaganza. Mariah plans to pursue a degree in graphic design.

Daniella Xinyi Truong of Wheeling. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John and Angela Truong. Daniella is a senior at The Linsly School, where she serves as Head Prefect, captain of Linsly’s cross country team, a member of the varsity track team and president of the WV Junior Classical League. She is an officer of the Key Club, Dance Club and Classics Club and a member of the Photography Club and Frisbee Club. She dances with the Oglebay Institute School of Dance where she also serves as a volunteer. Daniella plans to attend Columbia University in the fall.

The young men named to the 2017 Cotillion are as follows:

Giorgio Spiros Alexander of Wheeling. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Spiro and Carla Alexander. Giorgio is a senior at Central Catholic High School. He is a four -year letterman and captain of the varsity tennis team and a member of the USTA where he competes in USTA tennis matches. He is also a member of the Drug Free Club of America and the Pro-Life Club. Giorgio will attend Franciscan University of Steubenville where he will be a member of the tennis team. He plans on majoring in philosophy and business.

John Devin Diosi of St. Clairsville. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. David and Dana Diosi. Devin is a senior at The Linsly School. He is a two-year letterman in cross country, has lettered in track, and is a member of the golf team at Linsly. He is a member of the French Club, the Key Club and Drug Free Club. He has a black belt in karate, Chun Kuk Do and Tae Kwan Do as well as being a certified lifeguard. Devin volunteers in the Soup Kitchen and is an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He will pursue a business degree at Ohio University in the fall.

Stephen Joel Dlesk of Wheeling. He is the son of Jane Dlesk and Randall Dlesk Sr. Stephen is a senior at The Linsly School, where he is a member of the soccer, hockey and lacrosse teams. He is also involved in Linsly’s Extravaganza and Linsly’s theatre productions. Stephen is interested in pursuing a degree in computer science or engineering as well as an acting career.

Leon Francis Favede II of St. Clairsville. He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Lee and Ginny Favede. Frankie is a senior at The Linsly School and is a member of Linsly’s baseball team. He is active in the History Club, the Spanish Club and the Key Club. He serves as the Chair of American Legion Post 1 Baseball. Frankie is an acolyte at St. Mary’s Church and a member of its youth group. He plans to pursue a political science degree in the fall.

Jared Henry Jorden of Wheeling. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James and Lisa Jorden. Jared is a senior at Wheeling Park High School. He is a three- year letterman in Park’s golf team, which won two state champion titles, as well as a four- year starter for the Wheeling Park tennis team. Jared is a member of the debate team and Ohio County Strings. He participated in Mountaineer Boys State in 2016. Jared plans to attend WVU in the fall to study political science and pre-law.

Levi Martin McKenzie of Wheeling. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Andy and Carrie McKenzie. He is a senior at Wheeling Park High School, where he plays lacrosse and golf. Levi plans to attend college in the fall and study pre-med.

Joseph Edgar Morano of Wheeling. He is the son of Dr. Jessica Ybanez-Morano and Mr. Edgar Morano. He is a senior at The Linsly School, where he is a four-year letterman in lacrosse and a member of the soccer and swim teams. He is the captain of the Ultimate Frisbee team. Joseph is a member of the Model UN as well as the Environmental Club. He plans to attend college in the fall.

Ashish Raj Urval of Wheeling. He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Shashi and Monisha Urval. Ashish is a senior at The Linsly School. He is a member of Linsly’s cross country, soccer and tennis teams as well as a member of the speech and debate team and Model UN. He volunteers as a student ambassador for Linsly. Ashish plans to major in pre-med and neuroscience in college.

Christopher Nathaniel Wakim of Wheeling. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Jeannette Wakim. Christopher is a senior at The Linsly School and is a member of the cross country, track and swim teams as well as a member of Model UN and Drug Free Club. Christopher is a judicial scholar and attended Mountaineer Boys State in 2016. He plans to attend college in the fall and is interested in law school.

Brady Ivan Wood of Triadelphia. He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Matthew and Maria Wood. Brady is a senior at Wheeling Park High School. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the TSA Club and the Spanish Club. He is a three-year letterman and captain of the soccer team and was a member of Park’s wrestling team. Brady is on the FC Wheeling Soccer team. He is a People-to People ambassador and a member of the Greek Orthodox Church. He plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at WVU.