WHEELING, W.Va., Sept. 14, 2017 — The Wheeling Area Heritage Port Sternwheel Foundation, led by West Liberty University alumnus and donor, Gary E. West, recently announced the five Ohio Valley students who are recipients of its annual $2,500 scholarships to West Liberty University. West is an outstanding philanthropist to multiple organizations in the Wheeling community and also serves on WLU’s Foundation board.

These local high school students include: Megan Apesos of Weir High School, Logan Cunningham of Buckeye Local High School, Adam Jarrett of Wheeling Central Catholic High School, Charlie Jo McConnell of Edison Local High School and Marques McHaffie of Oak Glen High School. 

The 17th-annual Heritage Port Sternwheel Festival is scheduled today through Saturday at Wheeling Heritage Port.

Incorporated by the state of West Virginia in March 2002, the Wheeling Heritage Port Sternwheel Foundation organizes and manages the Wheeling Heritage Port Sternwheel, an annual event which takes place in mid-September. 

This event is sanctioned by the American Sternwheel Association, an organization dedicated to the support and promotion of Sternwheel vessels. The Wheeling event is patterned after a number of other Sternwheel Festivals which take place each summer up and down the Ohio River. 

It is estimated that in its initial year, the Festival attracted nearly 75,000 people to the Wheeling waterfront. The attractions include regional entertainment ranging from classic rock and roll to Dixieland jazz, children’s activities and a spectacular fireworks display. Additionally, many food and craft vendors, and most importantly the Sternwheel boats themselves, make this early fall event a truly unique experience. 

The Wheeling Heritage Port Sternwheel Committee meets the second Monday of each month. It annually awards four scholarships to eligible students in the tri-state area. For more information, please visit sternwheeling.org.