Photos Provided ABOVE: Achievement winners pose for a photo during the Bellaire High School Alumni Association spring banquet. Pictured, from left, are Kevin West, Ronnie Marling, Steph Schambs, accepting for her brother CJ LaRoche; Meghan Sechrest; and Joan Cook, accepting for her son Peter Cook.

WHEELING — Bellaire High School Alumni Association recently held its annual spring banquet, where Kathy Wallace was recognized and more than $71,000 in scholarships were awarded to graduates.

The banquet was held in May this year at the Wheeling Country Club.

Kathy Wallace, class of 1970, was chosen as the 2022 outstanding alumnus for the field of business. Wallace was recognized for her tireless support for the Bellaire community and her alma mater, Bellaire High School.

Following graduation from BHS in 1970, Wallace attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She entered into the business world in 1973 as the owner/operator of the Martins Ferry Dairy Queen. She operated at this location as a “Big Red” in a community that was Bellaire’s arch rival in all sports, yet prospered as a businesswoman in “Purple Rider Country.” Her love and support of her alma mater, Bellaire High School, never faltered during her 43 years of operating her Dairy Queen store in Martins Ferry.

Wallace served as the president, secretary, treasurer and trustee of the Bellaire Alumni Association for 26 years before resigning in 2019.

For the past 20 years, she has served as a trustee of The Bellaire High School Endowment Fund and worked with this organization to bring academic scholarships to Bellaire High School graduates.

“When we think of a ‘Big Red,’ we think of one who is faithful and true-hearted, joyful and ever loyal. We think of one who will always boost for her Bellaire High School. That person is Kathy Wallace,” event organizers stated.

Along with honoring Wallace, the endowment board awarded 15 scholarships to graduates totaling over $71,000.

The following are the scholarships and recipients: Dave Freeman Scholarship, Ryles Wright, Jadyn Dowling and Jenna Miller; VLE Scholarship, Lauren Hamilton, and Konner Lay; Robert and Laurajane Burda Scholarship, Donovon Estes-Stevens; Nancy Gulley Trigg Scholarship, Taylor Menendez; Lorrie Klempa Davis Scholarship, Jayden Dowling; Richard Bonar Scholarship, Daniel Zwack; Dennis Pogany Family Scholarship, Colt Sechrest; James and Mary Shiretta Wallace Scholarship, Lilly Back; Clara and Dom Persutti Scholarship, Tyler Edgar and Katelyn Hart; Jessica Frizzi Scholarship, Rylie Wright; Forrest Hills Community Center Scholarship, Lilly Back; Pappano Family Scholarship, Steven Street; Diane Ledder Scholarship, Luke Farmer; and Richard Hornbeck Scholarship, Logan Carpenter.

The alumni board awarded two graduates, Lilly Back and Colt Sechrest, as the 2022 Senior Service recipients of $1,000 each. Also, five past graduates in four different categories were recognized with achievement awards, Ronnie Marling, Class of 1970, Civic; Peter Cook, Class of 1992, Medical; Kevin West, Class of 1980, Civic; Megan Sechrest, Class of 2004, Arts; and Christopher “CJ” LaRoche, Class of 2004, Business.