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 American Pride Convention. With Georgiafandis on the left is current Key Club Advisor Ross Ivkovich, while Timmons and Biasi are Avery Zorne, an eighth grader who won the Honor America essay contest at Harding Middle School. –Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — Jefferson County Commissioner Eric Timmons told students and others attending Friday’s Steubenville High School Key Club’s Pride of America meeting that there are many opportunities to learn and succeed as Steubenville students and American citizens.

Timmons noted that the late 1800s saw a wave of immigrants from many foreign countries entering the United States in search of religious freedom and opportunities to better themselves that were often unavailable in their class-based homelands.

And those same opportunities are why so many today risk their lives to cross America’s southern border, he said.

Timmons, who graduated from Steubenville High School in 1994, said he had many opportunities in his youth and that his education and experience led him to a fulfilling job at WesBanco.

But he said he felt he wasn’t using his knowledge and skills to the fullest, so when a seat became available on the Steubenville City Council, he applied.

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

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

Timmons said not all the opportunities he encountered in life led to success, but he learned from them all.

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

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

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

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

Zorne talked about her experiences in gymnastics

She said she was disappointed and angry when the competition cheer hall closed, but then decided to try gymnastics.

Zorne admitted he wasn’t too enthusiastic about it at first, but that changed as new coaches and friends welcomed him into their circle.

“I’m so glad I finally took this chance because I fell in love with this sport and met great people.” Wrote Zorne.

“If I had missed this opportunity, I would never have had the chance to improve my technique. “The skills I gained from gymnastics have brought me to where I am today as the Harding Middle School cheerleader.”

Zorne said she felt more confident after gymnastics and was more willing to try new things.

He gave advice to other students “If you are given an opportunity, take it and do the best you can, because you never know what will happen.”

The reunion was a reunion of sorts, with former teachers and students attending while also boosting American pride.

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 the young leaders. Biasi said he looks back fondly on his days as a Steubenville High School student and 2nd president of the Key Club, and noted that Georgiafandis served as an inspiration and mentor to him as his advisor, history teacher and later colleague.

Georgiafandis, who started the Honor America meeting as Key Club’s advisor, said one of her greatest rewards in her 50 years of education has been seeing former students like Biasi and Timmons become community leaders.

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

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

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

Georgianfandis noted the Steubenville Kiwanis Club’s role in establishing the group and supporting it over the years.

Key Club President Natalie Romaniak attended the meeting; Sarah Ostovich, vice president; Ava Antill, senior representative; program coordinator Amelia Collopy; Secretary Gabriella Vein; school, school group under Rosalind Thacker, a cappella choir under Scott Wolodkin; and Tri-State Marine Corps color guard.