A world-renowned TV executive, an outstanding athlete and coach, a pioneer of cheerleading competition and a race car driver, were all honored by signing stars on the Portsmouth Floodwall Saturday.

The first to sign was Mayor James Kalb’s choice, NASCAR driver Junior Spencer of New Boston.

During his NASCAR career he had 12 top 20 finishes, seven top 10 finishes and 2 top five finishes.

Because of illness, Spencer was unable to speak, but expressed his delight with a wide smile as the crowd cheered and photos were taken.

Next up was the long time coach of the Greenup County cheerleaders, Candy Berry. Berry, who lives in Flatwoods, Ky. coached her team to 12 national titles. A large contingency of fans, including several former members of the cheerleading squad from Greenup greeted Berry with, “Two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar. All for Candy Berry, stand up and holler.”

“It’s humbling and it’s exciting at the same time,” Berry told the Portsmouth Daily Times. “It’s an honor for all of Greenup County School District, and my family and all the heartaches, and fun and pleasures they have put up with over these 33 years.”

Berry was coaching when cheerleading turned to a competitive sport and remembers experiencing the transition.

“It’s like raising a new child,” Berry said. “You start it walking and then you move on up to where you are at a trot, and all of a sudden everything is out of control. It’s crazy and exciting, and it was great.”

The Greenup cheerleading squad was the first to introduce tumbling into cheerleading competition.

Ronald Giles, now of Glenmoore, Pa., has had a long and distinguished career in television. Among his accomplishments, was winning seven regional Emmy awards.

Lifelong friend Jerry Jenkins has fond memories of the man who recently wrote a book about Harrisonville Avenue, where he grew up.

“We met in the first grade. That was 60 years ago,” Jenkins said as he watched his friend sign the star.

Afterwards Giles told the Times, “The thing that matters the most is the family and friends, and the memories that flood back to when you were here.”

Giles became nostalgic as he looked back on his life in New Boston.

“Whatever you accomplish in life started here,” Giles said. “And this place, to me, is very precious. So it’s a big deal to me.”

Last, but not least among a cheering throng was the Director of SOMC Hospice, Teresa Ruby, who had a distinguished athletic career at Clay High School. Ruby was a member of the state championship softball teams in 1980 and 1981, and played on five national championship teams.

“It is very flattering,” Ruby said.

Why did Ruby choose to return to Portsmouth?

“It’s home,” Ruby said. “My family is here. I have a big family. I love the area. This place has been real good to me, and it’s an opportunity to give back in some way, and it has been worth every day of it.”

Each of the honorees was introduced by Portsmouth Mayor James Kalb.

“This is real special for the city. It’s real special for me,” Kalb told the Times. “It’s a chance to honor some people in the local area.”

Kalb said more than 100 names were submitted for consideration.

Kalb also took the opportunity to recognize former Portsmouth Mayor Franklin T. Gerlach for starting the program.