WVIHF Royalty Includes Several Members from Bridgeport
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on August 10, 2015
The 37th Annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival will kick off Friday, Sept. 4 with the coronation of Regina Maria XXXVII Chelsea Hope Boyles. The coronation will take place at the Harrison County Courthouse Plaza in Clarksburg. The queen will be accompanied by her princesses and members of the junior and minor courts. Several members of the courts are from Bridgeport.
Isabella Malone is serving as maid of honor. Princesses include Mackenzie Steele and Alexis Zirkle. Olivia Urse is part of this year's junior court and Gabriella Horne, Audrey Kerr, Dominick Robinson and Antonio Robinson are serving on the minor court.
Their bios as provided by the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival are as follows:
Isabella Marie Malone is the 17-year-old daughter of Dr. James and Mrs. Lesli Malone. She has a 16-year-old brother named Mason James Malone. They reside at their family home in Bridgeport. Isabelia is the granddaughter of Edward L. and Charlotte P. Malone and Donald R. and Frances B. Lynch. Her great-grandparents are the late James A. and Macey M. (Cody) Hendrickson. Her great-great-grandparents Joseph and Teresa (Puglese) Cody, came to America from San Giovanni in Fiore, Italy. She was a minor princess in the 25th anniversary of the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival in 2003. Isabella and her family are members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parrish in Stonewood. She enjoys vacationing with her family and working as a waitress at Twin Oaks Restaurant. She has also worked as a lifeguard at the Bridgeport Country Club for two summers. Isabella is a superior honor roll student at Bridgeport High school and will be graduating this May. Isabella received her academic letter her sophomore year and her academic lamp her senior year. She attended the Hugh O: Brien leadership camp as an ambassador and went on to attend the World Leadership Congress in July of
2013 at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. The following summer she was selected to attend Rhododendron Girls State at Wheeling Jesuit University and was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Isabella has recently been accepted to West Virginia University for the fal of 2015. She is a recipient of the Promise Scholarship and the Vandalia Scholarship. She will be studying biology in hopes to attend her father's alma mater, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg. Isabella was a three-year member of the varsity cheerleading squad and earned a regional championship and a state runner-up title her junior year. She has shown leadership all throughout her athletic career. As a four-year member of the BHS Swim Team, she had been awarded many different honors including First team all-county, First Team Big 10, rookie of the year and athlete of the week. Isabella served as captain her senior year and led her team to a county championship and regional runner-up trophy. She is also a member of the F.A.S.T. swim team in Fairmont and won first in the 50 free at the USA Short Course State Championship this March.
2013 at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. The following summer she was selected to attend Rhododendron Girls State at Wheeling Jesuit University and was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Isabella has recently been accepted to West Virginia University for the fal of 2015. She is a recipient of the Promise Scholarship and the Vandalia Scholarship. She will be studying biology in hopes to attend her father's alma mater, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg. Isabella was a three-year member of the varsity cheerleading squad and earned a regional championship and a state runner-up title her junior year. She has shown leadership all throughout her athletic career. As a four-year member of the BHS Swim Team, she had been awarded many different honors including First team all-county, First Team Big 10, rookie of the year and athlete of the week. Isabella served as captain her senior year and led her team to a county championship and regional runner-up trophy. She is also a member of the F.A.S.T. swim team in Fairmont and won first in the 50 free at the USA Short Course State Championship this March.
Alexis Faith Zirkle is the daughter of Aaron and Sherri Zirkle of Bridgeport. Her paternal grandparents are Rodger and Shelba Zirkle and Alice Loughery. Her maternal grandparents are James and Dorothy Rota. She was very close to her late great grandfather Sam Rota and enjoyed listening to his stories about his trips to his hometown of St. Johns, where someday she would love to travel. She attends Bridgeport High School where she's an honor student and a member of BHS Young Life Club. Her hobbies include hunting, fishing, riding dirt bikes, cooking and traveling. She attends the Instep School of Dance where she performs in many recitals, parades, and competitions. She looks forward to performing at the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida on New Years Day 2016 with her dance company. She has been a member of the Harrison County 4- H organization for 13 years, beginning as a clover bud. She has been a part of the Interstate Exchange Program with 4-H for the past two summers. She plans on attending West Virginia University after graduating from Bridgeport High School in 2017.
Mackenzie Elise Steele is the daughter of Pete J. Steele of Clarksburg and Bobbi Wilcox of Morgantown. She is the granddaughter of Bob and Karen (Oliverio) Steele of Bridgeport. Her great-grandparents are the late Pete J. Oliverio and Doris Olivcrio of Clarksburg and Margaret .png)
(Buffey) Watson of Clarksburg. She is the great-great-granddaughter or the late Michael and Victoria (Perris) and the late Frank Oliverio (from San Giovanni, Fiore, Italy), and Mary (Romano) Oliverio of Clarksburg. She is interested in the performing arts, especially music. Among her many talents are piano, viola, clarinet, steel drums, guitar, voice, twirling, and dance. She is currently a student at Pam Krall's Musical Studio (she has performed for five years at the WVIHF)and she is a dance student at Cadalzo Contemporary Dance Studio. She is a member of Bridgeport High School frontline, band (clarinet), and orchestra (viola). She was also one of only two students chosen for All-State Orchestra from BHS in 2015, was nominated for thc WVU Honors Orchestra, and recently auditioned for the Governor's School for the Arts. Along with her musical talents, she is a dedicated member of the BHS Key Club and loves doing community service through the club. She is currently a sophomore at BHS(2014-2015) with a 4.0 GPA.
(Buffey) Watson of Clarksburg. She is the great-great-granddaughter or the late Michael and Victoria (Perris) and the late Frank Oliverio (from San Giovanni, Fiore, Italy), and Mary (Romano) Oliverio of Clarksburg. She is interested in the performing arts, especially music. Among her many talents are piano, viola, clarinet, steel drums, guitar, voice, twirling, and dance. She is currently a student at Pam Krall's Musical Studio (she has performed for five years at the WVIHF)and she is a dance student at Cadalzo Contemporary Dance Studio. She is a member of Bridgeport High School frontline, band (clarinet), and orchestra (viola). She was also one of only two students chosen for All-State Orchestra from BHS in 2015, was nominated for thc WVU Honors Orchestra, and recently auditioned for the Governor's School for the Arts. Along with her musical talents, she is a dedicated member of the BHS Key Club and loves doing community service through the club. She is currently a sophomore at BHS(2014-2015) with a 4.0 GPA.
Olivia Franchesca Urse is the 10-year old daughter of Matt and Pamela Urse of Bridgeport. Her paternal grandparents are Robert and Mary Urse of Fairmont and maternal grandparents of Thomas and Faye Green of Ducktown, Tenn. She has an older sister Beth and two Shih-Tzu dogs; Darbie and Lola. Olivia attends St. Mary’s in Clarksburg and is in the fifth grade. She is a student in the Harrison County Gifted Program. Her peers elected Olivia as the student body fifth grade class representative. Olivia is also an active member of the 4-H and one of the club's activity leaders. She has been a year-round competition swimmer since the age of four and currently swims for the Fairmont Area Swim Team. Her achievements include numerous swim meet high-point age group winner, three-time West Virginia State Long-Course Swim Champion, two-time WV State Short-Course Swim Champion, and WV State record holder in four different events. In addition to swimming Olivia is passionate about the arts. She plays the saxophone, paints, sings and does pottery.
Gabriella Horne is the daughter of Michael and Christy (Spatafore) Horne of Bridgeport. Her paternal grandparents are John and Darlene Horne and her maternal grandparents are John 
and Beverly Spatafore. Gabriella’s paternal great-grandparents are the late Reverend Phillip and Fran Horne and the late James and Arlene (Chiero) Riley. Her maternal great-grandparents are the late Ray and Jean Seders and the late Sam “Jack” and Mary (Mancini) Spatafore. Her ancestors originated from Caulonia and San Giovanna in Fiore. Gabriella will be a first grade student at Johnson Elementary. Her hobbies include cheerleading, gymnastics, dancing and playing outside with her friends. Gabriella attends All Saints Catholic Church.
and Beverly Spatafore. Gabriella’s paternal great-grandparents are the late Reverend Phillip and Fran Horne and the late James and Arlene (Chiero) Riley. Her maternal great-grandparents are the late Ray and Jean Seders and the late Sam “Jack” and Mary (Mancini) Spatafore. Her ancestors originated from Caulonia and San Giovanna in Fiore. Gabriella will be a first grade student at Johnson Elementary. Her hobbies include cheerleading, gymnastics, dancing and playing outside with her friends. Gabriella attends All Saints Catholic Church.
Audrey Kerr is the daughter of Chris and Andrea Kerr of Bridgeport. She will be starting first grade at Johnson Elementary School. She likes to read, paint and play with Barbie dolls. She also likes to play 
soccer, dance and shoot basketball with her dad and sister. She likes to play with her sister and her friends. She is a member of Bridgeport Soccer Association and dances at Cadalzo Contemporary Dance Studio.
soccer, dance and shoot basketball with her dad and sister. She likes to play with her sister and her friends. She is a member of Bridgeport Soccer Association and dances at Cadalzo Contemporary Dance Studio.
Antonio Michael Robinson of Bridgeport is the son of Edward and Kristina (Steele) Robinson. He is the grandson of Robert and Karen (Oliverio) Steele of Bridgeport and Carl (deceased) and Karen (O'Dell) Robinson of Haywood. He is eight years of age and is presently enrolled in the third grade at Simpson Elementary School. Antonio enjoys many sports and recreational activities. Playing soccer since the age of four has afforded him the opportunity to attend many clinics and camps. Presently, he plays soccer for the Bridgeport Soccer Association. He also enjoys playing basketball and has participated in Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Basketball League and Jerry West. His engagement in organized sports sparked a passion for running. He joined the Bridgeport Road Warriors and enjoys running and competing with the other members. Additional activities in which Antonio has participated include several years of guitar lessons and creative acting classes. He participated in the 2014 West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival play. In his free time, Antonio 
enjoys drawing, playing video games, and spending time with his twin brother Dominick, family, friends, and his two dogs Sonny and Johnny. His family continues the Italian traditions during the holidays and throughout the year.
enjoys drawing, playing video games, and spending time with his twin brother Dominick, family, friends, and his two dogs Sonny and Johnny. His family continues the Italian traditions during the holidays and throughout the year.
Dominick Samuel Robinson of Bridgeport is the son of Edward and Kristina (Steele) Robinson. He is the grandson of Robert and Karen (Oliverio) Steele of Bridgeport and Carl (deceased) and Karn (OI Dell) Robinson of Haywood. He is eight years of age and is presently enrolled in the third grade at Simpson Elementary School. Dominick enjoys many sports and recreational activities. Playing soccer since the age of four has afforded him the opportunity to attend many clinics and camps. Presently, he plays soccer for the Bridgeport Soccer Association. He also enjoys playing basketball and has participated in Bridgeport Parks and Rccrcation Basketball League and Jerry West. His engagement in organized sports sparked a passion for running. He joined the Bridgeport Road Warriors and enjoys running and competing with the other members. Additional activities in which Dominick has participated include several years of guitar lessons and creative acting classes. He participated in the 2014 WVIHF play. In his free time, Dominick enjoys drawing, reading, playing video gamcs, and spending time with his twin brother Antonio, family, fiends, and his two dogs Sonny and .Johnny. His family continues the Italian 
tradition during the holidays and throughout the year.
tradition during the holidays and throughout the year.
Also on this year's court is Maid of Honor Chloe Marie Boyles, Princesses Kendal Shaye DeMarco, Hannah Marie Brown and Jacqueline Miranda Rich, Junior Court members Nicolette JoAnn Rich, Franchesca Rose Aloi and Kyra Marie Mathews and Minor Court members Gabriel Vincent Loma, Anthony Emanuel Fratto, Olivia Grace Loma, Chesnea Brooke Boyles, Bailey Basile, Eden Elizabeth Basile, Devyn Elizabeth Fulton and Emma Bell.
