Wheeling Chamber Celebrates Education at Annual Steak Fry

Derek Redd

The Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce didn't just celebrate the business community at its annual steak fry Thursday at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport. It also honored teachers making a mark in their respective schools and students on their way to special things in college.

The chamber recognized its trio of teachers of the year at the event, and also announced a pair of scholarship winners.

Brooke Anderson, the chamber's membership and marketing coordinator, said it was important for the organization to honor some of the area's top educators.

"In the business community, they obviously went through years of education," she said. "So there is just this immense gratefulness for the educators in the Ohio Valley. And I think all of us coming together to show those educators how important and valued they are and honoring them, it's very important."

This year's honorees were Richie Elementary teacher Mia Huck, Triadelphia Middle School English teacher Abby Reeves and Wheeling Central Catholic High School English teacher Betsy Knorr. The trio was especially grateful for the appreciation the chamber has shown to teachers over the years.

"I think it's amazing that they're willing to reach out to us and see us as thriving people in the education system," Huck said.

"I love that people in our community are getting highlighted for the great work they do," Reeves said. "I think this award is a fabulous thing, and I love that everybody comes together from all facets of the community to support it."

Knorr said what makes the award even more special is, after it was announced, she received so many congratulations and well wishes from former students and their parents. It reminded her of the reasons she went into the education field.

"I laugh every single day in my classroom," she said. "I don't think I can get out in the city of Wheeling without running into a student or a parent and all those interactions are wonderful. They bring joy to my life."

This year's scholarship winners were Wheeling Central graduate Isaac Schmitt and Wheeling Park High School graduate Jared Marsh. Each earned a $1,000 scholarship. Schmitt's was sponsored by Williams Lea, while Marsh's was sponsored by Lee Paull and Associates.

Schmitt is headed to West Virginia University this fall to major in biology/pre-med.

"It really means a lot," Schmitt said. "Any support I can get, it means a lot, and that's why I want to thank the Chamber of Commerce and Williams Lea for giving me such an opportunity."

Marsh was unable to attend Thursday's event. He was playing in the American Legion Baseball regional championships with Wheeling Post 1.

Anderson said about 160 people were expected to attend Thursday's steak fry, which was a testament to the strength of the area's business community.

"Having so many businesses come together at such a special place, it's so exciting," she said, "getting to put a name and a face to a company and make connections, it's something big."