New president, v-p both from Lawrence County

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — When Marshall University students chose their new leaders on April 8, the two winners were names that are familiar to a lot of Lawrence County.

Brea Belville was elected student body president and Connor Waller won as vice president in the election, with their ticket taking 62.19 percent of the vote.

Their win is historic and believed to be the first time two Lawrence Countians have won the top two position in student leadership.

Belville, who majors in finance with minors in legal environment and management, is a 2022 graduate of Symmes Valley High School, where she was top of her class. She has been deeply involved with the county’s 4-H program, serving as a Teen Leader, on the Junior Fair Board and having an undefeated streak as grand champion in rabbit showmanship each year. In 2022, she was crown as Lawrence County Fair Queen.

Waller, who majors in political science and minors in history, international affairs and constitutional democracy, is a 2022 graduate of St. Joseph High School and was active in numerous extracurricular activities at his school, including Quiz Bowl and the Mock Trial Team. He was named as one The Ironton Tribune’s 35 Under 35 in 2022 and has served as an intern with the Lawrence County Commission and, like Belville, has been a Lawrence County Civic Scholar.

According to Marshall’s student newspaper, The Parthenon, both Belville and Waller have been active in SGA since their freshman year of college.