Mr. Mihalyo is serving in his second year as principal of Madonna High School. He joined the Madonna family in 2008 after spending the last 10 years as an educator in Loudoun County, VIrginia. While in Virginia, Mr. Mihalyo taught US History and Gifted Education before being appointed the Assistant Principal of Little River Elementary School in South Riding, Virginia. Most recently, he served as Assistant Principal of Dominion Trail Elementary School in Ashburn, Virginia.
Mr. Mihalyo received his Bachelor's degree from West Liberty State College, and his Master's Degree from Shenandoah University.
Mr. Mihalyo is married to Theresa Mihalyo and they are blessed with a daughter, Grace Marie.
Mr. Bill Barrett
Mr. Barrett has been Social Studies at Madonna High School since 1962. He graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1954 and received his BS degree in Secondary Education from the College of Steubenville in 1960 and his MA Degree in Speech communication from West Virginia University in 1982. Mr. Barrett coached baseball for seven seasons from 1970 to 1976 and served as the Athletic Director for 23 years from 1977-1991 and 1993-2002. He is the Moderator for the Senior Class of 2009.
Mr. Barrett has been married to Jeanne Martin since 1988 and has a stepdaughter and stepson, Nancy Basile and Louis Martin, both married, as well as two step-grandchildren, Michael, 6 and Jane, 2 1/2.
Mr. Richard Barnabei, Dean of Students/Athletic Director
Mr. Barnabei is a 1965 graduate of Madonna High School, and has a Bachelor of Science in Education/Special Education from the University of Tennessee, as well as a Master of Science in School Administration from the University of Dayton. Mr. Barnabei has served as a special education teacher in Tennessee, Apprentice Principal of Cove School in Hancock County, Principal of Dunbar School in Hancock County, the Coordinator of Special Education for Hancock County, Director of the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center, Assistant Director of Federal Programs for Hancock County, Principal of Broadview Elementary School, Director of Pupil Services and Title IX for Hancock County, Director of Operations for Hancock County, as well as the Assistant Superintendent of Hancock County Schools. Mr. Barnabei has served as an assistant coach in several sports throughout his career. He has served on the Hancock County Board of Directors at the Sheltered Workshop, Board of Directors for the Greenbrier Manor, been a United Way Representative, as well as served on the Education Committee for the Weirton Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of St. Joseph the Worker Church in Weirton.
Mr. John Colabrese
Mr. Colabrese joins the Madonna family this year teaching Science 9 and 10, and Advanced Environmental Science. He grew up in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania and graduated from Belle Vernon area High School in 1970. He graduated Cum Laude from WVU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with a major in Biology and General Sciences. He worked for WVU as a Lab Tech during college and continued there for 1 year after graduation before accepting a job in Pocahotas County Schools at Green Bank Middle School. After 2 years, he accepted a new job at Weir High School and worked there for 30 years. While teaching, he earned a Masters in Learning Disabilities from WVU and has taught Math, English, Physical Science, Biology, and History to Learning Disabled students, and General Science, Coordinated and Thematic Science, Biology, Advanced Biology, AP Biology, Environmental Science, and AP Environmental Science. He was Activities Coordinator (Athletic Director) for 5 years at Weir High. He sponsored the Environmental Science Club at Weir High School for 14 years. The club averaged well over 150 members and received many awards. He coached the Envirothon Team - an environmental competition at the State level for 10 years and they too received many awards and finished among the top teams in West Virginia several times. Because of the success of the club and team he was awarded Environmetal Science Teacher of the Year for the State of West Virginia 3 times.
Mr. Colabrese is married to Catherine Colabrese and they have 4 children: Beth Hypes, Michael Colabrese, Kristofer Colabrese, and Heather Colabrese, along with 4 grandchildren, ages 2 to 14.
Mrs. Maria DeFilippo
“Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Mrs. DeFilippo joins the Madonna family in 2010 teaching Tech Chem, Chemistry I, Chemistry II, Anatomy & Physiology I, and Anatomy & Physiology II.Not a stranger to teaching, Mrs. DeFilippo, previously taught in New Jersey at ManasquanHigh School, MonmouthCountyVocational School, and Long BranchMiddle School.She completed her undergraduate work at Washington and JeffersonCollege where she obtained her BA in Biology.She went on to earn her MS in Education specializing in curriculum, instruction and assessment from WaldenUniversity.
Mrs. DeFilippo acts as the advisor for JETS and SADD
Mr. Kevin Dennis, Guidance Counselor
Mr. Dennis is a retired guidance counselor from the Buckeye Local School District wehere he worked from 1974 to 2004. He was also employed by Eastern Gateway Community College as a career and academic counselor/advisor from 1999 to 2009. His undergraduate degree is from Ohio University (B.S. Ed. Secondary Ed.) and his graduate degree, (M.S.Ed. School Counseling) is from the University of Dayton.
Outside of school, Mr. Dennis is involved in several local community theatre groups and plays music with three local bands. Kevin and his wife, Jane, live in Steubenville.
Mr. Joseph Edmiston
Mr. Edmiston is a 2005 graduate of Alderson-Broaddus College with a degree in secondary education with a specialty in Oral Communications 5 – adult. He also received degrees in Applied Music & Creative Writing. After Graduating from “AB” he accepted a job at the Bellwood-Antis High School, his alma mater.
Mr. Edmiston is currently serving in his fourth year as a member of the Weirton Madonna Faculty. He currently teaches Communications, Journalism & Drama. Outside the classroom, Mr. Edmiston directs the school’s annual musical and coaches the volleyball team.
During the 2007-2008 school year he also took on the role of Development Director and aided in the launch the school’s first capital campaign “Fulfilling the Dream”.
Mrs. Mary C. Evkovich
Mrs. Evkovich has been teaching at Madonna High School since August, 1989. She teaches Visual Arts grades 9-12. She has a BA in Art Education from West Liberty State college and a M.A. in Speech Communications from West Virginia University. She is the Moderator for the Madonna High School Pro-Life Club, Prayer Club, Art Club and Pure Love Club.
Mrs. Evkovich has been married to Eli Evkovich for 31 years and has one son, Ian. Her interests are art, design, decorating, cooking, spiritual reading and prayer, family and friends.
Mr. Ryan Garbin
Mr. Garbin, a first year teacher, joins the Madonna family in 2010 teaching World Cultures, Civics, and Marketing. A 2010 graduate of Penn State University (Main Campus), Mr. Garbin received his Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education in the field of Social Sciences. His mother Sharon Garbin (Bubrik), was a graduate of Madonna in 1976 and his mother and father had their wedding at St. Joesph's the Worker Church. Mr. Garbin grew up and still resides in Pittsburgh, Pa where he attended Holy Trinity Catholic School and Bishop Canevin High School. He is currently the head coach for the Lady Dons JV volleyball team and assistant Varsity head coach.
Mr. Jonathan Kendrick
Mr. Kendrick is in his second year as Health, Physical Education and Environmental Science teacher. He comes to us from the business world where he worked as a District Manager for ADP for the past three years. Mr. Kendrick is not entirely new to Madonna though, he has been an assistant football and track coach for the last five years. He graduated from Madonna in 2001; he then received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Robert Morris University in 2005. Mr. Kendrick is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Education which will be completed in the spring of 2009. In addition to being a teacher and a coach, Mr. Kendrick is also a moderator of the Class of 2012 and moderator of the S.A.D.D. club.
Mrs. Sono Kondo Kolanko
Mrs. Kolanko was born and raised in Nagoya, Japan. She received a B.A. Degree in Spanish from Kyoto University of Foreigh Languages. She also received a B.A. Degree in International Studies from West Virginia University. She currently teaches Spanish 1 and 2 at Weirton Madonna High School. She also teaches Spanish 1 at St. Paul's Elementary School.
Mrs. Kolanko is married to Bob Kolanko and lives in Weirton with her family, Bob, Mari and Megu. She enjoys good food, reading, music, traveling and watching sports (especially sking and soccer).
Mrs. Connie Lafferty
This is Mrs. Lafferty's fourth year at Madonna High School as Technology Coordinator and Computer Science Instructor, and Yearbook Advisor. She is also the Moderator for the Class of 2012. She has a BS in Business Management from Franciscan University with additional course work in various software, hardware, and networking classes. Prior to teaching at Madonna High School, Mrs. Lafferty spent three years teaching computers at St. Paul's Elementary School and 3 years at St. Joseph the Worker Elementary School in Weirton and was an Adjunct Instructor at Jefferson Commuity College in Steubenville Ohio. In addition, Mrs. Lafferty is retired from Weirton Steel Corporation with 30 years of service with extensive experience in Human Resources and Information Technology.
Mrs. Lafferty and her late husband, Chuck, were the owners of The Steadfast Tin Soldier in Weirton, from 1994 through 2000, a unique toy store specializing in retro toys .
Mrs. Lauren Parsons
Mrs. Parsons is joining Madonna High School this year as a first year teacher. She will be teaching 12th grade English, 9th grade Communications, and Journalism. Mrs. Parsons grew up in Tiltonsville, Ohio and graduated from Buckeye Local High School in 2002. She graduated from The Ohio University in 2008 with a Bachelor’s in Specialized Studies for English, Communications, and History. She is currently continuing her education at Wheeling Jesuit University.
Mrs. Parsons is married to Mr. Lucas Parsons, who is the English teacher at St. Paul School. They have been happily married for 4 years and currently reside in Tiltonsville.
Ms. Jean Shotting
Ms. Jean Shotting is a native of Pittsburgh, PA.A graduate of Moon Area High School, Ms. Shotting attended the Pennsylvania State University for two years before transferring to the University of Steubenville, where she obtained an undergraduate degree in English/Theology and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.After completing her student teaching experience and obtaining her teaching certificate, Ms. Shotting was offered a full-time position at Madonna High School.She taught both English and religion for several years.Ms. Shotting was appointed as Chairperson of the English Department when Mr. Walter Wieloh, who had served as the Chairperson of the Department for many years, decided to “semi-retire” and teach only Senior English.Currently, Ms. Shotting teaches English I, English II, and English III at Madonna High School.
Mrs. Kelly Sinsigalli
Mrs. Sinsigalli joins the Madonna family this year teaching Trigonometry, PreCalculus, and Calculus. She is a native of Pittsburgh, where she worked in the Catholic schools as a youth minister, teacher, and principal. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education (Secondary Math & French) from Duquesne University. She also earned her Master of Science in Educational Administration from Duquesne. She comes to us most recently from teaching
math at St. John Central in Bellaire. She resides in Ohio with her husband, Paul.
Mrs. Sinsigalli will be the advisor for the Outdoor Adventure Club.
Mrs. Mary Anna Valles
Mrs. Valles began teaching at Madonna High School during the 1994-95 school year. She is the Head of the Math Department and teaches Honors Geometry, Geometry, Honors Algebra II, Trigonometry, Statistics, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Calculus for Bethany College Credit. She is a Moderator for the Class of 2012 and Student Council. She is also the Matmaid Sponsor. She is a 1973 graduate of West Liberty College with a degree in Secondary Education English and Mathematics and a minor in Journalism.
Mrs. Valles is married to David Valles and has four children and four grandchildren.
Mr. Jesse R. Weigel
Mr. Weigel graduated Summa Cum Laude from West Liberty State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration specializing in Banking, Finance, and Economics and is currently working on a MA in Theology and Christian Ministry from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has lead and been a speaker for numerous Catholic retreats for both youth and adults. He and his wife Rebekah reside in Steubenville, OH with their son Raphael.
