Stars shining examples of all that is good

If you just take a casual glance at any one of the 10 people who have been selected as this year's Community Stars, you would be convinced that they live very ordinary lives.

You would be wrong.

Each member of our Class of 2009 maintains the standard we have held our honorees to since we started the program in 1998. They are truly the unsung heroes of the Tri-State Area, the people who are tireless while going that extra mile to help others.

They never seek the spotlight for themselves, but each serves as a shining example of all that is good.

Consider:

Connie Kafton has multiple sclerosis, but that does not get in the way of this single mother in her work with the local MS society. She has shared her knowledge and expertise of the disease with sufferers and their families for more than 20 years.

Dave Miller is retired from the Weirton Steel Corp., but that does not mean he is not busy. He volunteers with the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, helps raise money for Charity Hospice and works at his church.

James Hill serves as a black role model to teenage boys. Organizing camping trips and just talking are two ways he helps young men who need a friend and guiding hand.

Hayden Christoff helps at the American Red Cross-Jefferson County Chapter, participating in blood drives, cleaning the headquarters and raising money at his school. He's logged more than 50 volunteer hours with the local chapter, and, he's only 10.

Tony Violi is 91, but that doesn't stop him from sharing his love of music. He has taught young musicians at the Lovers Lane and Rosemont campuses of Bishop John King Mussio school for more than 25 years. He still marches with the Ohio State Alumni Band, sings in the choir at Wintersville United Methodist Church, directs the Masonic Scottish Rite Choir and volunteers with the Red Cross and Shrine Club.

Becky Foster teaches deaf children in the Steubenville City Schools. Just before Lincoln School closed, she used her own time to help her three students play in a football game.

Jane Antonucci has served as treasurer of the board of trustees for Charity Hospice Inc. as well as a patient care volunteer. She has created blankets for patients and even prepared meals for them.

Violet Lancaster has earned the respect of the customers along her rural postal route by checking on customers who haven't collected their mail from their boxes and buys treats for local kindergarteners who walk to the post office to mail Mother's Day cards.

Pat Taylor helped organize Lunches with Love, which provides home-cooked meals twice a month to those in need.

Mary Barksdale, or "Mrs. B" as she is known at the School of Bright Promise, may be retired, but she continues to use her more than 50 years of experience working with special-needs children to offer help and encouragement.

Choosing this year's stars was a difficult assignment. More than 50 individuals from all parts of the Tri-State Area were nominated by their friends, families and co-workers. These 10 stood out, though, through their actions and efforts of helping others. Each is special, and each is deserving of the honor.

We salute them.

(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is executive editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times.)