Vanessa DeCesare, a West Virginia University speech pathology and audiology major from Toronto, is among five WVU students competing for the title of Ms. Mountaineer.

She is sponsored by the WVU National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association.

The Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer awards honor one male and one female student each year who have exemplary academic achievement and extracurricular involvement. All applicants have to be eligible for graduation by May 2010. The awards are presented as part of WVU's annual Mountaineer Week that begins today and continues through Nov. 15.

Candidates include scholars, ambassadors, researchers and volunteers.

The winners were to be announced today during the WVU-University of Louisville football game.

DeCesare is a member of the WVU National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association and Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society.

She also is a participant in the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program and a volunteer at Morgantown Unity Manor.

She is a resident assistant and community service advisor for Arnold Hall.

Her parents are Toby DeCesare and Peggy DeCesare.