Madonna High School Alumni inducted to the 2024 City of Weirton Hall of Fame

Madonna High School Alumni were well represented in the 2024 City of Weirton Hall of Fame Inductees.

Deb (Kucan) Witkowski, Class of 1971 was honored for Education and Religion. Deb was the creative force of WTOV9’s “What Would Deb Do” for 19 years and remains involved in the Ohio Valley community emceeing the Steubenville Summer Concert Series. She was a member of the Weirton Area Parks and Recreation Board for 18 years. For 13 years Deb was a Weight Watchers Leader in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia until the company discontinued face-to-face meetings. Her drive and desire to continue the health and wellness journey with her members brought about GOAL (Giving Ourselves Amazing Lives); which meets at the Millsop Community Center where she coaches Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Deb also continues to educate through music with her husband, Rick – Studio L, as they’ve been contracted to write and produce music for a variety of kids’ online shows, and the two continue to give Ohio Valley businesses audio logos through jingles for tv and radio.

George Vargo, Class of 1970, has been Director of Weirton Housing Authority for 45 years. Prior to his final season as Madonna boys basketball coach, where he coached for 27 years and was the State Champion coach in 2011. George also coached at Franciscan University.

Bob Maslowski was honored in the Education and Religion category. Bob was Valedictorian of the Madonna 1964 class. After receiving a football scholarship to play at Holy Cross University, Bob became an archeologist in the Huntington, West Virginia District, Army Corp of Engineers. He taught as an adjunct instructor at Marshall University Graduate College as well as Concord University. Besides working in the Ohio Valley, Bob worked as an archeologist in Texas, Isreal, Cyprus, Vietnam and Laos.

Jim Pauchnik is a 1964 graduate. Jim was selected for Community Service in the Hall of Fame. After attending West Liberty University, Jim served aboard the Nuclear Submarine USS Will Rogers for four years. Jim was the Executive Director of the Weirton United Way and served Community Bread Basket for twenty years. Jim is married to Linda Pauchnik (Class of 1965). Jim and Linda have one son, Brian (Class of 1988) and one daughter, Michelle Buterbaugh (Class of 1993). Jim was the former Golf Coach at MHS.