WHEELING – Today’s youth often times get a bum rap. By many, they are seen as lazy, indifferent, lacking motivation and self-centered.

An award presented annually by the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference shatters that mode of thinking.

The Todd Peyton Memorial Spirit Award is now in its fourth year of existence. The OVAC established the award in memory of Peyton – a Wheeling Park graduate who was the official clothing supplier for the OVAC for more than 15 years.

“Todd Peyton was one of the best workers I’ve been associated with in my 17 years. He was a true OVAC soldier. He would do anything for conference above and beyond selling clothing,” said OVAC Executive Secretary Tom Rataiczak. “He was quick with a smile, quick with a joke, quick to lend a hand. He was known at every event as the “T-Shirt Man,” and had a legion of loyal fans and customers who he would remember their names from year to year. I watched him make a special trip to Paden City, Steubenville or somewhere else to deliver one t-shirt to someone who didn’t get one, or had the wrong size or color. He was truly an amazing person.

“After his death, the OVAC wanted to memorialize his name so we created the Todd Peyton Spirit Award. It’s the only scholarship we give that grades or finances or athletic letters aren’t considered. They don’t even have to be going on to higher education. It’s based solely on a letter of recommendation of a coach or administrator stating why that applicant epitomizes or embodies the spirit of their school,” he continued. “Like Todd, who was a rabid Wheeling Park Patriot fan, it’s given to someone who’s quick to volunteer, offer a hand, step up to the plate, show their pride in their school. Every year, when we review these applications, we are amazed at the number of great kids found throughout the conference. It gets tougher to determine who best fills the person we’re looking for, but as long as they continue to come like this, our member schools are in great shape.”

The $1,000 award bids to identify the student who best embodies what their school is all about – spirited, enthusiastic, willing to help, supportive, good-natured, an ambassador and good sport.

Candidates must be a senior. Grades and test scores do not come into play.

“Another thing that is amazing is the time administrators put forth to write the letter. As one who has written countless recommendations, I understand the effort it takes. This application is like “The Voice” tryouts,” Rataiczak said. “You can’t see the person or watch them. Everything has to be “sold” from that one letter. These adults are also greatly appreciated and deserve a lot of thanks.”

The following is a small sample size of candidates and the nomination letters presented in their behalf to the OVAC in hopes of receiving the Todd Peyton Scholarship.

AARON FOLDI (Indian Creek) – In addition to playing three sports at Creek, Foldi found considerable time to provide much-needed help to the Redskins’ Athletic Director Joe Dunlevy and the school.

Dunlevy said that Foldi, despite playing golf, would also be at lower-level football games, either working the chains, taking admission or announcing from the press box. This past season, Foldi used his technological skills to operate the graphics on Creek’s new football scoreboard. In previous years, he would do Internet broadcasts of home football games.

Foldi was an all-star hoop performer who still made time to coach in the school’s youth league. Dunlevy also said that Foldi was the most passionate school supporter for Creek’s girls’ hoop and wrestling programs.

“The description of the spirit of Todd Peyton uncannily resembles the spirit of Aaron Foldi. Aaron’s teachers love him for his very positive attitude and work ethic. His coaches love him because of his leadership skills as well as his diligence,” Dunlevy said. “The younger players, all the way down to third and fourth graders, look up to him, and for many, he is their hero.”

HOPE WORTSELL (Shenandoah) – Wortsell is a three-sport performer for the Zeps but still gives endless amounts of her time to pump pride into her school.

She does the morning announcements, takes dual enrollment courses and is a member of SADD and the school’s Service Club. Wortsell also sings the national anthem at all Zep home athletic events, She also made an instructional video for an autistic student who will be attending Shenandoah High next year, helping to ease the transition.

If that wasn’t enough, Hope undertook the mission of building a school mascot. That is no easy task when your school mascot is a Zeppelin. She did so to win a mascot challenge and donate the winnings to the school’s SADD chapter.

STEPHANIE SLIVA (St. Clairsville) – This Red Devil exudes school spirit. Sliva was president of the school’s “Touchdown Girls Club” for the past year and an active member all four years of her prep career.

On football game days, she would arrive several hours before classes commenced to decorate the halls, lockers and locker rooms. Sliva also organized and managed the pep rallies and encouraged the principal to send pep buses to away games.

Moreover, Sliva baked cookies and brownies with messages of support to the players and coaches every game day for four years. She also produced new chants and cheers for students to use during competitions.

“Stephanie is an inspiration to younger students at St. Clairsville and displays a great example of school spirit for them,” said St. Clairsville head football coach Brett McLean. “She will always advocate for our school and athletics. I can’t think of a better person in my 17 years of teaching and coaching for this scholarship.”

MICHAEL REINER (Wellsville) – This Tiger has overcome some tough obstacles to receive many honors. He has been the “Voice of the Wellsville Tigers” – announcing the varsity football and basketball games the last two years. He also runs the scoreboard and clock for junior high sporting events.

As a frosh, Reiner sought a way to promote school spirit. After researching Wellsville basketball games from the Glory Days of the 1970s, he initiated the drive to bring back a version of “The Big Orange Machine.” He, with help from his dad, built the device that hangs on the gym wall and has revived school and community spirit.

While Reiner has done impressive things for the school, he also has amassed some impressive honors for himself. During his freshman year, he became the first Columbiana County student to participate in the OHSAA wheelchair events. As a sophomore, he qualified for the state meet in both the 100 meters and shot put events, placing sixth and ninth, respectively. Last year, he was even more successful at the state meeting, taking third in the shot put, fifth in the 400 and fifth in the 100 meters.

His peers have voted him “Mr. WHS” this year for his love and support of Wellsville High. He has also received the Courageous Student Award the past three years – awarded to a student who has overcome obstacles in their life and achieved many goals.

ASHLEY VARGO (Martins Ferry) – Vargo bleeds purple. She personifies school spirit while drawing rave reviews for her character.

Vargo is not an athlete, but rather is the school’s most passionate and dedicated fan, according to school officials. She is a member of all the service committees at the school and never misses a home athletic contest. In fact, she volunteered to be the filmer for the girls’ basketball team the last two years.

Last track season, no parent would step up to operate the concession stand. Coach Rich Materkoski turned to Vargo. She took charge, organizing parents and NHS members to make sure every junior high and varsity meet was covered.

Vargo volunteered at the Martins Ferry Football Moms concession stand for every home football game (including all-day Sunday flag football sessions) since she was in the sixth grade. Amazingly, the moms elected her a club officer while still in high school.

When one of her classmate’s fathers died in October, she staged a fund-raising “Pasta for a Purpose” dinner for the family. She collected donations, organized students and parents to work the event at the high school. It proved a major success.

Vargo’s compassion, selflessness and generosity may be best exemplified by her going the extra mile for a Purple Rider football player who comes from a tough situation.

Many times that player would go home from pre-season workouts with no dinner. Once she became aware of the situation, Vargo bought fruit, bread, lunch meat and snacks, stored it at the fieldhouse, making sure he had something before he left the stadium. She did so all season long.

Vargo took it one step further. She puts money into the player’s food account at school so he can extra food at lunchtime.

These are just five of the more than two dozen nominees for the Todd Peyton Award, each having a unique and heart-warming tale of selfless deeds. Vargo has been selected as this year’s winner of the award, and deservedly so. But all those nominated by their school administrators have proven they are winners in the game of life.