Each year the West Virginia Division of Culture and History recognizes the dedication and labor of their most significant contributors through the annual History Day “History Heroes” awards. This year’s award winners include the Gold, Khourey & Turak team of Jonathan Turak, Christopher Turak, and Louis Khourey, along with former John Marshall High School teacher, Harold Vitale. Delegates Joe Canestraro and Mike Ferro were on-hand to recognize and congratulate the winners.
“This is a tremendous honor,” says personal injury attorney Christopher Turak of Gold, Khourey & Turak. “Marshall County is our home, and to be recognized for our efforts in our community is humbling.” The Gold, Khourey & Turak team were recognized for their outstanding and continuing contributions to the preservation of the Cockayne Farmstead in Glen Dale.
Recent local winners include:
2018
- Louis H. Khourey, Jonathan E. Turak, Christopher M. Turak: This team has worked behind the scenes to assist in the preservation of the Cockayne Farmstead from its beginning, enabling the project to exist and thrive. The three men were instrumental in the society recovering significant plots of land to create the farmstead, and they introduced committee member to influential people who have helped the project over the year. Monthly committee meetings are held at their offices. For the past three years, Khourey, Turak, and Turak have been major financial sponsors of the farmstead’s annual golf scramble, organized by the team’s staff. Nominated by the Cockayne Farmstead.
- Harold E. Vitale: Spent four decades teaching history to hundreds of high school students in the Marshall County school system. This work has added to the Marshall County Historical Society’s success by creating the core foundation that helps bring interested individuals to social functions. He also has been a loyal supporter of the public programs offered by the society through his attendance and interaction with participants. Nominated by the Marshall County Historical Society.
2017
- Sidney Grisell. Nominated by Cockayne Farmstead Preservation Project
- Joseph Laker. Nominated by Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation
- Diane M. Rhodes. Nominated by Wheeling Area Genealogy Society.
- Erin Denise Rothenbuehler. Nominated by Friends of Wheeling
- Paul J. Zuros. Nominated by Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center, Inc.
2016
- Sharon West DaRe. Nominated by Cockayne Farmstead Preservation Project
- Vickey Gallagher. Nominated by Brooke County Historical Museum and Culture Center
- Roseanna Keller. Nominated by Marshall County Historical Society
2015
- Earl G. Nicodemus Nominated by West Liberty Historical Society, Inc.
- Peggy Niebergall. Nominated by Friends of Wheeling
- Robert Straub Nominated by Marshall County Historical Society
- Joseph A. “Joey” Tellitocci and Joseph Tellitocci Jr. Nominated by Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library
- Glenn White Nominated by Wheeling National Heritage Area
2014
- Sally Wells Ezell. Nominated by Wheeling Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
- Lee Kelvington Nominated by Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation
- Baird Kloss Nominated by Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation
- Jane Klug Nominated by Marshall County Historical Society
- Lonnie Leek Nominated by Tyler County Museum
- Bonnie Mueller Nominated by Cockayne Farmstead Preservation Project
- Nola Jean Parks Nominated by Ohio Valley Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
- Gary L. Rider Nominated by Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library
- Gary Wayne Zearott Nominated by Friends of Wheeling
2013
- Deacon Douglas W. Breiding. Nominated by Wheeling Area Genealogical Society
- Linda S. Comins Nominated by Friends of Wheeling
- Mary and Philip Greathouse Nominated by Brooke County Historical Museum and Culture Center
- Nicki Melissinos Nominated by Marshall County Historical Society
- Shirley Neff Nominated by Tyler County Museum
- John George Pandelios Nominated by Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center
- Joanne Sullivan Nominated by Wheeling National Heritage Area
- Jamie Vosvick Nominated by Cockayne Historic Preservation Committee, Cockayne Farmstead
2012
- Billy Lynn Cunningham Nominated by Wetzel County WVGenWeb
- Anne Hazlett Foreman Nominated by Wheeling Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
- Bill K. Hissam Nominated by Tyler County Museum
- Gerry Wood Nominated by Marshall County Historical Society
For a complete list of winners, visit www.wvculture.org
