SAA PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS — The Steubenville Art Association presented scholarships to three area high school seniors planning to continue their art education following graduation. Winners of the scholarship included clockwise from top left: Gianna Barker, first place; Owen Fredritz, second place; and Natalie Ramayak, third place. Each student accepted their award with SAA Scholarship Chair Jeanne D’Anniballe and Leo Buffone, whose scholarship donation was made in honor of the memory of Lleila Buffone, a longtime SAA member. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Many individuals living in the Ohio Valley were born with an artistic ability … a talent that could quite possibly be good enough to share with the rest of the world.

And yet, most will simply use their gift as a hobby, rather than a career. Society will never have the opportunity to see what each could have become.

But for those determined to continue on with their education, who strive to make their artistic dream one day become a reality, help is being made available by one local organization.

Members of the Steubenville Art Association want nothing more than to see local residents’ achieve all they can possibly be.

Parents, high school art teachers and members of the SAA gathered at Historic Fort Steuben Saturday morning, where club officials held a special ceremony to award three area high school seniors with an art education scholarship.

Seniors submitted full portfolios of their personal art in the hopes of being selected.

Judging the portfolios were Jeanne D’Anniballe, scholarship committee chair, and assistant Gina Judy, both retired high school art teachers.

The scholarships were sponsored through a donation made by Leo and Luke Buffone — a gift given to honor the memory of Llelia Buffone, wife and mother. Lleila was a member of the SAA for many years prior to her death a few months ago, according to SAA President Judy Schmidt.

Gianna Barker, a senior at Steubenville High School, was the first-place winner in the judging.

Taking second place was Owen Fredritz, a senior who attends East Liverpool High School.

Natalie Romayak, a senior at Steubenville High, was selected as the third-place winner.

Certificates and awards were presented to the winners by Leo Buffone.

Following the presentations, those in attendance enjoyed refreshments and art social time.